How Quickly Your Life Can Change! #4 - Final Installment

It is almost 10 months since I last posted -- totally negligent. Today seemed like the day to do this because it is a year since diagnosis of Postherpetic Neuralgia, and today is the first day in a year I've been off prescription medication for it.


My very wise doctor cousin, Ted, wrote to me when he heard I had shingles followed by the aftermath called postherpetic neuralgia. It was a wonderfully touching email, and I well remember that he said not to be surprised if it took a year to complete the journey.  The voice of prophecy -- and of experience, since he also has experienced this incredibly painful malady!


Here's what has happened since I posted in August:


~ I completed 3 months of physical therapy. Yes, it sounds excessive, but it was my right arm and shoulder that were struck with this, and the shoulder just wasn't functional.   My PT person was a wonderful Christian, and delighted as we were when she got me back to almost full range-of-motion, we were sorry to see our sessions end.


~ My Rehabilitation Doctor was amazing -- a doctor who actually listens to her patients and allows us to make some of the decisions!  Last month, when we devised the final plan for continuing to decrease to extinction the medication dosage, which we'd been working on for several months, she realized we needed to say "Goodbye." For both of us, it was a glad/sad moment. 


~ God's blessings through both the doctor and therapist are treasured. I truly believe He led me to those two very special women, and I am grateful for their presence in my life this past year.


~ Neil was a rock, especially in the first months. I am so thankful him!!


~ Because of a variety of things that came into my life in November related to this health issue and an awareness of how important self-care is, I finally realized that altho I had planned and committed to end medical leave and return to work at Transformation Ministries on 16 January 2012, I needed to resign.  I did so on the last day of November.  I'm not sure if that means I retired in Nov 2011 or Jan 2012, but it doesn't matter. I am officially retired.  It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one. I loved working for TM, especially for my good friend and wonderful boss, Carol.


~ In answer to the question, "Are you pain free?" the answer is "No."  However, the pain and sensitivity which continue might be with me forever, and if they are, they are very livable.  When I look around me and see people with serious health issues, constant pain, debilitating problems, and/or progressive diseases, I realize how fortunate I am.


Your life can change quickly . . . and a new journey can begin most unexpectedly.  The good news is that God always walks with you on that journey, if you invite Him to do so, and you learn so much, if you open your heart and mind to hearing what He has to share with you as you walk down that road side-by-side.