Time has come for me to ask for prayer for the "illness" that I hinted at in my last post.Mr. Squirrel has been fighting a persistent deep, nagging, dry cough that has plagued him since before Christmas... and has forced him off the work schedule for going on his fourth week. There has been no fever at any time and chest x-rays are clear (thank God) and white cell count is only a teeny-tiny-bit above normal. So, we know he's fighting something.
Returning to the 'Now Care' (in the local mall) about once per week, Mr. Squirrel has endured a couple series of different antibiotics, steroids, mega-cough suppressants and pain killers for the sore ribs and muscle strains. There does seem to be some small improvements (sleeping a little better at night and coughing less, plus the cough is more 'productive'), but when a coughing fit hits again... then I wonder and pray while keeping myself ready to help (rather than the panic I was prone to for the first few weeks).
This whole scenario would not be a prayer request if it was "just a cough". This cough comes with a rather random strike of dizziness to the point of blacking out, occurring only after the coughing spell (like low blood pressure). I'm pleased to say that he hasn't completely blacked out in a couple of days (also an improvement), but the dizziness persists in varying degrees. As a driver, this is why he cannot work. I believe he will have completed all of his prescribed medications this coming Monday or Tuesday. Monday, Mr. Squirrel will be contacting his general physician to see what more can be done, if anything. [The kind of care at a 'Now Care' is rather like a vending machine - very generic and helpful if you have "normal issues" that respond to "normal treatments".]
Here is the cross-roads that approaches us: If he is healthy enough to return to work, he needs a referral from his general physician to a neurologist before his employer will let him come back. [Note & blessing: His job is being held for him, though his shift will most likely be lost.] If he is not healthy enough to return to work, then the options seem to lead into more specialized testing and/or more drastic measures.
There is still hope that his body may rally so he get back on his feet, but there are signs that indicate that the battle may continue for quite some time. The prayer I most ask for is a solution to this issue and God's mercy that it be found quickly and inexpensively so Mr. Squirrel can regain his strength and return to productive life again... (and so I can get some sleep). Thanks much!
Starting January 26th - Please see comments for updates.
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God Bless & Godspeed
