Change, seems that is the only given

In the midst of chaos, one's focus turns inward. - Faith Tilley Johnson

We have been going through many changes within our family the last several months. Those changes have brought about a different outlook on life and have pulled us in to God more than ever. (We are not perfect though. We have a lot of work to do.)

Hubby has had the most radical changes. Let me give you some back story.

Hubby has had pain issues off and on since he was a teen due to a moped accident. There have been other accidents that contributed to his pain, but he was always able to heal and move on. Then three years ago we were in a bad wreck where he hit the windshield. Ever since, his pain has been a predominate part of our lives.

The neurologist he has been seeing decided to send him to another doctor after seeing that the pain medication and dietary changes were not relieving his pain. When the neuro sent him, she told us that she believed he had fibromyalgia. So we went to the specialist. Hubby had 12 of the 18 points and he also scored high on the inventory checklist. Without doubt he has fibromyalgia. But the specialist surprised us, he ordered an MRI on hubby's neck, pack, and hips. What we discovered has been both a relief and a shock. Hubby has arthritis in his neck and several bulging disks throughout his spine. One of the discs has a tear and there is mild stenosis on the spinal cord.

Many think that having a diagnosis and tests to prove that the pain is not all in your head would be relieving. To a degree, the information is a relief. Except, we have searched for answers for three years. An MRI had not been preformed until now. The only other tests ran was a head CT and then a spinal x-ray. It is exasperating to know that the pain has a founded structural reason and nobody considered it until now. Please do not misunderstand; I do not fault our doctors. Our doctors were acting on what the hospital told them. The hospital that only did a head CT, the hospital that did not send him to trauma even though he had a head injury, the hospital that left him on a gurney in the hallway with no privacy.

The good thing is that we now know what is wrong. We are holding on to the promise of healing from God. Right now, medication has changed and the specialist is working to relieve the pain. There has been some progress. Next week, hubby will be starting physical therapy.

Hubby needs prayer. After being convinced that the pain was all in his head, this is a huge change. By accepting that there is structural damage, the mind is changed. The manifestation of the level of pain and the ability to function can be overwhelming. Hubby is still working. I wonder how at times when he drags himself in the door and collapses on the recliner in the evenings.

I wish we were only going through one trial but alas, we are not. However, we are holding on to the promises of God.