As some of you know, Janet has been struggling for almost a year and a half with a severe sciatic pain that has been treated with spinal injections, pain meds, chiropractic and physical therapy. In early December, it became evident that all the alternative treatments have failed and it was time to be referred to a spinal surgeon. We didn’t have to look far. Thankfully, we are well connected into the medical community and Indianapolis is the orthopedic capital of the country, if not the world.
This is because the auto racing community has chosen to be treated, for the most part, here in the metro Indy area. We have become known for treating orthopedic cases as a result of track accidents for decades. This is not only at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500, but racetracks throughout the world send their injured drivers here to be treated and to then enter rehabilitation. The science and research have elevated this city to a level rarely, if ever, seen anywhere else.
Clearly, in this case, it made our search for a top rated surgeon rather easy. After MRI’s, CT scans, X-rays and physical exams, surgery was scheduled for Tuesday of this week, two days ago. The prep was significant. Hours upon hours of pre-op interviews, tests, EKG’s and visits to the hospital as well as to the spine center. So Tuesday at 4:00 a.m. we got ready for our trip to the hospital. Janet was checked in at 5:15 and entered the OR at 7:15 for a rather complicated procedure.
Hours later we were advised that the procedure was a complete success. Four vertebrae were cleared of osteoarthritis and with the help of rods, crews and plates, her lower spine was stabilized and fused. I can’t kid you that Tuesday was an easy day. It was brutal. But things improved at a remarkable pace and we had hundreds of people praying for us across the entire Untied States. We felt those prayers.
I stayed in the hospital with Janet the entire time and this morning, after meeting again with the surgeon, PT, dietary, hospitalists, NP’s, nurses and a myriad of other healthcare providers, Janet was released. The beginning of a long and difficult recovery starts. A back brace for twelve weeks, no driving for the same period of time, housebound for six weeks or so – and no BLT., That’s “bending, lifting and twisting. We haven’t been through a back surgery before, but I will be the chief caregiver.
I have already heard from people that I have to slow down and pace myself. I agree. And we have received countless messages of support and prayer cover for the next phase of Janet’s recovery. We both thank you for that – and it’s not over. We still need your prayers!
We are beyond exhausted. But this too shall pass. And we have the name of a person who can step in to help us if things get overwhelming. All three of our children live writhing ten minutes from us and they have all been rock stars. That’s how this family rolls. We immediately drop everything and rally around the central need of the family. It is the gift that keeps on giving – year after year – and especially as Janet and I age.
It is also wonderful to be surrounded by hundreds of Christ followers who pray for us, churches that ask their congregants to pray for us, the Bible studies I lead to cover us in prayer and friendships, both old and new, that find it a gift to be able to pray for us. That feeling of knowing you are in the center of so much support is indescribable.
We prayed for the surgeon, other doctors including the hospital staff and words like “miraculous” were used to describe the success of the surgery. We are filled with gratitude.
Our verse for this evening highlights the idea of “hosad” – the merciful loving kindness of God. In this psalm, the people of God time and again cry out to God for deliverance from some problem they are struggling with. The psalmist tells us, in Psalm 117:20-22, “He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.”
My encouragement this evening is that God encourages us to love one another as He has loved us. This is the community of Christ. Sometimes we pray for others – sometimes we need to be covered in prayer by our fellow believers. My prayer is that we may all be attentive and live up to our obligations as followers of Jesus to make sure we do our part to pray for others. It’s a wonderful feeling – praying for others and being prayed for by others. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…