For years, I had lower back pain if I stood or leaned over for too long. Often it progressed to sharp pain radiating down my leg. The result about 15 years ago was back surgery on my L4 and L5 discs.
Blessed by prayers from The Fellowship, I did well with the operation and recovered nicely. Unfortunately, about four years ago, very acute back pain returned. My body began to lean to the left. Not only did I lose two inches of height, but I was also crunched forward. This crowded my lungs and made me quite uncomfortable. The diagnosis was degenerative disc disease and scoliosis.
I started praying about what to do and which surgeon to see. After some trial and error and continuing to pray, the Lord led me to a neurosurgeon in the Houston Medical Center. He said I was a candidate for surgery but needed a bone density test and an appointment with an endocrinologist. She started me on monthly injections for seven months to build up my bones for the coming surgery.
During those months, I prayed, and others prayed with me, that God would heal me supernaturally. I know He can do that! The Lord chose to heal me by using the surgeon and modern medicine. But the healing is all on Him.
Two surgeries were needed to correct my scoliosis and degenerative discs. The first surgery took four hours and was through my abdomen to remove the old hardware and shave off some bone. After a day of rest, I had a nine-hour surgery to insert rods and artificial discs in my back. A week-long stay in the hospital followed, but I do not remember it because of powerful medication for intense pain. During the last 24 hours when weening me off started, I was myself enough to know that I was in a mission field in a world that needs prayer. Always asking permission first, I was able to pray for every nurse who took care of me that last 24 hours. What a blessing and a privilege! My heart always melts when someone is willing to have me speak their name before the Lord God Almighty.
I left the Medical Center for a rehab hospital. While traveling by ambulance, I praised God for the successful surgeries and my awareness of His Presence with me continually. This was and has been the most painful surgery and recovery of my life. At the rehab hospital, there were times of excruciating pain as well as issues and setbacks. I ended up staying extra days because of them.
After my release from the rehab hospital, I was scheduled for three months of aquatic therapy. Once again, God answered prayers, and I made big strides with gaining back mobility and stamina. I put the therapists on my prayer list. During my last week of therapy, with their permission, I was privileged to pray for each of them. As I spoke their names and needs before our Heavenly Father, my heart filled to overflowing from awareness of the presence of God in those moments.
It has been five months, and I am still in recovery because of the invasiveness of the surgeries. Many dedicated friends and family members are still praying over me as I advance towards total healing. The power of prayer is mighty!
God has used this time to remind me of all the ways He has provided for and taken care of me. My gratitude for my husband is huge. He has been there to meet my needs every hour of the day. My daughter stayed with me the entire week in the Medical Center, never leaving until I was taken to the rehab hospital. A Godly spouse and a Godly child are blessings beyond compare. They were the hands and feet of Jesus to me.
I could never outgive God. Nor could I ever be worthy of all that He has provided for me in Jesus. The Lord never lets go as He holds me and sustains me while my recovery continues … and I gradually return to normal life activities. He is a mighty fortress!
Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
Jeremiah 17:14
