Update on my Health
My life is at a crossroads. The past week I have had to shift through many different emotions. Last Monday after being sick for 4 days, I went to the lab and had two vials of blood drawn to check for malaria and a CBC performed. Everything came back normal but I have the same symptoms of Malaria that I had the first two times. After speaking with my supervisors, my doctor, and another doctor, we can to the conclusion that it was possible that I had the malaria that hides out in my liver. I also found out that I could take primiquine to treat this but that is was not available here in Niger. It was very frustrating to know that a $20.00 drug could be found in the US where no malaria is located rarely but not found in a place where malaria kills people every day. Crazy, yes? Anyways I spoke and prayed to my husband and he had churches in Andalusia pray that God would show me away to go. I went Friday and had three more vials of blood taken and test performed for liver enzymes and a G6-PD. I had to wait until Saturday afternoon to get the results and then found out then that I wouldn’t have the G6-PD result until Sunday. Sunday afternoon, Cherry (an awesome midwife from Dahlonega, GA) and I went to talk to a doctor and he stated some “opinions”:
1. Take Primaquine (not available in Niger) for 2 weeks and see if that takes care of the malaria
2. After a body rest, try Mefloquine (not available in Niger at this time) and see if it takes care of the malaria
3. Be placed on Quinine IV for 7 days if primaquine and mefloquine doesn’t work.
4. Go back to the US and go to a specialist there.
He was super nice and I appreciated his input. Cherry went to a couple of pharmacies to see if they could get primaquine but they didn’t know what it was She also went to the lab for me and discovered that my G6-PD test showed that I am not within the normal range. The reason for this test is to determine if I can take primaquine. However, the doctor, cherry and another friend worked hard to find out if I could take it anyways since my result was below the normal. In the mean time, my supervisor of the school called me and told me that Cure Hospital (American ortho pediatric hospital that opened last month) happened to have primaquine. Divine intervention, yes? So this morning Cherry talked to a doctor at Cure Hospital who said if my results were below the normal range that it was fine for me to take primaquine. So we went off to Cure Hospital today, picked up primaquine (I take it for 14 days) and got another GE done for malaria.
It has been recommended to me by multiple people that I need to go back to the USA due to my being sick off and on since August. I listened to every one’s concern and am open to the fact that I may possibly have to go back home early. I don’t understand why this is happening all I know is I’m supposed to be here in Niger. I have prayed, and cried to my family and friends about everything and to the Lord most of all. My husband and I both feel that this is a test and the thought of me leaving Niger convicts us both. So therefore, I am stepping out in faith and believing that all of current health problems will be taken care of soon because God has gone before me and is helping me through this trial. At this time, my plans are to stay in Niger, continue on the Primaquine and continue to listen for God’s voice. I will follow whatever path God has for me and continue to pray HIS will in my life and not my own. Here are my prayer requests:
1. Pray that I will be healed in God’s timing
2. Pray for me to have strength to do what God tells me to do
3. Pray for my husband and family. This has been a hard decision - I miss Michael and my family like crazy and part of me wants to go back home to him and my family but I can’t disobey God so I must continue down this path. No matter how crazy and stupid it seems to some of you.
4. Pray for God’s hand on my life. God has provided all my needs to come to Niger and has even provided the “un-gettable” anti-malaria drug that I need at this time. I am going to continue to trust him for all my needs.
5. Pray I will clearly hear God’s voice.
6. Pray for Sahel Academy.
7. Pray for the missionaries in Niger.
8. Pray for the lost souls of Niger.
Thanks for all your prayers and support at this time. Please continue to pray. God Bless You All!
