Ready and Waiting

The waiting...and more waiting...this experience is definitely testing my patience.  I hope it's not much longer, b/c all of this inactivity has helped to cause me to grow out of my clothes.  I just got rid of my "big" clothes!  And my blood pressure is high every time I go to the doctor.  Wait, I think I remember hearing that GOD is the Blessed Controller of All Things... there is nothing that I am going through that He hasn't allowed.  That is what keeps me going, knowing that Adonai is in control.  This month will fly by, if the last month is any indication.  I'd better focus on getting ready...!!!  Am I really ready?  Actually, yes, but my house is a disaster.  Well, it's a good time to teach the boys how to clean!! 

Confirmation

Today I had my discogram, complete with disco ball and of course dancing.  LOL!!  Anyway, the doctor confirmed that the damaged disc is indeed the source of my pain.  The next step is surgery, which will be several weeks down the road.  She said that since I am young (age is all relative!!), I should do really well, and be able to go back to doing all of the things that I love.  Hallelujah!!!!!  I will have a 3-month recovery time, complete with wearing a soft brace to support my spine.  Walking is encouraged.  Super!!!  I haven't been able to walk for more than an hour and a half in what seems like an eternity.  I will be cruisin.  Once again, Hallelujah!!!!  Thank you, L-rd, for your continued guidance in my situation.  You really are the Blessed Controller of All Things!

Another Test, An Additional Diagnosis

Well, today went well, in spite of my nerves.  Praise the L-rd for my portable mp3 player, that helped so much!  The MD was super-nice, and she told me that she needed one more test before scheduling surgery, just to be doubly sure of the cause of my symptoms.  So I go to the OR soon for another long needle poke, this time with sedation!  Then she goes on vacation, so my surgery probably won't be until mid-July at the earliest.  That means I can go to the you-know-what the first week of July!!!  Doing cabbage patch dance, oh, wait, better not do that, or I might hurt worse. 
Also I officially have Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease.

Today's the Day

Ok, today I see the actual neurosurgeon.  All this waiting and building up to the appointment is not helping.  I'm praying for calm nerves and presence of mind when I go in there.  I mean, really, why get worried over an appointment where I find out whether or not I'll be "out of commission" for months?  Calgon, take me away............

More Background

My lower back has been giving me problems for 10 years.  For almost all of those years, the intermittent pain seemed to be coming from somewhere else besides my spine.  However, it is apparent now that this process was progressing all along, with many variations in the symptoms.  Had I known what was going on, perhaps I could have avoided the situation I am in now.  However,  G-d is the "Blessed Controller of All Things," and He has a reason that events have transpired as they have.  Surgery is likely in the future for me.  The L-rd has been preparing me for this event, as well, in His blessed power, through having a few other surgeries, and also by being a nurse, by observing people recover from similar surgeries.  It is amazing how in His plan, "all things work together for good to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)