First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has lifted us up in your prayers over the past few days. It has kinda been a whirlwind, and rather surreal at moments, but I wanted to take a moment and just explain what we know as of right now {mostly because we live in a small town where rumors spread like wildfire and things ALWAYS get blown out of proportion}.
On Wednesday morning (around 9:45ish) I was teaching my students the difference between fiction and nonfiction books. I was starting to read a nonfiction book about frogs, and I came to the first sentence. I tried to read it, but it just didn’t come out right. I sounded jumbled up, and I knew it. So, I tried again and did the same thing. The jumbled speech paired with a pretty intense headache and my voice echoing in my ears got me worried. So, I went next door and asked my teaching partner to cover my class while I went to get help from the office. From there I went and told my administrators, but my speech was still jumbled. I could get the point across, but it wasn’t all flowing together and I remember saying, “Do you hear this, I can’t communicate right!”
Although my speech came back in less than 5 minutes and the echoing went away, Jared and I decided it was best to visit the ER in Sunnyvale. That’s when things got serious and scary. I had just had a CAT scan and they told me it would take about an hour to read the results. Well no less than 5 minutes after my scan, the doctor was at my bedside telling me that he was just the messenger, not to shoot him (thanks guy, real comforting) and that I had a bleed in my brain. The first thing out of Jared’s mouth was, “Take us to Baylor now.”
So after a care-flight, I ended up in Baylor getting an EEG, EKG, another CAT scan, and a pretty wide range of other verbal/physical tests. The 2nd CAT scan said the same thing, but this time was explained by an actual neurologist. All he could really tell was that the bleeding had stopped, but it was definitely still there (just not getting bigger). He ordered an MRI for the next day so that they could get more information and a better look at the bleed.
–Let me just stop here and tell you what an emotional roller coaster we had been on in just 5 hours. I thought I had a migraine and inner ear infection, then I find out from a crazy doctor that I had a bleed in my brain, and now I have to sleep through the night before I can get any other explanations, real simple, right?! PTL that I was now at Baylor and was under the care of some of the best doctors/nurses/techs around. AND, I have a pretty amazing family that stuck around with me also.
Alrighty, so Thursday rolls around and I go in for my MRI around 12:15. That machine scared the mess out of me, and I literally cried from the second I left my room to the second I got back into my room. The tears just kept flowing out! I wasn’t necessarily scared of the machine, but more nervous about the results.
A couple of hours passed by and we were visited by 3 different doctors who all had different opinions and different things to say. But, we are going with what the neurosurgeon said {mainly because he seemed really smart, had a british accent, and he had on a pretty nice suit ;)}. He really couldn’t explain the bleed anymore than they had the day before. It is on the upper left side of my brain, and they can’t tell what caused it or what’s underneath it. His main thing was that he wasn’t going to open me up and operate right now because he just simply doesn’t know what the blood is covering. So, that’s kinda where we stand. We have to wait 10 weeks for the blood to be absorbed. Then, we will have another MRI to see what’s going on up there. At that time, they will make the decision about whether or not I need to have brain surgery.
In the meantime, they are worried about a possible re-bleed. So I can’t do any heavy lifting, I can’t work out, I can’t overexert myself, I can’t fly in an airplane, and I can’t take certain medications. If I have any sudden headaches, loss of vision, dizziness, or speech problems then I have to go to the ER immediately {this probably scares me more than anything because I get headaches ALL the time!}
Whew! That’s a lot of info, right?! Right now I am sitting at the hospital waiting to be discharged so that I can go home and take a stinkin’ shower… I smell nasty, y’all! And, I look even worse! I am more than thankful that I am fully functioning right now and I feel perfectly fine. If I didn’t know my brain had a bleed then I would think I was more than healthy! I truly appreciate every person who said a prayer (or 100) for us. Jared has been the absolute best throughout these past few days, he truly helps me stay stable and calm and hasn’t left my side except when they pried him away for my tests. Even more than that, I know that my faith in Christ is what has gotten me through those very emotional moments. My father-in-law, who is also my pastor kept reminding me that God was in control not the doctors, which is so true!
I’m leaving you with that, and I would so appreciate your continued prayers over these next few months. We also got some great news about little Miss J, and I’ll post about all that some other time 🙂
God is faithful and in control!
Amy you are a strong inspiration of God's unfailing love and grace. Love you girl! Take care and be lazy!
Omg Amy, I'm so glad you're okay. You gave me goosebumps!! Praying for your health and I agree with Kim and Megan, be lazy, please!!!
Love ya, sweet friend! Thinking about and praying for you daily!!!!
Chris and I have been praying for you…will continue to pray for your health as you wait these 10 weeks out and as you prepare to bring your sweet girl home.
Oh my goodness!! I will be praying for you and your family!! That's so scary! My mom had a similar incident this year and was taken to Sunnyvale, we weren't a fan of the doctor's! Praying you will be healed!
