ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED

[Leah B.]

I suffer from both GERD/LPR and COPD. One condition is aggravating the other. I waited three months to see a surgeon for TIF procedure with hernia repair. At that appointment, the surgeon was literally looking at his watch. He told me to check with the ENT and to make another appointment to again talk about surgery in three more months. Two days later, I saw the ENT. He scoped my throat and found redness and irritation due to stomach acid in coming up into my throat. I thought this was in a way a good thing because it would make me a better surgical candidate. Then today I picked up the report. He wrote down that I drink caffeine several times a day even though I told him I was drinking low acid decaf. Has me with "congestive heart failure," which I do not have. Then he went on to say he counseled me on all the GERD protocol, which he did not. I had a friend in there with me who knows he did not. Also he said he advised me about WEIGHT LOSS for GERD. Total lie, and why would he? I'm not the least bit overweight! The upshot? Instead of this report building a case for why I should get the TIF surgery, this man just HURT my case instead! Understand this: I had a prednisone-induced flare-up of GERD that put me in the emergency room a while back. I had to take the prednisone for a COPD flare. Guaranteed I will have to do that again. I also have to use steroid inhalers on a daily basis. These relax the esophageal sphincter, which also causes GERD. I am having asthma attacks because of GERD. I lost my voice for two weeks after the prednisone. I lived on brown rice for two weeks. The diet for somebody with GERD/LPR to the degree I have it is soul-crunching. I don't even want to go to Easter dinner with my family this year. I can't eat anything except the bread. I'm a gourmet cook who gave up cooking. On top of that, the side-effects for those proton pump inhibitors I take are horrendous: B12 deficiency, calcium deficiency, osteoporosis, kidney failure, dementia. Just on that basis alone, I want the surgery. My feeling now is that these doctors do not care about me at all, especially the ENT. They want to make money off me but discourage surgery because insurance doesn't want to pay. [Maybe not the surgeon. I am reserving judgment.] I am canceling this six-month follow-up appointment with the ENT. That man is not making another nickel off of me. I just don't know what else to do -- Should I formally ask for corrections of that report? Should I just give the surgeon the page about the stomach acid in my throat? Should I just let it be? Anyway, in Jesus's name, I pray for guidance as to how to handle this. Part of me wants to write this ENT a scathing review, but that could backfire in my face. Okay. The rest of my prayer in Jesus's name: I have an appointment with my pulmonologist on April 6. I plan on showing him the reports and trying to enlist him as an ally to get that surgery. I have several nodules on my lungs, one that is irregular and possibly [though probably not] malignant. I believe these nodules are indicative of ongoing respiratory reflux, where I am microaspirating stomach acid into my lungs. I believe strongly that I should be on the short list for the TIF surgery. Please in Jesus's name pray I can enlist my pulmonologist as an ally. I am very angry and worked up. Pray I can calm down. I can't sleep. Please also in Jesus's name pray I do very well on my pulmonary function test, either that I show improvement in my longstanding baseline or else at least no deterioration from baseline. Thank you for praying.

 

[Articles]

We lift you up before the Lord with heavy hearts, feeling the weight of your suffering and frustration. Your physical trials are immense, and the added burden of feeling dismissed and misrepresented by those who should be helping you only compounds your distress. We stand with you in prayer, seeking God’s healing, wisdom, and justice in this situation.

First, we rebuke the spirit of despair and frustration that has taken hold of your heart. The enemy would love nothing more than to steal your peace and leave you feeling hopeless, but we declare that your hope is in the Lord, who is your healer and redeemer. "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 42:11). We pray that God would calm your spirit and grant you the rest that has eluded you. May He quiet your mind and fill you with His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

We also rebuke the spirit of deception that has crept into your medical care. It is unacceptable for a physician to misrepresent your condition or interactions, and we pray that God would expose any unrighteousness and hold those responsible accountable. "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy" (Proverbs 12:22). We ask that God would give you clarity on how to proceed with the ENT’s report. It may be wise to formally request corrections, as inaccuracies in medical records can have lasting consequences. However, we also trust that God will guide your steps in this matter. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We pray for your upcoming appointment with your pulmonologist. May God soften his heart to your concerns and grant him wisdom to advocate on your behalf. We ask that the Lord would use him as an ally to help you secure the surgery you need. "The king’s heart is in the Lord’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires" (Proverbs 21:1). We also pray for your pulmonary function test, that God would strengthen your lungs and grant you favor in the results. May there be no deterioration, and may He even bring improvement beyond what is expected.

Your suffering is not in vain, and we believe that God is working even in this trial. The dietary restrictions you endure are a testament to your strength, but we know it is not easy. We pray that God would sustain you and provide moments of relief, even in small ways. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22). We also ask that He would protect you from the long-term effects of the medications you must take, shielding your bones, kidneys, and mind from harm.

We encourage you to bring your anger and frustration to the Lord. He can handle your raw emotions, and He invites you to cast your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). Do not let bitterness take root, but instead, release it to God and ask Him to fill you with His peace. "Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). We also pray that God would restore your joy in cooking and sharing meals with your family. May He provide opportunities for you to enjoy food in a way that does not harm your body, and may Easter dinner be a time of blessing rather than sorrow.

Finally, we pray for your overall healing. Your conditions are complex, but God is not limited by complexity. We ask that He would intervene in your body, bringing relief from the GERD/LPR and COPD, and protecting your lungs from further damage. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions" (Psalm 107:20). We believe that God can use this surgery to bring you the relief you desperately need, and we pray that He would open the doors for it to happen soon.

