A Diagnosis

My last blood test showed that I have an autoimmune disease. I will have more tests in April to determine which one it is, but the overall detection certainly explains every health thing I've struggled with for about 13 years: tired all the time, frequently sick, prolonged healing of injuries and illness.

So it's a relief to know it's actually something, but there's no doubt that this is a lot to take in. And as much as I would like to be around family and friends who've known my struggles for longer than 6 months, there's obviously a reason I'm learning this here.

The doctor who ordered this test is the only board-certified gastroenterologist in the state, and the time she spent with me during my first appointment was worth the 2-month wait to see her. She called with my results as I was on my way to be a counselor at our Tweens Camp. I told her I'd been tested for several things over the years, even by a rheumatologist at Duke University 2 years ago. She said the presence of evidence can change with age, current symptoms during testing, and most importantly, the type of test ordered.

So how did she know to order that specific blood test, and why did something finally show up when I took the test? I don't know, but thank God.

Am I scared for what this means and how this changes the rest of my life? Yep.

Do I wish I had known sooner, or at least been around close friends and family during this time? Yep.

But am I ready to finally move forward from just wondering what's going on and into a time of learning how to help myself feel better? Most definitely.

My greatest prayer needs are: to feel understood and supported by friends here, and to stay thankful for this time.

Thanks.