This morning's sunrise started out quietly and yet with a promise of another beautiful day...
As many of you who have been following
my past few posts are aware, today was the day scheduled for my appointment with a neurosurgeon to determine the next best course of action regarding the pain in my neck/arm.
And so not too long after this beautiful sunrise, we finished our morning devotions, had a light breakfast, and off we went to my appointment. The doctor's office is about an hour's drive from our home. The last time we were there, my hubby and I were admiring some interesting abstract art in the waiting area between appointments. I was kicking myself that I didn't take any pictures of those paintings before, but today I had another opportunity. Perhaps you will appreciate this interesting abstract art as well, and maybe you can see more in these paintings than I can:
Each canvas is quite large, perhaps 4' x 8'. I love the color scheme used, and each picture has its own beauty...
I like this one the best, with a school of what appears to be fish or manatees swimming in one of our clear Florida springs.
Anyway, I thought you might enjoy them...and maybe you can share what you see in each picture.
Meanwhile, I know you want to know the results of my appointment. The neurosurgeon has now agreed, after examining the results of the EMG test, etc., from my last visit, that I do indeed have cervical radiculopathy in my right arm, and the only way to "cure" it is with a cervical disc replacement and fusion. Surgery is scheduled for October 25th. My hubby and I were both amazed that the doctor said the surgery is an outpatient procedure, and that I should be better within a couple of weeks after...no need to wear a neck brace or collar or any of those antiquated things from the past...modern medicine has come a long way!! Praise God!!! Hubby and I both stopped to pray and give thanks to the Lord for this comforting and wonderful answer to prayer before we even left the building. God is so good.
I started out this morning rejoicing when I saw the sunrise and singing this little chorus that we sing in church on Sunday Morning at the beginning of the service:
"Rise and shine, and give God the glory, glory!
Rise and shine, and give God the glory, glory!
Rise and shine and (clap) give God the glory, glory!
Children of the Lord!!"
Then we went to eat an early lunch on the way home at the little cafe' we like to stop at called P.J's. I've shown these signs from on their wall before, but they were especially special to me again today:
Just some good thoughts to close out this post today. God is always working behind the scenes in our lives...bringing things together for our good. I am so thankful for His loving care and answers to prayer. He calmed my fears today and gave me great peace about this upcoming surgery. Thank you for praying, and thank You, Jesus!!
Pam: I am so sorry that you have to go through this surgery. My Hubby had something similar just over 10 years ago. I will continue to pray for you. May I share your request with the prayer group I belong to? Peace and blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecelia. Yes, by all means share my request with anyone who will pray. The more prayers the better I always say! I think they have made great strides in neurosurgery even in the past ten years. I was really surprised this would be an outpatient surgery. Shows how much I knew!! Thank you for your prayers. That means so much.
DeleteWow, that's quick surgery date. You're gonna feel SO much better afterwards. I had it too, you know. I did wear a neck brace on the ride home, though. And Steve drove super slow and carefully 'cause we had to go clear up to Savannah (2 hours North) and back home same day. Wish I could be there with ya. It'll all go well I'm sure. Prayers for a speedy recovery and quick healing time.
ReplyDeletePrayers & Blessings. xx
Thank you so much, Pamela. How long ago did you have this surgery? I was really surprised it would be outpatient. I wish you could be here too! That would be wonderful...but I'd rather have you here when I would be up and ready for action again! LOL. Thank you for the prayers. That means so much.
DeleteGood news. But, may God heal you before the surgery.. whatever His plan, prayers will be with you for healing and happy outcome. Hugs and love!
ReplyDeleteThank you! That would be even more wonderful, if God would heal me first! But even if not, I pray He will do the healing in whichever way He deems best for me. Thank you again.
DeleteThis was a blessing to read!
ReplyDeletethank you, Sandi! You are always so positive and such an encourager. Thank you.
DeleteWell if you have to have this surgery, I'm happy it's being done so quickly! Imagine how much better you'll feel come the holidays! Hard for this old-timer to wrap her mind around that being done as an out-patient. Wowza.
ReplyDeleteThose abstracts look perfect for a medical facility. I'm not seeing any 'thing', but there's an overwhelming feeling of serenity about them, don't you think? Love the last two signs!
