Since the last message, a few things have happened. First, a day or two after that post I found out the dry mouth problem I had been having for weeks was kidney related and was diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidus. That is not blood sugar related, but acts the same as far as symptoms go. Basically your kidneys don't retain water and minerals and concentrate your urine like they should so you dehydrate and it's pretty miserable feeling because no matter how much you drink, you can't alleviate it. The same day, I started a medicine for it and it helped right away. It slows down your kidneys so you can catch up and stay hydrated. I never knew how torturous dehydration felt until this.
One week went by on that medicine and around Thanksgiving I began feeling bad again- sluggish and tired and just blah. Over night, right after Thanksgiving, I began having trouble breathing. It was hard to breathe anytime I climbed stairs or did anything physical. The day after Thanksgiving, we took my nephew to the airport at 4:30 am and I was really feeling terrible and wishing I hadn't gone. I came home and rested and when I got up, my breathing problems were much worse. I was struggling just sitting on the couch. I tried to get a hold of my doctor, but nobody answered. I told Jim if it got just a little worse I'd call an ambulance because I was really struggling to breathe. So, we went to the hospital in Lawrence.
To our surprise and relief, we were helped by a familiar face, Dr Caleb Trent from our assembly. It is so nice to avoid the inquisition about spousal abuse and substance abuse! We did blood work and it came back that I had low blood sodium, which meant my blood was too diluted and the med I was on was making me hold onto too much fluid. I went off of it and within 24 hours I felt 100% better. The problem remained though that without the medicine the old symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus would return. The doctor said to go back on that medicine with a lower dose within 5 days. I really didn't want to take that medicine again with as terrible as it made me feel and with it taking 12-18 hours to wear off. So, I prayed that I wouldn't need it. It's been almost a month now and I haven't had to take it again. I get dry mouth from time to time, but not at all like it was before where it can't be alleviated with fluids and electrolytes. I pray it stays this way, because I really don't want to go back on that medicine again. As bad as the dry mouth was, the reaction to the medicine was much worse and probably one of the worst I've ever felt. People who know me know I won't step foot in a hospital unless it's absolutely the last straw and once they can't do anything more for me, I'll check out and go home. I'll die at home, thank you!
So, since about a week after Christmas, I have been feeling pretty well. It's been all better days since the hospital. I have made hundreds of bars of soap, had a very busy season filling orders with our little soap business and have enjoyed being up and about and fairly normally. We decorated for Christmas and Thomas can hardly contain himself without understanding of which morning is actually THE morning. He began asking for "ho-ho" on the first day we had flurries. Christmas is more exciting for all of us because of the two little ones excitement.
I still keep praying for complete healing- I don't care how or what it looks like. We aren't doing anything new other than praying more diligently for healing. We have literally tried everything modem medicine and traditional can offer. We serve a Creator God who can heal and healing me isn't outside his power.
Oh one last note- almost 2 weeks ago William got chicken pox, he is well now, but we are awaiting the breakout of more kids. We don't know about Shreya's history and possibly Hannah had a mild case as a toddler but we aren't sure? Despite exposures nobody else has gotten chicken pox as youngsters. We could potentially have 1-4 more kids with pox by Christmas. So, pray for us since these kids are all older kids ages 9-17 and that can be rough. William had a pretty bad case, but fortunately no complications, and our charcoal and clay soaps dried up the blisters fast. He also took an antiviral on the doctors recommendation after seeing his 3rd day breakout.
Thank you all for your prayer and support and random anonymous gifts. We know where those come from too- our Savior, Christ Jesus, whom we are about to celebrate the birth of. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas.
Nicole, for the
Gallagher family
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