We have a date!

I finally have an appointment set up to start the testing process! Monday morning Alex and I are leaving for PA! I have an appointment in Philadelphia with a heart specialist. I still don't know what kind if tests they are going to do or how long we will be there. But in any case we are on the right track and hopefully will have some answers soon! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!

Still Waiting...

                       It is now Monday and we are still working on getting information and scheduling testing for the possible Brugada syndrome. This process has been so much more complicated than I ever imagined it being. I found out that getting the Genetic blood work done will take it going through four different labs before it can get to a lab that can properly diagnose it, in addition to that we then have to wait eight weeks for the results. When it comes to the specialized ECG and EKG tests there is a specialist in Rochester that may be able to preformed the necessary tests, but he has never worked with this disease before. I also learned that the doctor that worked directly with my cousin who was diagnosed wants to see me herself. At first I was under the impression that she was in Philadelphia and that she would be able to do all of the tests for me right there. But I later learned that the week we would be able to go down she would be located in New Jersey without the ability to preform all of the tests I would need. The other possibility is to work with another Dr. who also worked with my cousin and the family who would be testing my Grandpa that same week. If that works out, we should be able to go down next week and get all of the tests done right there. So it really comes down to two options: either go down to PA and work with the Dr. who can do all of the tests I need and get it all done around the same time, or stay here and try to work with the specialist here. If Alex and I stay in New York to do the test the process may take longer, but we won't have to travel and we can schedule the tests accordingly. We are praying for wisdom right now in the process.

                 Needless to say this past week was beyond exhausting and emotionally trying. We have both really struggled with trusting God in our situation, but yesterday I think we finally came to a point where we could just breathe and let go of some of the worry and tension. When it comes down to it, we have no valid reason to worry or stress over the situation before God, because He is in control and our prayers do not go unheard. Faith. Everything comes down to faith. We who are so hopeless fail so often to rest in the confidence of God's almighty power, grace and mercy.

                To help relieve some of the stress and anxiety we went Mini-Golfing and Go-Karting. It was my very first experience ever with a Go Kart. It was incredible. I do believe I could be a race car driver someday. And for anyone who would care to take note: never play mini Golfing with Alex or myself! If you don't get hit with the ball, you will endure countless actions of cheating. We win...unfairly. It is a sad reality. We shared a lot of laughs, played in the arcade like little kids again, and listened to our favorite Pastor the whole way there and back. It was defiantly worth the drive!


Thank you so much to everyone who has been praying for us and encouraging us through these last few months. It has been a very long year so far and I don't know where we would be without all of the love and encouragement from our friends and family!

Brugada Update

                      It has been about two weeks since we discovered that I have a possibility of carrying the rare case of brugada syndrome. So far I have seen my one primary doctor, who is working hard to learn more about the syndrome and how to diagnose it. Just to get the genetic blood work lab has been a difficult almost near impossible feat. They can't even do this specialized test in Rochester, if that gives you any idea how rare and difficult this is to diagnose. Thankfully, my doctor is now in contact with one of the doctors who helped with my second cousin who was diagnosed with it. I won't be able to start any tests until my insurance goes through on October 1st, but we are hoping and praying that after that we will be able to get into testing quickly.

                        It turns out that I am actually dealing with all the same symptoms as my cousin who was eventually diagnosed with this syndrome so they are pressing the importance of getting and diagnose in me as soon as possible. There is still a small chance that I may have to go to a hospital in Philadelphia to get all of the testing and possible surgery. We should know more in the next few days as I work with my doctor to figure out what the best possible procedure would be.

                    Please keep Alex and I and my family in your prayers. We are trying to give this stress to God, but it is really difficult. Alex in particular is having a really hard time dealing with the stress of this.

          Thank you all so much! We will let you know when we get more information what is going to happen with the testing.

With Love,
Leah

Alex and I are officially enrolled in school! In just a few short weeks we will be beginning our online B.A. Degrees. We are so excited! Our administrations advisor is incredible. So thankful we are working with someone who cares so much to see us pursuing what we are passionate about.

