A Full Plate

My plate is quite full this week. I have a lot of things going on...so much that I had to write a list so I don't forget anything this week. Speech therapy, Early childhood appointment, bunco, birthday party, another birthday party (both for my children) and basketball tryouts to name a few. Whew...it's gonna be a busy week!
Probably the most major thing is that I go to St. Louis this week to see a new doctor about my autoimmune disorder. I admit that I'm feeling a bit uneasy/anxious about this visit, however, I know that it has to be done. Brian and I will drive up there Wednesday night and spend the night. My appt. is early Thursday morning. I'm not sure what to expect at all and I REALLY like to know what to expect. At this point I just have to trust that the Lord knows...and it's okay!
If you read this blog (I have no idea who actually does), then would you please pray for me? Pray that the Lord would calm my nerves, that my new doctor would understand my disorder, and that I would finally get some kind of treatment that helps. Pray that Brian and I would have wisdom in making decisions that might need to be made too. Thanks!

"You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word." Psalm 119:114

The two entries below were originally written on my Facebook notes page. I've just coped and pasted them here.

11/03/2010
Hello friends! As many of you know, I have a Dr. appointment this Thursday morning at St. Louis University Hospital regarding my autoimmune disorder (Hypereosinophilic Gastroenteritis). I must admit that I'm just a bit nervous and apprehensive about going. At the same time I'm excited that I get a second opinion about treatment for my disorder. Those of you that are in my immediate circle of friends know that my disorder is EXTREMELY rare and there is very little study on it. I am asking for you to pray that this new doctor that I see actually knows something and has experience in this area. If after this appointment I feel like he doesn't know how to treat me I have already sought out another option but it would require me to go to Cinncinatti for a 3 day stay. The good thing about Cinncinatti is that they are the BEST place to go in the entire world for my disorder. I am sending this note asking you all to pray for me. I really don't know exactly how to express exactly what I need prayer for...there are so many factors that play into this! Here are a few of the requests that I have: 1. Pray that the doctor is St. Louis has experience in dealing with my disorder and knows proper means of treatment. If not, that he would be willing to refer me to Cinncinatti. 2. Pray that if I'm not properly diagnosed already, that I would be properly diagnosed. There are many tangents in this disorder that require different means of treatment. 3. Pray that whatever course of treatment is prescribed that I would be willing to handle it! This is sometimes difficult physically as well as emotionally. 4. Pray that I would remember that the Lord has me on this path for a reason and to be grateful for it. 5. Pray for Brian. He's a great husband and I'm sure this is worrying him too. Thank you so much for your prayers. I will keep you posted on what happens when I get back! In Christs love, ~Heather

11/06/2010
A few of you have asked how my Dr. appointment went. I'm going to be honest when I say that I was not happy with the appointment. Without going into too much detail Brian and I both felt that this doctor wasn't knowledgeable about my disorder. He has seen only 3 other patients before that have EGE. We could tell by some of the things that he proposed that he really is inexperienced in dealing with this particular disorder. So, I decided to call my doctor (Dr. Grant) here in Springfield. She is out of town but her nurse spoke with me today. I told her of my disappointment and concerns. I also shared with her that I would like a referral to a specific doctor that DOES deal with EGE in Cincinnati and that I most likely won't see the St. Louis doctor again. Dr. Grant will be back in the office Monday and probably call me then. The nurse seemed rather postive when I brought up the Cincinnati topic and stated that she thought Dr. Grant would consider the referral.Would you all PLEASE lift this up in prayer? This is where Brian and I both feel that I would get the best treatment. This is where people all over the world go for treatment of EGE and the only place in the world that is actively researching EGE. I already contacted them and they are willing to review my records with a referral. I really don't know where else I could get the proper help that I need. I'm having a hard time swallowing some of this today so please continue to pray for me too that I would rest in the Lord and completely trust in Him. I really do want to "consider it all joy."~Heather