H2P

Many of you have been faithfully lifting me up in prayer and I am so grateful!  I survived my trip to Pitt last week and am still working on catching back up with my classes, but I know I serve a God who cares to help me even in the smallest areas of my life, so in its due time, by God’s grace, strength, wisdom, and energy, I will get caught up. 

Many of you recall my trip to San Francisco not too far back.  What a crazy trip that was.  As I began prayer in preparation for my journey East, I asked God to allow me to see and feel His presence, but instead this time by everything going smoothly.  It was a LONG week with the shortest day being 7 ½ hours spent at the hospital without any breaks, the longest was 10 hours. 

Pitt is unlike any big city I have been to and when I started thinking about it, I have been privileged to see many.  The people there were so friendly, if you are stopped at a red light and look over, you will probably see pedestrians waving to you, everyone talks to everyone, and someone is always quick to help if you even look a little lost (which for me, was often enough).  There are 15 UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) hospitals within the city and 4 college campuses, at least that I had time to count, not to mention other hospitals that are not in connection with UPMC.  The staff was wonderful and I instantaneously got along with/adored the employees I met. 

As you know, the week before I left I blogged that my liver numbers had stabilized to a point of decent functioning which was an amazing PRAISE!  While I was at UPMC I found out that not only is my liver doing okay, but also that my lungs are the best they have been in quite awhile!  My lung capacity went from 38% to 53%!!!

SHOUT OUT TO MY AMAZING HEAVENLY FATHER that I am back in the 50’s!!!!

So as you can imagine, the staff was a little baffled as to why I was there and to tell you the truth, so was I.

The surgeon told us that their success rate for lung transplant was a little bit above the national average.  He explained that their rates would be even better, but that they don’t turn away a case just because it is challenging.  The pulmonologist said that he loves working for his facility because of that fact he has the leeway to petition for his patients. 

We left the facility exhausted physically and mentally, but hopeful.  We were told it would take 3 weeks for us to hear the results of both teams’ decisions.  Well I heard back within a week of my return.

“Kari, this is Lucy from UPMC.  We reviewed your situation and are closing your case.”

……

“The reason for this is because you are too healthy to be listed for a transplant at this time.”

“So, does that mean you will take my case when the time comes?”

“Absolutely! Closing your case just means that we don’t anticipate you needing a transplant within the next year and so instead of your case going to our financial department to figure out insurance coverage, we will wait until you actually need to be listed.”

Do any of you recall the story of Joseph, starting in Genesis 39?  Where he is in prison and praying that God would free him?  Then God answers his prayer beyond what he could have imagined by making him second in command over all of Egypt?  I feel a little bit like Joseph right now. 

I was praying for God’s will, for discernment, and understanding.  I was praying for a facility that would be willing to take my case.  Not only do I have a facility willing to take my case, but also God has restored my body to the point that I don’t need a transplant in my immediate future!  Of course things could change if my lungs grow out new bacteria, if a different complication comes up, but PTL for leaving me plenty of room to remain fully trusted in Him! 

God is so GRACIOUS and has BLESSED me beyond what words can do justice. 

One last thing before I let you go, God has continued to bless me and GUESS WHAT?!?! This girl is moving to Hawaii for the month of June!  Motivated to stay healthy and praying diligently that God continues to bless me with good health.  I am going to see if living in Hawaii really does help me to feel better.  The pulmonologist at Pitt mentioned that CF patients sometimes do have negative reactions to their environment and have had to move.  So, we’ll see! What a shame that would be, right?

Praise. Prayer. Petition. Pittsburgh.

Many of you know that I am headed to Pittsburgh next week for an intense transplant work up.  I just want to share with you what has been on my heart and mind lately.  I have been so blessed to be feeling well.  Over Spring Break I was blessed with a family vacation in a place where I was astounded by God’s creativity and beauty!  Eugene is beautiful with its rivers, it lush green forests and bright green grasses.  The way the leaves turn in the Fall and the flowers bloom in the spring.  The same God that created all of that also created the beautiful beaches, the rainforests draped with twisting vines and hidden caves, and the vast ocean whose entire world is intricately woven together and tied to us here on the continents.  Not only did I get to take in all of this beauty, but I also got to be renewed in spirit and body.  I got to spend time with my family and friends, but I also got to experience a time of health.  My headaches disappeared, my chest pain was gone, I didn’t have any sinus issues, and my cough was very minimal! 

Even though these symptoms have all returned since I have been home I am still praising God that I am relatively healthy!  I am not on IV antibiotics, I am not spending hours in bed, and my mind is clear.  My energy isn’t great, but I at least have some!  I had lab tests done a week ago and they came back relatively normal, normal for me anyway.  In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if Pittsburgh asks me why I am there.  Except that my history shows how quickly things can change. 

I believe 100% that the reason I am healthy today is because God is protecting me and answering your prayers! 

Every time there is an opportunity to be prayed over for healing I will go forward.  I will petition at the feet of Christ every night.  I will never stop asking for complete healing.  There is an example in scripture of God healing a woman because of her persistence in prayer.  It is a desire of my heart and I will not give up hope, but I will also not be discontent if my prayer is not answered.  I have struggled over the years with asking for healing, fear of disappointment, doubt, and discouragement despite my persistence, but I realize now I have a different calling.  I have been given a new perspective.  I will be persistent in my petition, but content in my circumstance. 

I take this with me as I head to Pittsburgh next week.  I am not anxious in any way about the appointments or the decisions they make, keeping up with my schoolwork is a different story.  But, it is like Chris Tomlin’s song Whom Shall I Fear.  His lyrics have settled in me.  “I know who goes before me/ I know who stands behind/ The God of angel armies/ is always by my side.”  God is not just before me; He is encamped all around me.  Christ is not in me, I am in Christ!  God has gone before me to Pittsburgh.  He will be by my side as I go and He will be standing behind me to back me up despite the results.