AMy journey with chronic back pain began in 1979 due to spinal issues and subsequent surgeries to try and alleviate the problems. Unfortunately, none of these “fixes” eliminated the ongoing pain. In 1982, I received my first InTENSity device to curb the pain. At the time, using the TENS unit required applying gel to four electrodes, placing them on my skin, and securing them with surgical tape. These electrodes were all connected to a battery pack that was worn on my waistband. While it was inconvenient and required a lot of time and patience, it did provide some pain relief – for which I was very grateful.
Over the years, TENS units and electrode pads improved significantly, particularly with the elimination of gel and surgical tape. I was always ready to try the latest device because living with constant pain has been one of the biggest challenges in my life and a source of unceasing prayer.
In 2019, my pain management doctor suggested a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) that would be implanted in my body. Technology was continuing to advance, and this was the latest and greatest. I agreed and the device was surgically installed. It reminded me of the TENS unit but functioned internally rather than externally. I no longer had to manage equipment, and I achieved at least 50% pain relief.
Several months ago, the original SCS was replaced in my body with the latest, updated model. To work optimally it needed to be programmed by a technician who would also teach me how I could control both the programming and the settings. That was supposed to happen immediately. It did not! And then it kept being postponed for several weeks. In the meantime, I was in a lot of pain and mostly confined to bed. My family and Life Group were lifting me before the Lord continually.
When the technician finally met with me and did her thing, the relief was tremendous and my quality of life began returning. Almost immediately I was contacted by the husband of my daughter in North Carolina. My daughter’s birthday was coming up, and he was planning a party for her and wanted to surprise her with my presence. He insisted that it would not be nearly as meaningful if I was not there. He would buy my ticket and provide door-to-door transportation. As an added incentive, to keep the surprise intact I would be staying with my granddaughter’s young family! My son-in-law had planned every detail!
I was very reluctant because of having to navigate airports and the hours that would be required to sit waiting on flights as well as in airplanes. But he was very persuasive and so I agreed.
Upon arriving, I was taken to my granddaughter’s home until the next evening when everyone would gather there for the party. My great-grandsons, 6 and 8, were busting with excitement trying to decide how I should make my grand entrance. It was decided I would hide inside their panty until after my daughter arrived and she would be asked to get something out of the pantry. When that happened and she opened the pantry door, I shouted “Surprise!” The look on her face was priceless and the tears flowed. It was amazing that my great-grandsons were able to keep the surprise a secret.
There were some delays both going and coming home. But what comes to mind when I think about this adventure is the incredible joy of spending time with my family while having minimal discomfort. This trip was only possible because of the neurostimulator! How I thank the Lord for His awesome gifts of medical advances that are continually enhancing our quality of life and enabling people like me to live life to the fullest!
August 2, 2026
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison as we look
not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