Yes, I was amazed to find out this would be done outpatient, but nowadays they do so many things this way. I guess I had all kinds of pictures in my head of neck braces and things like that...So thankful God has brought medical science so far. And yes, I do feel a sense of serenity when I look at those abstract paintings. They remind me of our beautiful springs that we have throughout this region in Florida...the water is often just that color and crystal clear...and very cold, but so pure and beautiful. And yes, those signs always speak to me. Thank you!
DeletePrayers for one of my bests…burying her z50 year old son this week…Covid…not vaccinated…yes it is real…you can relate to losing a child…horrendous…maybe people will wake up and quit the propaganda against the vaccine…I am a born again Christian who believes in science…thank you…
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about your friend having to bury her son this week. That could have been my 50 year old son. He and his wife both got Covid a few weeks ago and came real close to being hospitalized. Thankfully they were able to get the antibodies infusion, which turned the tide and I believe saved them. They made a believer out of me. My son said to me that he feared that if we got this virus like he did, we would not do so well, even though we are very healthy otherwise but we are both in our 70's. After seeing how sick he and his wife were, and they are so much younger and also in good health, we decided that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We will get our 2nd shot tomorrow. After looking around at so many in our church who are older than us who also got the shots without any side effects or problems, we decided we needed to go ahead and take it. I believe it is every person's right to make this decision on their own, based on their own health concerns, etc., and I don't believe it is something that should be mandated or forced. But we finally made the decision that this was the right thing to do for us. I won't argue the issue with others either way. It is something each person must decide for themselves. My prayers are with your friend and her family. It is a horrible thing to bury a child...yes, I do know. May the Lord give her comfort and peace and strength for the days ahead.
DeleteThis is wonderful news. Who knew it would be outpatient? I will continue to pray for you and that all goes great.
ReplyDeleteI know! Isn't it the best news? God is so good! He has calmed my fears and now I am just looking forward to getting it over and done with and back to some kind of normal around here! Thank you for the prayers. Have a blessed weekend.
DeleteI am so glad you have a good diagnosis and a solid plan now, Pam. Prayers will continue and we all know that God's got this. Those paintings are very calming and I'm sure that is why they were chosen to grace the walls of the waiting room. Very nice and I see the fish, too! Love you!! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri! Yes, it is good to know what lies ahead, and that it isn't as dreadful as I originally thought. They've come a long way in medicine, for which I am very grateful! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteWow, Pamela, outpatient surgery? Who'd a thunk it! I'm so happy that you have a date for surgery and your attitude is so positive about it. I'm sure it will bring you such relief, and free you to live without chronic pain. God is good!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Yes, I was really amazed at this procedure only being outpatient surgery! Times sure have changed! And yes, I do hope and pray it will bring an end to the weakness and pain I am experiencing in my arm, which is getting worse day by day. It is time to do something, and I am thankful that God has provided this option. Yes, God IS good!
DeleteAlso glad you are accepting medical science for your surgery.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is the direction God has led me to pursue, and I am very thankful for this option and answer to prayer! I believe God does give our medical personnel wisdom and knowledge to help us. Do I believe they are infallible? No, definitely not. That is why prayer is so key to any kind of medical procedure. Prayer for wisdom to seek the best advice and gain knowledge before making decisions. I don't just do it because someone says I ought to. I do it when and if I believe that is the direction God is leading me. There have been situations when I have refused to proceed with certain treatments, and it proved to be a wise decision as well. I believe God gives us wisdom when we seek His face first and foremost. Then we can proceed with confidence.
DeleteI'm so happy you've found out what needs to be done and that it's already scheduled and that the recovery doesn't sound to bad at all. Love each one of those sayings. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am very very thankful for this guidance and information. Perhaps my experience can encourage someone else who may be on the fence about whether or not to proceed with a treatment plan, etc. Sometimes a lack of knowledge keeps us from allowing God to work in our lives and bodies. That's why it's so important to seek God's face first and foremost and then proceed with confidence. I hope you have a blessed weekend as well. You must be getting close to that big day...
DeleteKeeping you in prayer, Pamela. I do like those paintings and they are pretty cheery, just my opinion of course, smiles.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the prayers! I greatly appreciate them. I am also glad you liked the paintings. They are different and not everyone's cup of tea, but the more I study them, the more I see in them...they are very deep as well as beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful day/weekend.
DeleteHow good that you received just what you have hoped for...relief is a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for the abstract art, I see nothing I recognize, but I do like the colors. I think the blues and greens are evocative of deep water.
