Blessings Celebration: 15 Years

There are moments in time that are etched into our minds. One of those moments for me happened on October 25, 2000. I remember the dark green sofa on which I was reclining. I remember trying to get work done to meet a deadline, in spite of battling bronchitis. I remember the deep coughing and then a searing burning sharp intense pain. I remember rolling off the sofa onto the floor in pain. I remember trying to get up and realizing that it was just too painful to move. I remember....... 

Over the past 15 years, I remember the numerous tests, procedures, surgeries, visits to specialists and the chronic pain and headaches. 

I also remember the amazing and wonderful blessings that God has showered upon me over the past 15 years. WOW! When I stop to reflect on those blessing, I can't but celebrate God's goodness. 

A few weeks ago I read Psalm 21:1-3.

The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

I really like that phrase, "meet him with blessings of goodness." As I reflect back over the past 15 years on all the blessings of goodness that God has given me, I can't help but praise Him. 

A few highlights of the Blessings of Goodness that God has given over the past 15 years. 

• 1. Awesome Doctors.
• 2. A friend who gracious opened her home to me, so that I could live within 5 min of a Dr. who would see me twice a day for a few weeks. And she has continued to be an encouragement to me over the years. 
• 3. Spending time at my Sister's home following surgery and rehab. (God even made sure I was at the same rehab center that my sister would spend time at years later. That allowed me to know what my sister would be doing and experiencing.) 
• 4. A ride in the Good Year Blimp. (Yep, really!)
• 5. Introduction to an amazing FRIEND! And the friendship as grown stronger over the years. Truly a blessing from God. 
• 6. A pharmacy mistake that led to them paying for an expensive medication! (A total God thing!)
• 7. Contest wins..... oh so many! Some I enjoyed, some I passed along as gifts and some I was able to sell to help pay bills. Some of the highlights include: a bike, a HUGE grill, NASCAR grandstand tickets (which God changed to PIT Passes), tickets to a musical show, gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores, online shops, t-shirts, hats, autographed items... the list goes on and on!
• 8. Timing. God's timing is always perfect. From using geese to keep me from leaving (that delay kept me from an accident), or car repairs delaying a car purchase until the right one was ready. To me moving to Florida and getting settled-in so that I could be here to help my parents during my Mom's hospitalization. To leading me to a different vehicle as I'll be driving my parents around. God is always on time, never late! 
• 9. The Castle. I still am in awe that God made way to provide this awesome home for my parents and I. As I think through the details that God worked through and all that God taught me, all I can say is... "Thank you, Lord!" (Read about it here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html.)
• 10. And I can't forget Max, my parakeet. God gave him to me on April 2003 for my birthday. Max provided many laughs and silly companionship over the years. Max died on August 28, 2015 of a heart attack. I'm so thankful for all the fun memories I have of that silly little bird.

Meet him with Blessings of Goodness. 

I can honestly say, that God has met me with MANY blessings of goodness over the past 15 years. Very thankful for God's blessings of goodness! 

Surgery Day

Today I'm scheduled for my 11th Back Surgery. For those of you who are new to my blog, here's the short version of the past 12 years. 

• Oct 2000: coughed and herniated a disc in my lower back.
• April 2001: Surgery 1, hemilaminectomy and diskectomy at L5/S1 level
• Nov 2001: Surgery 2, Fusion L5/S1 level
• Aug 2002: Surgery 3: Surgery hardware (left) removed (screw worked way through the bone, damaging nerves/muscles)
• March 2004: Surgery 4: Re-do the Fusion L5/S1
• Oct 4, 2005: Surgery 5: Spinal Implant Stimulator Trial, implant wires
• Oct 11, 2005: Surgery 6: Spinal Implant Stimulator Trial, removal of wires
• Oct 18, 2005: Surgery 7: Spinal Implant Stimulator (permanent placement of wires; so we thought)
• Oct 24, 2006: Surgery 8: Spinal Implant Stimulator repaired/new battery
• Feb 06, 2007: Surgery 9: Spinal Implant Stimulator Paddle Wire placed (wires removed)
• Nov 10, 2009: Surgery 10: New Battery for Spinal Stimulator
• Jan 31, 2013: Surgery 11: Spinal Implant Stimulator Trail, testing new wires

In between the surgeries, there have been numerous tests, treatments, etc. Although I live with chronic back and left leg pain, and headaches, I can honestly say that God is good. He has proven time and time again that He loves me.

He has a purpose and a plan for me and that includes living with chronic pain/headaches. Why? I think because He is using the pain to first teach me more about Himself. Secondly, He is using the pain the introduce me to others. And lastly, because He knows that this is the best way for me to accomplish His will, which is sharing His love with others. 

No matter who I'm feeling or what I'm facing, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! God does not change based upon my circumstances. He can be none other than Who He is. 

So, today is surgery 11. Wonder what God has planned for today? No matter what it is, I know that God is in control and He is an AWESOME God. And that will create a positive day, no matter the outcome!

What works....

One thing I've learned about living with chronic pain....the body works in amazing ways! One side-effect of my pain medication is nightmarish dreams. They can be bizarre to frightening. I have tried many things to get rid of the dreams....but finally my chiropractor and I found something that works! Electro-acupuncture. There are 9 points; 6 on the back, 1 on my left foot, and one on each wrist. The points are stimulated between 15 to 30 seconds each, and the treatment keeps me nightmare free for about a week.

Electro-acupuncture also has kept me Migraine free for a year! I still have my constant headache, but that doesn't compare to a migraine. I can treat the migraine points myself with the Stim Pro Plus (http://www.ihconcepts.com).
The more I learn about the body, I continue to realize how unique God made us.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. (Psalm 139: 13, 14)

God knew how to "assemble" the body so that it works without us knowing how! I don't have to know how to digest my food. I just eat and the body does its "thing" to use the nutrients to make my body work. I don't have to think about how often my heart beats, it beats in a particular rhythm to assure a fresh oxygenated blood supply to all the organs in my body.

When things don't work properly, that's when our bodies get our attention. If we feel pain or are sick, we than realize just how much our bodies do without any help from us! God created us...we did not evolve. God made us in His image. We are wonderfully made. We need to give God praise!

Want to create a positive day? Take a moment to think about how your body works. As your amazement continues to grow, you can't help but praise God. And praising God creates the ultimate positive day!