God-Prints

Last week, during Share, I had the opportunity to call a listener and pray with her over the phone. She was going through a rough time, and one thing I specifically prayed was that God would provide for her immediate needs and that she would recognize each provision as coming from His hand, not just as a coincidence. I hope she has...and I know I have seen it in my own life these last couple of weeks. Sometimes I think it does a soul good just to hear when God's been moving, so I wanted to share this with you, both as a way to praise God for what He has done and also {hopefully} to encourage your walk!

Before I launch in, you should know that back in 2000, right after I graduated from college, I went through a significant bout of pain. Two trips to two emergency rooms...a visit to the doctor...and one wishy-washy diagnosis of a possible ulcer later, I was sent away with a prescription for Prevacid and an admonition to give up Mountain Dew, lemonade, and anything else particularly acidic. I haven't really had a big issue with the pain again {random bouts of it, but nothing major or long-lasting} until 2 weeks ago. It hit me at 8:15 on Thursday morning, right in the middle of an Egg McMuffin. {Which, for the record, I never eat, but I got a free one that day. Also for the record, I regularly eat things much worse than that.} Within minutes, the pain was so severe that I couldn't stand up straight, talk well, or breathe with ease. Lynne immediately sent me home, thus bringing about my first ever time to miss BLT.

And here begins the record of the God-prints.

* My friend Marie was home that day and she kept me company on the phone while I commuted home - a trip that took probably an hour and a half. I was in so much pain, I was hunched over the steering wheel, and my hands and lips had gone numb from the pain. She prayed aloud constantly and read Scripture to me as I drove. Any other given day, she probably would have been busy or gone at that hour, but that day she was home with time to spare and she prayed me home.

* Ryan, whose schedule is always full WEEKS in advance, happened to have a slow day that day and was able to leave work at noon. This is quite literally NEVER an option for him. EVER. Not only that, but he had a student doing a clinical rotation with him, and that meant even more than usual, he shouldn't have been able to leave work, but God had that all worked out.

* Lynne called me after the show and told me she did not want to see me again until I'd been checked out, which IS the only reason I got immediate testing. It wasn't like I could skip going back to work for the rest of eternity.

* Ryan took me to an emergency room out of town {at my request} and I was pretty nervous about heading in during the height of flu season. But we walked in the door and were taken back immediately and were out in less than an hour. Pretty sure that never happens this time of year. I had absolutely no contact with any other patients. Every person I saw in that ER was ridiculously nice. No one weighed me {you girls understand that this fact in and of itself is a praise}, the person who took my blood got the vein in one try and did not leave a bruise, and they were all careful to not order tests that might be costly if I could wait to get them at a better rate later. AND the ER called me the next day to ask after my health. Nice.

* We had no plans at all that weekend - other than Ryan's plan to work on Saturday, which meant I could rest. And one of his co-workers called and offered to sub for him on Saturday so he could stay home with me. That meant EVERYTHING to me. He has the best co-workers. Other than mine. Mine really are the best of the best.

* Monday was the start of Share week, and that is the kind of week that you just DO NOT MISS at work. Period. And we were already down one employee, since Lynne's dad died over the weekend. I was so nervous about being sick and ruining Share. But Ross, our director, literally met me at the door on Monday, looked me straight in the eye, and said "You do what YOU have to do this week to be okay. You get whatever tests you need whenever you need them and you don't worry about us. Do you understand?" Wow.

* One of the big issues with this whole thing is that I live in one town and have insurance in another town. Oh. And I don't have a doctor. So, although the diagnosis at the ER was again that I had an ulcer, thy did urge me to find a doctor, get an order for an ultrasound, and have my gallbladder checked just to be sure. That was a daunting task. I knew many doctors in Fort Wayne weren't even taking new patients. Fortunately, Ryan works at a hospital {in yet ANOTHER town} and a doctor there was willing to take pity on a poor sick wife and help her get an ultrasound ordered. I got that on Monday.

* At FOUR O'CLOCK on Monday afternoon, I blindly called an office in Fort Wayne to ask about an ultrasound. They were booked for weeks out, but the nice lady gave me another number to try. I called at 4:15 and they could get me in at 7:30 in the morning THE NEXT DAY. That meant I didn't have to fast all day, I could get the test out of the way before work, and I was only late by a half hour. The ultrasound was completely painless, too, which was a bonus. AND - one more thing. It was one of the few days that week when weather was not an issue in the morning. I was able to drive up the interstate with no snow or ice.

