12.22.2011

.Rejoicing in Pain.

I have been in pain.

This past Saturday Adam and I attended a memorial service for our friends sweet baby girl. It was heart breaking viewing the slideshow, listening to the lyrics playing, and seeing our friends mourn. We are all comforted deep down inside knowing little Elli is with Jesus but our earthly bodies ache and miss her. Our friends spoke at the service and shared Elliana's story with us. It became evident to all Elli's life was short but had great purpose, she led people to Christ as her father spoke. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

My body has been the source of an excess amount of pain for the past 10 days or so. Remember when I shared this personal post about migraines and cysts? Well, more cysts decided to form inside of my body. This time 3 at once and all on the same side. I had a large cyst burst Monday morning and it woke me from sleep. I was not scared because the pain was familiar and with that, I found comfort. I praised God for allowing the cyst to burst on it's own and for answering my prayer. Earlier that week, I felt the cyst in me as I walked, sat, laughed, sneezed, etc and I prayed the Lord would heal me and have my body function on it's own, the way He created it, to bring relief. As severe pain entered my stomach, lower back, and down my left leg I was at peace and knew I was being healed. I woke Adam who, in a very sleepy state, simply turned over, held me, and fell back to sleep. I felt my Heavenly Father through Adam's touch and with a smile on my face I fell back to sleep. The rest of the week has been painful but since the cyst burst, it has been much improved. I have continued to watch the girls every day and will not lie, Netflix, our big couch, and warm blankets have been my saving graces.

I decided to follow through with a doctor's appointment to make sure everything looked alright and as normal as it possibly could since I was still experiencing pain. I found out this morning I still have 2 remaining cysts in me, one inside my left ovary and another floating around on the left side. The ultrasound showed a tremendous amount of fluid which took the technician by surprise and she asked how I had been walking around and working. She estimated the cyst that burst Monday morning was around a 5cm cyst which actually isn't the largest I have had. In the past, I have had a cyst 7.3cm in size which brought me to my knees when it burst. My doctor recommended birth control pills as a solution but once again I turned them down because they did not work in the past to prevent the cysts and left me a total emotional train wreck. I left with, "Take an advil for the pain and come back or go to the ER if the pain worsens." I was not discouraged this time around because I was not expecting any meds or a cure, I have accepted my body is one to produce numerous cysts. My biggest concern is a cyst growing too large while inside my ovary and causing it to twist which would require medical and surgical attention. Thank the Lord, this has never happened.

My back has been another source of pain and something I was not expecting this week on top of everything else. I have been going to a chiropractor for almost a year now after having a pinched nerve last January. I felt the same area on my back ache and felt the numbness in my pinky and ring finger on my left hand. These were all signs of another pinched nerve. I saw the chiropractor twice this week and am now feeling my back heal. It is still very sensitive but I am relieved to be feeling an improvement.

I take it day by day and have learned to deal with pain. It is not fun and it hurts me and even my husband some days but I continue to pray and ask for God's provision and His mighty comfort. He has shown Himself to me this week through answered prayer. As I was sorting through my wording in my head to explain, a camper of mine posted this as their facebook status this morning,

The Lord says, "I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, "Here I am, here I am!" -Isaiah 65:1

The Lord is waiting for us to ask. Be bold in your prayer life. Ask for help, ask for healing. I cannot help but think and picture a smile appears on our Lord's face when we cry out to Him as He shakes His head and says, "What took you so long child?" I have been encouraged this week because of my pain and have felt close and connected with my Heavenly Father. We must remember to rejoice in times of sufferings. Romans chapter 5 says,

"Also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Please find joy in the little things in life and lift your friends and family this Christmas in your prayers. Pain is not just physical, think of those who are dealing with emotional pain. Pour God's love on them and be encouraged knowing you are loved.
Happy Living--Happy Healing
and remember
--Little Things Bring Smiles--

9 comments:

  1. I am amazed by you that would be so hard! Merry Christmas and thanks for reminding us about how important the little things are in life.

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  2. Katie-your words encouraged my heart-so good to see the next generation declaring their trust in the ever faithful One!

    Psalm 46
    1 God is our refuge and strength,
    A very present help in trouble.
    2 Therefore we will not fear,
    Even though the earth be removed,
    And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
    3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
    Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

    4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
    The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
    5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
    God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
    6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
    He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

    7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
    The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah...
    10 Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!

    11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
    The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

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  3. I can empathize on the back pain, but that's really the only extent. I can't imagine actually being able to feel a cyst inside of you let alone the pain from one to bring you to your knees.

    You'll be in my prayers!

    And thanks for sharing the verse from Isaiah. It's silly how often we forget that we can call out to Him.

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  4. You are so strong! I've experienced migraines twice in the past two months, and I can barely function, let alone smile during those times!

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  5. Katie, I can relate to the awful pain of having a cyst to burst! I had Michael drive me to ER one night and it burst in the waiting room - this has happened twice, but it seems with your situation, they really need to provide more information for prevention or help with dealing with it besides just ibuprofin. I agree with our need to be bold in prayer - and ALSO realizing while we may have physical pain, there are so many at this time of year with a great deal of emotional pain!!
    Thank you for sharing and how helpful this can be to so many of us whether dealing with physical or emotional pain! Love and prayers - and can't wait to see you next week!

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  6. Sorry to hear about the pain you've been in this week, Katie. :( It's so encouraging to hear how God has been preparing your heart and mind to deal with these issues calmly and rationally as His healing process reveal itself. I hope you are blessed with at least a few days of total rest and relaxation as you celebrate Christmas with Adam's family! Love you! :)

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  7. Prayers your way! Hope you're on the road to recovery soon!

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  8. Thanks for sharing this personal post - I am so sorry you are in so much pain but I am glad that the Lord is meeting you in it and bringing you through it!

    Have a blessed Christmas...

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  9. I found your blog through pinterest, and check in when I have time! This post brought me to tears. You are always so encouraging even in hard times. Thanks for always being so real and sharing your life and encouraging words. God Bless you and your family and thanks for your words!! :)

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