This just keeps getting better..

I'm really happy and excited right now. Bear with me, please.

10:15 - Appointment with the eye doc, Dr. Kline. God has improved me by about 50%!!! (count 'em...3 exclamation points) Due to the nature of my double vision, the doc wants my eyes to improve a bit more before corrective prism lens. I am totally cool with covering one eye until then or even until God completes this puzzle. Woohoo! Thank you, Jesus...seriously!

12:15 - CT Scan. Check!

1:30 - Appointment with the brain doc, Dr. Okor. God has kept my shunt working, fluid flowing, and syrinx (fluid within the spinal cord) gone. Praise Jesus! He is the only one worthy and oh so faithful! My face is moving although it's got a ways to go, it's great to smile showing all my teeth.

I have now graduated to six months before my next check up! Yes, six months. Cool, right? I'll answer that one: Yes! So cool! Thank you people for ALL your persistent and beautiful prayers that you have already sent up and all you're going to be sending up later. You're wonderful. I thank God for you. He is so loving. He gave me you. Without His blessing of all of you sweet people, why would I care if He healed me? Trust me, I wouldn't. I'm so imperfect, I battle with that: who cares about me?! God does! He cares so much that He encircled me with you! He is so gracious! Praise Him!

Praise report :)

Okay, I haven't been to any doctors or anybody thought of to be really important. This past week and weekend I have realized positive changes. Of course now I'm updating you all on this great praise!

Little victories to most are so cool to me! My face having a degree of paralysis has taken away quite a number of things I took for granted. For instance, I cannot whistle, blow bubbles with gum, chew with my mouth closed, smile, blow a kazoo-like thing, spit, and etc. God love (seriously, I mean those words) my friend from Athens State that told me, "Ppsshh! How much do you actually whistle anyways?" Thank you, friend. You're very right, and it's that kind of outlook on this I need to have. I want to have...it's hard!

I am not here to whine about my bad attitude moments toward this though. Praises! God is so faithful! Now, I can whistle (kind of), I can drink without a straw (optional straw, oh yes), my smile looks like a smile and shows all my teeth, and I can blow bubbles with my bubblegum. This stuff is so cool, and no longer taken for granted by me. Being able to smile and not look like I'm snarling to show my teeth like a dig before he attacks is so great! Physically, God is so faithful and I am so blessed by Him to be experiencing all these positives. The bad comes with the good. True! I want to praise Him in both though.

As for me and my professional place in this world: who knows? God! I am working part-time trying to enjoy my light workload. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23), and God is helping me sprout from what I guess. He is in control of my life, thankfully.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and well wishes. There are people I know personally that are not experiencing praises right now, and I am so sorry for that. At the same time, I am so appreciative that Jesus is awesome :)

Late update...again...

I'm so late once again. I'm sincerely sorry. BUT if you are keeping up with, firstly, thank you and thank God for you! I went to the brain doctor last Monday, April 23, and had my first MRI since my surgery in January. Dr. Okie (brain doc) said that the fluid in my spinal cord (the problem this all started from) is "significantly" smaller. That is, it's 80-90% smaller. Yes, God is awesome! He has and is answering prayers, and that is amazing. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, I believe in the Trinity, all 3 are God just in different forms, is AMAZING. That word falls so short like all words do. It is all I have though, and it's all His.

There's my praise for that bit of good news, but I'm not done haha. The surgery I had was to place my new shunt (a shunt is a drain to help my body out because it needs help now), and the doctor says its still doing its job and looking good. My facial paralysis, double vision and nerve craziness in my left arm will continue getting better and healing. Thank you to all of you who have told me the improvements you already are seeing. I say that I see me everyday and, just like my hearing healing a few weeks ago, I overlook or miss things, sadly. God answered my prayers to give my doctor and those others at UAB wisdom in treating me. That's another's amazing blessing!

