Back in September of 2024, I was experiencing pain in my joints, particularly in my right shoulder. I thought, as a mom who chases a toddler all day, that I had just pulled something or overused my hands. I went to urgent care and they didn't find signs of a tear, so they gave me muscle relaxers and told me to rest. It seemed to work until it happened again to the other shoulder. And then my ankle. And with all this, my joint pain in my hands was now happening in my feet. Each time I would go to urgent care, they couldn't find anything wrong. I eventually got into a primary care doctor in February of 2025 who did a full blood panel. She ran a full autoimmune panel, hormone panel, and mineral panel. The results of that were a positive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, and several vitamin deficiencies. She wanted me to see a specialist, but the cost at the time was too much. So I sought help from a doctor who takes more holistic approaches and got on several supplements.

In between visits to doctors, one early morning I woke up with pain on my right side that was so excruciating I thought I was having heart issues. I called 911 and the paramedics took me to the hospital. When I got there, the pain had lessened but was not gone. They took blood, urine, did a CT scan, and took X-rays. They didn't find anything abnormal, so they told me to follow up with my primary care doctor. They all said it was the gallbladder for sure. I changed my diet to anti-inflammatory and it seemed to help for a while, but another ER visit a month later, they did an ultrasound and confirmed I have gallstones and need my gallbladder removed. I met with a surgeon and took time to think about it. Major surgery when you have a little one needs planning and prep. So once I decided to move forward, the surgeon put in requests to my insurance for surgery. It's been almost a month with no approval. They are also lagging on approving my iron infusions that I need for my anemia.

During all this, I had more issues with my shoulders and RA symptoms, so I went ahead and went to the specialist. I went to a few rounds of physical therapy. Its co-pay is too much a visit for me to keep going, so the therapist gave me exercises to do at home. I'm so thankful for that!

So while insurance is taking its time approving surgery, I went back to the ER for a third time with the worst gallbladder attack I've had to date. I'm hoping I can get the surgeon and myself to get the insurance to hurry up and get whatever info they need to get the ball rolling.

All these visits and appointments are starting to take their toll mentally, emotionally, and financially. I had to postpone a mission trip to Kenya as a result, as well as not being able to be fully present for my family. I'm a stay-at-home mom to the best boy ever and my husband works so hard for us. But he's also having to pick up a lot of physical slack because there are days I just can't do it.

I know God is healing me, even when I don't see or feel it. I know I have favor in His sight. You can help me and my family by agreeing with us in prayer that He will provide a way for us in all areas. That I will walk in the healing He already bought and paid for on the cross. If you would like to help financially, your gifts are welcome as we walk this out with co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses.