Under the Knife Once Again

 Last week I underwent another surgery for my spine, this time for my neck. The recovery is much different from my lower back surgery. I am in significant pain nonetheless. I am reminded of the verse, Job 1:21b, "Adonai gave and Adonai has taken away;

    blessed be the Name of Adonai.”

Being Released =)

I went to see my surgeon a few weeks ago for a one-year postoperative visi.  i had an X-ray also to see if my vertebrae had fused together.  She told me that the fusion was complete, and that as far as she was concerned, I was "cured."  That was all I needed to hear!  she said that her door is always open, in case i were to develop problems down the road.  But for now, I can safely say that I am in a new phase now.  I'm no longer "recovering," but I'm living!!!  I can't tell you the last time that I used my grabber/reacher thingy.  I just don't need them like I used to, Praise God!!  Now mind you, I do have some soreness that lingers, but it is manageable, & there's nothing structurally stopping me from doing whatever I need to do!  How liberating!

All I can say is PRAISE GOD!!!!

Baruch HaShem!!  This week I swam, and did handstands in the pool, as well as front and back flips in the water!!!  Also I went roller - skating!!  It was like learning to walk again, because my center of gravity was different, but after about an hour, I was able to go around the rink several times!  I feel like the L-rd has given me back what was taken away from me - with added blessings!!!  Thank You, L-rd!!

Before and After!!!

6 Months Post-Op

Well, I had my 6 month post-operative follow-up, and the x-rays looked good.  The doctor said I could gradually get to more and more activity.  She said the soreness I have been experiencing is from using muscles that I hadn't used much for a long time.  Now I have to gradually get back to more & more activity.  This sure is a long process!  But I'm thankful for the progress that has been made.  I can sit for longer periods of time now.  And I'm thankful to be mobile again!!  That means SO much to my well-being.  And my health!  Thank You, L-rd, for Your continued healing.

Housework Never Felt So Good

I'm getting better and better by the day.  My pain becomes less and less as I get stronger, and my muscles aren't getting as sore with my increased activity.  I'm able to do more housework than I have in a long time.  There is still a lot of catching up to do in the way of cleaning.  But watch out, here comes the domestic goddess!!  NO, scratch that!!  Here comes the domestic MACHINE!!!  LOL  Vaccuuming has never felt so liberating!  The satisfaction of seeing the countertop gleam again is intoxicating!  lol  Move over, Mrs. Cleaver, try finding dust in MY house when I'm done with it!!  Oh wait, did I hear little footsteps running through the house?  What, someone's been playing in the mud?  Got it covered!!  HAHA, you thought I was going to wince, didn't ya?  lol  Just don't ask me to come over and clean, it's not THAT fun.  Really.  I'm just really thankful that G-d has given me the ability once again to take care of my humble abode.

Wow-I'm Astounded

I danced yesterday - and it was like old times!  I felt completely free, and without pain!  No residual pain afterwards, either!!  It just keeps getting better and better.  Thank You, L-rd!!

A New Milestone

Today I did some shopping.  Since there was quite a crowd, I did lots of standing and walking, esp in Wal-Mart.  Before my surgery, I would have been in terrible pain after a day like this.  Yet now, I have only fatigue and soreness from all of the activity, since I am not used to it.  But no terrible pain like before!!  PTL!!  I am believing in my healing, and it keeps being proven to me over and over, with each passing day!  Bless You, L-rd, My Healer.

Check Out My New Blog

The Drash Pit!!  http://drashpit.blogspot.com/

For thoughts on connecting with Our Creator through events in daily life.

Pressing On!

As I am walking around, and going about my daily business, I have to remind myself that I can do things I didn't normally do!  It's like a bird who's been in a cage for a long time, and then one day the door is left open.  The bird is hesitant, but eventually makes it way to the door, and out into the world!!  It is amazing to contemplate the transformation I have undergone - at the L-rd's hands!!  This weekend I met a lady who has back trouble, and she was having trouble walking.  I got to pray and lay hands on her, with another prayer partner.  That was so gratifying, b/c I am a walking testimony of how the L-rd heals!!!  Thank You, Abba!! 

PRAISE THE L-RD, I'M HEALED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  THE DANCING IS EXHILARATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clarity of Thought

It is refreshing how I can think clearly, now that I have the peace of mind that my back is ok.  Today after I found out, things just started pouring into my mind, things I need to do, and my pen couldn't write fast enough!  Before today, I had a mental fog, such that I forgot appointments, couldn't organize my thoughts easily.  My energy and motivation seem increased now, even counter-acting my fatigue level!  I didn't realize the problem until being on the other side!  Incredible!

Amazing!

