Scottish Rite Appointment

Before I give an update on today's appointment let me bring everyone up to speed on where we are.  At our last Scottish Rite appointment the Director of Rheumatoid Arthritis saw us.  She thinks that Brylea no longer has rheumatoid arthritis but something else.  She still has inflamed joints with pain.  However, Brylea is growing and functioning normally.  Also,  Brylea developed nodules on her elbows at the end of last summer.  They also see nodules on her lungs.  After numerous X-rays and a CT scan they are still worried about the nodules so they sent us to a pulminologist at Children's.  The pulminology Dr ran her own tests and has her own theories.  We also spoke to a hand surgeon.  They are wanting to do a full biopsy on her elbows (versus a lung biopsy) to see what could cause the nodules and maybe lead us to an answer of what is causing her so much pain.  We go in this Wednesday for a full biopsy.

I was sitting at Scottish Rite thinking over this biopsy.  My baby is having to be fully sedated through an IV to really get a good, clean biopsy.  I am now a nervous wreck thinking about this.  I know that the Lord is ultimately in control but my human, motherly nature is taking over.  I know that this is something that is needed to figure out an answer to Brylea's mystery.

That leads us to today's appointment.  Since the pulminologist really did not have any answers (yet) and the biopsy has not been performed the Dr.'s could not really do anything for us or Brylea today.  However, it was brought to our attention that depending on the results of her biopsy of her elbows it may lead to a biopsy of her lungs.  This completely frightens me.  So, now I am asking for prayers on Wednesday's biopsy.  I am praying that the lung biopsy will be unnecessary.  I also was able to turn in a urine sample to the lab today for the first time since we have begun this process.  I was told that urine samples can give way more information than the bloodwork that they take every month.  I am praying that maybe something will be found there too.  Thank you for the continued words of encouragement and prayer.  They are greatly appreciated.

We have to be at Scottish Rite on Wednesday at 6:30 in the morning.  Our next pulminology appointment will be Monday at 2:00.  I feel like we are finally making progress.  I just want to see answers and relief for Brylea. 

I read this verse this weekend and this is what I am clinging to get me through the next week: "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united wtih Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" Philippians 2:1-2