My Own Christmas Miracle

  Last week I had some additional swelling in my left leg, so I had another ultrasound to see what the cause was.  Realize that although it was a little tender, the pain and swelling were nothing like last time.  So I was very surprised to hear the radioligist tell me that blood clots had returned in both of my legs.  My left leg was worse than my right, hence the small amount of pain and swelling.  Of course I was frustrated as I thought I was done with all of this stuff, and it was very close to Christmas.  But, Heavenly Father gave me the faith and strength to know that I could go through another hospital stay and time away from my family if that's what needed to be done.  The doctor told me to go home and get things in order so I could return the next morning prepared to be in the hospital for a few days at least, possibly up to a week.
  Now, last time this happened, I felt really unprepared.  I mean, I went from being in pain and going to the doctor to being admitted in ICU within a few hours.  My husband and I spent lots of time in the waiting room at the hospital making tear-filled phone calls.  This time was different.  The Spirit kept reassuring me that everything would be okay.  I just had to trust in the Lord.  It was also quite nice that I got to go home and prepare my children for what would be taking place over the coming days.  They trusted that things were going to be all right and that I could call them from the hospital, and I would be coming home soon.  I was able to pack a bag to prepare for a long hospital stay, and I was even able to do my hair and makeup before going in the next morning.  (Jason was teasing me for even worrying about that, but honestly, I wasn't sure when I'd be able to again.:)
  I went through the same blood work and testing that was set up before the procedure, and was taken to the operating room.  I was expecting to see my husband in my room in ICU soon, but Heavenly Father had something else in mind.  I was just getting sleepy from the anasthetic when my doctor tapped my on the shoulder.  He had a puzzled expression and said, "Um, we can't do the procedure.  We don't need to."  I was sure the medicine had me hearing things, but he continued to explain.  Apparently, the clots in my legs were "old", meaning they had been there for over a month.  (That means they would have had to develop just after the others disappeared.)  The veins they were in had completely closed themselves off from the rest of my body, and new veins had been created to allow blood flow.  My body registered the fact that there was a block to the circulation in my legs, and it had been taken care of.  There was no chance of the clot breaking off and becoming a life threatening thing because the veins they were contained in are shut off from everything else.  The doctor explained that, eventually, the veins will die off and the blood thinners I'm taking will dissolve the clots.  His next words shocked me even more.  When I asked what that meant for my hospital stay he said, "You can go home."
  What an amazing boost of faith this has been for me.  Heavenly Father was trying me to see if I was willing to accept what he had in store for me, if I would match my will to His.  And when I was able to, He eliminated the problem all together. I was witness to my own miracle for the second time in just a month or so.  John 3:16 says,"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  This Christmas season, this scripture takes on new meaning for me.  I am so very blessed to be able to be with my family for Christmas, and I will forever be grateful to my Father in Heaven for this great gift, that I may be able to truly celebrate the greatest gift of all, the life of our Savior.