Lyme Disease Medical Update

I have been bombarded with questions about how the doctor's appt in MO went, what did he say, etc. I don't want folks to think I'm dodging them, I simply am still trying to process it all!

In short summary let me say that it went amazingly well. God blessed the travel which I was dreading. We certainly had traveling graces! The appointment lasted a little over THREE HOURS! We covered things I'd never heard of (and I considered myself a fair student of Lyme Disease), things I would never have dreamed were connected, and some things I had no idea were going on in my body! The experience was mind blowing but so very encouraging at the same time!

The information came at me so fast, I barely had time to catch a tiny fraction of it. I was sent home with nearly an inch of instructions, explanations, prescriptions, etc. Its like earning a degree trying understand and process it all.

Yesterday, I finally got to pick up all of my new prescriptions (all but one). The cost came to over $1,100.00!!! This is about one month of medications in most cases! We haven't even gotten to the big question of if and or when he decides to put the port in and use those medicines. That will be $3,000.00 a month just for the meds! Fortunately a very small % have to have the port and those meds. We'll have to wait and see. One of the unusual things I had to get was an "EpiPen". It looks like one of those big oversized writing pens people use sometimes. I have two of them ($200.00!). Should I go into anaphelactic shock or my heart stop, Carrie gets to grab one of those and stab me in the outer thigh as hard as she can. Or she gets to not stab me. Guess that is her call! ;-) Its actually kind of cool but kind of scary at the same time. It is what it is I suppose.

The meds are crazy complicated, all over the map on when, how much, when not to. and on and on. It is going to be a real challenge to manage it all. Funny thing is, none of my test results have even come back on other issues. This batch of meds is only the beginning. I decided to get a head start last night and take just ONE PILL of the 11 new scrips I got last night. Wanted to judge what it was going to do to me. I woke up this morning unable to move feeling like my body was on fire! This dear friends is called a Herxheimer reaction. It is one of those things that happens when you attack the bacteria, they start dying off, and the effect on you body is murderous! This was with just one pill of one med! This is going to be fun! :-)

This morning I started the full initial regimen. Horse pills and lots of pills. Had to choke them down. Get to do this at least four times a day! I will introduce a new med every three to four days until I am on them all.

The good side of them all is the strong likelihood of a complete and total recovery! It is going to be a long, painful, sickening, and difficult trip but it is a trip I have to take to get my life back. There is so much more I have to tell, other health issues, other treatment avenues, diet changes (extreme!), and on and on. Just not enough time today.

Prayer Needs:

1. Ability to withstand the treatments. These treatments will almost kill me before they make me better. The side effects and suffering they cause is extreme. Please pray for endurance.

2. Financial. The medication costs are going to be astronomical. So many generous people both in our church, my Dad's church, and a few individuals have been so generous already, we just know God's provision can handle the rest. It is going to be expensive.

3. Healing. That is our ultimate hope. This treatment course has a strong likelihood to both treat the lyme, cure the lyme, cure the seizures and so much more. Ultimately this rests in the hands of the great physician and we all know He is able.

4. The Church. Please continue to pray for our church. They have demonstrated an amazing love and support for me and my family. They have stood by us through some terrible physical trials. Pray God rewards them for their faithfulness, blesses our church during some hard days ahead, and for His favor on our labors as we seek to make a difference in His kingdom.

5. My family. Please pray for my family as they endure yet another long round of treatment, illness, and difficult times. There aren't words to express how they have helped me, stood by me, and been there for me but I would be remiss if I did not ask God's strengthening hand be upon them.

6. For me. Patience, strength, endurance, faith, pain tolerance, and healing. Think that about sums it up.

Special thanks to all of you for your love, encouragement, prayers, and support. We could not have made it these last eight years without it. For the first time I can say, I can almost see the finish line. May the Lord grant us the grace to see it through to the end! Thank you, we love you, and may the Lord of all Lords richly bless you.

In His Service,

Micah

Jeremiah 29:11-13

"11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Urgent Prayer Request

Good Morning to all my Friends and Prayer Partners,

I will be traveling with a friend to Columbia, Missouri this morning. Tomorrow morning I will see a new doctor, Dr. Charles Crist. He is the specialist for Lyme Disease treatment in this part of the country. If all goes as we believe it will, he will send me home with a new avenue of treatment than what I have been on the last three years. I have been on oral antibiotics for almost three years but have seemed to reach the end of what these medications can achieve. Dr. Crist uses a more aggressive method than my previous physician.

When I get back home, I will be setup with a local physician who will coordinate my local care. I will have a port put in my chest above my heart that will allow the meds to be put in direct. The medications will carry severe side effects and will be extremely difficult to endure. The cost of the monthly meds alone will be $3,000.00 a month. This does not include my doctors fees, my local doctor, home health, etc. This could take several months to a year to eliminate the Lyme bacteria. There is the hope of a cure but it will be an expensive and difficult journey.

