Not Quite Finished

Many of you have been asking, “what is going on with your voice?” So here is my update…

After about a month of stateside doctor visits – neurologist, ENT’s, family doctor – and several tests (chest MRI, barium swallow, cardio ultrasound, blood tests, etc) there is still no clear diagnosis. Every test done has come back as normal, which is great but it doesn’t help solve my voice issues. The neurologist thinks it is myasthenia gravis (as did the neurologist in Jordan as well). Unfortunately, the chest MRI came back clear. But he said that a rare subtype of MG is “MUSK” which doesn’t show up on MRI’s and requires a special type of blood test. Hopefully the blood work will come back with clarity.

So, now I am on steroids for a few months (or longer), which I hate, and one of the negatives of that is my ankle surgery has been delayed. It was scheduled for January 14th but I have to be off of steroids for at least two weeks before it can be replaced. Hopefully late spring will be a go-ahead.

Another possibility that our family doctor told us was my blood pressure medicine. That can cause symptoms that I have had. I’ve gone off of the medicine now but it will take months to know if it was the cause. And I’m getting very tired of going to see doctors who have no answers for me. This next week I will be going to see a speech therapist. The one I was in Jordan was awesome so I have a high standard for them. We will see how that goes.

I constantly go back to Psalms 138.8 (NLT) – “His plans for my life”. God knows what is going on. He allowed it to happen. He knows what I am going though. I’ve had lots of questions for Him, like, “I can’t speak in churches anymore to proclaim your glory of what you are doing overseas”. Or, “I am unable to mentor young leaders now”. Or, “My wife is constantly frustrated with me when I don’t answer her when she asks me a question”. Or, “I can’t speak on a phone now because my voice is too groggily”. The bottom line is that the Master can take it away at anytime He wants – or just let it linger until His plan comes to fruition. (That would be me learning something new from Him)

This next week our children and their families, and Kate’s brother and his children will all be coming over for Thanksgiving. My plan is to just listen to all of them and keep my mouth shut. Not too different than previous gatherings but this year it will be for a physical purpose. His plan…

Thank you all for lifting us up in this time of trial and growing in Him. He is my Master and I am His servant. Praise be to God,