Grace in Answered Prayer

This past week I had my typical every-other-month check-up with my Rheumy. She was able to look at the report of the biopsy from the Dermatologist, and explained that there's an interface between the Dermis and the Epidermis. This interface was where the antibodies were causing the inflammation, suggesting an auto-immune reaction, not an allergic reaction. That being said, there are 3 options for treatment; 1) Increase my dose of immune suppressant, 2) increase my dose of steroid that I've been on for almost a year, 3) a new drug for my system, called Plaquenil. Plaquenil was originally intended for treatment and prevention of Malaria, however it's also been proven to help with RA and Lupus symptoms. Plaquenil wouldn't further suppress my immune system or increase my risk of infection or bone damage, so it's the option I was most comfortable with. The only down side should be that it could take up to three months for me to start noticing a difference. Big, fat, hairy deal..... :)

So I asked Dr. Lipsey before she left, "How do my lungs sound?" She said they sound clear and healthy, no crackling anymore. I did a retarded dance for joy as I dug through my purse for my phone so I could text John and tell him. You see, we've been praying very specifically for God to rid my body of this disease and the effects it has had on my body, this was a small step in that direction. Dr. Lipsey moved my every-other-month visit to every 4 months or so, said that my blood work looked great and sent me on my way....2 more small steps:)

My next round of labs are scheduled for July, which is when BCBS should start pitching in to help with medical bills, the preexisting condition clause has almost expired!! Praise the Lord.....Having blood drawn on three separate occasions cost us almost $900. So this is a really big deal for us!

As far as my time with my husband is concerned, it has been very precious of late, and I'm guarding it most jealously. Saturdays are our day for quality time. The last few weeks it's been spent hiking and antiquing...the hiking is going a little better, as I'm conditioning my body for it. And for someone who's lungs only function " at 47%", I beast these trails!! We've found some really precious things while shopping, worldly treasures that remind me of people that I love dearly. Such as pieces of purple glass, like my Great-Gram Owen has been collecting for years. She's 100 years old, and she's amazing. I spent a lot of time with her as a kid, and grew up seeing these pieces of purple glass. As I understand it, these pieces were made prior to WWII(?) and were made with manganese. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, these pieces turn purple. The pieces we're found vary in size and type-from vases to milk bottles.
I've also been able to add to my teacup collection several "new" teacups; 6 fro my sweet mom-in-law, and one during a hunt in Brevard, NC. I've added these to; one teacup from my Great-Gram Owen's collection ( a Christmas present that made me cry ), one from my Gramma Chauvin ( purchased on one of a couple cruises to Bermuda), and one that I bought as a young teen, and has been broken ( by my sister Allie, who was two or three at the time ) and super glued back together!

Still struggling with contentment as I am a proud new Auntie of a sweet baby boy, Davis James Pachter, son to Jamey and Lucy Pachter, and I await the arrival to Jonathan and Jeanette's second son. But God has been so kind to increase a desire for his word, joy in reading through Colossians, and moving backwards to start Galatians. God has been good to remind me that I will not be truly happy until he is first place in my heart. This truth is very familiar, I learn it a lot, and am dismayed at how quickly I forget it. But I must(by God's grace) remain in the word, rejoicing in "old" truths, learning "new" truths, and pursuing fellowship with my Savior!

As I see God answering specific prayer, I'm encouraged to pray faithfully for certain people that God has placed on my heart. The second part of James 5:16 stated that "the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much"... I wouldn't call myself righteous, but I'm pursuing it, so I'm gonna assume that's close enough. No obvious answers there yet, but I'll keep you posted:)