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Oh, the Pain of It All…

By April 26, 2018August 30th, 2022Devotional

I was up near Chicago earlier this week to train staff at a local hospital where I have had a relationship for almost two years now. I was first introduced to the healthcare system by my brother, Dr. Doug, who has twenty five years of privileges with this facility. Since I was scheduled to teach on Tuesday morning, I arrived at my destination around dinner time on Monday – in part to help Doug with several small chores as we are getting ready to move our youngest brother, Ken, into a different apartment.

After assembling the new bed Doug purchased for him, I decided to help out by disposing of the plastic protective wrap that had kept the mattress and box spring clean during delivery. I located the dumpster across the parking lot and made my way over there to deliver the trash.

The next thing I knew I was on the ground looking up at the sky – in excruciating pain; noticing that my lower right leg was at an awkward angle, my left knee was scraped and my right thigh had hit something very hard. I was finally able to move my lower leg and straighten it out – and immediately looked to see if there were any bones or debris sticking out of anything. Not seeing anything, I assumed that I had sprained knee.

A kindly gentleman asked if he could help me and was kind enough to go find Doug in apartment #9 – the one we have secured for our brother. Doug came over to assess everything and after 30 minutes or so on the ground, looking up at the crystal blue sky, Doug and this other man were able to help me to my foot (notice I didn’t say feet) and I hobbled to the car for the ride back to Doug’s home where I stay during my visits.

I will spare you all the gruesome details but I did go ahead and teach a team of doctors and nurses on Tuesday morning; using a cane for support and sitting much of the time. Another local doctor took a look at my knee and after x-rays and an MRI it was determined that I have severed my right quadricep tendon from my knee cap. Additionally, I have chipped a piece off the knee cap and the whole thing has turned into something of an ugly situation.

I had a choice to have the surgery done there (and I HATE thinking about having surgery anywhere) or come back to Carmel for the repair and subsequent rehab work. So, we decided that it was best to have the work done where we live and I was driven back home last night by our son, Andrew, who has been a real help to me.

We have already found an orthopedic surgeon and I had an appointment with him this morning. Before surgery, I have to stop taking several of the meds I usually ingest and the surgery schedule is pretty full, so I don’t get the repair done until next Wednesday. In the meantime, I am in a brace that immobilizes my right leg and life has already changed drastically.

Driving is out for at least 6-8 weeks and physical therapy promises to be a real chore if I want to regain total use of my knee. Anticipated time to heal is six months or so. A tough road ahead…

But two things I remember about the fall and the ensuing ordeal that I am going through. When I fell and laid back on the sidewalk, looking up at the sky, I couldn’t help but marvel at God’s creation and how beautiful everything was. For a moment or two, everything else faded into the background – well, at least until the real pain started to set in…

The other thing I have been thinking about is that I don’t have the best knees in the world anyway. I have some arthritis and it’s difficult to get up from the ground if I am working on a project. I’m sure this latest incident won’t help the situation. But our verse for the tonight tells us something different.

The apostle Paul has an interesting verse in his letter to the Philippians. He tells us, in Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

My encouragement this evening is that God has assured us, through Paul, that Jesus is the name that is above all names. We couldn’t have a better future! My prayer is that when the day comes, we will all bow on perfect bended knee and worship Jesus, the name above all names. Have a wonderful day in the Lord, grace and peace… and if you don’t mind, I would appreciate some prayer support for my upcoming surgery… I’ll keep you posted!

One Comment

  • David Toussaint says:

    Scott,
    My goodness, you did have a rough time of it. Yes, I will pray for you beginning today. What a bummer to have it happen in the first place. So sorry for you my friend. The good news is, you are in good hands with a great medical team here, and in even greater team above.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Dave

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