My doctor said I was doing well and he will not need to see me every 4 weeks so I will go in 3 months, July 23. I have also scheduled an eye doctor appointment that same day in Birmingham. I am very hopeful that with all the prayers and simple aids to my vision now that in 3 months, I might be healed and canceling that appointment.

Currently, I am looking to begin studying for my CPA exam soon, working (part-time) May 7, and who knows what else now haha.

Thank you for all your sweet prayers and thoughts. I'm lost with Christ, of course, and without you, the awesome shelter He has blessed me with in this life :)

A very late update

Like I said before, I am not perfect. That's why this is so late! I've been quite consumed with personal thoughts and worries (A.k.a. Selfish Lack of Faith). My prayers are constant but in no way reverent to Christ. He deserves at the very least my reverence. Imperfect. That's this girl!

I went to the doctor in Birmingham last Monday, March 12. I had a CT scan on my head first then the brain doctor said there's no significant change from my last scan. BUT he was happy with and for the movement that came to my face. It's still pretty expressionless...full expressions that is. My cheek goes back further making my smile bigger :). I can move the left side of my nose (snarl) and since the first of this week there is some movement in my left eyebrow. All of this is credited solely to God. He is healing me. That shouldn't surprise me in any way, but I have had those moments and wonder if I shouldn't live in confidence knowing He heals. Period.

After that I saw my eye doctor who says that my eyes have improved by 20% in 4 weeks. Awesome, God. I am allowed to drive (legally) with one eye covered. So I'm driving some...with caution, yes.

Now I'll go back to my brain guy April 23 around lunch for an MRI to take a look at that pesky fluid in my spinal cord, you know the reason for doing all this "fun" stuff. The doctor says he believes the fluid/syrinx is gone or very small. Duh, God's got this! My arms and the changes in feeling I have in them tell me there's change in the fluid. The eye guy said he doesn't need to see me back in 4 weeks. He is leaving up to me to call back for an appointment if necessary.

Thank you so, so much for your prayers. Thank you for your thoughts. I have received cards and text messages and phone calls just saying Hi or checking on me. That gets me! The selfish stuff I mentioned before...I'm out on an island by myself. It's lonely in this body a lot. Jesus is perfect though, and because He is perfect means He will never leave me. That's what He replies to me when I get really down and ask, "Why God?! Why me?! Why now?!" Oh yes, I have dared to ask the Almighty Creator of this universe why. Simple: Why not? A friend of mine and I had this conversation quite a few months ago. We are okay that God allows what He does. I'm a messed up human that can come up with some bad emotions, but after all that, Jesus still loves me (I don't get it either) and everything's going to be alright. I'm a child of THE KING!

Appointment

Hello! Next appt. with my brain doc is March 12 at 1:15. I'll have a CT scan then see the doctor. I am already seeing prayers answered in just a couple of weeks! My face has movement where there was none. Something is better than nothing. Period. Thank you all so much for caring enough to pray for me. I'm so thankful for all the kind words thought/said/mailed in cards/you know. I have reread a verse from Proverbs 18. Verse 24 talks about friends and how true friends or a true friend will stick closer than a brother. Even old but wise Solomon knows how special friends are!

Yes, I begin to get frustrated sometimes about my abilities or how I'm perceived and treated. This time is certainly being recognized for multiple lessons. I, yes me, need to keep letting go of my frustrations. I have no good reasons to be angry or unforgiving about circumstances. I'm loved. Only God knows who, why, and how so I'll gladly accept that and keep asking God to display His awesome grace!

Thank you for simply reading this. Thank you for your prayers. You are amazing! I do ask you remember other recoveries and healing and comforts we know personally! You are appreciated and so very loved :)

Miracle...seriously

No news is Good News.

If no post that means nothing is different & you're prayers are still and always amazing and welcome.