My beloved church family, my father's church, and Christian friends have been stepping up and helping us raise the money to offset these costs but it will be difficult to meet all the expenses as the treatment is ongoing. We are looking at tens of thousands of dollars. Without this treatment, I am left with no "earthly" cure for my disease. I have to admit that is a fearful prospect for me. My suffering and struggles with this disease are simply more than I can bare. My prayer to God is that I get my life back, so that I can be the pastor, husband, father, and man that God wants me to be.

Please pray with us:

1. Pray for safe travels for me and my friend Robert Haley who is taking me to Missouri.
2. Pray for my family who has had to endure so much during my nine year fight with this disease.
3. Pray for the doctors and their treatment plan that I will be able to endure the treatment's side effects.
4. Pray for the treatment that it will be able to fully eradicate the Lyme bacteria from my body.
5. Pray for the Great Physician to have His hands at work during this time, without His hands I know no treatment will ultimately be successful.
6. Pray that will will be able to meet the extreme financial burden this treatment will entail.
7. Pray for my church family that God will strengthen them and hold the church together while I endure what is coming. We are blessed with the sweetest sense of unity and love and I don't want a trial to change that.
8. Lastly, please pray for me. I must confess that it is difficult for me at times to stay upbeat, project faith, and be the spiritual leader God wants me to be. As always, my heart's desire is to simply hear my Lord say "Well done my good and faithful servant". I will need your prayers to live that out.

Thank you in advance for those prayers. We have a long and difficult journey ahead of us. Without your prayers, we will never be able to endure everything we have to face. We love and appreciate each of you. May the Lord richly bless each of you. Thanks!

***NOTE*** THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY SERVICES TONIGHT, JUNE 1ST, 2011, WITH BOTH ROBERT AND I OUT OF TOWN.

In His Service,


Micah
--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA

www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com

What is Lyme Disease? For those who want to know.

Lyme Disease is caused by the bacteria "borreliosis". The infection comes from a tick bite. I was infected when I was 22 years old. It was not until I was in my early 30's that the infection took over and my nine year battle with Lyme Disease began. The information below is from the website of a Dr. Crist, a Lyme Specialist I hope to see in the coming months. The process is extremely expensive but my church family has rallied around me and is trying to ensure that the funds are available for me to finally win a victory over this disease. I could not wish for a more loving supportive church family.

So, if you've ever wondered what is wrong with me (alright, leave that one alone!) :-), read on! I experience most of the symptoms below. In fact, the description below is a pretty fair description of my everyday life. It is a living hell.

borreliosis

In many ways, borreliosis is like syphilis. Both of the germs that cause syphilis and borreliosis are called spirochetes (spiral-shaped bacteria). Before penicillin was discovered, doctors called syphilis “a great imitator” because syphilis can imitate or mimic virtually any disease. Likewise, borreliosis often mimics other diseases. This is one of the key points of this website. Borreliosis can cause any symptom and any disease. People who have not been healthy need to consider this infection as a possibility if they are trying to find the cause of their medical problems.

When the initial bacterial infection occurs after a tick bite, people may develop a rash and experience a flu-like illness. Often the rash is a red ring resembling a bulls-eye, but occasionally the rash may be red all the way across. The key is whether the rash enlarges or gets bigger, not if it is a red ring or solid red. The proper name of the borreliosis rash is erythema migrans, erythema meaning red and migrans meaning the rash migrates or enlarges. In my opinion, a tick bite followed by a rash that enlarges and/or a flu-like illness is borreliosis until proven otherwise.

Borreliosis patients with a chronic infection most commonly have pain, tiredness, brain or thinking problems, blurry vision and neurological (nerve) problems. Remember, the borreliosis bacteria may cause virtually any symptom or disease. In addition to other symptoms, borreliosis patients usually also have hypercoagulation (thrombophilia), endocrinopathies (hormone deficiencies), toxic metal elevations, deficiencies of essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, and also vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Borreliosis patients are usually low in iodine, have allergies, dead infected bone (osteonecrosis) in the jaw, have neurotransmitter deficiencies, and may have chenical sensitivities. (These topics are addressed in other sections of this website.)

Pain is far and away the number one problem for those with borreliosis. Not all patients have pain, but most do. Any part of the body can hurt, including the head, neck, eyes, ears, jaw, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, back, legs, feet, muscles and joints. This pain is sometimes worse than pain caused by surgery! Morphine may not help.

Tiredness or fatigue is the second most common symptom of borreliosis. If you divided the pain symptoms into specific categories such as headache or joint pain, then fatigue would become the number one symptom. This tiredness has often been misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. It can be so severe that the fatigue is described as complete exhaustion. Many are so tired that they lose their jobs and cannot help at home. They may also attempt a minor physical activity like walking to the mailbox or taking out the trash and become so tired that they have to go to bed.

