Cleveland Clinic... here I come.

My prayer warrior friends sure do work fast... Because today God showed His glory and prayers were answered. 

The original plan for this Cleveland trip was for me to have a consultation with the cardiologist at 2pm on Tuesday. That's all. But mom thought since we are coming all that way that she should at least try to schedule some tests and meet with some of the many specialists I so desperately need to see. So for the last couple of weeks she has been calling and emailing trying to get in touch with someone who would help her. All the letters, calls, and messages went unanswered. Today she tried one last time.

I was taking my turn at driving on our eight hour trip so mom began making phone calls. She called the office of the cardiologist I am seeing on Tuesday and began talking to a lady who works in the office. The woman listened to mom's requests and then placed her on hold. After a few minutes, the cardiologist himself picked up the phone! Again mom explained the situation and asked what he could do. He listened patiently and talked to mom for a good twenty minutes telling her that he could try, but could not guarantee anything.

Within two hours, mom's cell phone rang three more times confirming three different tests and an additional appointment with the genetics group at the clinic. WOW. That's all I could think or say. God and this cardiologist were working fast and working together. I believe it was "a God thing" as I often say when God shows Himself. Or one of my "Wow God moments". Whatever you want to call it, I firmly believe God's hand was in it, along with a lot of prayer. 

So if nothing else "good" happens, I will try to be satisfied because God has already answered my prayer. I asked for something different and for a doctor who would take the time to listen, care, and help. He gave me just that. 

Please continue to pray for me as I will have three tests and two consultations tomorrow and Wednesday. Tomorrow will entail the usual tests: an EKG (to test my heart's electrical activity) and an echocardiogram (Like an ultrasound of the heart which will show the blood flow, regurgitation, leakage, and provide a rough measurement of my aneurysm). I then will meet with the cardiologist to talk about my symptoms, pains, measurements, and my options for the next step in my cardiac care. After that I will meet with the genetics group to discuss my connective tissue disorder, EDS. We will discuss all of my many aches and pains and try to piece together the medical mystery of my body. Hopefully we can discuss my current treatment and future plans for pain management.

On Wednesday, I will have an MRI. This will give a more accurate measurement of my aneurysm. When it comes to medical testing, I can handle almost anything, but I particularly despise to tests: the strep test, and the MRI. I know, a strep test? Yes, I am a baby. An MRI doesn't sound so bad, but for whatever reason I always end up sick, almost passing out, and crying. 

In case you don't know what an MRI is... For a cardiac MRI, they begin by inserting an IV, but not just a normal one, one that contains a large plastic straw that stays inside your arm the entire duration of the test (which is about 1 1/2-2 hours). This usually brings on nausea, so the nurses lay me down on a hospital bed, prop up my feet, and bring me apple juice. Between this, the pain in my arm from the IV, and the thought of silly I must look, I usually end up crying. 

After I am calm, the nurses take me into the MRI room. I lay down on the not so comfy table and they begin strapping me in, placing things on top of me, and moving around very quickly. I usually end up with my arms strapped to my sides, a large and heavy spongy looking board laying on my chest, something around my head, a pillow under my knees, and sometimes if you are lucky headphones and video goggles so you can watch a movie or listen to music. (That part IS pretty cool.) Then they slowly move me into the ridiculously small tube and leave the room. 

And so I lay there unable to move more than just raising my hand to feel the tube six inches from my face.. sometimes panic sets in and I begin to feel claustrophobic (something that never happened to me until I started having to do MRIs). This is when I silently begin crying once again and start praying to myself. I know that is the only reason I don't call the nurse to come remove me from the tube. Once I calm down, I try to relax and enjoy my movie or music and focus on the instructions of when to breathe and when to 'hold it for as long as I can.' 

After my MRI on Wednesday, we are done. Unless the doctors surprise us with more tests or God surprises us with big news. After two days of the hospital, I will be very happy to return to my state, my town, my home, my bed, my friends, my family, and my kitty.

I will keep everyone updated on the events that occur over the next few days. Don't be alarmed - this is all routine. But please do think of me and lift my mom and I up in prayer, particularly on Wednesday at 10:30 when I will begin prepping for the MRI. 

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your thoughts and prayers for my health, my safety, my emotions, and my family. I am so thankful for each and every kind word, thought, prayer, hand squeeze, (gentle) pat on the back, and hug. I love you all and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.