To MUSC and back in less than 24 hours

Randy has been feeling worse and worse lately. His symptoms are numb & freezing cold hands, numb & freezing cold feet, tingly sensations, feeling of things crawling on his skin, and seeing "stars" when he moves too quickly. When he takes off his socks and shoes, his feet are sweating, but they feel like chunks of ice. It is the strangest thing.

When all of this first started, he thought it would go away. Since then, we've been to the ER with no answers, the internist with no answers, and the neurologist with no answers. He's had x-rays and an MRI of his head and neck. His internist seemed to think it could be a side effect of his cholesterol med, so he went off of it... no luck. His neurologist suggested going back to the sarcoidosis specialist at MUSC. Sarcoidosis can affect any part of the body, and Dr. Judson is the expert in the southeast.

Randy spent all week playing phone tag with Dr. Judson's assistant. When he finally got in touch with her on Thursday morning, she said that Dr. Judson wouldn't decide anything over the phone. His only aptmt was today at 10:00 am. Randy asked about after Thanksgiving, and she said that he was going on leave. Randy called me at work, and I frantically got everything ready at school. I'm so thankful for the wonderful people I work with. The lady who is in charge of getting our substitute teachers was on it and had someone by the end of the day. I was so thankful.

So, we came home and packed. My parents went with us, so Makenna could go. We got to Charleston at 11:45 pm last night. Makenna stayed up for the whole trip because she was determined that she wanted to be the one to press the elevator buttons. :) We had a tough night. Makenna didn't sleep well, and we were up early.

The visit went well. He said that he has 3 ideas... 1 - it's a side effect of the experimental sarcoidosis med, 2 - it's the sarcoidosis actually invading the nerve tissue, or 3 - it's something entirely new and separate. After some discussion, he decided to take Randy off of the meds. It scares me because it has helped him so much. He hasn't taken pain meds in so long, and his energy level has been wonderful. But Randy said that he would rather be in pain than have all of these symptoms. So, he goes off the meds and we wait.....

After our visit, we dropped by Christian World Adoption to see if the wonderful social workers who helped us with Makenna's adoption were there. Two of them were there, and Makenna had a blast visiting with them. Then, we jumped back in the car and headed home.

We arrived home around 4:00... so that's our to MUSC and back in 24 hours! We know that God is in control, and there is a reason that all of this is going on in Randy's body. I just pray for his complete healing. Randy and I were talking about Makenna on our way to the dr. She will think it is normal for all children's parents to go to Charleston to the dr, because that's all she's ever known.

We covet your prayers! I'm doing a Beth Moore Bible study right now about believing in God. She really knows what she is talking about.... she says that we want to believe God can do all things. In fact, we know He can, but we don't want to ask Him for miracles, because we are afraid of being selfish or disappointed. I believe that He can heal Randy's body! :) I just can't wait until it happens.