The Raleigh Appointment

     We called an office in Raleigh on Thursday morning and they set us up with a 3:45 appointment that day!  It was an answer to prayers- by our family and many of you!  So thank you for that! 

     When the hand specialist looked at her hand, he grimaced and asked to tell us the WHOLE story of who and what and when- everyone who had dealt with her hand- because it looked really bad.  He quickly told us she was having an allergic reaction to SOMETHING topically- since the rest of her body didn't seem to be reacting (like hives or rash from medicine given orally).  He was confident but seemed frustrated.... 

    We told him everything we remembered and how we had been following the instructions to the tee!  (is that the right word? spelling?  my brain is a bowl of mush)  He told us to go to the sink in the hallway and wash her finger with soap really well- take off any and all ointment that we've been putting on.  He seemed genuinely frustrated with the doctors who couldn't tell that she was having an allergy to something.  He told us to change the bandage daily and wash with soap and water and not put ANYTHING on it.   

    So Jeff and I went to the sink and washed her whole finger- twice, just to make sure.  He told us he wanted to see us on Tuesday and to transfer all of her care over to him.   So, at 1:30 on Tuesday we will be back- probably just Faith and me (Lindsey).

   We were are thankful that someone finally could diagnose her with SOMETHING!  Her finger looks terrible still today, but in comparing pictures it is definitely shrinking in swelling.  Faith is happy most of the day and it doesn't seem to mind it too much.  Oh, the doctor also said she seems to have feeling- he gently squeezed it and she seemed to react.  So back to giving her Ibuprofen...

   Overall, we are happy.  Happy that we were challenged to seek a second opinion in a bigger city (thanks brother-in-law Mikey) and that we decided to make that appointment.

   I am starting to feel angry and frustrated that no one here seemed to know what was happening.  I keep thinking that if we hadn't seen him, we still would have been putting on the ointment she seems to be allergic to!  But we didn't know.  And I do trust that the Lord had His perfect hand in it.  Who knows?  Maybe this will help us know not to give Faith medicated ointment in the future in a situation that could have worse side effects?  I know the Lord works in ways that I don't always understand.  So, no matter what, we have grown spiritually. 

   Things I am learning in all of this: That God is the ultimate healer.  That God is sovereign over all of this.  That my quick tongue can really hurt those close to me and that I am glad Jeff is full of grace and understanding!  That peace only comes from turning this over to Christ...yes, moment by moment, with each new situation, with each emotion that rises to the surface, with each question that springs across my mind, with doubts about my decisions. 

   Keep praying.  Pray that this is the correct diagnosis and that her finger really is healing.  Pray for peace in our house, in my mind, in the depths of my mommy heart, in Faith's anxiety.  She talks often about doctors, hospitals, bandages, medicine, doctors some more, her finger, bandages again.... you get the picture.  I think she is trying to figure out what has happened to her these past two weeks, but isn't able to verbalize her feelings.  Pray that God would surround her with comfort and that even though she can't tell us how she feels, that he would comfort her in any anxiety and that Jeff and I would have special insight into her emotional and spiritual needs. 

   Thank you again for all you do!  We are amazed at the support we've received!  Special thanks to the Pahls and the Hazeltons for the meals this week!  So so yummy and such a ministry to us!