Day Four - February 11, 2026
Another difficult day. This is likely because the toll of breathing issues, pain, and fatigue has not had a chance to settle. I am still in assessment phase as every possible cause of my condition is assessed, which also means the results of treatment can only begin once started. Today, during the assessment when a plan of treatment was decided on and dispensed, I took the indicated medication and had an allergic reaction to it, which lasted hours. It’s hard to keep going when your body feels like its in a constant battle. Two of the medications given to me today have similar ingredients, so they are on hold for reassessment tomorrow, which will also delay treatment and healing starting. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to navigate the breathing issues, and didn’t seem to be any ideal scenarios. I had mentioned it to the doctor yesterday and pretty much pleaded with him this morning to try and help me. He asked if I wanted to pivot to lung assessment and I said yes. So, it was discovered more mould varieties, mycotoxins and bacteria were hiding in my lungs and my nasal passages. These bugs can colonize in your body, so even when you are removed from a toxic location, you then become the host. I am using a familiar medication with a few additives which will hopefully start allowing oxygen in my lungs. For the first time ever today, I saw a massage therapist who specializes in lymph drainage and cranial sacral therapy. When she felt my lungs she said it was surprising I could breathe at all. When you feel that the world can’t hear you, its wonderful to receive confirmation. I have not had lymph massages before, and the therapist said my lymph was thin and sticky and not draining well, but she did make progress in the little time we had together. I get to see her again tomorrow morning. I developed some courage back and have decided I want to brave a therapy which includes components I have reacted to in the past. So tomorrow I will be hooked up to a machine that provides oxygen, Cold-Gas Photon Therapy: (transforming old, gelatinous lymph fluid into a more liquid state, promoting efficient lymph flow and toxin removal), Rife Frequencies (eliminating harmful microbes while restoring health and vitality to your tissues.), Transdermal Ozone ( delivering increased amounts of oxygen directly to your tissues, this therapy supports tissue healing and overall wellness), and Scalar Wave Generation (supports cellular rejuvenation, enabling cells to regain their form and enhance communication, vital for optimal body function).
After the lymph massage I was sent to a Nir Infrared Sauna Therapy which I have found helpful for many symptoms in the past. I just laid down in the sauna (a first) as the pain in my body was pretty strong and I was quite tired. They play a Christian music station on speakers in the sauna. One of the songs played was by Phil Whickam and the words really spoke to me as I had been feeling the ongoing battle inside and outside of me, just trying to survive. It has been hard for me to concentrate or even read more than three words out of my devotionals.
Here are the words, may the encourage you today as they did me: They are so well suited to my current circumstance -
When all I see is the battle, You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now for I am safe with You
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah
For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty
Thank You, God
When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh, God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
Almighty fortress, You go before us
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
You shine in the shadow, You win every battle
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
An almighty fortress, You go before us
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
You shine in the shadow, You win every battle
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
An almighty fortress, You go before us
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
You shine in the shadows, You win every battle
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
Days are long. We get back to our “cottage” around 3:00, and then I start cooking my first meal of the day… so I have unintentional fasting :).
The landscape here is incredible. The property prices and grocery prices are crazy! We are tucked away in Thompson Station, a town south of Franklin by about half an hour. The road we live off of is called Johnson Hollow, which brings to mind “living in the ‘holler”. :)
Being back to rest and talking through my experiences with Jeff, my hopes and fears, has shown God working again in unexpected ways. The incredibly reduced breathing for the past 5 days has weighed heavy on our minds. Its not that I don’t experience it on a regular basis, its just that it has never been this long and without ceasing. But, without this challenge, would the presence of toxins have been investigated to the length they were today, could they have been missed? Both Jeff and I had this same thought today, at the same moment in time. So, we are grateful that even in the hardships we see God’s hand. God’s plan is working and in it we can see his glory and the light of his purpose and will. It is such an incredible blessing that after 5 days of non stop strong symptoms, we can see God working and that gives me a sense of peace. I strive hard not to feel defeated in the chaos, but I fall short very often. Seeing God’s light in the chaos is incredibly beautiful.
My gratitude for all the love and continued prayers and support.
Maria