Today is October 12.  One year ago I had to go to the ER.  I was the sickest I had been in my entire life. Fever, coughing, pneumonia, pain.  I had blisters and lesions literally from head to toe.  I think every doctor in the hospital came to see the lady with all the strange skin nodules. 

I laid in the hospital ER for eight hours while they tried to figure out what was wrong with me and get me admitted. The daytime hospitalist was afraid to admit me, and I was going to leave, “come what may.”  The ER doctor begged me to stay, as he wanted to try to get me admitted by the evening hospitalist, so that he could get me to a larger hospital in a metropolitan area two hours away.  

He was able to do so and I was able to get to there within two days. He dedication to getting me to the hospital made all the difference. They tested me for so many things, TB included and I was in isolation because of it.  The ambulance ride at 3am wasn’t something I had on my bucket list, but I put it on so I could check it off!

Fast forward a year later.  I got a hair trim today and went shopping alone.  As I listened to my Gaither Vocal Band CDs (what I listened to in the hospital for the 11 days at Barnes), looked at the beautiful blue sky, drove my own car with the windows down, walked on my own without that walker I used for two months… tears flowed down my cheeks.

Valley Fever is a disease that will alway be a part of my life. Simply by breathing in a small, microscopic fungal spore that became a parasite in my body. My ID doctor said I was “at the wrong place and the wrong time.” It happens in the Southwest region of the country more than we know.

 My CT scan from last week did not show any shrinkage in the lesions, nodules or cavities… but that also means there was no growth.  I still have blood work to do, and hopefully it will show the disease is dormant, but even if it doesn’t, I am better.  I am more myself.  I don’t have severe fatigue every single day.  I am walking 2-3 miles most days. 

I just spent the day thanking the sweet Lord for another year of life.  A life that is far from perfect, but a life He has given me.  It all seems surreal in a way.  If I talked to you in those 13 days, I may literally not remember it.  Evidently, that did happen quite often.  

But I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your care, your prayers, your calls and texts.  Many of you still check on me and that is precious, I know so many of you are dealing with your own trials in life, and I don’t take that lightly.

I am reminded of this story and that fiery furnace from Daniel 3:16-18

“Even if” the nodules, lesions and cavities in my lung don’t shrink or go away,  “Even if” Valley Fever stays with me the rest of my life, “Even if” I have days that I am hurting and am fatigued….

I will still love the Lord and worship Him with my whole being. He is my peace, my grace, my heart, my salvation and my life.

I pray He is yours.

Even if.

Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy