2020: A look forward

As the year on the calendar flips, I ponder the year ahead. As with all my visions, my imagination and reality rarely align. I always envision my year filled with no medical emergencies and no doctor visits. I know this is always wishful thinking as I have already had one appointment this year (and have two additional appointments scheduled).

The main issue which is constantly at hand is my health. I have five bacteria in my lungs. I am mildly to moderately sick as these bacteria play in my lungs. One bacterium needs intervenous antibiotics. If this bacterium is to be treated, I either need to be admitted to the hospital, get a peripherally inserted central catheter or have a port placed. (I do not like any of these options, but something needs to be done if I want to be back on the road to better health.)

Next up is my pancreas. I had major issues with my pancreas in 2018. I lost a significant amount of weight. I sought doctor after doctor trying to find someone to help me. Unfortunately, the pancreas is an orphan organ. Gastrointestinal doctors will not treat the pancreas. Endocrinologists will assist with the pancreas if your issues are a result of diabetes. But, if you have chronic pancreatitis, there are very few physicians willing to help. Moreover, since we are in this ridiculous "opioid epidemic", no one will administer pain medicine. If you need more than Tylenol to manage your pain (and believe me, chronic pancreatitis is EXTREMELY painful), you have to see an additional doctor who specializes in pain management. But again, pain management physicians do not like to treat pancreatic pain since it is out of their normal treatment realm. (Most pain management doctors treat head, back and neck pain. Anything more beyond that, patients are directed to seek care elsewhere.)

Thankfully, after traveling hundreds and hundreds of miles, I was finally able to find a physician who treated the pancreas. I was able to have a procedure done on my pancreas in which a large cyst was drained, my ducts were stented open and a sphincter was cut. I was doing well, but late in 2019, I started having pancreas issues again. I hope these episodes reduce in frequency and intensity. I am praying my pancreas does not cause any issues in 2020.

Lastly, I hope and pray my health does not interfere with attending weekly Bible study. Reading and studying the Bible is one of my passions. I always tell God, "If I am not in the hospital, I am going to Bible study." This line of thought is often extended beyond that. If I am severely ill the day before or day of Bible study, I will try to hold off going to the hospital until Bible study ends. Moreover, if I am in the hospital, I desperately push the doctors to discharge me home in time to attend Bible study. And there have been some really close calls. After one hospital discharge, I arrived home at 5:59 p.m. I had just enough time to gather up the items needed for Bible study, make some tea and bolt out the door to arrive just in time for the 6:30 p.m. start time.

Whatever awaits us in this new year, may we do all things to glorify God. Happy 2020!

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)