The Prognosis

I got home with a contraption that looks like a torture device from the Medieval times, I kid you not.  This device is actually used for spinal traction (aka stretching the spine).  So after all this time, praise the Lord we know what is causing the pain.  It is a herniated disc.  To be precise it is located between disc c5 and c6. 


"How bad's the pain?" asked Dr. Allison.  I knew what he was getting at.  You see, he told me earlier in the doctor visit that he usually doesn't see patients at the stage I am at.  I am at a point where it could get better or it could get worse and rupture.  He usually sees patients that already have a ruptured disc.  "Well I am in constant pain, but if you think that traction could help then let's try that first."  I am confident that it will work.  Even considering how scary the picture that looks like a woman hanging from a door jam, with a contraption around her neck may look...I am believing it will alleviate the pain.


Oh and how could I forget the MRI.  Turns out I must of had an open air MRI for the shoulder, because I almost had a panic attack as they wheeled me under that machine today.  I had a brace around my neck, which didn't help either.  I just started praying, almost crying, pictured the sky above me, and never opened my eyes.  My hand went to sleep in there too, which was annoying.  I however, did make it through.  Ha ha! I think they would have to sedate my mother if she ever has to have an MRI.  Dr. Allison recommended that particular place for the MRI, because that machine takes better film of the spine.  The herniated disc could only be seen from one side view, so an x-ray would not have shown the damage.  I think that may be one reason why the Lord orchestrated everything the way he did.  Who knows.  He does.


Okay so let me wrap this up.  All the kiddos are home and man does that feel great!  I am so proud of each of them.  They all have their way of helping out around here.  I pray that I can be the example and parent to them that the Lord wants me to be, because they sure deserve the best.


What day is this anyways?  School is out and I am losing track of time!  That was so random.






 

Just Face IT

When you feel like your decision(s) or who you are are being questioned, how do you react?  Oh I use to get my feelings hurt, sulk up and hold it all inside.  Through life experiences I have learned to face these personal attacks when it is necessary (when it is with someone that means something to me) and to let it go if it comes from someone that doesn't add to my life to begin with. 

I use to be a people pleaser.  I never wanted to make anyone mad or upset with me and sometimes that was at the expense of my own self respect.  I HATED confrontation and I would ignore my feelings just to make it go away!  It was much easier to shove it under the rug and not deal with the truth. 

Then, one day the Lord spoke to my heart and said that the only person I needed to please was Him.  It was life-changing.  I now speak up for myself. I will address someone and calmly discuss how I feel and what I think about the situation.  I have found that it is better to face confrontation in a timely manner, rather than letting the situation fester and become poisonous to the relationship.  Holding all the negative thoughts inside just causes unrealistic notions and problems seem to become much bigger than they actually are.

My devotion yesterday confirmed what the Lord had been speaking to me. It seems like that happens a lot...The Lord confirming what He is trying to teach me.  HA!

If what is being said is true and I need to change, usually after careful thought and some huffing and puffing, I admit my fault, ask for forgiveness, and do better. 

If the problem you are facing stinks, deal with it now.  It may not be fun but it will keep the problem from getting out of hand, making it more difficult to deal with in the long-run.