Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
No words can describe the gratitude and happiness I feel in my heart today. I just have to post an update!!!! :)
Our church hosted the youth fellowship meetings this past weekend. Last week I had lots of pulling in my neck and quite a bit of pain. I kept praying God would allow me to feel good and have a good, fun weekend! His answer to my prayer was YES!!! It brings tears to my eyes... OUR GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, if we ask in FAITH and BELIEVE He will answer with what HE feels best.
I am pretty certain it was the BEST weekend I've had in a LONG time! Volleyball Friday evening and again Saturday afternoon. Much laughter and fun was had. Singing was AMAZING! Many challenging thoughts. Late nights and (not so late) mornings. Hanging out with old friends and making new ones. Good food.
Yup! I was able to be there, handle the crazy schedule, with pretty much NO PAIN! I feel amazingly well this morning and still not much pain and the pull isn't bad either. I am daring to hope just MAYBE things with my neck will be more upbeat again! :)
I have an appointment in Philly next Wednesday (August 3). I would definitely appreciate your prayers concerning that.
Have a good week and don't forget... GOD cares about EVERY detail of your life no matter how big or small, trust Him with your problems and concerns, He WILL take care of you.
Our church hosted the youth fellowship meetings this past weekend. Last week I had lots of pulling in my neck and quite a bit of pain. I kept praying God would allow me to feel good and have a good, fun weekend! His answer to my prayer was YES!!! It brings tears to my eyes... OUR GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, if we ask in FAITH and BELIEVE He will answer with what HE feels best.
I am pretty certain it was the BEST weekend I've had in a LONG time! Volleyball Friday evening and again Saturday afternoon. Much laughter and fun was had. Singing was AMAZING! Many challenging thoughts. Late nights and (not so late) mornings. Hanging out with old friends and making new ones. Good food.
Yup! I was able to be there, handle the crazy schedule, with pretty much NO PAIN! I feel amazingly well this morning and still not much pain and the pull isn't bad either. I am daring to hope just MAYBE things with my neck will be more upbeat again! :)
I have an appointment in Philly next Wednesday (August 3). I would definitely appreciate your prayers concerning that.
Have a good week and don't forget... GOD cares about EVERY detail of your life no matter how big or small, trust Him with your problems and concerns, He WILL take care of you.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
To my wonderful support group and prayer warriors...
I was at my nutrionalist on Tuesday. The sad report was... my Lyme is back! I am back on a few more "drops" and pills again in hopes of sending that Lyme away quickly! It appears I got a bite from an insect that carried Lyme and passed it to me. The happy part is... the bite only happened within the last two weeks which means we are on it pretty quick and hoping it will leave sooner too!
For some reason this time around it seems to be hitting harder. The neck pain and pulling don't help anything. I feel more sick with it and I am just totally ZAPPED in no time at all.
For example:
Thursday night I slept pretty much solid for 12 hours. It was pretty late when I got up so I ate lunch and got myself ready and went for a muscle treatment at 2:00 Friday afternoon. I got back around 3:30 and felt up to do some work so I busied myself with a project that took no more than half an hour. I was so tired when I finished so was resting a bit. At about 4:00 I decided to shower and take a nap before going to the youth activity. I had a good 30 minute nap and felt well enough to go. I had an enjoyable evening, played a game of v-ball then sat around and yakked for a while. Got home a little after 11:00 and by the I felt I would have thought I just came home from a 10 hour work day!!!
Please continue to pray... my patience seems to be getting rather thin as I wait for better times. I find it very hard to happily sit back as I watch my friends and sister party, have fun, go away, etc. I must often remind myself, I've done this for a little over a year, I can do it for a few more months yet,(LW) my party time is coming. I plan to talk to my nurse in Philly on Monday and am hoping to get an appointment there next week.
Thanks for caring! Your prayers, support, and encouragement are just what I need to keep fighting.
I was at my nutrionalist on Tuesday. The sad report was... my Lyme is back! I am back on a few more "drops" and pills again in hopes of sending that Lyme away quickly! It appears I got a bite from an insect that carried Lyme and passed it to me. The happy part is... the bite only happened within the last two weeks which means we are on it pretty quick and hoping it will leave sooner too!
For some reason this time around it seems to be hitting harder. The neck pain and pulling don't help anything. I feel more sick with it and I am just totally ZAPPED in no time at all.
