The Search For Truth

Greetings,

     Over the past few months I have been on a journey.  Unfortunately, it's a journey that I am very familiar with.  Since my very first brain surgery I have spent countless hours in doctor's offices.  Whether it be a family physician, a neurologoist, a neurosurgeon, a neuro-opthamologist, a pain management specialist, an audiologist, a neuro-psychologist, or... well any other type of medical professional, I have paid my $35 co-pay for their advice.  I have paid that co-pay in hopes of finding the answer to one question..."How can I find relief from my pain?"
     Each time I ask that question I hold out hope that, maybe this time, I will have found someone who can give me the truth.  It's not that I believe that every doctor that I have visited in the past has sent me away with an intended falsehood disguised as a diagnosis or treatment.  The reality of my situation dictates that if I am going to find true pain relief it will take a monumental collaboration of an assortment of health care providers.  Nonetheless I have faith that the "truth" is out there.
     I have taken that belief and trekked, once again, to the Mecca of medicine, the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ.  Today, I met with a neuro oncologist and had a neuro surgeon consult.  Over the next week I will have my eyes tested to see why I am losing my vision, my ears tested to see why I am losing my hearing, and my braain tested to see if I am losing my mind.  I await a lumbar puncture, an ECG,  a BAER test (whatever that is), a VEP test (again, whatever that is), and a number of other unknown procedures as I seek to uncover the truth.
     And even though a week in the desert of Arizona sounds like a vacation most of my time will be spent in an examination room.  As I write this post my confidence is high.  Everyone wants to know the truth, don't they?  That's the crazy thing about the truth.  We spend so much time seeking it we don't take enough time too consider if we are ready for it or not.  I know the truth might not be what I want it to be.  It might be that the reality of my health situation dictates that I won't get relief from pain and my vision will never return.  If that's the truth then so be it.  I just hope and pray that the truth is out there waiting to be revealed.
     So, I will keep you updated each day, letting you join me in my search for the truth.  Who knows, we both might learn something neither one of us knew.  The "truth" is allusive, especially in the field of medicine, but I am confident that if I am going to find it, I'll find it here.
     I would love to have your prayers for Christine and I especially prayers of discernment for the doctors that I am going to see each day.  My prayer is that each day I can blog about the great advancements that are being made towards revealing the "truth"!  See you here tomorrow!

Blessings,

Derek