Hebrews 12:1-3

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Open Doors!

From the beginning Mike and I have always prayed that God would make it obvious to us, as to what we need to do regarding my situation. When we were looking at having physiotherapy in the United States we asked God to open and or close doors to what we needed to do. If you remember He did just that He closed the doors to 2 possibilities leaving us with Detroit being the obvious option.

Well we have been praying concerning my back as my pain since Christmas has been progressively getting worse. I thought maybe this is something I would just have to learn to live with but as I talked about it to my physiotherapist here in Ottawa and others I started to investigate as to what I should do. I heard of an orthopedic surgery, Dr. Don Chow and thought it would be great if I could get into see him. I found out that it is a long wait to see him just for a consult. This past Wednesday Mike was speaking with our dear friend Carol, who has worked at the Civic Hospital for years and knows Dr. Chow personally was able to speak with him and through there special relationship, Dr. Chow agreed to see me Friday morning.

After reviewing my original X-rays Dr. Chow feels that the rods that were placed in my back are causing the pain and is recommending that I have them removed. He also wants to have a neurological exam done and current x-rays to see if there are any cracks or breaks in the rods. As we left the examining room everyone that we needed to see and book these appointments with were standing just outside the door.
My exam was booked for Tuesday at 7:30am, x-rays just after and my post op paper work was completed just after that. Dr. Chow met with us again on Tuesday morning to review the surgery and any all questions that Mike and I had.

We prayed for OPEN DOORS…. Once again God just didn't open the door He blew the hinges off.
In less than a week I met with the surgeon had all the test that I need to have done, done and I am now booked for my surgery on May 22nd.

Depending on what Dr. Chow sees when he gets in there will depend on the extent of the surgery. He is hoping to remove all the rods and screws and a piece of the T5-disc that is sticking out. It should last anywhere from 1–4 hours. We are hoping that I won’t be in hospital longer than 1 week with a 6 week recovery. 
 
Although I am excited to reduce my pain I do have some fear about undergoing surgery. There can always be complications and risks involved. The normal risks of undergoing surgery but the biggest is more loss of function. This is very low risk but yet still a risk. It’s scary to have to undergo the recovery again. The fear of the unknown but now also the known. God gives us so many promises to cling to.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength. Always ready to help in times of trouble” This journey has not been easy but daily I try to give the day over to God and rest in Him for what I need for the day. I continue to pray daily that God would reveal His glory and power through healing me completely.
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, what ever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” I believe it! Please continue to pray with me for my complete healing, for the coming weeks as we prepare and get ready for the surgery and for the recovery. Pray for the girls and for Mike as well as life is about to change again for them. Praise, that God is a God of power that can open doors!

Hugs Sandra



16 comments:

  1. Wow - this is awesome. It sounds so much like the way that God is opening doors for a dear friend of mine with breast cancer. Such a good reminder that God truly is in control of all things and he has a good plan that nothing can thwart. I will pray that this surgery accomplishes more than you even hope for and will keep praying for complete healing for you too. Just as with my friend, I see how God is using you during this time of trial to bring him glory and show the hope that we can have in Him! I'm guessing that one day when you get to heaven, you will see an awesome harvest that came about as a result of your faithfulness in this hard time!

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  2. Wow that is certainly a whirlwind of events - both exciting and scary. We will be praying for peace for you and your family as you continue to lean on the Lord for his Will. Sending big hugs. Rhonda

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  3. Cling to those promises as well as the fact that He will never leave you and wants the best for you. New HOPE here...so encouraging! We'll be praying that God will use the hands of Dr. Chow mightily!
    Love - Tom & Greta

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  4. Wow Sandra. My heart is heavy for you. So proud of you for facing another surgery with courage. I am sorry that you are having so much pain. I'm just in awe.
    In awe of what you have gone through in the last year, and in awe that you can see through all the pain and suffering to praise God for opening doors.
    I will continue praying - specifically that the surgery is a huge success and that your recovery is smooth and without pain.
    Sending love and prayers to you, Mike and the girls,
    Keri

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  5. I don't put my trust in man, I don't put my trust in flesh. I put my trust in God.(Ps 56:4)

    Thank you Lord, may you be their peace,rest, and light. Father you are completely reliable in this situation and we have faith in your protective and healing hands. I ask for your presence in that operating room, and thank you for what you are going to do. In Jesus name, cbonhomme

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  6. Sandra, I am so blessed to know you and your family even just a little. Thank you for sharing your life and your journey with us and girlfriend it is a gift to pray with you and so many others for your family, your girls, your husband and you and for God to heal you completely and totally. He is an awesome God and it is a gift that you are sharing all that He has done in your lives already, Love you Sheila R

    We all can see that the Lord is Your Life
    Press On
    Stay Strong
    Keep Believing
    God has Great Things ahead for you!

    Love the Lord your God,
    listen to His voice,
    and hold fast to Him.
    For the Lord is your Life.
    Deuteronomy 30:20

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  7. Wow! Wow! Wow! What an encouraging report. Thank you for sharing all of this. I understand how there are so many unknowns with this upcoming surgery. However, rest in God. Just completely rest in Him. He knows every step of this journey you are on. A verse that I can't get out of my mind is, Be still and know that I am God. Ps. 46:10. He is God. He has not forgotten about you, Sandra. He loves you, even more than Mike does!!! Hard to believe , eh?!!! I am marking May 22nd on my calendar. You will be covered in prayer that day!

    Blessings,
    Sheri Moffatt

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  8. Belieiving is seeing! (God is writing a great story in you Sandra and we're believing this chapter has a happy ending.)
    CHRI Team

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  9. We feel so privileged to walk this journey of faith with you, one step at a time, and keep holding you close to our hearts as you bravely await the outcome of it all...It is indeed amazing how things fell into place concerning the various appointments. I just taught Psalm 139 in our series on the psalms at W2W and it strikes me how comforting the words are when I think of you and Mike and the family. Be assured of our love and prayer support, Irene

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  10. Great news that everything moved so quickly! What a blessing! Praying for you as you prepare for surgery.
    Rachel and Andrew

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  11. Amazing and truly wonderful to read how God is opening doors for you - yet another part of the journey you are traveling with our Lord.
    My prayers and love will continue for the success of this operation.
    Quoting again that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind" and praying that this will give you strength during the scary times. Also knowing he will never leave you or forsake you - and neither will we.
    Love and many blessings....Val.

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  12. God knows you by name and has your best interest at heart.

    He will be with you and will carry you when you can't find the strength to stand on your own.

    Just wanted you to know that during this difficult time you are loved, prayed for, and never, ever alone.

    May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13
    Love you Sandra and Fam Your Friend Sheila

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  13. "God blew the hinges off" - great illustration. Praying and thinking about you guys as May 22 approaches. Love to all of you, Len and Eldean

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  14. We are always praying for you and thankful to God for everything he does for you and your family. Love you. Sue, Ron, Haley & Kyle

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  15. yes, still praying beautiful friend! this will be a top request through these next few weeks. and that's only cause we really like you and a little because josh is afraid you might boss him into doing it if he doesn't do it of his own volition! :)

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  16. Hey Sandra

    Just wondering how you're doing leading up to the surgery. Are you still scheduled for the 22?
    Praying that God will provide for all your needs!

    Marc M

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