I am so thankful to be back home looking out over the beautiful Black Hills and watching the God blaze the sunset over the sky. How I missed seeing His beauty all around me. Its so easy to forget that God is everywhere when all you see is mostly big buildings, concrete sidewalks and paved streets full of cars going too fast. So as I sit here looking over the hills I am sure of where my help comes from; it comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.
I had my last appointment for this round at Mayo on Monday, March 14. While I was gone I had my PT-INR tested twice and both times the INR went down despite the increase in dosage of Warfarin so the Neuro department thought I should have some testing done and see the hemotologist. It was a very interesting visit and productive. They did discover that I have an abnormal clotting factor in my blood; which they believed caused the start of the Dural AVM Fistula. At some point I had a clot in my brain that caused the abnormal growth of vessels to "feed" the part of the brain that was being deprived. There is an enzyme in my blood that is caused by a virus that puts me at a high risk for clotting and the enzyme is resistant to the blood thinners. Now we can understand why I can't get my INR at a therapeutic level and keep it there. They are also doing further testing to see if this could also be genetic. I will have to be on blood thinners the rest of my life because of the danger if having a clot anywhere at anytime. God is leading us step by step to find the answers.
I go back on April 14, 2011 for more testing in the balance clinic. They are going to do pressure testing and also tones because these are two things that can cause me to feel off balance at any point. I will also see an ENT and then follow up with Dr. Eggars (the nuerologist in charge of my case). There is still the issue of my own voice making me feel like my brains are vibrating, I still can't walk in a store and turn my head and the issue of the transient pain on the left side.
The balance is much better and I'm not always nauseous!! I can sit up in the car and watch the road so I'm hoping I will be driving soon. There are so many things for which to give God Praise and I do. Mostly, I praise Him for Skip and his support, patience and love, for all my family; which includes so many, many friends who have supported and encouraged me. I know this journey isn't over and there may be more bumps in the road but I do know that I'm not alone!
Ps 150: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."
If there is more news I will update before the next appointment. Please keep praying for the doctors as they continue to review my case. Blessings to all of you.
Jeanne
Thank you Jeanne for the update. I did talk to Skip a bit at the clinic the other day. That is where i seem to see you guys the most. I am so glad that there is still tiny bits of new information coming to you. It is like you are feed one piece of helpful information at a time. We are praying for you and Skip and praising God that you can continue to give praise Him and give Him glory through it all. God bless you
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