Last Monday, June 10, I awoke around 6 AM with an awful migraine and nausea whenever I moved. I fell back asleep hoping it would go away in time for me to work, but to my dismay it did not relent until noon-ish. By then I was left rather exhausted and resolved to lay in bed. When a fellow intern came into the room not feeling well and lay herself down, I decided to go work in the kitchen (roughly 3:30 PM) since the camp at the time was rather large and assistance was likely needed. This put my head in a spin. Discreetly using the wall for balance I proceeded to serve food to the campers as each of them passed through the dinner line. Becoming more and more light headed I watched the clock on the far wall so that as soon as my shift was over I could go shower, slip into something cozy and relax for the evening- I had plans to watch a movie with Melanie. 6:30 finally rolled around so I grabbed some grub for myself, reluctantly consumed it (my under the weather-ness made it unappealing to eat) and headed downstairs with Melanie. She set up for a movie while I showered though once I finished I found myself laboring over my breaths. I resolved to go to the nurse's office which I found empty so I went upstairs to let someone know I didn't feel well. Climbing the stairs escalated the pain and breathing problem to the point of not being able to feel my lips and for my body to weaken significantly. The conclusion was to call an ambulance. I was put on oxygen until the medics came which seemed to help none. At some point I briefly lost consciousness.
Just before I was helped onto the stretcher someone informed me that Aaron my boyfriend had been contacted and would meet me at the hospital. I was relieved yet at the same time said a silent prayer that God would give him strength and prepare him for this visit for my God is bigger.
Barely coherent I became frustrated with the woman trying to get information from me in the ambulance. I couldn't understand most of what she said and could hardly grip the pen when she demanded my signature. I had no idea what I was signing. I was transferred to a hospital bed in the ER where I was given fluids and temporarily allowed to rest while the paramedic relayed information to the doctor whom I only saw throughout the night about three times.
Aaron showed up covered in paint from working all day- a comfort to see. (I don't know why but him being dirty still made me smile, though not externally I'm sure). He sat beside me and ever so gently took my hand in his. It hurt-everything hurt especially when touched- but I didn't want him to let go. He remained by my side the entire time while nurses poke and prodded my arms to draw blood and pump my up with fluids. Pain meds never helped and no infection of any sort was found in me. I was released despite my continuing pain and Aaron took me to his parent where he nurtured and comforted me amidst my tears and discomfort only leaving me to get me something or go to the restroom which even then was minimal. He slept on the floor beside my bed and re-awoke at my every movement. He read me devos and comic books, held me as we watched movies, and stroked me hair every chance he got. He carried me since I could not walk and prayed over me ever endlessly because our God is bigger.
He hurried me back to the ER after a couple of days when my pain seemed to worsen. Still the doctors found nothing wrong with me: I was tested for mono, strep, flu, other things. Still nothing. Aaron remained beside me as the nurses came in and out. He told me jokes, relayed text messages and calls from family and friends, and spoke to the doctor for me. Frustrated and tired I just wanted to leave. And despite everything I knew I was going to be okay in the long run because my God is bigger.
I rested and drank fluids the rest of the week until to my excitement I sat up and was able to remain sitting up for a while one day and then take my first steps on my own on Friday night, granted I used the wall for balance. Even though my strength wasn't returning as quickly as I would've liked I was still overjoyed to be able to function at all. Whenever I needed to get up, I tried my best to do things myself because I was determined to go to church on Sunday.... because my God is bigger.
Sunday I excitedly went to church with Aaron. We first went to Sunday school then to service. While I was there I was surrounded by people who were glad to see me and loved on me. I learned that the church had been praying on my behalf. It was overwhelmingly encouraging. During worship I was prayed for by a number of people who anointed me and laid hands on me asking God for my full recovery because we all believed the same thing: our God is bigger.
Refreshed and steadily regaining strength, I returned to camp today to continue my internship and my health is restored. Though I have concluded that my illness was a direct spiritual attack, I know I can never fail as long as I remember one thing: GOD IS BIGGER
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