Everything was coming back negative, so this sparked an idea. I went to the CDC's website, typed in Zambian dirt parasites and the response was overwhelming. My trip to Zambia in 2013 was a very intense, personal trip. I was with the people in a small group. Holding sick babies, playing with children in their villages, walking in soft dirt with shoes and without, and enjoying the experience.
And in that dirt are thousands of parasites and bacteria and I think I brought one home. It just took a while for it to rock my world. Looking back, I see symptoms now easily attributed to stress. Hindsight is alway 20/20.
So last Friday, they took vials of blood for a test called a NMO AB looking for just this, the brain bug. It was sent off and we're awaiting the results. I will have a biopsy on Friday for a small sample of brain tissue as this is the last piece of the puzzle.
What started on September 30th and has kept me on hold since then, has been the most amazing journey with God, my family, my friends, my church and my community.
I have learned so much, I'm grateful for so much.
From day one, I've said God's got this! He was not surprised on September 30 and I believe Jeremiah 29:11-14 has been my life verse for a reason.
This story will continue to unfold and I'll continue to tell it. God gets all the glory and has done nothing but been to be good to me, even when all I could say was "It is well with my soul."
peace.