What an amazing God!  He healed me, miraculously!!  Just in case you don't believe it, let me tell you what happened.  When I had surgery, the doctor was impressed that when she came to see me in the hospital the next day, that I was sitting up in a chair (apparently that was a milestone).  She said herself, "Amazing!"  Then, when I went home, the nurse said to gradually increase my walking a little at a time.  Well, the first couple of weeks I was walking around the neighborhood with my friends, and my family.  When I went for my 2 week follow-up, the nurse said, "Now I want you to try to walk even further than you have been since your surgery.  Try to even go to your mailbox."  I looked at her incredulously, like, Are you kidding?  I didn't tell her I had been walking around the neighborhood, I didn't want to get in trouble!! LOL
Anyway, I was supposed to wear my brace for 12 weeks.  At 8 weeks, I stopped wearing it b/c it didn't fit, and it hurt more to wear it than it did to not wear it.  I still refrained from bending, lifting, and twisting.  The last couple of weeks, I have done a few exercises that I learned in physical therapy, and have weaned off of pain pills.  For my 12 week follow up, the MD said, "Ok, now it's time to stop wearing your brace.  You need to start doing some simple exercises, and you may be a little sore for a few weeks.  You'll have to gradually get used to not wearing the brace over the course of 2 weeks.  Your X-Rays look wonderful, I couldn't be more pleased with the results!  You even have some fuzzy-looking bone growth beginning, which usually doesn't show up until 6 months."  Then I told her I had stopped wearing my brace, and had started some exercises already, and had felt some soreness.  How amazing!!  How did I know to do this?  The L-rd knew, that's for sure, He is the Blessed Controller of All Things!!!  I told you He is!!!  It's a miracle!!  And the great thing is, that now I can return to NORMAL ACTIVITY!!!!  How awesome!  That means dancing, working, cleaning, praying on my knees, wearing love glasses-LOL =) .   Our God really is an awesome GOD!!

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/melissadavid
Click on Song #11 - May this song minister to you as it has to me

A Breath of Fresh Air

It is great to be able to think clearly again, after getting off pain medication!  Thank the Lord!!  He has healed me, and for that I am forever grateful.  Mind, body, and spirit are all being renewed and refreshed!  What a marvelous thing!  Do I sound excited?  That's because I am-with a true joy that the Lord has given me. 

Someone told me today that I had a strong spiritual connection.  I took that as a compliment, and the Lord is the only one who can receive the glory for that.  Baruch HaShem!

May you be blessed by our Heavenly Father with immeasurable strength to deal with whatever it is you are going through.

Giving Thanks

This year has already been an amazing Thanksgiving, and there's still more to go!  Fellowshipping with family and friends has been a delight.  I have gotten messages from people who are thankful for ME, and that brings joy to my heart!  Knowing that I have been a blessing to someone makes all the painful experiences worthwhile, b/c I know that without them, I wouldn't be the same person to be that blessing.  Giving thanks is appropriate any season.  Giving the L-rd a thanks offering is an acceptable offering in His sight.  Thanking others is also thanking Him.  (Matthew 25:40).  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A40&version=KJV
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Continually Learning

I have to say that the past year has taught me so much, about endurance, tenacity, and what is important in life.  But each day brings a new nugget of wisdom from the Almighty.  Just this week I have learned things about myself that I had no idea were there.  I think the L-rd is turning me over and over in the fire, refining me as gold.  Areas that would have been too painful to deal with a month ago, or even a year ago, now I am able to constructively deal with and work on.  I'm confident there will be more to work on in the future.  Philippians 3:14 http://bible.cc/philippians/3-14.htm

A New Season, One of Thanks

One more week, and my recovery period will be officially OVER!!!!  I still have a little soreness and sciatica, but I can stand for hours, and walk all over with no ill effects!  I am so thankful for that miracle.  And I am tremendously thankful for my faithful prayer warriors, who have been so diligent, sacrificially giving of their time to intercede on my behalf.  You are a blessing from G-d!! 
Additionally, many, many people came out and brought me food, flowers, balloons, cards, and cleaned my house.  They sent e-mails and texts to find out how I was doing on a daily basis.  They continue to ask me to lunch.  They come up to me when they see me, and say, "How's your back?"  It is evident that Yeshua breathed life into my body, b/c now I am refreshed and renewed, by His power.  He poured out an ocean of blessings upon me to surround me, and keep me during that time.  I don't believe I could have made it without His lovingkindness.  His love is endless!!

Medical equipment is huge business

I didn't realize how many gadgets and gizmos there were out there on the market for people with various types of disabilities.  There are devices to help someone put their shoes on without having to bend down and touch them.  There are poles with hooks to help you put on your clothes without reaching.  There is even a thingy with a handle which grasps toilet paper, so one can wipe unmentionables without reaching.  I'm glad there is all that stuff out there, I'm just not sure I want so much clutter in my house.  I'm one who likes to get creative and devise ways of doing things without having a doo-dad for everything. 
I've been watching episodes of "Clean House" on Netflix, and people have some major clutter going on in some homes in America.  It is really a mental illness.  But the crew really does a great job helping the people straighten up their houses, and even their lives at times.  It is a good service, and it is fun to watch.
Ok, TTFN!

On the downhill slide

Not long to go now.  I'm looking forward to doing things I haven't been able to do in years!  I'm also looking forward to getting a job and being a part of something bigger than myself!  Looking forward to getting off the pain pills!!  Looking forward to routine, normalcy, and sensible living.  Looking forward to walking for miles and miles!  Looking forward to sitting without hurting, twirling, bending - what a concept!  Looking forward to being able to pay my bills!  Looking forward to gardening, cleaning (it's amazing what I took for granted), shopping for long hours without hurting.  Looking forward to caring for others instead of others caring for me!  To stand up and sit down without having to grunt.  To hold my son in my lap without hurting.  To walk normally again, instead of waddling!  To get up in the morning without being sore!  To do a lot in one day without waking up in knots the next day!  To walk around the neighborhood!!  Oh, the possibilities!!!

Anyone who visits me gets to sign my blanket!  LOL 

Thank you, Yeshua!