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The process of getting a diagnosis for some illnesses can be fairly straightforward. But for some it can take years of testing and perseverance. Some lupus patients I know went 5+ years before their doctors determined the reason for their symptoms. Some people have problems that have defied explanation, even after batteries of tests.
A lengthy period seeking answers to health problems takes not only time and resources, it takes a lot of stamina, energy, and spiritual resilience. Two things I found most helpful during the long time between when my health began to deteriorate and when I was finally diagnosed with lupus were an increased awareness of “the things going wrong,” so I would be able to specifically describe to my doctors things that might help in the diagnosis process (being more specific, for example, than saying, “I’m tired all the time,” and describing the feeling of the fatigue and when it occurred), and prayer. Not so much prayer for relief, but prayer for discernment, to know the right questions to ask and the people to consult. I didn’t know what lupus was before my diagnosis; it was only natural that I didn’t immediately know that my many “odd” health issues were related to it. So, discernment was key, and turning to God was a natural direction in which to seek at least enough wisdom to be able to articulate the questions on my heart.
More acute discernment helps not only in the initial “seeking a diagnosis” phase, but also throughout life with any illness or pain – where some answers come, other questions are bound to follow! But we can hold steady and take these with courage if we continue to nurture God’s presence and ask, humbly and constantly, for the wisdom to follow His guidance.
Blessings for the day,
Maureen
