Sunday, November 1, 2009

10th Round of IV Antibiotics - 4th Time Using Port:

I went to the doctor on October 28th for a follow up after my oral antibiotics. My lung function was exactly the same - 45%. This didn't really surprise me because I didn't feel much different after taking them. Come to find out though that they didn't work because I am now resistant to Cipro (the antibiotic I was taking) and Tobramyacin, another one that I take as a breathing treatment. Resistant just means that it no longer kills the bacteria growing in my lungs because the bacteria has developed a "resistance" to it.
My doctor decided to start me on IV antibiotics again. Ever since I had the swine flu this past summer, my lung function has not been the same. I am taking an antibiotic called Meropenem, which I have taken before. I'm hoping and praying that it will restore some of my lung function back. My doctor also wants me to try to do my breathing treatments 3 times a day, along with my vest. I honestly don't know how I'm going to find time to do it that many times with classes and homework to keep up with, but I am certainly going to try. This is one thing that is really overwhelming for me, so if you could pray that I could balance all these things I would so appreciate it.
I lost one more pound which was a bit discouraging since I had been stuffing myself silly for the past two weeks. My doctor also told me that I should make an appointment to see my Endocrinologist to talk to him about getting an insulin pump. I have never seen an insulin pump before, but apparently it works similarly to the pancrease in that it releases insulin each time I eat. It just stays attached to me all day instead of having to give myself insulin shots before every meal. I'm not sure what to think of this. In a way it would be nice so I won't have to carries around my insulin and needles everywhere I go, but its new and its really overwhelming thinking about one more thing i'm going to have to deal with somehow.
I am supposed to go back to the doctor on November 12th to see if I can be done with my IV meds. While going on my IV antibiotics every four months or so gets repetitive and tiresome, each time is different in that God teaches me something new and reveals Himself, and His sweet comfort, peace and rest, to me in new ways each time. For that I am thankful, but it is still hard.
Right now particularly I am feeling very burdened by it all. I feel God gently reminding me that I I am not supposed to carry this on my own - its not mine to carry. He reminds me to trust in Him and depend on Him to carry me through as He has time and time again in the past. How sweet it is to Have a Savior who cares for us and comforts us when we need it most.
I would so appreciate some prayers as I am feeling quite overwhelmed right now. Pray for not only that the IV meds would work and the other things I mentioned in here, but most of all that no matter what God's will is that I could better know Him and His grace through this, that my heart would be teachable that He might teach me new ways to depend on Him. And most of all, pray that no matter what happens God would be glorified through me and my CF. Its all for Him.
Thank you for reading!

3 comments:

  1. Amanda, Erin and I are praying for you and asking God's will to be revealed through all of this. We would love to have you over for dinner sometime soon to catch up and eat some food at the same time. We love you and are here if you need ANYTHING!
    Tim and Erin

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  2. Amanda

    Jim and my prayers are with you always. As you know we love you as one of our own daughters. If you need anything you know you can call - WE LOVE YPU SWEETIE.

    lOVE Jim & Robin

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  3. Amanda, I am praying for you. God has given you grace and strength, I hope your classes are going well and you are having fun in college.
    Brook London

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