Reflections on this past year 2015

This year alone, I had a total of:

• 51 doctor appointments
• 21 physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments
• 5 MRIs (brain, cervical spine, thoracic spine, foot, and heart)
• 2 more surgeries (central line placement and liver biopsy) which makes a total of 9 so far
• 2 overnight hospital admissions
• 1 blood clot in my right cephalic vein
• 14 days of blood thinner injections
• 52 home care nurse visits
• 52 central line dressing site changes
• 3 sleep studies which showed worsening sleep apnea
• 1 skin biopsy
• 2 trips to San Diego to see my mitochondrial specialist in January and July
• 2 genetic tests (whole exome sequencing and a periodic fever syndrome panel)
• More than 150 tubes of blood drawn (thankfully, most of the blood draws were through my central line, so I didn't have to get poked for all of them :)
• 5 weeks of IV iron infusions for iron deficiency anemia
• 2 ER visits
• 2 electroencephalograms in June and August
• 1 pulmonary function test
• 1 modified barium swallow study/esophagram which showed esophageal dysmotility
• 2 EKGs
• 2 new medical diagnoses (Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome and Wilson's Disease)
• 1 jejunostomy feeding tube infection
• 2 multi-organ abdominal ultrasounds and 1 venous duplex ultrasound study
• 4 "24-hour" urine tests to check histamine and copper
• And more than 365 hook-ups to IV nutrition and IV fluids

I look at all these numbers, and I'm humbled by God's grace---I truly couldn't have made it through another hard year without the Lord's help.  He has been my Rock!  I'm reminded of the verse in 2 Corinthians 12---But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  I was weak many times this past year, but the Lord made me strong (2 Cor. 12:10).

2016 is upon us...  It's always a little hard when a new year begins because of the unknown, but I know the Lord will give me courage to face whatever comes next!  Plus, He blesses me with such loving and supportive friends and family. :)  Thank you for staying on this journey with me!  I couldn't do this without you!

Happy new year, friends.  May we hold fast to the Lord and trust Him in everything these next 12 months---He is faithful!!

Saw this quote recently and wanted to share.  Perfect as we begin 2016!