Stacey
1. Take Primaquine (not available in Niger) for 2 weeks and see if that takes care of the malaria
2. After a body rest, try Mefloquine (not available in Niger at this time) and see if it takes care of the malaria
3. Be placed on Quinine IV for 7 days if primaquine and mefloquine doesn’t work.
4. Go back to the US and go to a specialist there.
He was super nice and I appreciated his input. Cherry went to a couple of pharmacies to see if they could get primaquine but they didn’t know what it was She also went to the lab for me and discovered that my G6-PD test showed that I am not within the normal range. The reason for this test is to determine if I can take primaquine. However, the doctor, cherry and another friend worked hard to find out if I could take it anyways since my result was below the normal. In the mean time, my supervisor of the school called me and told me that Cure Hospital (American ortho pediatric hospital that opened last month) happened to have primaquine. Divine intervention, yes? So this morning Cherry talked to a doctor at Cure Hospital who said if my results were below the normal range that it was fine for me to take primaquine. So we went off to Cure Hospital today, picked up primaquine (I take it for 14 days) and got another GE done for malaria.
It has been recommended to me by multiple people that I need to go back to the USA due to my being sick off and on since August. I listened to every one’s concern and am open to the fact that I may possibly have to go back home early. I don’t understand why this is happening all I know is I’m supposed to be here in Niger. I have prayed, and cried to my family and friends about everything and to the Lord most of all. My husband and I both feel that this is a test and the thought of me leaving Niger convicts us both. So therefore, I am stepping out in faith and believing that all of current health problems will be taken care of soon because God has gone before me and is helping me through this trial. At this time, my plans are to stay in Niger, continue on the Primaquine and continue to listen for God’s voice. I will follow whatever path God has for me and continue to pray HIS will in my life and not my own. Here are my prayer requests:
1. Pray that I will be healed in God’s timing
2. Pray for me to have strength to do what God tells me to do
3. Pray for my husband and family. This has been a hard decision - I miss Michael and my family like crazy and part of me wants to go back home to him and my family but I can’t disobey God so I must continue down this path. No matter how crazy and stupid it seems to some of you.
4. Pray for God’s hand on my life. God has provided all my needs to come to Niger and has even provided the “un-gettable” anti-malaria drug that I need at this time. I am going to continue to trust him for all my needs.
5. Pray I will clearly hear God’s voice.
6. Pray for Sahel Academy.
7. Pray for the missionaries in Niger.
8. Pray for the lost souls of Niger.
Thanks for all your prayers and support at this time. Please continue to pray. God Bless You All!
Stacey
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI truly feel like you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. Continue to pray and know that God is with you. We are not always given good times but we have to suffer as a Christian too. I pray that this medication will help and you will continue to feel better and get stronger! Love you girl and take care of yourself.
DeAnna Coker
Hey Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how hard it is for you over there right now. We are praying for you & praying for your health. I felt the Lord's presence just reading what you wrote. We are so proud of you. I know that going to Niger was a very difficult thing to do. You will be rewarded greatly!! We love you very much
The Caraway Family
Stacey ~
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing woman of FAITH! I believe that God wants you here in Niger. He didn't bring you to this fabulous country, for you to end up returning home to the States for treatment.
You inspire me. Continue to stand on the Word and when you don't know what else to do - keep standing! Stand firm.
Much love,
~Tanika Childs
Praying for your health! Your faith is such a beautiful testimony of the absolute rest and confidence we are called to have in the Lord! Just like Peter when he walked on water..think about it. There is Jesus, walking on water Peter heads out to Him. When did he start sinking Stace?..when he took his eyes off the Lord and started looking at the storm! Whose storm was that?!?!? The Lord's! HE made that cloud! THE very One who made the heavens was standing in front of Peter, and in fear he began to sink. But be of courage my sister, for his Beloved Savior "reached out His hand and caught and held him". Hallelujah! http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:22-33&version=AMP
ReplyDeleteLove you so so much!
Hey,
ReplyDeleteThis blog brought tears to my eyes because 1) i love u so much and hate to see u suffer 2) your faith is amazing and humbling!
We will be praying for you fervently. I would just like to encourage you from some personal experiences recently with storms. Although we do not understand at the time the trial is taking place usually later on it is revealed through the "bigger picture". Just recently I have experienced this and it is an humbling thought to realize that your trial was not for you but for the edification of the kingdom of God. Please remember that sometimes we go through things not for ourselves but for others. Encouragement...God has trusted you so much with this trial knowing that you will follow His will, You are the mere artwork of Jesus Christ, Take courage and be strong. I love you~Liz Ezell