Chronic Pain
As followers of this blog you may have noticed I haven’t posted anything since my April 7th message “Are we a people of the WORD?” . We, as Christians have all heard or made the statement “If you’re going to talk the talk; then ya better walk the walk”. I say with honesty I will not post anything on this blog that I don’t live by myself. Thursday April 4th as I studied in John chapter 10 (The Good Shepherd), Scofield referenced Jeremiah 23:1 with John 10:1 so as I often do, I went to Jeremiah 23 and began reading. I got so caught up in the message, I read through the 28th chapter. I looked up at the clock— WOW 1:10 pm — I missed my noon medications and snack. I got up quickly from the couch (too quickly I realize now), my feet went toward the kitchen and my torso stayed in a forward position. I heard a snap; like a rubber band being stretched to its limit, ready to pelt someone across a room. I walked two steps before I experienced a twisting, tightening muscle spasm. Down the leg on the outside, across the toes and up the inner thigh– one humongous ‘Charlie-horse’ (have no idea why they call it that). I attempted to walk it off and stretch, but nothing helped. No let up… this thing was constant. Anyone familiar with the 1-10 pain scale… this was a 12! I’ve birthed 7 children, and this was like being in labor. By Friday evening I knew something was wrong (duh) so a friend drove me to the ER. One of my herniated lumbar vertebral discs decided to “pop”… diagnosis lumbar radiculopathy. After giving me 2 shots (dilaudid and tordal–the strong stuff) the doctor wrote out 3 prescriptions for some heavy-duty stuff, let me rest some and sent me home with a referral to my family doctor on Tuesday. My family doc sent me for an MRI, scheduled an appointment with a specialist and I had to retrieve any previous MRI s to take with me to that appointment. Now, I am not a pain wimp; but even those super meds did very little to alleviate the constant, excruciating muscle spasms and loss of feeling in my toes and lower leg area. For two full weeks I lived in sheer agony with little sleep (maybe 24 hours total) until I saw the neurological pain specialist last Friday the 19th. The specialist I’d seen 7 years ago for my back issues, so he remembered my condition. He looked at the new MRI, did some reflex and feeling tests and told me “Well, I don’t like to do surgery until we try shots”. So the next thing I knew I was in the surgical pain unit of the hospital being prepped for a ‘epidural steroid injection’. The entire procedure was like an out-patient surgery. They sedated me, used an x-ray machine to locate the precise spot for the injection, and kept me until I ate a cookie (smile) and drank something. I was given a follow-up appointment for May 3rd and told by Doctor D. that I’d be back to normal within 2-3 days. Whoopeee… I would be able to take care of myself again! I must tell you I have wonderful neighbors and amazing children. One neighbor loaned me a recliner and brought me a few meals, another gave me a special pillow and checked up on me 2-3 times a day. My daughter’s called often and even helped me out with washing my hair. I must stop here for today because sitting on this office chair is quite uncomfortable, so I’ll finish up tomorrow. I learned three very important lessons during this time about our flesh, our faith and God’s caring love. I will share them with you (hopefully) tomorrow.♥
During that time, my prayers were simple… Father I love you! My Bible reading was nearly impossible because of the pain and medications, but I did read John 10 everyday on my phone’s KJV app.
Genesis 28:15 ” And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest , and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”
Hebrews 13:5 ” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said , ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ “
May your day be blessed with the power and knowledge of His continual presence in your life as His adopted child through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! © Streim
