Lockdown

Hello Family & Friends,

Whelp… the world is virtually a different planet than it was when I left California. I’m sure all of you are experiencing challenges ranging from minor inconveniences to major hardships. Please know I am constantly thinking of you and praying. I’d love to hear how you are doing, and if I can pray specifically for anything. 

Things are peaceful here in Puerto Rico. I’m bunkered in with the Rodriguezes and their three children. They have been beyond kind, generous, and loving to me. I am so thankful for them. Last I checked, we had 68 cases of Corona on the Island. We just finished two weeks of a lockdown that included curfews and the closing of all things non-essential, but the government has decided to extend it another two weeks, tighten curfews, and such. Cabin fever is definitely starting to set in. I’m feeling antsy to get out into the community and continue our work. In the meantime, we’ve been applying for grants for our trade school, spending time in research, and drawing up plans for our dream “sustainable low-cost” home.

I wanted to send an update on my health as I know I left you hanging in my last email. Great news is I was approved for insurance and it backdates to before my emergency surgery! Additionally, I was approved for extra emergency medical coverage! This is allowing for all sorts of tests to be done quickly, instead of waiting for the Covid-19 to lift. All of which has been pretty much at no cost to me. The process of getting this done has been filled with favor and grace. Locals as well as the medical lawyer were shocked at my approval and the ease of the process - which took a day instead of the usual ‘weeks’. I can not thank you enough for praying. I truly felt them as I went through it.

Additional good news is my platelet count came up enough that they are no longer worried about those particular levels. It was still low, but I made significant improvement in the short time since my surgery. My hematologist oncologist is confident that my low count was due to the tumors and how hard my body was working - not something like leukemia (which is a typical reason platelets are low). They’ll continue to monitor them, but at this point - it’s good news. 

The less-than exciting news is that my CA-125, a blood test to screen for ovarian cancer, came back high. It is not a definitive test for ovarian cancer on its own. However that, along with a borderline biopsy, my age, and the size of my masses, has tipped me into an emergency level status. Because of these things, they have justifiable cause for many more tests and specialists. 

I’m in line to see an Obgyn Surgical Oncologist and get a PET scan, as well as my removed ovary and masses have been sent to a lab in the states for additional testing, and my blood has been sent for genetic testing. I am also advised to get a mammogram, pap smear, another ovarian sonogram, and continued blood work. At this point I have a weekly appointment with my oncologist for a vitals check and strategy.

Being completely honest, all of this is somewhat daunting and surreal. That said, I can confidently say that most days, I don’t have fear and I don’t feel overly worried. It’s all a process and although I am not a fan of it, nor do I in any way “like” it, it’s not defining every thought or how I’ve decided to continue on with my plans for this season. I refuse to allow it to steal my peace or my progress here. (Covid-19 on the other hand… that’s a real pain). I feel informed and ready to be aggressive in seeking out answers, trusting that God is in the middle of this all, and things WILL work out for the good. I can truly say I am feeling better and healthier than I felt in the months leading up to surgery. My body is finally healed up enough for me to be aware of the negative affects the tumors were having on me in the several months prior.

At this point, it looks like it will be a 2-6 week waiting game for tests and/or test results to come in. Please pray and agree with me that this time would be cut down. Please pray that openings would miraculously appear and that I’d have favor with doctors and admin staff, and that my tests would be expedited and results would come sooner than expected. Please also pray with me that nothing would not have a chance to steal my peace, I would especially appreciate this prayer in the evenings when my guard is down, as it is the only time I have felt my peace to be threatened. 

One other prayer point, I am currently fighting another bacterial infection this week and am having some minor pain. Because of this, I’m back on antibiotics. If you could please be praying for the pain & cause of pain to vanish I would so appreciate it. If this pain increases at all before my appointment this week, I’m supposed to go to the ER. I’m sure you can understand that - under the current circumstances - the ER is not a place I want to be at all. 

 I’ve felt so loved by all the support! Although there are times that I feel far away and isolated, I definitely do not feel alone in this whole thing. I truly am grateful and am blessed to have such incredible friends as you. 

Thank you!

Much love,
Natalie