As I sit here in my Romanian hospital bed, thinking back
over the last 2 weeks of my life, all I can do is smile and shake my head. This has definitely been one of those surreal
World Race experiences that I hope to NEVER repeat!! But allow me to start at the beginning…
Flashback: 2 weeks ago, beginning of 4 month debrief in
Brasov, Romania.
My team arrived Tuesday morning, 10/30/12, on an overnight
train from good ol’ Arad. The train ride
had been the hardest for me so far. I
was uncomfortable, my stomach hurt despite taking Dramamine, and I couldn’t
sleep. But I didn’t think much of it,
until we got to out hostel and all that yuckiness wouldn’t go away. I ended up spending most of my debrief week
lying on the floor outside the bathroom (which was highly inconvenient for
everyone else). I had moments of
lucidity, but was mostly down and out the whole debrief. I was vomiting, couldn’t eat or really
drink.
Finally, Saturday morning 11/3, the day we were supposed to
leave for Moldova, I went to the ER. We
thought, get in, see a doctor, maybe some meds, then head to Moldova with the
rest of the squad. Ha! Nope!
Following blood tests, it was discovered that some kidney
levels were way off. The norm would
have been 1.2 and mine was 11. Sounds insane
huh? So I was given an IV in my hand and
then admitted to a room with 5 other women.
The next 2 days were a blur of needles, IVs, blood, language
I didn’t understand and woman who wanted to help but who would not leave me
alone. I was so scared. I didn’t sleep. Panic began to kick in until it overtook me
and I had a full blown panic attack when my 3rd IV failed and they
had to put another in. I cried,
hyperventilated, Now, in my defense, the hospital staff were not gentle and not
great at getting blood or IVs on the 1st try…they usually had to try
3-4 times and different places. It was
horrible.
In the midst of my attack, I just kept saying “I wanna
leave, I wanna go home.” I spoke to my
parents on the phone and after Luke explained my medical predicament in detail
to my Dad, my Dad told me, “Sara you need to calm down, think about your health
right now. Pray to the Lord and ask Him
for strength. He will get you through
this.” This simple statement coming from
my Dad made all the difference. My
father believes in God but does not follow or have a relationship with the Lord
so for him to say that was a big deal!
That was my turning point.
I did exactly what my earthly father told me to do and prayed hard to my
Heavenly Father!! I gave up my control,
begged for strength because I seriously had absolutely nothing left and kept
repeating out loud, “God, you are my strength, You are my confidence, You are
my relaxation.”
Oh! Ok God…so this
has all been an exercise in giving up control?
It was all about allowing Him to take the wheel and drive my struggle
bus! After all this, I was transferred
to a specialty hospital for kidneys, my doctor speaks fluent English, the girl
from the international dept blessed me with fun bed sheets, flowers, a towel,
pajamas, slippers, soap, her internet stick and whatever food I want! I also met a guy from the Netherlands who
speaks Romanian and English and who offers to translate and get me anything I
need from the outside world! LOL. The nurses here are very nice and gentle and
good with taking blood and putting in IVs.
God provides and comforts when you allow Him control!
Let’s summarize, shall we…
It’s been 11 days since I got sick. I’ve been in the hospital for 8 days and
still have 2 more days left. I have had
6 different IVs, blood taken about 8 times and countless meds and fluids. I have made some great new friends and gotten
to know some teammates and leaders a whole lot better. I now know I can go 10 days without a shower
and not smell bad!
I give You control, oh Lord!
You alone can carry me through anything!
When I lose all hope, You show up and show out! You give me strength when I have none
left! Thank you for loving me so
fiercely!
****stay tuned for a picture blog and video of this whole
lovely experience
