Post Christmas Life Update

I've been wanting to add an update... but you know, Christmas busyness has kept me from sitting down and writing. How have you all been? Did you have a joyful Christmas? My mother and father-in-law came on Christmas day and we are still enjoying them being here, as always.

I received an early Christmas present a few days before Christmas. I did more bloodwork to look at my liver markers that were way out of wack since my surgery, and were still bad when checked in mid November. I was excited that this time, all of them were in the normal range! Praise God! What a remarkable body He made to correct itself after being inundated with so many medications. My doctor thought the Tylenol was the culprit, and I typically only take half a dose once a day now, if that. I'm also no longer using the muscle relaxer!

I've really pushed my limits these past 2-3 weeks, and thankfully it hasn’t increased my pain... too much. Not like the first day Joel went back to the office since surgery, when I last wrote. At that time, I had half a day of stabbing back pain. I've started doing laundry, but try to remember to squat to pick up things to avoid bending too much. I also literally sit in the laundry room to take things out of the dryer, and then I push it into my room with my feet. Whatever works, right?

When my boys were little, I remember saying, "I give you a little and you want more!" I'm feeling that way now, God has blessed me in this healing journey! I am able to do so much more than even a few weeks ago, I have been given a longer life. More time to love & support my family and new grandson! Last night my youngest was reading over the surgery report... he mentioned that I should read it when I feel frustrated with my recovery, to remember that I am doing better after all they did! I am so very grateful, and felt that deeply as I was singing songs during the Christmas Eve service and church this morning!

And yet, I am humbly praying for more. I'm still getting random, sharp shooting pains often throughout each day; the right side of my front still feels annoyingly numb, like that Novocaine feeling after dental work; and I still feel like there is a tight belt around my mid torso. I desire more energy, and to not worry about being so very careful to avoid overdoing things. Those are the physical extras I continue to hope and pray for, even while being grateful for the improvements. I would also love to be completely off all the meds. That too, is so much less than a month or two ago! This coming Tuesday, I'm seeing the pain specialist. It will be 15 weeks post surgery at that time. I'm hoping he has non-medication ideas.

Another HUGE paise, is that my cough is so much better! I just cough once and awhile! Oh, how nice that is, and may be another factor in why my pain has decreased. We now need to figure out if it was using the nebulizer daily (with albuterol) or the acid reflex meds that helped. I'll stop nebulizing at the beginning of the year and see what happens.

I was greatly encouraged by some things I read in the advent devotional our family was reading this year. It is based on the verses in the pictures above & below, as well as others. The author explained it in a different way, which helped God's character sink in deeper. What a gracious & giving God He is! I thought maybe it would be encouragement. Below are a few short paragraphs from the book

"Here is a general truth to ponder and believe: Every time Jesus commands something for us to do, it is His way of of telling us how He wants to serve us. Let me say it another way, the path of obedience is the place where Christ meets us as our servant to carry our burdens and give us His power.

When you become a Christian - a disciple of Jesus - you do not become His helper. He becomes your helper. You do not become His benefactor, He becomes your benefactor. You do not become His servant. He becomes your servant. Jesus does not need your help; He commands your obedience, and offers His help.

Christmas. He came to serve, not to be served. He came to help us do everything He calls us to do."

~From "The Dawning of Indestructible Joy" by John Piper (Day 17 pg. 56).

It is amazing to be reminded that God is God, He is all powerful, but He is also All love, and came to earth as a man to offer His redemption for our faults and sin. No other "god" you hear about does that. Only Jesus is the true servant God. Who are we to be so loved? If you don't know Him, I pray you search for Him. I'm always here to answer any questions... and will look for answers if I don't know it.