For example:
Thursday night I slept pretty much solid for 12 hours. It was pretty late when I got up so I ate lunch and got myself ready and went for a muscle treatment at 2:00 Friday afternoon. I got back around 3:30 and felt up to do some work so I busied myself with a project that took no more than half an hour. I was so tired when I finished so was resting a bit. At about 4:00 I decided to shower and take a nap before going to the youth activity. I had a good 30 minute nap and felt well enough to go. I had an enjoyable evening, played a game of v-ball then sat around and yakked for a while. Got home a little after 11:00 and by the I felt I would have thought I just came home from a 10 hour work day!!!
Please continue to pray... my patience seems to be getting rather thin as I wait for better times. I find it very hard to happily sit back as I watch my friends and sister party, have fun, go away, etc. I must often remind myself, I've done this for a little over a year, I can do it for a few more months yet,(LW) my party time is coming. I plan to talk to my nurse in Philly on Monday and am hoping to get an appointment there next week.
Thanks for caring! Your prayers, support, and encouragement are just what I need to keep fighting.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
I am trying to decide if I should apologize for not updating sooner? Then again isn't it usually "No news means good news? =) I am going to do my best to update once a month.
Life, for me, definitely feels like it's taking on a bit more of a normal pace again. I can't help but think back to life a year ago. Wow! Thank God I am on this side of things and for His never-ending grace that carried me through those many dark nights full of uncertainties and questions.
I have been enjoying the fun of getting out more, hanging out with friends, being able to join in on the activities and fun. Going out to town on the spur of the moment type of thing, playing volley-ball, sitting in a church pew, going to SS class, driving, cleaning, baking, cooking, and even some sewing... are a few of the things I once again enjoy doing. Probably the biggest highlight was... a trip to DC. with the youth. Thanks to a wheel chair and an AMAZING and willing youth group, I was able to make the trip and enjoy a fun filled day last Saturday (June 18).
Walking long distances still wears me out very quickly. My neck has been giving me a hard time. My brain is telling the muscles to resist the "help" of the stimulator, resulting in much tightness and pain. I mentioned it to my programmer when we were there (June 15). He wasn't surprised and after checking things he found his prediction true. He said the "signals" weren't as high as they had been, so he turned them up again. It's not uncommon. He said "After about the third time of doing that we can "fool the brain". That made me smile... I was at my muscle therapist on Friday and I thought it felt some better. At this point my programmer preferred I wait for 6 weeks to go back, however he said if the pain doesn't let up I could step it up to 4 weeks. I plan to call in tomorrow and we will decide from there. I am quite happy to be restriction free, "as long as I can handle it I may do it".
Continued prayer is defiantly appreciated. At this point it's hard to plan too far out ahead. It feels a bit like I closed one chapter in my life and am now waiting for God to open a new one. Where is life going to take me? What job am I going to occupy? I must trust the One who can answer these questions for me. In His timing He will show me... for now... I must PATIENTLY wait. Easier sad than done!! =)
*Strength will rise if we wait upon the Lord*
Life, for me, definitely feels like it's taking on a bit more of a normal pace again. I can't help but think back to life a year ago. Wow! Thank God I am on this side of things and for His never-ending grace that carried me through those many dark nights full of uncertainties and questions.
I have been enjoying the fun of getting out more, hanging out with friends, being able to join in on the activities and fun. Going out to town on the spur of the moment type of thing, playing volley-ball, sitting in a church pew, going to SS class, driving, cleaning, baking, cooking, and even some sewing... are a few of the things I once again enjoy doing. Probably the biggest highlight was... a trip to DC. with the youth. Thanks to a wheel chair and an AMAZING and willing youth group, I was able to make the trip and enjoy a fun filled day last Saturday (June 18).
Walking long distances still wears me out very quickly. My neck has been giving me a hard time. My brain is telling the muscles to resist the "help" of the stimulator, resulting in much tightness and pain. I mentioned it to my programmer when we were there (June 15). He wasn't surprised and after checking things he found his prediction true. He said the "signals" weren't as high as they had been, so he turned them up again. It's not uncommon. He said "After about the third time of doing that we can "fool the brain". That made me smile... I was at my muscle therapist on Friday and I thought it felt some better. At this point my programmer preferred I wait for 6 weeks to go back, however he said if the pain doesn't let up I could step it up to 4 weeks. I plan to call in tomorrow and we will decide from there. I am quite happy to be restriction free, "as long as I can handle it I may do it".
