Mayo!

Hello people!!!

I am back in Texas! This past week at Mayo was pretty much the emotional and physical roller coaster I was expecting, but overall it was just covered in God's hand and His guidance, and I can't thank you enough for praying for this huge trip.

I only saw my new neurologist once at the beginning of the week, and the rest of it was test after test after test. Though most of them were painful and definitely not fun, I believe that together they will all lead to something better for me. I suppose I'm still in the "diagnostic" phase, which is what these tests will hopefully help with. They did a lot of autonomic system function tests, some muscular function tests, sweat tests, hormone tests and a bunch of blood work. And when you have crappy veins like mine that is no walk in the park...and I have the bruises to show it.

Mayo is such an incredible place. It is THE most efficient hospital I've ever been in and everyone is SO nice and willing to go out of their way to help. If you tell someone something in one department literally the whole building knows about it. Right after my initial appointment I was given an intinerary with all of my tests and where they were located. And when you check in for a test they give you a little pager and they just page you when you come back! We never waited more than 10 minutes either. It's hard to describe the "culture" of Mayo unless you've been there and experienced it. No matter what people where there for, we all shared a kinship...we were all there for answers. People from all states and even other countries were there, shuttling from appointment to appointment...looking for hope. And Mayo is where we've all found it.

When I first met with my neurologist she was just as perplexed as all my other doctors. I was just waiting for the words of "I don't understand" or "I don't know what to do with you". And while she did have a few comments to that end, she actually is doing something about it! She doesn't see the need to change my medicines or try a new one, because obviously thats not working. So she ordered all these tests to hopefully once and for all completely diagnose me so that we can work on the next step with is treating it. She thinks I will have a lot of success with a pain management rehabilitation program that lasts 3 weeks. The only negative? There's typically a 5-6 month waiting list....

BUT! God is a Provider and one who answers prayers and I have been accepted to this program...for JULY!! So from July 9-31 I will be living in Minnesota and participating in this rehab program. It's a pretty intensive program that includes physical therapy and occupational therapy everyday, and strategizing and learning how to mentally beat my chronic pain. They will help me with practical ways to manage my pain and learn how to take control of my life, instead of letting my pain control it. Although it may not necessarily end my chronic pain, but it will allow me the chance to take control of it. Everyone we talked to seemed very convinced that I will be successful in this program, and I think I will too. And given that it was such an answered prayer and happened so quickly, I know God has this planned for me as well.

So. That's my next step. Feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments you wish! Love y'all.