At 4:37 today, approximately, I was brushing my teeth (ballgame tonight!) and realized my hearing. It's better! Yesterday, it felt like I had water all in my left ear and nothing sounded right or good, just blah! I prayed last night , that's one thing I certainly can and will do...give God reverance, talk to Him, pray to Him. I did ask that my hearing be healed last night and today it is! A miracle. A miracle I almost missed. We miss a lot of miracles so says my daily devotional. God has not changed. W, I, are/am crazy. Period. Now, praise Him with me :)

Miracle...seriously

No news is Good News.

If no post that means nothing is different & you're prayers are still and always amazing and welcome.

At 4:37 today, approximately, I was brushing my teeth (ballgame tonight!) and realized my hearing. It's better! Yesterday, it felt like I had water all in my left ear and nothing sounded right or good, just blah! I prayed last night , that's one thing I certainly can and will do...give God reverance, talk to Him, pray to Him. I did ask that my hearing be healed last night and today it is! A miracle. A miracle I almost missed. We miss a lot of miracles so says my daily devotional. God has not changed. W, I, are/am crazy. Period. Now, praise Him with me :)

Doctor Visits

So today was in Birmingham. Period. At 7:30 AM (it does exist!) I went for my CT scan at UAB Hospital. I then met with my doctor (brain guy) at 8:30. He felt in the bottom of his heart that "with time" all would be correct; however, I believe he understood that crazy vision and no facial expression was not working. I would love to give all that time, BUT, that's one, I want to do things...female in her mid-twenties would enjoy driving, silly girl! He of course understands. Perhaps I am different from others (big surprise face) only He knows, BUT, that's two, now my shunt has been raised to 2.5 which is the highest it can be without removal. It's backwards, yes. High pressure like 2.5 means low draining like hopefully improve my symptoms in the coming weeks.

Dr. Kline (eye guy) I saw at 1:30. I went through the whole Eye Exam I recieved Monday January 30th with Robert Sandlin in Athens, Alabama and I am still not sure which one was a "waste of time". Maybe my eyes are really healthy...cross-ed, but healthy. He said that my prism lens that correct my vision would be scary thick. Also after the change made to my shunt this morning, changes can happen and it may be a blessing in disguise to not get glasses for now.

First, I agree with Sophia (Golden Girls...edgy?!) "I never understood why blessings wear disguises. If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked."

Second, yes, I was upset about the not driving-boo hoo-I still can't drive stuff at first. Some good prayer and really good God talk has shown me A LOT. I've typed up the first of the Serenity Prayer below to sum up the ultimate feelings.
'God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.' - RB

Lastly, man repairs & God heals. I have so many phone calls to return! You honestly care about me that much. It's crazy. Prayers upon prayers have went up and are going up for me. Crazy. I am so blessed by such a gracious God! Thank you for loving on me and know that all that stuff in the first two paragraphs, that's repair work. Only God can heal and He already has. I have been bought with a price like EVERYONE, and I have been washed clean. Mess up from now on?? YEP! Not perfect, just saved. My time on this earth is important, oh yea, BUT, that's three, my eternity is the most vital, and it's in Glory! Hallelujer! May God recieve the glory, honor, and praise for His perfect will (Psalm 18:30)! I love you all dearly :)

Appointments

Hi! If you're reading this, bless you, I don't why you're reading this but I am grateful. So, I am going to the doc tomorrow. I feel okay, it's just honestly I can't do anything. No driving no work no nothing. Boo hoo huh?! Tomm I see my head doc at 8:30 then my eye doc at 1:30. Slowly but surely I am getting worse. Eyes-double vision and crossed. Face-left was paralyzed now the right is trying to catch up. Arms-right is "normal"(silly word) and left ranges from Ouch to No Feeling. Easiest way to explain me is Weird. If I have pushed you, I'm sorry. I have shut out so many without meaning to. I am so sorry. To all that have texted or called or emailed and the few that have came by...THANK YOU! I am making a request though...don't stop praying :)

