Everything was fine until I walked out of the cafeteria but was having a hard time focusing on details visually. I could see people, but their faces weren't clear. I could see artwork and the children's writings on the walls but I couldn't read what they said. I thought this might be from the camera while Bailey and I took pics so I ignored it for a bit. I tried to get in the wrong car while leaving the school, but managed to find my car and drive down a main road until I realized something was really wrong. I started having visual hallucinations and I knew something was not right. I called Kyle in a panic and he answered right away. He told me to pull over immediately. I knew that was the right decision, only I didn't know where I was. My mind was confused and my vision was distorted, however, I managed to get off the road safely by entering the exit of Bojangles (what I thought was the entrance to Chick-fil-A). Super scary but I was able to stop the car until Kyle reached me about 10 minutes later. Thank goodness for my mom, who I called to keep me calm while I waited for Kyle.
He drove me to the nearest Doctor's Care to which they immediately knew they didn't have the medical equipment needed to determine what was wrong. An ambulance was called and I was rushed to CMC Pineville, the hospital where I delivered both of my girls. The medic mentioned that it sounded like I was having a panic attack. I assured her that I had endured a panic attack before and that was not what was happening. I knew something was wrong! My sugar levels were normal but my oxygen was low so they hooked me up to an oxygen machine. After arriving at CMC Pineville, I began to see more clearly again. Of course I screamed with excitement when I could actually see the medic's face. My symptoms lasted approximately 45 minutes. I was rushed off to have blood work done, an EKG and a CAT scan and we awaited the results. My mom was able to make it to the hospital pretty quickly and we continued to wait. The doctor came in after a while and informed us that while my blood work was normal and my EKG was normal, they found a small spot on my brain. WHAT?! Kyle and my mom were at the foot of the bed when I received the news and tears filled my eyes as so many thoughts raced through my head. Could it be cancer? What is it? How big is it? What would they do to "fix" it? The doctors words ran together as I couldn't focus on anything else she said except there was a spot on my brain and I would need to be transported to CMC Main to have an MRI to get a clearer picture of what the spot was.
The doctor left the room. Then my mom left the room. Kyle rushed to grab my hand and assured me everything was going to be okay. He then read our God's Minute daily devotion which I truly believe God had specifically sent to us that day. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7 After he read the scripture, I felt a peace flow over me. God's got this! I don't know what THIS is but God's got me!
We waited and waited some more for an ambulance to come pick me up to take me to CMC Main. The nurse mentioned it would be a while so we thought it might would be best to grab some food since none of us had eaten lunch and it was almost dinner time. Kyle of course ran to the nearest Mexican restaurant and ordered takeout. While sitting in the ER waiting for our next ambulance ride to the next hospital we feasted on tacos and chips and salsa. My FAVORITE!
Finally we were taken to CMC Main and we waited some more. Yet again, I felt a peace that I knew God had me in His hands. Finally around 4:30 a.m. they took me back for an MRI. I had heard that MRI's were not great for those that were claustrophobic. I decided it would be best to keep my eyes closed the entire time in case I got a little freaked out. It was over before I knew it, thank goodness, and they brought me back to my room. Back to my soundly-sleeping hubs who didn't even knew I was gone. "How could he sleep on that hard couch?" I thought, but he clearly thought it was comfy. Glad one of us could sleep! :)
I don't remember the exact time, but a doctor came in and gave us the results. The small spot on my brain was a cavernous malformation that had bled. It was located in the area of my brain where my vision comes from which is why I had the symptoms I did. It would require surgery, but it wasn't urgent to remove. "You're going to be okay and live a normal life," the doctor said. Whew, those words were so wonderful to hear! I mean, don't get me wrong, brain surgery is definitely a scary pill to swallow but oh, how thankful and blessed I was that it wasn't anything worse.
"God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." Ephesians 3:20
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