Look at how messy our table is and we have not even started real course work.

Brugada

                     I saw my doctor last Monday, and praise God that I am pretty much back to my normal self. No big tests, no more worries. I do have an iron deficiency but with the supplements I have been taking I already feel a difference. I still get tired fairly quickly depending on how active I am in a day, but for the most part I feel like I can carry on with my normal life style. We are very happy and relieved!
                  However with that being said, it was just discovered that my families carries a genetic heart disease that could be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. It is a fairly new in research and not many people are aware of its existence. It is called Brugada. Thankfully the treatment is simple and solves most issues that would be related to the heart. You can read more about it here: Brugada.org . I have to go in for testing at some point, probably sooner than later. The thing is, if I have it than my Mom has to have it and my Grandpa has to have it. If all three of us have it then we will all have to undergo surgery and have a pacemaker put it. In either case- whether we have it or not- I have no doubt that God is ultimately in control and if He allows it than so be it.

               

Prayer and Thanks

                     
                     As an up date on our illness, we discovered that there was mold in our apartment, but not in the air conditioner. We discovered that our trash can was actually the source of the mold, but our air conditioner was beyond filthy with dust and dirt. So having finally figured out the sources of the pollutants we had them cleaned and disinfected, and surely within the next 24 hours we were feeling much better! We are both praising God that it was such an easy fix! He has really blessed us with a great apartment and a wonderful Land Lord who bent over backwards to help us figure out what was wrong.

                In addition to figuring out what has been going on with our illness, we also discovered on Thursday night, that I am fighting two serious infections which would have another underlying cause. So on Monday I am starting a grueling ordeal of tests, doctor appointments and praying earnestly that God would give the doctors insight into whatever I am dealing with. I am on a lot of antibiotics right now which is putting my immune system in an even worse condition. Please join us in prayer over my body, that if it is God's will that He would protect me from getting anymore illnesses and that He would strengthen my body through this process.

                  I do want to make a point to say that God has had His hand over me protecting me through this ordeal. By God's grace we felt an urgent need to go see someone and get a diagnostic over my condition, thank God we went to Urgent Care that night. If we had even waiting until the following morning I would have most likely been committed into the hospital with a very serious infection. In addition to getting us to Urgent Care that night, we had the most incredible care! I have never been so impressed with a doctor and nursing staff ever. The doctor went above and beyond in helping us figure out what was going on. After being injected with antibiotics we were assured that I should be okay with rest and the additional medications so long as I didn't develop a fever.

              I am so thankful that God has been with us and helping us through this so far and I just pray we can get some quick answers from these doctors as we work through these test these next few weeks.

             I also have to say that I couldn't have been blessed with a more patient and understanding husband. Alex has been right along side me, going above and beyond to encourage and support me. I have never felt so loved and protected. God has blessed me with an incredible husband! It is hard to believe that four years ago to the day our relationship had just begun.

Your prayers would be greatly appreciated through this next ordeal. I give my love to all and I hope earnestly that God is working and blessing you in your lives as well!

Love,
Leah
                     

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Ill...

                      It has been just about two weeks since we moved into our home. At first we wouldn't have noticed because I have some many health issues myself, except that my husband began having many of the same symptoms. For the last week we have both become progressively more ill, with symptoms growing and developing everyday. The thought first crossed our mind when the air conditioner failed to blow any cold air, as if something was blocking the way, and then when we realized that we didn't start getting sick until we started trying to use it our suspicions have only grown. Could it be that there is something in our air conditioner that is making us sick? Maybe something like mold?

            Last night we went out and bought a fan and turned off the failing room chiller, in hopes that we will start feeling better. I guess we will see through the next few days.  I know God has it in control and we will figure it out, but does anyone have any ideas as to what else could cause us to get so sick?
Some of our symptoms are sever headaches, asthma problems, aching, lightheaded, faintness, weakness, restlessness, nausea and stomach pain, trouble focusing, and slightly blurred vision.  No fevers at this point yet though so I that is good! :)