Most of my blog posts have a conclusion to them. When I began writing this series, I thought the end of this story would be this: “I spent three days in the hospital. After becoming stabilized, I was discharged home. I am thankful to be alive. I am thankful for God’s guidance.”
Although this is a true statement, the effects of the IVIG have greatly altered my life. When I had an adverse reaction to the IVIG, I was given high doses of steroids and anti-inflammatories. These decreased my immune system and along with IVIG which can also decrease your immune system a bacterial infection (pseudomonas) was given an opportunity to throw a huge party in my lungs now that it was unhindered. The pseudomonas infection lead to a whole host of other complications. I could never have imagined how many times the side effects of IVIG have nearly cost me my life.
(The irony of it all: At the beginning of the story, my neurologist threatened to not be my doctor if I failed to receive the IVIG infusions. Ten hours after being discharged home from having a severe reaction to the IVIG, I became extremely ill when a pseudomonas infection went into full force in my lungs and subsequently invaded my blood stream. I was hospitalized for twelve days, during which time was scheduled my follow-up appointment with my neurologist. I had to call and cancel my neurology consult. When speaking with the physician, I was told the following. “Because you had a bad reaction to the IVIG, I will no longer be your doctor. I don’t know why you had a bad reaction, but you are too complicated of a case for me. Please find a different physician to treat you.” I was left dumbfounded by the clinician’s words. She was going to drop me if I did not get the IVIG, but now that I had a bad reaction to the treatment she demanded I receive, she was going to drop me as a patient anyway. Wow, I did not see that coming!)
It is truly by God’s grace that I continue to live each day. Will I ever be free from my adverse reaction to IVIG? Only God knows. This truly has been a test in obedience, and at the same time, it has been an incredible blessing seeing God’s workings and miracles all around me. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness for God’s tremendous love and mercies. However this story is to end, I know God will be with me, holding my hand and leading me in the way I should go.
(Link to Part One click here)
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