Continued prayer is defiantly appreciated. At this point it's hard to plan too far out ahead. It feels a bit like I closed one chapter in my life and am now waiting for God to open a new one. Where is life going to take me? What job am I going to occupy? I must trust the One who can answer these questions for me. In His timing He will show me... for now... I must PATIENTLY wait. Easier sad than done!! =)
*Strength will rise if we wait upon the Lord*
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
God of the impossible... Maker of all miracles, I stand in awe You, I am so amazed by how You reach into my brokenness, make me beautiful again, I believe YES I believe NOTHING is impossible with YOU!!!
This is the chorus to a song one of my friends "dedicated" to me recently. They do a good job of putting my feelings into words!
On Monday (May 30)it was two weeks since my surgery. Last Wednesday (May 25) I went back to Philly to get the stitches and staples out of my head. I had noticed a very positive change in my neck movements only a few days after being at home, but my walking was not good at all. Wednesday morning I thought my walking seemed to be a bit improved. The pull in the trunk area was not so strong anymore. I walked into the office more normally than I had since I got sick. I was able to sit on a chair without a wall behind me to steady my neck. When my "programmer" walked into the room he was very pleased and exclaimed how straight I looked. He had me walk in the halls a bit and to his joy and amazement (AND MINE) I was able to walk well. After adjusting things a little more he sent me on my way. It seemed from there on things just progressed more and more. Thursday morning for my breakfast I was able to sit on a regular chair again.
We got word Friday morning that Dawdy (Grandpa Beiler) passed away. The big question was, "How am I going to be able to hold up to all the stress of the viewing and funeral". I hadn't been away from home (other than appointments and a few hours last Tuesday evening) since I came home from the hospital. Prayers ascended to My Heavenly Father on my behalf, pleading for strength and and grace to make it through the next few days without a major set-back! God graciously answered prayers in ways far greater than I could ever have imagined!!! I had a rocking chair at the viewing and funeral which really was nice... however, I was able to sit in the church pews when needed. I felt (still feel) like a walking miracle and I'm thoroughly enjoying every minute of it!!! :)
This evening I sat at the supper table on a regular chair... and even helped clear the table... things I have not done for over a year.
I have plans to head to Lancaster tomorrow afternoon for my cousin's wedding.
No words could ever say how VERY grateful I am to MY FATHER for His wonderful gift of health to me. Yes, there are still areas I hope to see improvement, but for now... I'm just thankful for the improvements I've seen so far.
My next appointment is June 15... from there on it will be up to us to decide how often we want to go back for adjustments. As of now, I still have quite a few restrictions (and one of them is driving) :). I am really hoping when I go the 15th they will allow me more freedom, until then I shall do my BEST to take care, but believe me I'm ready to put on my wings and FLY!!! :) Please keep praying...
*HEALER...HEALER... I'M RESTORED BY A HEALER!!!!*
This is the chorus to a song one of my friends "dedicated" to me recently. They do a good job of putting my feelings into words!
On Monday (May 30)it was two weeks since my surgery. Last Wednesday (May 25) I went back to Philly to get the stitches and staples out of my head. I had noticed a very positive change in my neck movements only a few days after being at home, but my walking was not good at all. Wednesday morning I thought my walking seemed to be a bit improved. The pull in the trunk area was not so strong anymore. I walked into the office more normally than I had since I got sick. I was able to sit on a chair without a wall behind me to steady my neck. When my "programmer" walked into the room he was very pleased and exclaimed how straight I looked. He had me walk in the halls a bit and to his joy and amazement (AND MINE) I was able to walk well. After adjusting things a little more he sent me on my way. It seemed from there on things just progressed more and more. Thursday morning for my breakfast I was able to sit on a regular chair again.
We got word Friday morning that Dawdy (Grandpa Beiler) passed away. The big question was, "How am I going to be able to hold up to all the stress of the viewing and funeral". I hadn't been away from home (other than appointments and a few hours last Tuesday evening) since I came home from the hospital. Prayers ascended to My Heavenly Father on my behalf, pleading for strength and and grace to make it through the next few days without a major set-back! God graciously answered prayers in ways far greater than I could ever have imagined!!! I had a rocking chair at the viewing and funeral which really was nice... however, I was able to sit in the church pews when needed. I felt (still feel) like a walking miracle and I'm thoroughly enjoying every minute of it!!! :)
This evening I sat at the supper table on a regular chair... and even helped clear the table... things I have not done for over a year.
