Well finally after a trip to the ER for IV fluids due to my severe dehydration, I am finally recovering. But let me tell you of how wondrous my Heavenly Father has been. As I began to recover from the severe pain and weakness, it dawned on me how wonderfully blessed I have been. Those who have been following know that I was diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer in 1998. I should have never survived more than 5 years by all statistics. That was followed by the ulcerative colitis which again miraculously I did not succumb to it either despite it’s fury. Then in late 2002 the doctors found a mass on the head of my pancreas which was ultimately diagnosed as autoimmune chronic pancreatitis. For those who do not know much about the disease; most people are totally debilitated by the severe pain, diarrhea, insulin dependent diabetes and malnutrition. I have been for the most part spared from this despite the fact that mine is rather advanced indicated by my chronically low lipase/amylase levels. The truth is were it not for Grace, what I experienced these past three days would be every day of my life. Amazing? Yes. It has been God’s magnificent plan to provide. The fact that my pancreatitis is auto-immune does mean that I have greater than 40% chance of pancreatic cancer in my lifetime. Pretty high odds for which I must schedule my follow up and get it checked out. If I had not gotten sick, I had tended to forget the truths of my disease. I am blessed beyond measure because I have already been given 17 miraculous years of life to watch my children marry, see my grandchildren and to meet some of the most incredible friends I had yet to know in this life. Wow. Just had to let you know and by tomorrow we will continue the next part of Chapter 11 to the book I want to give you all.
© 2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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