* My co-workers urged me to be as careful as I could all week. We had long hours and a lousy diet {for someone with issues like mine. The food was VERY good...but it was pizza...and Mexican...and all kinds of stuff I Probably shouldn't have} and all week long, they asked and asked how I was doing. I did great all week until Friday.

* Friday morning at 9:00, another attack of pain began. I asked for time to sit in my office and breathe. My parents were praying, Ryan was praying, and I asked my co-worker, Amy, to come back and pray over me in person. She came back at 9:45, and I was sweatin' it. I was supposed to be on air at 10:00 and the pain was so bad, I couldn't speak above a whisper. I leaned against the wall in my office while she prayed aloud for my relief. She specifically prayed that all pain would vanish when I opened my mouth to speak on the air. She got done and I looked at her and said, "That's 15 minutes away. Seriously? You couldn't pray for faster than that?" LOL!! We were joking, but you guys? I hobbled down to the studio at 10, sat in the chair with my pants unbuttoned, because the pain was too much, and the minute I opened my mouth to speak, it left. For. The. Day.

* Ryan texted me Friday afternoon and said the doctor had told him he never got the results from the hospital. They were supposed to be to him within 24 hours. I called and got right through {again, at 4 pm on a Friday} and they got them sent right over. That's when we learned my gallbladder was full of stones and needed to be removed immediately. The doctor was so upset that the results were delayed in getting to him. He said he would have had me in the hospital that week to have surgery. I told Ryan that I was firmly convinced that delay was God-ordained. I do not, for one minute, believe I had any kind of life-altering impact on the outcome of Share 2015, but I do believe, with all my heart, that in Lynne's absence, I was needed in that station. I can't be Lynne and I wasn't trying to be Lynne. But I needed to help. They needed me and I needed that time of faith-boosting. I didn't need surgery as much as I needed to be there.

* We weren't able to make any headway on this over the weekend, but when we started the process up Monday morning, we learned that the hospital Ryan wanted me to be in actually was covered in our insurance {we didn't think it would be}, so we're able to get in there for the surgery!

* The first "hiccup" was in the date - which is a week from yesterday. It was much farther out than I wanted, but I am choosing to believe it's right for reasons I don't know! It did allow me to return to work and get things done ahead for Lynne. I'd felt so horrible for leaving her with so much to do.

Excited to see what God does now!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday we woke up ON MO. Yes! We slept on our new couch all night! :) We're pathetic, but please love us anyway. We had signed up to take breakfast to Sunday School, so it was time to pack the big ole 31 bag and load up the casseroles! After church, we had the pleasure of enjoying lunch at the home of one of the ladies in the church. Ryan helped her move last fall, and she invited us and another church family for lunch. She is a lovely hostess and a GREAT cook. Loved our time! And then after that we watched 2 football games that DID NOT GO WELL. Just sayin'.

* Monday, our pastor and one of our friends from church were our guests on Mid-Morning! It was a joy to have them in-studio with us. I really learn a lot from these guys and appreciate them!! After work, we went to the gym for the first time this year. I was hoping some of the new year's crowd had thinned out. Yeah, apparently so! The place was deserted! After we got home, my parents stopped by to see Mo, and look who warmed up to her Grandpa! {And by "warmed up," I mean she refused to have anything to do with me OR Ryan while he was there.}

* Tuesday, I had an extra fun time at work; I got to do an on-air Cadbury egg taste test. Man, work is rough!! After work, Ryan and I went for a run - outside!! That's not the norm for January! Three miles, baby!! We were kicked back on Mo, later that night, watching Fixer Upper, and I just felt compelled to let you see proof that someone sat on my lap instead of Ryan's! {Granted that was only because his was full of his laptop, but why split hairs??}

* For part of the day on Wednesday, we had the most GORGEOUS snow in Fort Wayne. It was seriously like movie snow. Huge flakes that were stunning and pictures didn't nearly do them justice. I tried to think more about the beauty and less about my pending commute! I came home to find Braeya had left her little piggy toy on Mo, so I guess that means she approves of him. good thing. We are NOT returning him. Ryan and I took it easy...curled up and watched a movie!! 

* You've already read about our chaotic Thursday - when I ended up in the ER with excruciating pain in my stomach. I was so thankful Ryan was able to come home from work to go with me. I was also thankful for all of you who prayed for me that day. Hoping for answers soon! 

* Stayed home from work on Friday - at Lynne's insistence. I was so glad she insisted, because I was wiped out from the hours of unrelenting pain on Thursday. Took many naps!! Braeya sat at the far end of the couch, which I presumed was her version of helping. Later, she did come closer and sit on top of me while I was trying to type. LOL! One of my Sunday School friends, Kathy, stopped by to check on me and to bring me a card and gift. So sweet!