The third most common symptom is brain or cognitive problems. Common symptoms or diseases include memory loss, decreased mental concentration, mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, manic-depressive illness (bipolar), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), paranoia, schizophrenia, and “brain fog”.

Blurry vision is the fourth most common symptom in borreliosis, but that is with combining all of the various pains together and all of the brain or thinking problems together. The bacteria can inflame any part of the eye (causing conjunctivitis, iritis, uveitis, retinitis and optic neuritis), so having blurry vision as a common symptom is not surprising.

Finally, there are the neurological symptoms. Neurological borreliosis is also known as neuroborreliosis. Patients may experience numbness, tingling, burning, twitching, jerking, and muscle weakness. In addition, they may have seizures, and multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig disease) encephalitis, meningitis, stroke and dementia. As one neurologist who specializes in borreliosis put it, “The chapter on neurological Lyme disease is still being written.” As I stated earlier, borreliosis is like syphilis and may imitate or mimic any disease, including neurological disorders.

In addition to the above symptoms, there are “red flags” that I highly associate with borreliosis. These include memory loss, twitching around the eyes, Bell’s palsy (in which half of the face droops), tinnitus (which is ringing or buzzing in the ears), symptoms that affect one side of the body more than the other, symptoms that are worse when a patient first gets out of bed or that are worse in the winter, when patients use words like “strange” or “weird” in describing their illness, and finally, when patients have been to a good doctor (or many doctors) and yet the cause of the symptoms or disease is still unknown.

Borreliosis patients are often misdiagnosed as being hypochondriacs. They are told that they are just getting older, or that they are lazy, crazy or simply overstressed. They are often referred for counseling when actually what they really need are antibiotics. Because the symptoms can be so varied and are often so vague, borreliosis is typically not even considered for testing or treatment.

Prayer Request

Good Afternoon to all our Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you all well.

As most of you know these last few weeks have been brutal for me physically. I have battled constant seizures, muscle pain, and weakness. Many times I can offer some idea of why I'm experiencing a downturn or flare up but there seems to be no rhyme or reason. I'm experiencing one of the most difficult times I've ever gone through.

With that, as most of you know I've been forced to miss far more of our services than I'd ever want to miss. I don't ever want to miss if the truth be known! I want all of you to know that I don't take any of that lightly. Each and every absence grieves me and weighs on my heart like an anvil. I desire nothing but the best and greatest for our sweet church. I still hold great dreams and desires for us and want nothing more but to be a part of all that God is doing and going to do.

I don't begin to understand why I have to go through what I am experiencing. I do not possess God's understanding or the knowledge of all that He is trying to do in our lives. I do trust that He is firmly seated on His throne and I possess an unshakable knowledge that He loves each of us and that all of this will work to the furtherance of His will and our ultimate good.

I write this to ask you selfishly for your very special prayer. I covet them like I've rarely coveted them before. I am physically beyond what I can take. The near constant seizures have left me broken, the pain has left me shaken, and the weakness has simply left me exhausted. My heart and firm faith tells me that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing. I am forced to wonder in my mind though, how long is too long if I cannot be the pastor that our church needs. I have always promised and I reiterate again that I will never make a hasty decision to step down or resign. I do not intend to now. However, I must make a decision in the long term as to what is best for our church. If I am a hindrance than I don't want to be. If the church will be stronger and better able to fulfill her mission without me as her pastor than I must come to that decision.

I need your prayers for a few things. First and foremost, I continue to ask your prayers for healing. I accept God's plan for my life but it does not mean that I or we cannot ask Him for a miracle. I am desperate for just that. Nine years I have fought this disease. Three years we've known its identity, Lyme Disease. I simply don't know how my body can take much more. I am weary and physically broken. I beg you for your prayers like never before.

Second, I ask you to pray for wisdom for me and our church family. I don't believe that I am forced to make any hasty decision. Not a single church member has been anything but supportive. I do believe that decisions must eventually be made regarding what is best for the church and we will all need His wisdom to make those choices wisely.

Lastly, I selfishly ask your prayers for my family. The unknown of the future and the constant state of them living through and watching me suffer takes its toll. Carrie and Zachary see my pain and suffering and I know it weighs on them. They like so many of you do not fully understand what God is doing sometimes but trust that somehow He is in all of this. Little Samuel is so in tune and picks up the littlest signs of how I feel. He has learned far too soon and all too well to see the signs that "Daddy don't feel good". Sometimes when the seizures leave me in the floor, he is afraid and scared for his Daddy. He doesn't understand. If the time comes that we decide to step down, we are faced with a huge burden of lost income and though our trust in God is absolute, in our flesh and human weakness we carry the fear of the unknown and it isn't easy.

