Tests, more tests.

Our first night in Jacksonville, on Sunday November 29, was not the best. First, I had to drink one gallon of a strange liquid that supposedly cleans up the digestive tract in preparation for the next day colonoscopy. It was like drinking acid from a battery...just the odor gave me nausea. If not for Luchy on my side I wouldn't drank an ounce of that thing.

Of course, everything that goes in has to come out. So, before midnight I had visited 16 times you know where. I think my digestive tract was as clean as the one of a baby.

But that was just the beginning of our night. After midnight I had a chill that shook my body for over an hour. Nothing warmed me up... right after that, the fever raised up to 101.5F. Luchy had to apply me cold towels, lower the a/c room temperature and finally on the wee hours we were able to get some sleep.

By the time we woke up I had 12 hours of fasting. The first appointment on Monday 30, was scheduled at 7:20am at the blood lab. The paper said I had to visit 6 times at different hours but the receptionist made it clear, "you don't have to come back, we will collect it at once". And they did! They draw enough blood to fill 22 sample tubes!!! I think the only other time they have taken so much is when I have donated some...The young lady asked me every other minute if I was OK or if I needed a wheelchair. To tell the truth it wasn't that bad. I even went back to the hotel on my feet (it is located on the hospital grounds).
Challenge #1. Overcome.

THE colonoscopy was scheduled for 2:oopm. Still in fasting mode, I could not eat just wait. The procedure was simple and painless. Completely sedated for maybe 1/2 an hour I did not feel a thing. When woke up I was in another room and in a few minutes I was out of the examination area. This time wheeled on a chair. The medical report says a polyp was found and taken along with some more tissue for biopsy purposes.
That meant my diet was liquid still and my dinner consisted of yogurt, jelly and soup.
End of a full day.

Today is Tuesday, December 1.
My only "suffering" of the day has been a testicular ultrasound. It went OK. The best part: I don't have any more dietary restrictions. So we had a hearty breakfast.

We still have no answers from the tests. It will be until Friday, December 4 when we will see the Doctors again: Internal Medicine and Urologist. We hope that by that time they have a better idea of what is wrong with my body.

This afternoon we want to go out for a while to explore Jacksonville, to wander and find out what is behind the woods of the Hospital.

The best of all this time has been to be with Luchy, to have her just for me all the time. I enjoy her company, love, care and wisdom every minute of the day. She cheers me up to continue, to trust more in the Lord and to take things with humor and peace.
When she is by my side I almost do not feel sick.

We have been receiving calls from many of you. We rejoice with every single one of them. Thank you so much for your prayers and words of support. This has been another best part of this illness process and we thank God for having you in our lives.
Psalms 116, says:

⁵ The LORD is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

⁶ The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

⁷ Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.

And for sure we see His graciousness and compassion expressed through each one of you...His goodness is with us...