Day Twenty Five - March 5, 2026
Homeward Bound
Jeff and I managed to get all our stuff in order and were on the road by 7:15. I even managed a small meal to try and keep my energies up as I wouldn’t have anything to eat besides an apple for the rest of the trip.
The day was bright and sunny with the birds singing as we pulled out of our little VRBO by the river. Tennessee was beautiful and we enjoyed it as we drove. The weather changed as it became fitful on and off throughout the remaining States. The Weather Network was saying there might be freezing rain in Ohio and snow in Buffalo, but the temperatures didn’t quite correlate with that prediction so we decided to keep an eye on it and make a decision by Cincinnati whether we would take the Buffalo or Detroit border crossing. The rain started coming down in Kentucky, and for the rest of the trip fluctuated between heavy downpours and a mild mist. We tried to stop every two hours or so with my blood clots and breathing issue being front and centre in our minds. We didn’t want a replay of the stressful trip down. I protected myself the best I could. The breathing was much better than the trip down and I was able to massage out painful points in my body when they appeared.
By the time we came up underneath Lake Erie (about 11 hours in), it was dark and the wind started pushing us around. The rains kept coming and the fog had rolled in. Jeff was keeping an eye on the temperature as it was dropping quickly and freezing rain was becoming more and more of a concern. Throughout the trip we saw quite a few of what I call “car trucks”, or car haulers on transport trucks. They were my favorite toy as a child… a mini-transport truck full of cars. Well, we think God gave us a “truck truck”. There was one car hauler transport who was bold as brass, hauling cars and pickup trucks, he kept going at a good speed through the downpour in the pitch black, and we tucked in behind him, moving when he moved. While other transport trucks had their four ways on, we moved swiftly onward. We couldn’t see well in front of us (there were no overhead highway lights, coupled with the rain and the fog), so following him, gave us speed, safety, and light. We kept behind “truck truck” for well over an hour. It would have been a much harder and more stressful drive without him. He led us right to where we needed to turn off onto the 190 to the Peace Bridge in Buffalo. Right to Canada’s doorstep. So thank you Lord for sending us Mr Truck Truck.
We crossed the border without any searches or delays. We are extremely grateful. Being pulled over in my state at that point would have been incredibly difficult. We arrived home almost exactly 13 hours after departure at 9:15pm. Marijke’s Caleb (have to clarify with there being two Caleb’s now) greeted us at the door and helped Jeff unload, he has been so generous to watch the house and take care of the dogs, chickens and whatever else needed tending to because of our extended stay. My Mom had been by to make sure we came home to a clean home and a freshly made bed. How incredible is that! Two containers of fresh baked cookies and almond tarts for Jeff were left on the table. And at some point during the afternoon she came by with my sister-in-law Angela and proceeded to disperse, plant, perch, and hide 60 little red cardinals all over the house. The smallest reasons to smile often feel like the most precious. This morning when I woke up feeling the strong fatigue, and I see the wee little cardinals, and then I see more, and throughout the day they keep surprising me, I am treasuring the reminder that God has been with me, still is with me, and has been my stronghold in the past 4 weeks. I will leave my little cardinals, for how long, I’m not sure. But for now, they are a beautiful reminder for almost every moment of the day (as there are so many) that my thoughts cannot slip with such a constant reminder of God’s love for me.
The travel back home brought about the realization on how critical it was that I chose this clinic as it was the only one within a one day driving distance. Others were in Germany, Florida, two in California, and two in Mexico. Beyond the fact that Biologix in Tennessee likely ended up being the best tailored fit for me, I strongly believe that if I had flown, without realizing the extent of the fibrin and clots in my blood, it would have been extremely dangerous and possibly catastrophic for me. This one fact alone is an incredible testament to God’s hand, as I didn’t know why I felt more pulled to this clinic over the others. Even the few days before leaving I had tears of concern whether I had been wise enough in the decision. It’s such a big expense for my family, and with the love of others giving profound support, you want so desperately to be conscientious of their gifts. This journey has been one of letting go of fears and giving over my day, my health, my concerns, and everything else to God. He says, “I’ve got you Maria.” The phage inducing therapy from Biologix can be quickly effective for some, but for others takes some time… often around two months. I will have a phone consult with the doctor in about a month, but can call earlier if needed. And if required, especially with the abnormal cell growth, they often have patients come back within a number of months for a few days or a week to get rechecked, but leave it up to the patient to decide. Please continue to pray for my complete healing. Absolute and complete. A miracle to allow me a life I can live here “in the land of the living.” For I know he is able and he hears us when we call to him.
This Monday I am going for a 3D cone beam scan of my head to look more closely at the metal in my jaw. The proof of it being a primary concern has become very apparent from my time in Tennessee. The biggest roadblock ahead is my current inability to fly. Please pray that all fibrin and blood clots will be removed from my blood so I am able to obtain treatment for the jaw plate and wire removal. The only surgical clinics recommended to me thus far have been in Switzerland and Costa Rica. Removing the source of at least some, or a high component of the toxicity in my body will potentially have dramatic ramifications and a leap forward for my recovery. I will continue to keep you apprised of updates as they come in.
My gratitude for all the incredible love and support. Thankyou for being my army. Please continue to be my prayerful army, and hopefully today, tomorrow, or some day soon, in our Lord’s timing, I will be able to share and report my healing and can see and be with you all again. Thank you for loving me. It has meant the world.
Wee Cardinals throughout my house…
