Good News - Bad News

After waiting for nearly three months, I finally saw a back specialist yesterday. I was looking forward to coming up with a game plan, whatever it entailed, to get my back so that I could function more fully. It has gotten so bad that sometimes I have to ride around on the scooters when shopping. I usually can't stand for very long without the pressure in my back becoming overwhelming. Adding this to the rest of my ailments has been very limiting.

I took two sets of MRI films for comparison. My back continues to get worse, even though I have done traction, physical therapy and exercise, taking supplements, changed my diet, epidurals, and various medications.

So, the good news was that I don't need surgery at this point. Praise God! I wasn't looking forward to that prospect, but I wanted a solution. The bad news is that there isn't anything more beyond what we are doing that we can do. In fact, it appears that the Fibromyalgia is making it worse and is a major source of the pain.

I was so frustrated! All that I could think of was Paul when God refused to take away his "thorn" and told him, "My grace is sufficient for you." I know that Lord, but in my humanness I was hopeful and praying for a different result.

So what now? Paige wants me to cut back a little bit more, but I'm not sure where I would do that. Nor am I sure that it would be of additional help to how much I have already cut back. I am praying for guidance and wisdom right now and trusting that God's grace is indeed sufficient. I do know that I will continue to do all that he gives me strength to do. He compels me to do what I am doing, and I find great joy in working with new believers and the other things I do around here at Palm Valley. Pain or no pain, I will serve him and praise him as long as he gives me breath, and even then, I am sure that I will serve him in heaven.