PRAISE REPORT:

Before I go into all the details of what the Dr. had to say, I must share with all of you the amazing grace, love, and healing hands that God has shown me over the past 5+ years, and throughout this surgical procedure/recovery period.

One of the things I shared with my doctor yesterday was an incident that occured a little over a week ago - during the night I experienced an extremely frightening and strange sensation, as if an electrical current was buzzing in my ankles, then it felt like it rolled up my body to the knee area, then remained buzzing, then rolled again, and continued to buzz and roll all the way up to my chest area.  I said to my doctor, I'm certain it happened twice during the night, and am 90% sure it was not a dream - please don't think I'm crazy.  He immediately looked at me and asked if it had happened again, to which I responded "no"...he instantly pulled my MRI disc out of my file and plugged it into the computer in our exam room - and once again, reviewed the results of my pre-surgical MRI.  He said, absolutely that what I felt was most likely very real, and was a result of nerves refiring, and healing - and said to advise him if it happened again...and then he looked me square in the eyes and said this:

"Sheila - you were one fall away from paralysis".

I shared with him my experience in St. George with 3 different surgeons, the first one indicating that I needed surgery back then and it was critical, with the 2nd and 3rd opinions indicating no surgery was necessary at that time.  My doctor here said that based on the severity of my situation, no surgeon should have ever indicated I did not need surgery back then.  We packed our home there, moved here to Idaho and unpacked - and I could go on and on about all the things that I should not have been doing over these past 5+ years, now that I know how severe my situation was.

The purpose of me writing to share all of this is simply that I must tell all of you, God's grace, His mighty hands, His love, and His shield of protection have surrounded me and He virtually has been holding me in His arms for over 5 years.

It's only through the Grace of God that I am able to walk today!!!!

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME

 

SURGERY/RECOVERY UPDATE:

Wahoo....I'm able to start slowly weaning myself away from the neck brace, a few minutes at a time daily.  I can start slowly moving my head around from side to side, and moving my chin downward....just inches seem like major moving to me!  I still need to wear the brace in bed, in the car, and while walking, and if I'm outside - baby steps from here!  I'm able to take short and limited rides in the car (like to Dr. appointments and into town if necessary), but no further than just town for now....and I'm perfectly content with that.

Once I've completely weaned off the brace he wants me to begin physical therapy - somewhere around the 20th of July....so that will be 3 times per week for 6 - 8 weeks.

I'm very encouraged - and feel as though I'm finally moving forward.

The x-rays looked good according to the doc - they'll check again in 6 weeks to view the fusion progress - but it will be a full year for complete fusion/recovery.

I still use the bone stimulator 30 minutes per day for another 8 months - and he praised me for being faithful in using it daily.

All in all, my appointment yesterday was very positive, and I'm excited to see progress.

More importantly, I thank God for walking beside me every day, holding on to me, increasing my faith, and providing me with an amazing neurosurgeon who I'd recommend to anyone.

Thank you to my adorable and loving husband whose been beside me through this entire ride, losing a ton of sleep over the past 6 weeks, and tending to my every need.  These are the circumstances of life that enhance a marriage and bring a greater sense of oneness to an already amazing relationship.  Steven - I love you with all my heart!

Thank you to all of my family and friends who continue to love on me, and show me their selflessness by their numerous acts of kindness.  I love you all so very much!