Saturday, January 24, 2009

Lesson #17

Not everyone will completely understand what you are going through and you should not expect them to.



Actually, this is true for anyone who has experienced life struggles. Unless someone has walked in your shoes, they can't fully understand what you are going through. Yet, they will try in many different ways to understand or to connect with you.

People like to tell me stories of friends, family, themselves and even their pets that have succumb to some kind of accident involving some kind of broken bones in their ankles or feet. Yes, their pets! That one was my favorites. I am not sure how that relates to me, but this person felt they needed to tell me.

The lesson here is that people wish to connect to your difficulty is some way. In many cases, they have not experienced what you have experience. Yet, we should be thankful and patient, knowing that people are expressing their good will and love!

Another lesson here is that we all should be very wise and careful with our words when we are speaking with people who are in the middle of a trial. We all think we have to say something, just one little thing that will let the person know we are thinking of them or that we are very concerned about their situation, yet many times, our words are just not very helpful. I have to admit that many times, things people have said to me have made me feel much worse. And then I am reminded by the Holy Spirit to be patient and kind and to give people the benefit of the doubt!

Back To Work!!

5 Months, 15 Days



I had another 6-week check up with my orthopedic surgeon on Thursday. He cleared me for going back to work part-time! This is so cool. In less than 6 months, I am able to start back to work! So I have contacted 2 of my monthly clients and asked them if I can start their service back up in February! Within minutes, I got a hearty YES from one of them. I am excited!

Continue to pray for me! The struggle is not over yet. Here are some specifics I need prayer for:
  • I need to lose 60 lbs.
  • My feet still hurt everyday. Pray that healing will continue and the pain will subside.
  • Continue to work towards full use of both feet.
  • Stop arthritis from setting in.
  • Pray for complete restoration.

My next check-up is at my 1 year anniversary of my accident (week of Aug 9th). He will take another x-ray and if all looks good, he will release me completely.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Lesson #16

Prov 20:30—Sometimes it takes painful experiences to make us change our ways



God allows trials in our lives for a reason. It is to teach us, to grow us, to bring us closer to Him! This verse in Proverbs teaches me that my best teaching environment is when there is a struggle. YES, I hate to struggle. NO, I never wish to fall through a ceiling again. BUT, I have learned to mighty great things that I would have never gotten through my thick head had it not been for my accident. You see, for us to learn something, or for that matter, to get us to change our ways, something has to get our attention. Sometimes, getting our attention is simple and easy, but many times, it takes some pain, even very bad pain to get our attention. I wish this were not true, but it is a reality.

Therefore, I am very thankful that God decided to spare my life, take the time to teach me some great things. Despite my stubbornness and wickedness, He still choose to work with me. What a marvelous gift and privilege!

Lesson #15

Your Family Is Going Through A Trial By Fire Too!



I am not sure why I have this lesson as a separate one. Lesson #14 covered this, but I guess I wanted to remind myself that yes, my family is suffering right along with me, but I am not the only one that God is working with here. My family is in the trial by fire right along with me and there are lessons for them to learn as well. They may not be the same as mine, but they too are learning and growing in the Lord!

5 Month Anniversary

5 Months, 7 Days



I let my 5 month anniversary go by without a post. The day was significant, believe me, 5 months since my accident and it feels like years. Honestly, I just forgot to post. Life has kicked back in and I am so happy to be a part of it again. Of course, the reality is that I have been doing too much and not spending enough time OFF my feet. I was so happy and excited to get back on my feet, that I forgot that I am not even half way through my expected 1 year recovery. The recovery, thanks to God, has been going so much better than expected that I just leap to my feet and started moving!

I am in my 2nd set of 6-week physical therapy sessions. I go 3 days per week. I am spending one day a week in what they call a gym (non-water therapy) and 2 days per week in the pool continuing my water therapy. I am completely out of my wheel chair and I rely on my crutches most of the time.

I am not sure when I will be able to go back to work. Walking and standing for long periods of time is still impossible. And that is something I must be able to do when I get back to personal cheffing.

I must tell you that I crossed what seems to be another threshold recently. I have noticed that the swelling in my feet is not as significant...even at the end of the day when I have been on them a lot. And the pain is not as strong. And good indicator of this is when I get up in the morning. Oh may, that is the worst pain of the day...getting my feet to start working after being in bed for 8 hours. PAIN!! But even that is not a bad as it has been. It was like one day I got up and things were 25% better in one bang. It is exciting!

My next doc appt is next week. It will be good to see what he has to say!!

Take care and thanks for keeping up with me!