* Ryan was supposed to work on Saturday but ended up not having to go in, which was so great! We had a lazy day at home...I did venture forth to get a haircut and some new nail polish! YAY!!!! We worked on the house, continuing to get it reassembled after introducing Mo into the mix. We got out for a little bit that afternoon...car wash and grocery shopping. Be jealous of our fun! My friend Ronda came over to bring us a meal she'd made so I wouldn't have to cook! Sweet of her! :) I am still feeling better - hoping to keep it that way.

Our First ER Visit

Sorry my post is late today. I'm writing you from the comfort of Mo, where I've been for quite some time - and plan to be for most of today!

I went to work yesterday morning feeling absolutely fine. Had a whole list of things to do, including our BLT show that Lynne and I do every Thursday. When I arrived at work, I started eating breakfast, just like I do every day, and about 8:15, this {familiar} excruciating pain settled into my stomach.

I struggled with this pain quite a bit back in 2000 right after I graduated from college. A couple of ER visits and some doctor appointments later, they determined I had acid reflux and I needed to watch my citric acid intake. Over the years, I've learned that if I manage my stress well and don't overdo acidic foods, I am okay. I haven't had pain like this in YEARS!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I had a couple minor run-ins with it, but nothing long lasting, so I ignored it. There was no ignoring yesterday. Lynne sent me home immediately, and it was the longest commute EVER. I was in so much pain, my lips and hands went numb. It was awful. I called Ryan to tell him I was sick, and he had a really low patient day, so he was able to come home. I hated it that he had to miss work, but I was so glad he was there with me. I'll admit it: I was scared!

We rested at home for a bit and when Lynne called to check on me, she told me she didn't want to see me again until I had been checked out. Well...I kinda can't NOT go to work, so we packed up and headed out of town to an ER. {I refuse to go to the one here after my last visit turned into a debacle you would not believe.}

I was actually feeling better by the time I got there, but we went on in anyway. SUPER nice people in that ER. They gave me a little bracelet and had me wait on the nurse.

I was so thankful to have Ryan there. He can make the worst place a measure of fun:

The nurse came for me and put me in an exam room, asked some questions, and gave me THE most slimming gown.

{I posted this picture on Facebook and someone asked if I was in the maternity ward. NO!!!! NO NO NO!!!! Although I confess it crossed my mind....am I gonna be one of those people who comes in for random abdominal pain and is told she's in labor? Am I gonna be on that TLC show???} Whew. It didn't happen.

All the people in the ER were super nice. When the guy came in to diagnose me, he said my symptoms were consistent with either an ulcer or my galbladder acting up. {Both were things I had been quasi-tested for back in 2000, but nothing definitive.} He said there was no way to know for sure without either a scope or an ultrasound, but I would need to work my way through a family doctor for those.

Meanwhile, he said he would test me for general stuff just to rule out anything major. You know. Like pregnancy. He didn't say that out loud, but that's what I heard.

First up? Had to drink lots of water for the dreaded pee sample.

Ryan tied up my gown and I went to the bathroom down the hall as instructed. Problem. COULDN'T FIND THE CUPS. This is when a health care husband is handy. I motioned him in and said, "I can't find the cups!" HE handed me this mixing bowl looking thing and said "This is it." SERIOUSLY? At the little clinic I go to now and then, it's literally a Dixie cup size thing. Not a mixing bowl!! Oh good grief.

So with that out of the way, it was time for blood tests. I do not fare well with needles, so I just closed my eyes and willed it done. The lady was AMAZING. She got the vein on the first try and was in and out in no time.

After this part, we waited for what seemed forever. I started to get REALLY nervous that they'd found something and were out there doing rock, paper, scissors to see who had to tell me. {I watched ER and Grey's for a while. I know how that goes. People come in for something tiny and find out they're dying.}

Ryan scooted up next to me and held my hand while we waited. He was so reassuring!

After a bit, they came in and said I passed all the blood tests. Liver and kidneys and pancreas were all good, and they mentioned nothing about a baby. They sent me home with instructions to have a doctor work with me on more conclusive testing options.

Unfortunately, when I got home, the pain got much worse, and from 6 to midnight, I was so sick to my stomach and in ridiculous amounts of pain. I was finally able to sit down and fall asleep, and when I woke up at 2 this morning, the pain was gone.

I'm pretty wiped out from all the pain of yesterday, hence the late blog. And you've already been texting to check on me, so I know you're worried!! Thanks for sending such love my way and for the prayers I know many of you prayed. You all are THE BEST.