The Land of Hand

I haven’t posted to the site for a while because we have really been through a lot in the last 3 months. Julie’s grandmother passed away October 13th and we traveled to Indiana for the funeral. When we returned Julie began running a high fever and was experiencing pain in her abdomen. She was hospitalized when the fever persisted, the pain intensified and spread, and blood work from our family doctor revealed an elevated white blood cell count.  After 4 days of X-rays, CT scans, IV antibiotics, countless blood tests, and a variety of other medications the doctors could not figure out the cause of the symptoms. She was told it must be a virus since nothing more seroius was found and was sent home. A few weeks later after the steroids and antibiotics were out of her system the pain and fever came back and progressively got worse until we asked the doctor to get more involved. December 1st she was diagnosed with Pneunomia and Pleurassy.  More antibiotics and pain medication got her through the last two weeks of school before Christmas break.   December 16th we went to the emergency room because the pain from the Pleuressy had gotten so intense.  The next week while waiting for an appointment for another CT scan, sores began to develop on her body. The CT scan revealed a massive pleural effusion and the doctor wanted us to go immediately to the hospital because the fluid building up on the lung was colapsing it.  In addition the sores were getting larger and more numerous.  We spent the weeks of Christmas and New Years in the hospital. They removed the lining of Julie’s left lung to remove the effusion when they were unable to drain the fluid with other methods.  The sores continued to get worse and eventual opened up.  The doctors were very confused about what it was. At first they thought it was Staph infection, but then they narrowed it to something having to do with her Ulcerative Colitis. The Oncologist zeroed in on the final prognosis. She had developed Pyoderma Gangrenosum. It is an ulcerous sore that can be quite dangerous as it becomes systemic which hers was already there. In the midst of this we were also told that Julie’s illness may affect our adoption of Joshua. Our hearts sunk and we were a little bewildered by this but we knew that God had given us this little boy and would see it through to the end. 

Spending the holidays in the hospital was difficult and at times we struggled for strength and encouragement. But God is good and we had so many family members and friends visit with us and pray for us.  The good news is that Julie is doing much better and the incisions from the lung surgery and the healing of the sores are progressing at a fantastic rate and we give all of the glory for the rapidness to God. 

Our adoption paperwork is now in China along with an additional letter from Julie’s Dermatologist explaining her condition and recovery and how in his professional opinion this would never affect her ability to be a Mom. We are praising God for the challenges and the sorrows as well as the joys and blessings. He has truly caused us to draw near to Him for all of our needs. Thanks to all who extended prayers to us and cooked meals and stopped by. We pray to God for you in thanks!