Getting Better All The Time

Well, now it's been two weeks since my shoulder surgery, and I'm actually starting to get better.  After my visit to the ER last week, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.  What my family doctor, Dr. Nancy Griffith, found out, was that the medicine that my surgeon put me on after surgery, was causing an allergic reaction.  He put me on Loratab, so Dr. Griffith put me on Tramadol, a different kind of painkiller.  So far, it's made a HUGE difference.  I'm not living in a cloud, I've stopped swelling up, and it takes away the biggest part of the pain.  

Unfortunately, I have been experiencing some depression.  I was starting to go through some depression for about a month before my surgery, but I just tried to pretend it wasn't REAL depression.  I'm usually happy-go-lucky and try to find the sunny side to things, but this was really starting to affect me.  Since the surgery, it has started getting worse, probably due to the Loratab.  Since I've switched meds, it's a little better, but not gone.  Again, I believe there is a reason for everything that I go through.  God will take care of it, whether by divine healing, or some form of medication, whatever He sees fit to do.  I trust Him.

I've been to therapy three times now, and it's starting to loosen up the shoulder, although it still feels like somebody has beat me with a baseball bat most days.  The therapist says that I've got really good range of motion for this soon after surgery, so that's good to hear.  I'm supposed to go back to work on March 22nd, so I hope this thing heals pretty quick.  I've missed church for the last two weeks, due to the pain, and the mess I was going through last week.  I'm going to try to make it next week.  I'm really missing it.  

Things are starting to look up for me.  Thank You God.  You are Good.  All the time.

BORING! BORING! BORING!

Well, it has been one week since I had my surgery.  Actually, it will have been one week as of 12:30 today, but who's counting?  I thought it would be a straight-forward surgery, in-out, 6 weeks recovery, and back to work.  Not so much.  

Two days after I had the surgery on my shoulder, I was going to the ER because of excessive swelling in my abdomen.  Over the course of two days, last Tuesday and Wednesday, I gained 14 pounds.  Needless to say, I was concerned.  When I got home from the hospital Tuesday, I didn't eat or sleep until late Wednesday afternoon.  Then on Wednesday, I had two small meals.  Not enough to gain 14 pounds.  Due to the swelling, I had pressure in my abdomen/chest, making it hard to breathe.  Because of this, I was getting light-headed. We contacted our family doctor, Dr. Nancy Griffith, at home, and she said to go to the ER to be evaluated.  That was four hours I'd like to get back.  They made me wait for 2 hours in the waiting room.  After they took me back to the actual ER, they took blood, did an EKG, ran tests to check my pancreas, liver, kidneys, and heart.  The doctor told me all the tests came back normal.  When he was releasing me, he told me to stop weighing myself, as if that was my problem.  He made me feel like a hypochondriac idiot.  Four days later, I don't feel much better.  I have dropped about 3 of those pounds, but that's still not normal.  I went to my family doctor yesterday, Monday, to let her check everything out, and she was concerned, and very upset at the ER doctor.  She gave me water pills to take for 3 days, and then I go back to her office to be weighed, and have blood drawn to run more tests.  I'm hoping everything turns out ok.

Back to the boring part.  Since the shoulder is still throbbing, and my stomach is killing me, I'm not doing much more than sitting around the house, mostly on the couch.  This is where I'm sleeping for now also.  I am supposes to sleep sitting up so I don't roll onto my shoulder.  This is not my ideal way to sleep, of course, since I enjoy sleeping next to my lovely wife.  I told Carolyn that I know things are bad, because I actually can't wait to get better and back to work.  

I am trying to comfort myself with the fact that everything happens for a reason, even illness and pain.  I am confident that once I get through all of this, I'll be able to look back and see that it was all necessary.  God has a plan for my life, and I trust that He knows what's best for me, and will work ALL things out for the good.  To God be the glory.  Amen.

Surgery And Such

Well, tomorrow is the day for my surgery.  I am having surgery on my left shoulder.  It seems a bone spur has formed on my shoulder bone (?), and is rubbing against muscle and such.  It causes my arm to go numb, and causes a dull, constant pain throughout my arm, down into my fingers.  It causes me to wake up a lot at night.  It's also very irritating.  So, I am having it taken care of.  I will be off work for about 6 weeks. 

I am really, really dreading this surgery.  I trust the surgeon, Dr. Rolston, but all surgery holds any number of unforeseen risks.  I am praying, a lot, and trusting in God for His perfect will to be done.  

I think the paperwork, and waiting on approval of Short Term Disability payment, is just as irritating as the surgery itself.  In some ways, even more so.  I only stand to receive a little over half of my regular pay for the next 6 weeks.  I guess the fact that I'll be saving all that money I usually spend on gas for the car, is slightly satisfying.  

We're looking at ways to cut back on spending.  We are going to get rid of our Dish Satellite TV.  We have hooked a computer tower with a WI-FI receiver, to the TV.  We'll be able to watch some TV shows, and other things, on our TV now.  We also signed up for Netflix.  That will cost $9.99 a month.  So, we are doing pretty good, so far. 

My one consolation in all of this, is the fact that, hopefully, after 6 weeks of healing and physical therapy, I'll be able to start getting more use out of my left arm.  I'm hoping by summer, I'll be as good as new.  After all, God is in control, not me.  Whatever happens, I can rest assured that He will see me through it.  God is good, all the time.  And, all the time, God is good.  To Him be all the glory, and honor, and praise, for ever and ever.  Amen.