I have a plane ticket bought for 4 days from now. I was supposed to be flying back to Uganda then. Unfortunately, I am still sick and have only gotten confused looks from doctors. I am planning to see other specialists and am holding on to the hope that I will soon have answers and be feeling better. And most importantly, returning to Uganda soon. In the meantime, I am plodding along with my American life. Here’s a week in review:
Saturday: Two dear friends from college arrived and spent an encouraging 24 hours with me. We talked, ate, and talked some more. It was great to catch up with them, feel normal for a bit, and impress them with homemade scones and stories of my life in Uganda.
Sunday: Said good-bye to my friends and visited my parents’ fellowship group from church. It was wonderful to thank them for the support, prayers, and mail that they had sent my way in Bundibugyo. I shared some of the details of my work in Uganda and realized yet again that I light up the most when I’m talking about Bundibugyo. It is encouraging to be reminded of my own passion for a difficult place.
Monday: Had an appointment with a renowned endocrinologist. Was reassured by her taking an hour to listen to my health issues and her second opinion that yes, I do have Hashimotos. Was sad to hear that she also thinks it is not what is currently causing my symptoms. Went to the parking lot and cried—a cycle that is becoming a little too predictable for my own comfort (see doctor-run tests-have no answers-discouragement). Went to my sister’s house to lift my spirits and enjoyed listening to Micah sing his pre-school songs and making Easter cookies with Addie.
Tuesday: Booked an appointment with infectious disease specialist. Felt really low and wondered if I’m a little crazy—am I just imagining that I’m sick? Received encouragement and reassurance from my Mom. Mailed letters to new Christ School sponsors!
Wednesday: Went with my mom to baby-sit my nephew who is almost 2. Cracked up at his new “joke” when he speaks gibberish and makes robot movements. And made the horse puppet “eat” a carrot about 25 times just because he loved feeding it so much.
Thursday: Felt okay physically and enjoyed a walk around my neighborhood in the warm sunshine. The flat, paved sidewalks of Galena have a different kind of beauty than the rutted dirt roads of mountainous Bundibugyo. Began writing an orientation manual for interns and new missionaries to Bundibugyo; it made me miss it a lot.
Friday: Had a needle biopsy on my thyroid. Being stabbed in the neck multiple times is never a pleasant experience. But I thanked God for local anesthetic and got a badge on my way out : )
Keep praying—for upcoming appointments, for healing, for emotional stamina, and for the team remaining in Bundibugyo. Also, the newest member of the team: Jessica Ankney, who just arrived in Uganda!
Hi Chrissy!
ReplyDeleteI am sitting in Entebbe at our mission office guesthouse and trying to find out what WHM does, as one of their cars is in the driveway! =) We are sent out of a PCA church on the West coast and serve across the border in DRC with Wycliffe. I have had a goiter my whole life, my Mom is hypothyroid. And after 6 months living in DRC, I too, became hypothyroid. I don't know the extent of your experience, but some of it is familiar. Sending you hugs and prayers from Uganda!
Grace,
Kim