Divine Appointment

Her name was Kris, and she was my speech pathologist yesterday; but to me she seemed more like an angel. I believe our appointment was divine.

She was about my age, an incredible teacher, warm, caring--just a lovely person; and that would have been enough. But she was also very knowledgable about my three possible conditions. Two of them she had personally experienced (thyroid and acid reflux)and the third (ALS) she had experienced vicariously through many of her patients. She spent 90 minutes with me (!!) helping me sort out the confusing overlapping symptoms, explaining many things that I had suspected, but never had confirmed. I walked away from our appointment praising God from the depths of my soul. I will praise you, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your mercy is great above the heavens, and your truth reaches to the clouds. (Ps. 108:3-4)

At a certain point during the 90 minutes we walked to the lab where two technicians, one physician, and Kris watched on the x-ray screen as I swallowed a variety of things (thin liquid, thick liquid, pudding, and pudding with cookie crumbs in it.) The bottom line was that my swallowing was NORMAL. Kris concluded, "You don't swallow like an ALS patient." She quickly added that she wasn't saying that I didn't have ALS, but that she was pleasantly surprised to see that everything looked normal with my swallowing mechanism, because this is usually one of the most problematic areas. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and your glory above all the earth... (Ps. 108:5)

A few minutes later when I talked to my neurologist, he expressed surprise and delight that my swallowing was normal. Four weeks ago, on the day of the ALS diagnosis, my pulmonary function (lungs) also tested NORMAL. The doctor agreed that both of these things were very good signs. Not that he was withdrawing his diagnosis of ALS, (he made that very clear!!) but that he was pleased that there were not yet any signs of deterioration in these two vital functions. That your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand, and hear me. (Ps. 108:6)

Then I showed him the list of thyroid symptoms that have improved during this month of taking synthroid (thyroid medication). He was very pleased and agreed to refer me to the group of cutting-edge endocrinologists at University of Wisconsin Medical Center in Madison. My case is obviously unusual (with normal thyroid labs)so he wanted me to have some of the best doctors to help me sort it out.

I want to thank you (emphatically!!) for the encouraging words, powerful scriptures, uplifting books, and heart-rending songs that you have sent me--reminding me of your support and God's faithfulness.

And, you know what? Even though it's too early to see where all of this is going, I realize that we don't have to know yet...because we know the one whose hand we're holding. He is the one who arranges divine (and encouraging!!) appointments.

O God, my heart is steadfast! (Ps. 108:1)


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