The sayings give one something to consider...I find it difficult to laugh at the confusion. I'm a concrete thinker I guess.
Thank you, Vee. As for "laughing at the confusion", sometimes that's all I can do! When I get confused, it can be a very funny thing...so I have learned to laugh at myself to make it easier for everyone else to laugh too, because I know they want to but don't want to embarrass me. The older we get the more confuseder we get...so might as well laugh...sometimes laughter leads to tears...and that's okay too. We have to learn not to be so "hard on ourselves" or others..."concrete thinker"...get it? punny? Have a happy day my friend.
DeleteThis is awesome news. It sounds like you will be back to new in short order. God is to be praised.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. I truly pray that will be the case. Yes, God IS to be praised!! Amen!
DeleteLoving thoughts and prayers as you have surgery,Pamela, also praying for a quick recovery!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right medicine has come such a long way, to which I am so thankful!
As far as the abstract paintings the only thing I found that appealed to my eyes were the color schemes, so vivid and beautiful!
The quotes are great too!
Thank you for visiting and for your sweet comment.
Blessings,
Sue
So wonderful to hear from you, Sue! Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. I am so very thankful for a good prognosis and answers to prayer already! God is good! Hope you have a blessed and wonderful weekend!
DeleteI'm glad your appointment went well. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for your surgery. Those are very interesting pictures at the doctors office.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debby. I appreciate your prayers and kind words. Yes, I think the pictures are interesting too...just still trying to figure out what the artist was trying to convey. But, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...and some of us see each thing of beauty differently! Makes life interesting! Have a blessed weekend.
DeleteThis is good news about the outpatient surgery that's been scheduled for you. I am so glad and will continue to pray this procedure accomplishes exactly what you need to be pain-free and back to normal. I am very happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThe art work is like looking at clouds -- we all see something different. The pictures you took are pretty.
The graphics you posted are good, too. My fav is the first of the two but they are both good.
Thank you, Barbara. I am very thankful for this good prognosis and am trusting the Lord to take care of every little detail. And yes, I agree with you regarding the art work...I said to someone above that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...and yes, we do each see things differently. That is what makes the world more interesting! Thank you for visiting, and I pray you are having a blessed Friday and weekend upcoming. (((hugs))) to you.
DeleteI know you'll be glad to have it done and be relieved of the pain! Take care my friend. It's getting nicer weather for walking. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, I will be glad...praying it will do all that I am hoping it will do! God is in control! Thank you. Yes, the weather is much nicer for walking...not as much humidity! Nice breezes! Yes...this is the beginning of my favorite season! Enjoy your day/weekend!
DeleteHi Pam, I am glad they found out your condition and pray for a successful surgery! I am having a CT scan of my neck today. I wake up with my arms and hands numb. I also agree with your stance on Covid. Those pictures are so colorful! I really like that last saying! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh Susan, I hope they find the cause of your numbness. That is often one of the first signs of some kind of nerve damage coming from the neck. I will be praying for you. Please let us know what develops. I hope you have a blessed weekend...well now it is Sunday already...so I hope your Sunday is a beautiful and blessed day.
DeleteYou see such beautiful sunrises there! I'm glad you share them with us. I think the waiting room paintings look like the springs for sure! I just love the Florida springs....I could not believe how CLEAR AND BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE the first time I saw them, and oh my goodness, shockingly COLD........BRRRRR. LOL Hope day is going to be great! Tracie sends hugs of course!
ReplyDeletePam, I am so sorry that you will need surgery but so thankful for modern meds now! WOW! I will surely pray for you and the closer your surgery date gets please remind your readers...yes, my mind can get cra-cra at times. But, I am putting your name down now in my prayer journal. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteThese words you shared made me stop and catch my breath. I have such a troubled relationship with my oldest daughter. SHe is so mean and hurtful. I can only pray but your words struck me. I am praying for you and all your needs regarding your pain. I have added you on my prayer app too. I am so good at praying but it still reminds me. SMILE. Those abstract art pieces, oh wow! They are simply stunning and very beautiful. I am happy I am here. BLESSINGS for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteDear Anne, I am so very sorry that you have such a difficult relationship with your daughter. I will be praying for you both, that God will heal your broken relationship and restore the love that you once had for one another. I know you already love her, but sometimes when people keep hurting us it is easy to forget how much we love one another. May the Lord give you peace and strength and hope for a better tomorrow. God is able...never give up!!! Thank you for writing. (((hugs)))
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