If you have been reading my recent blogs you may be aware of the discovery of a very serious spinal condition that could have led to paralysis or even death if it had not been discovered. A trip to the ER for expected heart issues led to this diagnosis. A special surgeon who is normally booked many months in advance agreed to see me almost immediately. This led to unexpected cervical spine surgery which replaced two discs, removed calcium behind three discs which had compressed my spinal cord and the removal of a spur. Even the surgeon didn't anticipate this much damage and wasn't sure if he could correct it all. But we prayed and he was able to do it all in 4 1/2 hours. Coincidence? Luck? No, just a special intervention by the Lord.
Now I had numerous limits following surgery, including not being allowed to drive. I still can't lift more than 15 lbs. and complete healing may take up to a year. Three days after my surgery my wife had her annual colonoscopy required for her ulcerative colitis. Numerous biopsies were taken. PTL, they all came back negative. And the Lord was continuing to be in control with special blessings or even miracles.
Several weeks ago, about 15 hours before my appointment to get cleared to drive again, Dianne passed out while we were putting a puzzle together. We should have called 911 but she revived quickly and didn't want to go to the ER. The next morning we went to her doctor who thought it might have been a TIA or a brief seizure. He wanted to send her to a neurologist but I suggested that she see her heart doctor instead. Then we found that the first opening with her heart doctor wasn't until September. I wanted her seen right away so they set us up with another doctor in the same group. He ordered more blood tests and a 24 hour monitor and promised to call as soon as he got the results.
When he failed to call back we asked to see another doctor in their group and this one reviewed the test results with us and then ordered a chemical stress test. They wanted it done in their facility but couldn't do it there for two weeks. So I suggested checking with the hospital and they were able to take her, would you believe, at 7:15 the very next morning. The Lord was continuing to work things out because when her test began we were surprised and pleased to find out that her regular heart doctor was actually on duty in the hospital that day. He then was able to monitor her throughout the day. I must admit that this surprise boosted my confidence and reminded me how that the Lord was really in charge.
There were some problems with the stress test so the doctor suggested that while she was already there they should do a heart cath. If they found a blockage they would keep her overnight and do surgery the next morning. But when the tests came back fine he then suggested that her electrical system should be tested. We were then able to schedule another doctor in their group and see her July 3, the day before we were headed to Pinebrook and she was leaving for vacation. And we were able to schedule Dianne's heart test the day we both returned home from our vacations. Timing and availability a coincidence? No!
So on that Monday, at 6 am, she entered LGH where they went into her heart and examined the electrical responses. About an hour into the test they called me and said that she actually needed a pacemaker. I told them to go ahead and they implanted one while she was still out. Later they did find some sort of glitch happened exactly at 11:51, probably from an external source and they never could figure out what caused it but her pacemaker was right on otherwise. So, against my desires, they discharged her at 5 in the afternoon. They told me that if there was any problem we should call 911. That suggestion didn't make me feel anymore comfortable, but seeing how God had been working everything out, I still knew He was in control ... and He was. She actually slept in bed that night and everything appears to be slowly healing well.
Now she can't drive for at least six weeks, but in God's perfect timing I now can. And she is limited in what she may lift and she is not allowed to place her left arm above her shoulder for at least six weeks. So we are a good pair and we often laugh about our restrictions together. And it appears to be working fine, although I have much to learn about cooking, washing and cleaning. But those are lessons I really need to learn anyway. The one thing we haven't resolved is how I comb her hair. All I've ever dealt with is my short hair and so this is a challenge. One thing sure - I'll never be a hair dresser.
But even more sure than that, God is good, all the time and all of our moments are in His hands.
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