Lord, we come before You on behalf of our brother/sister, asking for Your mercy and grace to surround them. Heal their body, calm their spirit, and guide their steps. Give them wisdom in dealing with their medical team and favor in the eyes of those who can help them. We ask that You would restore their hope and fill them with Your peace. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

 

[Leah B.]

We lift you up before the Lord with heavy hearts, feeling the weight of your suffering and frustration. Your physical trials are immense, and the added burden of feeling dismissed and misrepresented by those who should be helping you only compounds your distress. We stand with you in prayer, seeking God’s healing, wisdom, and justice in this situation.

First, we rebuke the spirit of despair and frustration that has taken hold of your heart. The enemy would love nothing more than to steal your peace and leave you feeling hopeless, but we declare that your hope is in the Lord, who is your healer and redeemer. "Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 42:11). We pray that God would calm your spirit and grant you the rest that has eluded you. May He quiet your mind and fill you with His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

We also rebuke the spirit of deception that has crept into your medical care. It is unacceptable for a physician to misrepresent your condition or interactions, and we pray that God would expose any unrighteousness and hold those responsible accountable. "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy" (Proverbs 12:22). We ask that God would give you clarity on how to proceed with the ENT’s report. It may be wise to formally request corrections, as inaccuracies in medical records can have lasting consequences. However, we also trust that God will guide your steps in this matter. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We pray for your upcoming appointment with your pulmonologist. May God soften his heart to your concerns and grant him wisdom to advocate on your behalf. We ask that the Lord would use him as an ally to help you secure the surgery you need. "The king’s heart is in the Lord’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires" (Proverbs 21:1). We also pray for your pulmonary function test, that God would strengthen your lungs and grant you favor in the results. May there be no deterioration, and may He even bring improvement beyond what is expected.

Your suffering is not in vain, and we believe that God is working even in this trial. The dietary restrictions you endure are a testament to your strength, but we know it is not easy. We pray that God would sustain you and provide moments of relief, even in small ways. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved" (Psalm 55:22). We also ask that He would protect you from the long-term effects of the medications you must take, shielding your bones, kidneys, and mind from harm.

We encourage you to bring your anger and frustration to the Lord. He can handle your raw emotions, and He invites you to cast your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). Do not let bitterness take root, but instead, release it to God and ask Him to fill you with His peace. "Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). We also pray that God would restore your joy in cooking and sharing meals with your family. May He provide opportunities for you to enjoy food in a way that does not harm your body, and may Easter dinner be a time of blessing rather than sorrow.

Finally, we pray for your overall healing. Your conditions are complex, but God is not limited by complexity. We ask that He would intervene in your body, bringing relief from the GERD/LPR and COPD, and protecting your lungs from further damage. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions" (Psalm 107:20). We believe that God can use this surgery to bring you the relief you desperately need, and we pray that He would open the doors for it to happen soon.

Lord, we come before You on behalf of our brother/sister, asking for Your mercy and grace to surround them. Heal their body, calm their spirit, and guide their steps. Give them wisdom in dealing with their medical team and favor in the eyes of those who can help them. We ask that You would restore their hope and fill them with Your peace. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Thank you for praying

 

[hostadmin]

I'm really sorry to hear about the struggles you've been facing with your health and the frustration you're experiencing with your medical team. It's understandable to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, but please know that you're not alone. We're here to support you and lift you up in prayer.

Firstly, we want to encourage you to keep advocating for yourself. It's crucial that your medical reports accurately reflect your condition, and if there are any errors, it's important to have them corrected. Don't hesitate to reach out to your surgeon and ENT to discuss the report and ensure that they have an accurate understanding of your situation.

We also want to remind you that God is with you in this journey. He sees your pain and understands your frustration. In times like these, it's easy to feel despair, but remember that God is always there to support and strengthen you. As Psalm 147:3 reminds us, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

We pray that God would grant you wisdom and courage as you navigate this situation. We ask that He would intervene in your medical care, bringing clarity and understanding to your doctors, and opening the doors for the surgery you need. We also pray for your upcoming appointment with your pulmonologist, asking that God would soften his heart and grant him wisdom to advocate for you.

Please continue to trust in God's love and care for you. He is working in your life, even in the midst of these challenges. We're here to support you and pray for you, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[Leah B.]

I'm really sorry to hear about the struggles you've been facing with your health and the frustration you're experiencing with your medical team. It's understandable to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, but please know that you're not alone. We're here to support you and lift you up in prayer.

Firstly, we want to encourage you to keep advocating for yourself. It's crucial that your medical reports accurately reflect your condition, and if there are any errors, it's important to have them corrected. Don't hesitate to reach out to your surgeon and ENT to discuss the report and ensure that they have an accurate understanding of your situation.

We also want to remind you that God is with you in this journey. He sees your pain and understands your frustration. In times like these, it's easy to feel despair, but remember that God is always there to support and strengthen you. As Psalm 147:3 reminds us, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

We pray that God would grant you wisdom and courage as you navigate this situation. We ask that He would intervene in your medical care, bringing clarity and understanding to your doctors, and opening the doors for the surgery you need. We also pray for your upcoming appointment with your pulmonologist, asking that God would soften his heart and grant him wisdom to advocate for you.

Please continue to trust in God's love and care for you. He is working in your life, even in the midst of these challenges. We're here to support you and pray for you, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for praying