Housebound For Six Months

Yes, I haven't been out of the house for six months, except for several doctor appointments and an MRI, until this past week.  In May, I hurt a nerve in my head.  Shortly after that, I hurt my neck badly by closing the back hatch on our car.  The MRI showed I had inflammation, bone spurs, and a bulging disk in my neck but two neurosurgeons said they wouldn't recommend surgery at this time but to go to a pain specialist. 

I researched on the internet how to get rid of inflammation.  I read tumeric was great at getting rid of inflammation.  I went to my cupboard and found a bag of tumeric.  I put a teaspoon in juice and drank it for two months.  Little did I know that it was burning my esophagus.  I started having burning all over my body, arms, and legs.  I was in tremendous pain. 

I finallly realized a lot of it was from my esophagus being on fire.  I started taking aloe vera juice and eating soft foods.  It has been two months since I figured out I needed to stop taking tumeric and I am finally sleeping at night and having decent days.  There were many nights I didn't sleep at all or just a few hours from the pain.  It was a very scary time not knowing if I would ever get out of pain. 

As I was going through it, I kept reminding myself that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me and that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.  Without those verses renewing my mind, I think I would have lost it.  The mental battle is the toughest thing to go through when going through severe pain. 

Thankfully, I have a very supportive family and God works everything out.  Cassi happened to be at a quiet time in her life and was able to take over all the household and shopping chores.  Ken had to pitch in also giving me daily neck massages! 

I am doing a lot better now.  I am finally sleeping through the night and able to eat without pain.  Oh, the little things you take for granted like eating and sleeping.  Be thankful for everything!  My esophagus still burns and throbs some but it is definitely so much better.  I am on a very strict diet to try and get rid of the inflammation in my neck and esophagus so I drink a big glass of carrot juice every day, hence the picture.

I praise God that He did create our bodies with the ability to heal themselves of most things.  He is a good God and has always carried me through whatever sufferings I have had to endure.

Psalm 34 was especially comforting to me during this time~

The angel of the Lord encamps around about them that fear him,

and delivers them.  O taste and see that the Lord is good: 

blessed is the man that trusts in him. 

 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: 

for there is no want to them that fear him...

but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. 

The righteous cry, and the Lord hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles. 

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: 

but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Pour Your Heart Out, Imperfect Prose