What does God have instore for us now??

As many of you know, Robby has had several medical issues over the past several years.  You can go here to get a synopsis of what we have gone through.  Well, a couple of  months ago, Robby started losing grip in his right hand.  He didn't think much about it.  About 3 weeks ago, he went to open a Mountain Dew bottle, and couldn't...This scared him(he won't admit it, but it did).  That night he was telling me about it, and asked if I would call and make him an appointment with Dr. Darter, so I did.

He got in to see Dr. Darter within just a couple of days...and I didn't have to throw a fit with the  appointment clerk, I have before..many, many, many times.  Robby went for his appointment, Darter did a thorough exam and came to the conclusion that he thinks he has some nerve damage in his hand...ok, nothing to serious.  So Darter schedules him an appointment with Dr. Schaeffer...a neurologist...for a nerve test to determine that is what is really wrong.  This appointment was yesterday.

Yesterday around lunch, Robby and Callie head up to Amarillo, while I worked.  Robby says they get to the office, and this neurologist shares an office with an OB/GYN...What a combo!!  The first and only bad mark against this doctor is he has a picture with him and Jeff Gordon.  If you know us, even a little bit, you know we are Jeff Gordon haters, it's just true.  Anyway, they perform the nerve test, then Dr. Schaeffer comes in.  Robby said he was with him in the room asking questions and examining him for about an hour...which is unheard of, especially for specialist.  He has Robby walk, hold his arms up and try to push them down, tap his thumb and fingers together so on and so forth.

When he gets through with all of his tests, he begins to tell Robby what he thinks is the problem.  First off, there is no nerve damage, carpal tunnel or anything of that nature wrong...although, he does have a mild neuropathy in his leg.  Ok, we didn't know anything of that problem.  Secondly, it could be a bulging or ruptured disc...painful, but repairable.  Thirdly, he could have had a small stroke at some point in time...we could manage that with medication.  Lastly, Robby could have some form of Muscular Dystrophy...This is when I lost it!  Muscular Dystrophy, no cure, just management of symptoms that will slowly take over your body until it kills you.

At this point, all of the what ifs go running through my mind...
         What if we have to have back surgery?  What if it was a stroke?  What would we have to do to alter our lifestyle to prevent any subsequent strokes?  What if he had a massive stroke that leaves him bed ridden?  What if it IS Muscular Dystrophy?  How will it affect his body?  How fast will it progress?  How am I going to tell my kids?  How are my kids going to handle this?  They have already had sooo much loss in their young lives, how will this affect them?

This next Wednesday we go for an MRI of his head and c-spine, blood work, and x-rays.  The good thing is Dr. Schaeffer said he would do everything he could to figure out what was going on.  If he couldn't figure it out, he would send us to Houston.  We could go to Dallas, but Houston has the best facilities and doctors.  So I feel very comfortable in the hands of the doctor. 

I have been thinking and praying what I need to do.  While I was in the shower this morning, Travis Cottrell's song "I Am Persuaded" just popped in my head.  The first verse and chorus says:

I believe Your love is faithful
When all my hopes have crumbled
It is standing strong and able
When everything else fails
I believe Your love will cover me
Through every storm
I am persuaded

Nothing in life
Nothing in death
No mountain high
No ocean depth
No power below
On earth or above
Can separate from Your love.

I know this was God telling me that HE would be there, HE would not leave us, and that HE would get us through this storm because HE has gotten us through many other storms.  HIS love will not leave or forsake us, HIS love will always be there no matter what we do.

I typed the word "strength" in my Bible reader on my ipod...and one of the verses has just stuck in my head.   Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually.  1 Chronicles 16:11  So I am going to keep seeking Him.  I am not going to let up on my readings.  I am going to go to God daily on what I should do and He will lead me. 

I apologize for the length of this blog, but I just had to get it all out, and how I was feeling.  This blog has become very good therapy for me!!