Introductions & Needles

Day One ~Monday, April 12, 2010


Brimming with anticipation, nerves, and hope I was as ready as ever to get this adventure rolling!  I really felt the prayers and support from all of my family and friends back home showering over us that morning.  It's hard to describe how much power a little text can pack.  The encouraging messages on the way maintained my stamina many times!


We checked in at the concierge desk where we met the lovely Ms. Janie.  Her smiles and trusted information quickly became important parts of our days.  My schedule began with a spirometry (lung function test) that didn't go so well.  Spiros have always been very frustrating for me because the nurse usually seems to believe that I'm not trying my best.  Anyone who knows me, knows that question is an immediate blow to me personally.  I was very familiar with this test and knew I was here to get help.  I couldn't get down on myself this early!


My name was called by Kaci Morgan, Dr. Olson's nurse.  The next ninety minutes are a bit of a blur.  I clearly recall feeling at peace when I was with Kaci and Dr. Olson.  They both had such a comforting personna.  They were genuine, likable, and impressively intelligent.  Dr. Olson talked in depth about my history and already had a basic plan for the week.  She explained that as she reviewed results daily, my schedule could change to follow the findings.  I remember that she was a bit surprised at how I coped with my illness.  Even on that first meeting she impressed to me that I was functioning beyond my stats.  I had been living in distress for so long that it had become normal to me.  That was about to change.


Skin allergy testing was next on the list.  They tested for 100 allergens.  The timer went off and the tech walked back into the room to check my back.  She just said, "Oh my goodness!  I have to go get someone."  Seriously!  I was baffled?  I wasn't itching at all.  What was going on?  She returned with someone else who said, "What?!"  I asked what was wrong.  At the same time they both said that I had not responded to ANYTHING except the tester.  That meant I didn't have any allergies at all.  Neither of them had ever seen a completely negative test before!  I thought that was pretty funny!


The next tests were all heart related.  Mom and I were confused at first, but we knew it was all in the plan.  A very sweet lady named Lynn did an ECG, a routine ECHO, and an ECHO with agitated saline.  I left 100 tiny needles to have my first IV of the week. :(  IVs and my body just don't get along.  Richard, the nurse, finally found a site for the IV to start the ECHO with agitated saline (also called a bubble test).  They inject bubbles through the bloodstream to find leakages in the heart.  Now I know, that Dr. Olson's first indicator of my congenital heart problem was during a test at 4:00 on Monday.  I had no idea at the time.  They removed the IV and sent me on my way.


The final test of the day involved a dreaded blood gas.  It was up on the third floor of the main building.  It soon became my least favorite place in National Jewish.  I have to admit, I was wearing down a bit.  I had been through the sleep study that night, this pretty intense first day, and now I was in a tiny room where a nice lady named Brenda was trying to dig a needle down into my wrist to get blood from my artery.  On the sixth try she was able to get the blood she needed.  I completed the six-minute walk test and she told me I had done a great job.


Back at the smelly house I was greeted by uplifting messages on facebook, sweet texts, and phone calls with Dad and friends.  It was a good first day.

All for Good

Putting this experience in writing now is very difficult for me, but it's something that I want and need to do for myself.  It's a time I need to be able to look back on and remember the details.  Before I continue, I want to clarify where my head was ten months ago in the midst of everything. 


There was no doubt in my being that this journey was lined out by God for my good and for His plan.  Dr. Woody had said, "It doesn't have to be this way."  Barb had said, "We'll do so much more."  I was in Denver for medical treatment ~ not a typical thing I would do.  This was big - this was different.  I believed, but it was in such a deep and certain way that it's hard to explain.  At the time I was very rigid and as cautious as possible with my emotions.  I knew things were the way they were supposed to be.  I couldn't deal with everything that was frustrating and seemingly unforgiveable about lost time being sick.  To me, that had to have been part of the plan too.  You know, part of the journey.  Maybe someone's life was changed along the path because of my health.  I knew I couldn't handle the burden of that anger.  I also realized how hard the situation was on Mom.  Imagine watching someone you love going through all that & she couldn't do a thing ~ I had to be strong for her.  It hurt me so much that I'd put her (& all my family and friends) through so much worry and heartache for so long.  I believe all this helped me to get through each tough minute just thinking about the ultimate  goal...it was all for good.


Ten months later, I can see the bigger picture.  So as I record the memory, I want it to be true.  That first week at National Jewish was wonderful and life changing, but it was also horrible and tough and unbelievably scary.  As you will see, God was working miracles every step of the way.  I was doing what I could to understand and remember that it was All For Good.