Happy New Year Friends!
What a year it has been for me. Truly, filled with the best of times and the worst of times. It may be a well known quote, but the joy of my son's wedding, as well as the adoption of my grandson contrasted with the uncertainty of my surgery and the pain I've faced since constitutes some of the top best and worst moments of my life. This time last year, I didn't even know if the cyst was cancerous. Praise God I was not facing the possibility of Chemo or radiation before or after that surgery!
I am appreciating so many little things I can do as I continue to heal. Like feeding and brushing our cats. I get a bit sore, but, nothing I need to complain about! God has held me close, even as I've been challenged, tested, and changed, for the better, I hope!
In what ways have you all been challenged and changed this year? You can tell me if you want, but most importantly, I challenge you to ponder these things as the New Year starts. How have you seen God working in your life?
As for updates, I did see the Pain Management Specialist yesterday. Thankfully, Joel was able to come with me. The doctor was very kind... And as God orchestrated things, he did his dissertation on Thoracic Surgery, which is what I had! He explained and reiterated many times, that it is the most painful surgery. Not only do you have the large incision pain, but that area holds the vital organs of the body, the heart and lungs. The ribs are there to protect it, so there's a lot of nerves to let you know to stop what you are doing when entering that area. He said it is a trauma to that area, and nerves remember that... So it is a slow process and he was surprised my other doctors didn't expect that I would still have nerve pain after three months. He said after six months, it might indicate that the pain will be long lasting, or even permanent... But, we are not there yet!
He offered a spinal shot that may last one day, or a month. I opted out of that for now. He did increase my Gabapentin (for nerve pain) a bit. The surgeon said I was at the highest dosage allowed, but he said I was only at half the highest dosage.... strange. I hoped no more meds would be suggested, but at least it isn't anything new. He also gave me an order to go to any physical therapists I wanted to, and said that was important to recovery... If anyone knows a Physical Therapist (PT) who is informed about this type of recovery, please let me know!
I don't want to take up too much of your time! Have a safe, joyful, and meaningful New Year's Eve. Don't forget to pause and count your blessings this year!