I have plans to head to Lancaster tomorrow afternoon for my cousin's wedding.
No words could ever say how VERY grateful I am to MY FATHER for His wonderful gift of health to me. Yes, there are still areas I hope to see improvement, but for now... I'm just thankful for the improvements I've seen so far.
My next appointment is June 15... from there on it will be up to us to decide how often we want to go back for adjustments. As of now, I still have quite a few restrictions (and one of them is driving) :). I am really hoping when I go the 15th they will allow me more freedom, until then I shall do my BEST to take care, but believe me I'm ready to put on my wings and FLY!!! :) Please keep praying...
*HEALER...HEALER... I'M RESTORED BY A HEALER!!!!*
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hey everyone!! I am back again!!!!
Surgery went very well!!!! I am so glad to be home again and on the mend!!!
I am also very happy to report that we are two steps ahead of schedule!!! I got to have my battery packs turned on and get them adjusted once!!! They said I may not be able to feel a whole lot of changes because they are taking it so slowly!!! However, it should most definitely give me a big boost in the right direction.
Thanking God for a wonderful night and also the fact that the pain seems to be residing a bit!!!
Surgery went very well!!!! I am so glad to be home again and on the mend!!!
I am also very happy to report that we are two steps ahead of schedule!!! I got to have my battery packs turned on and get them adjusted once!!! They said I may not be able to feel a whole lot of changes because they are taking it so slowly!!! However, it should most definitely give me a big boost in the right direction.
Thanking God for a wonderful night and also the fact that the pain seems to be residing a bit!!!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Surgery Day
These were the facebook updates for today.
Posted @ 11:15 am: Crystal was taken for preop @ 8:00. Dr. Baltuch came to talk to us at 8:15 to let us know they are starting with the MRI. He came in again @ 11:00 to let us know everything is going fine so far. She's fast asleep and he will be starting the operation in about 15 minutes. Thank you for your continued prayers!!
Posted @ 2:00 pm: Dr Baltuch was just in again to let us know everything has gone good so far. PTL!! Both sides of electrodes have been implanted successfully. They are doing a scan now, then will proceed with the last procedure which is installing the 2 battery packs. It will take another couple hours.
Posted @ 5:30pm: Surgery is complete. Dr. Baltuch says "Everything went very well. She is awake and moving everything." She'll be in the recovery room for approximately one hour then we will be able to go see her!!! We can't wait!!!:)
Posted @ 8:30pm: She arrived in the ICU around 7pm and is looking good!:) When I asked her what I should write she said "Life is great...or not?" :) She is doing very well considering what she has been through. She is tired. We were impressed to have Dr. Strauss visit her this eve. He's from Lancaster and came down this evening to see her! Thanking God for directing the Dr's today!!!! Thank you for your prayers! It's great to have so much support!
Posted @ 11:15 am: Crystal was taken for preop @ 8:00. Dr. Baltuch came to talk to us at 8:15 to let us know they are starting with the MRI. He came in again @ 11:00 to let us know everything is going fine so far. She's fast asleep and he will be starting the operation in about 15 minutes. Thank you for your continued prayers!!
Posted @ 2:00 pm: Dr Baltuch was just in again to let us know everything has gone good so far. PTL!! Both sides of electrodes have been implanted successfully. They are doing a scan now, then will proceed with the last procedure which is installing the 2 battery packs. It will take another couple hours.
Posted @ 5:30pm: Surgery is complete. Dr. Baltuch says "Everything went very well. She is awake and moving everything." She'll be in the recovery room for approximately one hour then we will be able to go see her!!! We can't wait!!!:)
Posted @ 8:30pm: She arrived in the ICU around 7pm and is looking good!:) When I asked her what I should write she said "Life is great...or not?" :) She is doing very well considering what she has been through. She is tired. We were impressed to have Dr. Strauss visit her this eve. He's from Lancaster and came down this evening to see her! Thanking God for directing the Dr's today!!!! Thank you for your prayers! It's great to have so much support!
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