My parents...You are amazing to say the least. The rest of my life is all about you. The sweetest, greatest, most wonderful people I know...THANK YOU MORE THAN I CAN SAY :)

Eyes

Eye doctor in Athens likes my eyes. The double vision needs to be seen by the eye doctor in Birmingham though. He may can HOPEFULLY prescribe corrective lens because I can't drive, darnit. I am excited to update you when everything works though! Glory to God :)

Post

Hello there. I'm posting because I haven't in some time. None of this is about me or my abilities or capabilities first of all. I don't understand anything honestly, but hopefully He will get all the credit for everything. Physically, I'm tired. I'm tired of not being able to do anything. Help walking, less eating, less talking, less singing, no driving, no working...there's more I'm sure but that's all for now. Left side of the face is paralyzed, eyes are crossed and double vision is there (and they water), hearing in the left ear is WEIRD, left arm hurts/nerves are crazy/feels like ice water. How am I doing? I'm ok. There is certainly anger at times. Basketball games are so fun and going to church is right above it. Thank you for the prayers, I want to be okay honestly. I believe I will be. When? Soon I hope! Always pray for Logan or Alvin or yourself :)

They're out!

Birmingham today. Yes, stitches, gross. They're out now haha. It didn't hurt honestly. Dr. Okor was questioned on time and he wants to take my symptoms about 4 weeks at a time. If anyone is on the dark, my symptoms began a little less than a week after surgery and have basically stayed the same. They are paralysis of the left side of my face and that includes the turning in of one eye. Yep, I'm cross-eyed :) I can change eyes though so good luck on "figurin' me out". Time is the answer, with time things will be better. So? I have already been healed beyond what I and so many beg for. Is God done healing? I don't know. I tend to doubt it, but no matter what I am so blessed and so happy! Thank you so so much for your prayers, I'd be nowhere (you heard me!) without them! I love you!

Left the office..

Hi there! I just left the doctors office in Birmingham. He says my scan looks good especially compared to the past one. My eyes and mouth ate a waiting game but that's ok. My stitches are still in and he wants to keep them that way until they're scheduled for removal on January 18th. Thank you so very much for your prayers. That's all that's gotten me here or there or anywhere! The past isn't the prettiest. Good and bad stay in my closet, but beyond anything, God loves me. Jesus loves me. It's all good!!!

I'm headed home. Hopefully eating at Denny's in cullman first. All your prayers are far greater than I asked for :)

Birmingham

I woke up with crazy eyes and a slow moving face. Birmingham wants a ct scan. I do not wanna stay! Keep praying to God above. Satan gets no glory :)

Homeward bound

Hey! I'm so happy that first, I remembered how to post on here, and second, that I get to come home today :)I'm good, just tired and the incisions are sore but I can't wait to be home with all my family and friends. A huge thank you that will never end goes to my parents. They amazing, 'nuff said. Thank you for all the prayers and sweet words, I'd surly be up a creek without them. Do me a favor though, if you think of me then think good things for Brianna Looney, Alvin Kennemer, Bryan Thornton, Raelee Dye, and the many others you think of! God's in the healing business for everyone :)

Coming soon...

I had a CT scan earlier. The doctor said my ventricle is smaller so that means it works. I'm a little nauseated today. Dad is getting me chicken tonight. Maybe it will settle down on my stomach so I get a good nights sleep. Keep praying if you don't mind. If tonight goes well I could be homeward bound tomorrow. I am so grateful for all your sweet prayers and well wishes!

Doing well

I'm out of surgery and doing pretty great. I'm tired but I love you all very much :)

Ready...set...

Happy New Year! I hope that all of your holidays have been as blessed as mine. I go in tomorrow morning at about 6:30 or 7. I will be admitted, have a final CT scan, then be taken back to surgery. Thank you for all your prayers in preparation  for my operation. It's all gonig to be great, guaranteed...God is in control and He has and always will be faithful! I'll talk to you all soon :)