The Lord is my Strength

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Ps 28:7

 
Last Tuesday, Autumn, who is now 13 had her 6 month checkup at Children’s hospital, for her disease Ulcerative Colitis We woke up early that morning with the rain driving down hard outside and Autumn with a 103 temperature.

After dosing Autumn with a whopping Ibprophen dose, I decided to leave 30 minutes early to make sure we arrived on time. Leaving at 8:00am allowed us to arrive right on time at 10:00am for her appointment. It was a tense two hour drive because of the heaviness of the rain. With 7 children, two heavy school backpacks filled with books, one back pack with a dolly and pull-ups, 7 coats, my purse filled with antibiotics, Tylenol, and Motrin for the little girls, we ran through the rain to the elevators obviously getting soaked on the way in! After piling everything into a wagon from the hospital, we rolled into our first appointment for the day!

The good news was that for the first time in 8 years, Autumn has not been on any medication for an entire year and her height and weight were right on target! Except for running a high temperature, she was healthy!!  Sounds funny? Her two little sisters had been diagnosed with Strep A just the day before, so I knew this had to be strep. Life is in perspective these days.  Strep A is an easy fix…Antibiotics!

After piling everything back into the wagon again, giving Autumn some Tylenol, Mercy, and Serenity Tylenol and antibiotics, we raced down to the basement on the other side of the hospital to get some blood work done. Her next appointment was for 1:00 with the Rheumatoid Clinic and we still needed to eat lunch!

With one hour to spare, I left everyone at a table and got in line for the Subway that was in the hospital. Ordering 4 kids meals and 2 footlongs and 8 waters was too much for the poor checkout fellow. Most people are hospital workers and have only one order. He was so flustered trying to get all the kids meals and ring me up, that he took a verrrry long time. That line was backed up very long!!!!!!!   

I met a mother with a beautiful little 6 month old girl, who had testing because of a chromosomal defect that has left this little girl looking like a 10 week old baby. After talking with her and sharing our foundation, the Word of God, I went away thankful for all we have in Christ.

We enjoyed our meal and made our way to the Rheumatoid Clinic. For the last two years, Autumn has had quite a bit of trouble with unexplainable swelling in her knees and ankle. So much so, that she would have a hard time getting up from a chair, or getting out of bed. Running and jumping were not even an option. This swelling would come for a time and then go away.

After examining her, the doctor concluded what we already guessed. That she has Rheumatoid arthritis related to her colon problems. Even though she does not have a colon anymore and she is in remission, the body still has the auto- immune disease that can affect her joints.

We decided for no treatment at this time, because she is not having as much trouble. In the future, if she becomes as bad as she has been in the past, she can receive shots or be on a medication.

At this point Autumn still was running a high fever, Mercy (two) was whinny, and Serenity was feverish and miserable! After putting everything and everyone in the car, I called Autumn’s pediatrician and made an appointment for 4:30pm. Again we took the hour drive to Zanesville and arrived just in time. After swabbing her throat, and doing all the things they do; we left Zanesville with a van load of very tired people.

By the time we reached New Concord, I received the phone call I already new…she had Strep A. We stopped at the pharmacy in town and FINALLY headed home!

 I am reminded how wonderful it is to have the privilege to have children and to be a mom. I love this full time job and I love my God!