Slowly, but surely

I feel like the pace of my recovery has slowed a bit in the last several days -- but it is still definitely going in the right direction. I may not be getting better by leaps and bounds -- as I did in the first few days -- but each day does bring improvement.

I am learning what things I can do -- and learning to be okay with the things that I definitely cannot do. Last night, a realization sunk in for me. My back is still very much in the healing process. Yesterday, while at the doctor's office, I asked the nurse to show Kurt the piece of equipment that hooks my L4 and L5 vertebrae together. It is small and looks quite insignificant once I realized that is the ONLY thing holding those two vertebrae together. There is pretty much an empty space where the disc used to be. It will be several months before bone will be there to provide stability. I took a big dose of humility pills yesterday as that reality sunk in for me.

While at the doctor's office, they gave me a new piece of equipment called a bone stimulator. It is basically two rectangles that fit over my stomach and back -- held together by two straps along the sides. It emits an electrical field that is supposed to help stimulate the bone growth and promote the fusion of L4 & L5. I have to wear it for 2 hours every day for nine months. I was reading over the information provided. Studies have shown that without the bone stimulator -- fusion happens for 2 out of 3 people. In people who use it as directed, the fusion possibility goes up to 9 out of 10 people. I will find a way to fit 2 hours of wearing that silly looking thing into my schedule!

Yesterday, I was reporting to Dr. Robertson's nurse how the last eight days had been. I got another big dose of pills, but this time it was gratitude pills. I realized that the pain in my feet, legs -- and even my back -- is SOOOO much better. I can walk without limping. I can sleep at night. I told her that the pain of surgery is minor compared to the pain I felt before surgery. So, even though I feel discouraged sometimes that I can't just snap my fingers and be back to my old self and routine -- I am still deeply blessed.

It is going to take time to recover and heal from this surgery -- probably several months, if not a year. And even then, I will still have to be careful. But, now I have so many more possibilities than I had before surgery. My heart overflows with thanksgiving and praise to God! Tomorrow, even though I won't be with you in person at church, know that I will be worshipping and raising my hands in joyful surrender to an amazing God! For those of you who have the privilege of belonging to a community of faith, worshipping with your brothers and sisters in Christ, don't take that privilege for granted. Soak it up!

I am looking forward to the day when I can worship with my church family and offer my prayers of gratitude with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Until then...peace.