I hope and pray that I will be with my beloved church family in the morning. As always if it is within my power, I will be with you and serve you to the utmost of my ability. My love, my heart, and my prayers are always with you. I love you all. I pray nothing but God's continued grace and blessings on the New Beginnings Baptist Church of Texarkana. I love you. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

In His Service,

Micah

* On a final note, I will be with First Baptist Church of Kildare, Texas tomorrow evening. My dear friend Virgil Ragland is their pastor and I will be his guest speaker. Please pray for that service and pray that I will be physically able to give God my best. Thanks again for all of your love and prayers.

--
Pastor Micah J. Mauldin
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Texarkana, USA

www.nbbctexarkana.blogspot.com

Zachary's 16th Birthday Party - THIS Friday, 02/25/2011 @ 7 pm!!!

This is just a quick invite to any and all for Zachary's 16th Birthday Party. The party will be THIS Friday, February 25th at 7 pm at our church. It will be a simple family and friends get together. Snack foods will be served along with an assortment of deserts.

NO ONE should feel obligated to come, everyone is invited. Gifts are optional, PLEASE don't feel obligated to bring a gift. We'd just love to see your faces!

I know not everyone can come, so please don't feel the need to explain if you can't. We just wanted you to all know you were invited. :-)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write or call. I'll put our contact info and a map to the church at the bottom of this message. Hope you all are having a blessed week and we look forward to seeing you all Friday. We love you!

Micah, Carrie, Zachary, and Samuel Mauldin

Cell # 903 949 1003

Church address is:

New Beginnings Baptist Church
2200 Lowell Street
Texarkana, AR 71854

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2200+lowell+st%2C+texarkana%2C+ar&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq&hnear=2200+Lowell+St%2C+Texarkana%2C+AR+71854&gl=us&ei=VRdjTfXyOsq1tgeBzvXqCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBcQ8gEwAA

ITS SUPER PIG!!!! (NOT!)

Samuel and Peeda

I was playing with my little one today. My two year old son Samuel is a mess. He's too smart for his own good sometimes.

I had been wrestling with him, tickling him, just all around good Daddy fun. Then I picked up his favorite thing in the world, Peeda or Pigda. His stuffed pig. He LOVES Pigda, can't bare to be without him. He somehow got those two words from Piggie but I digress.

Anyway, I picked up the pig and started buzzing it at his head, pretending that Pigda could fly. I then said "ITS SUPER PIG!!!" He got this very serious and perplexed look on his face. Then the looked turned to extreme disapproval. Then he looked at me very seriously and said "He not Supew Pig, he not have a S on his chest!" Man you've got to love them at this age. Kid cracks me up!

Samuel looked at me so serious and said "Don't move or I shoot the pig!"
I don't call him the "Texas Tornado" for nothing!

White Chicken Chili - A New Mauldin Family Favorite!

The Mauldin family discovered a new, simple dish not long ago, that we just love. It is quickly becoming a favorite.

I'm sure there is a recipe on the internet but if you are a gourmet like us, buy the McCormick seasoning packets.

Here is the recipe, this is for a double batch. You can cut it in half if you'd like. Cube three large or four small boneless skinless breasts. Put a tablespoon or so of oil in a large pot. Season the meat as you like. I usually add salt, pepper, garlic powder, a bit of italian seasoning mix, and my favorite spice Kicken Chicken. It doesn't take a lot of spicy additions because the mix itself has a kick. Though not too hot. My two year will eat it but thinks it is a bit spicy.

Cook the cubed chicken on medium heat till thoroughly done. Stir frequently. No need to drain the cooked chicken.

Add two cups of water, four cans (15 oz / 16 oz) of Great Northern Beans, and TWO packets of the McCormick White Chili mix. Our Wal-Mart sells it.

Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer for ten minutes, covered. Stirring occasionally.

Serve with a little shredded cheddar cheese mixed in or maybe a dollup of sour cream. It is awesome! Quick, easy, awesome. A Mauldin family classic in the making!

If you try it. Let me know what you think. We love it!

2011 Anniversaries Did you know?

Did you know that 2011 will mark:

The 400th Anniversary of the publishing of the King James Bible.
The 235th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The 175th Anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.
The 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War.
The 70th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor & the USA's entrance into WWII.
The 50th Anniversary of the start of the Civil Rights Movement.
The 20th Anniversary of the end of the 1st Gulf War.
The 10th Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11.

And out of place but no less significant to the history of the world:

The 40th Anniversary of my birth will be held on October 16, 2011! ;-)

New Beginnings - 1st Sunday of 2011 - Believing God for His Promises

HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL!!!

What a great morning at New Beginnings! The Word was strong and true, the Spirit was full and moving, and scarcely a dry eye in the room! People on their faces praying all over the sanctuary!!! The altar was full! We as a church are believing God for 12 souls, 12 new families, and every life in our church touched by God in 2011!

He is able and we believe!!!