Amy I will be praying and keeping you in my thoughts! I have endured a somewhat similar situation with my only son who was involved in a car accident in August. The doctors are monitoring his spots on his brain and to be quite frank it is very scary.
Prayers coming
Melissa
Love you sweet friend. Get rest and take care of yourself. We'll be praying for you.
Hugs to you! I pray your health is back on track and J is in your arms soon! Love ya!
Oh my goodness Amy, I'm so sorry to hear this! Sending prayers and hugs your way sweet girl!!!
Oh my crap! You most certainly will be in my prayers. I have been following your amazing adoption story and what a cool teacher you are and am shocked to see this. I hope you have a speedy recover to full health so you can welcome the little sweet heart that is waiting for you guys.
i just wanted to come on here to let you know i had posted about you (and your wonderful ideas) on my blog, and then i read THIS! i know you don;t need any more anxiety in your life right now, but it certainly is comforting to know that you are solidly in the Lord's hands. (and so great to know you have that assurance!) i will pray for you, and will add you to our little prayer list the girls and i pray for in our school time…
becca
wingsandwillows.blogspot.com
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Wow! You are definitely in my prayers. Take it easy!
Don't Let The Teacher Stay Up Late
Just stopped by to see if you updated. Sending lots of prayers your way!!! <3
Dear Amy, I just stopped by today because I have been thinking on you lately, I even tell my husband about the amazing teacher from Texas, who is very creative and I just adore following!!!! We went to the movies and watched the movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and Jennifer Lopez rol, just made me think immediately on you, and what you must be feeling with the adoption process that is going on right now in your life, that's when I told my husband everything about you, I couldn't stop myself from crying a little bit, because now I have a better idea of what you most probably are feeling, so I came to your blog to tell you all about it, and I stumble with your news. If I was praying before now I will double the effort, I'm quite sure that you don't have nothing to worry about, just let the Lord take the lead through all this, and you'll see that in no time you're going to be feeling better, and this experience will be over.
Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery. May GOD Bless You always!!!!!!
Amy,
I just wanted to let you know that I am saying lots of prayers for you and your family! I am a second grade teacher in NC and just discovered your blog last year – love all of your ideas. Your blog post hit home with me because I had this exact same health scare(I just had different symptoms)this past Christmas. Just wanted to let you know that I am here if you ever need someone to talk to!
Hope
hope1130@gmail.com
I can't even imagine how scary that must have been (and continues to be!) for you and your hubby.
Lots of love an prayers to you, my friend!
Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade
Take care and you are in my prayers, mary
You are a trooper!!! I can't even begin to imagine how scared you are feeling!
Even though I do not personally know you, I do follow your blog, and I raced to my computer to see how you are….I am praying and thinking of you…I recently had surgery(a few months ago) and it's scary!!!!Guess what? The doctors(many) have told me all the pain in my ears, mouth, basically since last Nov. is from a chip in my jaw bone….never a dull moment!!!!!
Praying for you Amy! Take care!
How scary, Amy! My family and I will be sure to pray for you and your family everyday. As you said, God is in control and He is good and He is faithful. I have faith that it will all work out as God does all things for our good.
Blessings,
Cecelia
Sending prayers your way. I know God is watching over you. Even though we have never met , I feel like I have really gotten to know you from following your adventures thru life on your blog. Please follow your doctor's advice my friend and relax. You and your family come first now and your beloved job teaching may need to be set aside until you are safely feeling better.
Amy, do you have an update? How are you feeling? Are you managing to keep your stress levels low? Can't stop thinking about you.
Amy you have always been one of my favorite go to bloggers because of what a wonderful spirit you have. Rest, relax and please keep us updated. You are in my prayers.
Stacy
Amy I had a hematoma two years ago, because I have bleeding in my brain. Mine was from a fall though! But blood on the top layer that covers your brain can cause headaches all the time. After my hematoma, I had terrible headaches daily for 6 months. As if was explained to me is that its like a giant bruise on your brain, and just like a bruise it hurts and has to be reabsorbed. While your situation sounds different, since I don't know if you fell.. some good news I am good now with no problems, (I just forget little things more often). So hopefully you will have no problems and everything will be just fine. Expect headaches though and don't worry. I know its scary. I was told they might have to drill to release the pressure and I went straight to (I am going to die!!!!) It was awful, but I made it and I am sure that you can too!!! Praying that you will be ok, and they it heals itself quickly! Sending happy thoughts your way!!!
Amy – first off I want to say that I have committed to pray for you. I'm a fellow believer and know that the Lord has his hand on you and a plan during this difficult time. I'm a fellow tpter blogger and so glad to have found this second blog of yours. I agree about not surviving without a church family. 5 years ago I went through ne of the worst things I could ever imagine and God in his merciful and faithful way- continued to comfort and encourage me. I will. Be praying for all those things for you too. God bless you my friend. Hugs
Vicky