Thank
you for being faithful supporters and prayer warriors through my journey around
the world. Currently, I am a Chaplain at
Camp Chestnut Ridge as my Duke Divinity Internship. I have been there since the end of May, and I
love it. If things go as planned, I will
continue to work at the camp through the academic school year.
Well,
I wanted to write a blog to fill you in on a little bit happening in my life…
and more importantly ask for your prayers…
In
February, my husband Matthew’s back began hurting. He continued to endure
the pain, but in May – he made the decision to quit his job. He was
working at Durham Family Practice, where he was working in the office.
Part of his job consisted of reaching filing charts, where he was on his feet
bending up and down. There were days where he would wake up and his
legs would be numb. So, we decided that he needed to take a break from
working.
In
May, we went met with a spine specialist at UNC and went through MRI and
X-Rays. It turns out that his surgery in 1999, where a doctor from
Houston fused his S1 and L5 together either never fully fused or the fusion has
come apart. His L5 has shifted completely off the S1; therefore, there is
really nothing there to carry the weight of his back. The doctor shared
with us that it is a miracle he is even walking… telling us that the MRI was
“impressive.” (Now, impressive isn’t exactly the word you want to a
doctor to describe your back with.)
After
praying together, we’ve decided that surgery is the best option to provide
relief. We’ve been praying for ultimate healing without surgery, and I
ask you to join this prayer with me. But we know God’s will over
Matthew’s life will prevail; and if surgery is part of it, God’s glory will
shine down on earth, and we will continue to praise God!
There
are days that Matthew just wants to curl up on the bed, because his pain is
very intense. He dreams of the day that he can return to playing tennis
and going bowling. He would love to go backpacking…but right now, we need
to pray for Matthew’s healing.
The
surgery is scheduled for August 20th… ten days from today. The
doctor cleared his schedule for the day to take care of Matthew. If the
surgery goes as planned, the surgery will last between 6-7 hours, and he will
be in the hospital for 4-5 days. This surgery will consist of placing
screws in the L3,L4, L5, and S1 – as well as screws/rods in the
pelvis. If the doctor decides the risk aren’t too high, he might
decompress to allow the nerves to have more room. Since this is the
second surgery, the risk are greater than before…
As
for me, I have never walked through a surgery and extent in the hospital with
anyone this close to me. I can’t do this
alone, so I’m asking you for your prayers.
As I step back, I see God providing for us in so many ways…I’ll have to
do a blog on God’s provision – God is the Ultimate Provider! I’m thankful
that I serve the Ultimate Physician, the Ultimate Care-giver, the Ultimate!! I’m so thankful to have God walking with us
each and every step…and carrying us on days we can’t carry ourselves. Thanks for your to prayers for peace over all
involved, for God’s hands to be the hands of the surgical team, and God’s will
to be done.
THANK YOU!!
