An Amazing True Story of God"s Amazing Grace
< Continued from page 3
The no-surgery option meant I would need to wear a bone growth stimulator 3 hours a day for 18-24 months. It emits an electromagnetic field that stimulates growth, and there is no pain from wearing it. Dr. D encouraged me to go with the stimulator, which I did. I was so thankful he was not a knife-happy doctor.
Before the humerus rod was removed, I was able to raise my arm to waist height. After the surgery and 18 months with the stimulator and therapy, I could raise my arm over my head almost straight up.
I can swim a modified stroke. Even though I have an enlarged bump-like area from the uneven joining of the bone ends, I'm still happy I chose the stimulator instead of surgery. Funny thing is some people say, "Wow! You must be into some body building!"
My home physical therapist helped me stand up for the first time using a walker. As I did so, I cried my eyes out with amazement. I was very lightheaded when I first stood. So, it meant I needed to rest, get up again, and repeat. Then I was ready for baby steps. Plus I had to learn how to use the walker. My goal was to add more steps each day. I felt I needed wheels on my walker to at least give me the sensation that I was on a roll.
I decorated it with a lovely bow, so it wouldn't seem quite so depressing.
Finally, I was ready for out-patient therapy, a good move which got me out of the house and gave me social contact. My physical therapist (Beth) is a triathlon athlete and she runs the Boston marathon. Beth was a great pusher; no slacking off with her. I liked that. I was soon walking with a cane, learning to walk on the grass and climb the steps into our handicap van so I could abandon the wheelchair altogether. Hallelujah!
During my last 2 weeks of out-patient, Beth had me practice walking in the house from room to room and at our nearby lake, adding a little more time each day. My goal (and hers) was for me to walk around the lake (almost one mile). She met Jim and me there one Saturday evening and we all three walked around the lake, in two segments - walk 23 minutes, sit and rest for 10, and finish it up with 17, for a total of 40 minutes, what I once did in 13 minutes. I could hardly get into the van, I was so tired. But I was happy and determined to get back to my 3-mile walk everyday.
One of my last days there, Beth took me to the stairwell and told me to walk up the stairs and back down. I figured she would be going alongside me, but no. She stood at the bottom, coaching and cheering me on. Instantly, my tears overflowed for the joy of it. Coming down the stairs was next to impossible due to insufficient bend in my right knee, but I did it!
Worry - I did that when I was left at home alone. Would Jim come back? Would something happen to him? Anxiety - I rehearsed my accident over and over, especially at night. How could this possibly happen that I don't remember it? Surely it must be a bad dream. Yet pictures of my crumpled-up car proved it. And I knew that my body was not the same.
A verse came to me from Solomon in Proverbs 12:25, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (NKJV) It was like God was telling me to give a good word to others, and especially those who are suffering in any way. He reminded me of how good words from others had encouraged me. I knew I needed to lighten up.
This opened the door to humor. I discovered what a healer it is. Suddenly I remembered one of my dad's many sayings, "Keep laughing." My husband and I read the comics every day, and we try to make each other laugh often. It is a great stress reliever.
The no-surgery option meant I would need to wear a bone growth stimulator 3 hours a day for 18-24 months. It emits an electromagnetic field that stimulates growth, and there is no pain from wearing it. Dr. D encouraged me to go with the stimulator, which I did. I was so thankful he was not a knife-happy doctor.
Before the humerus rod was removed, I was able to raise my arm to waist height. After the surgery and 18 months with the stimulator and therapy, I could raise my arm over my head almost straight up.
I can swim a modified stroke. Even though I have an enlarged bump-like area from the uneven joining of the bone ends, I'm still happy I chose the stimulator instead of surgery. Funny thing is some people say, "Wow! You must be into some body building!"
More Difficult Days Ahead
Two days before Christmas, I went to Dr. D for more x-rays. He said I could finally put weight on both legs. That was the best Christmas gift I've ever had. It meant I could start walking. Yippee! I was so excited, but I didn't understand the difficult time ahead for me in learning to walk all over.My home physical therapist helped me stand up for the first time using a walker. As I did so, I cried my eyes out with amazement. I was very lightheaded when I first stood. So, it meant I needed to rest, get up again, and repeat. Then I was ready for baby steps. Plus I had to learn how to use the walker. My goal was to add more steps each day. I felt I needed wheels on my walker to at least give me the sensation that I was on a roll.
I decorated it with a lovely bow, so it wouldn't seem quite so depressing.
Finally, I was ready for out-patient therapy, a good move which got me out of the house and gave me social contact. My physical therapist (Beth) is a triathlon athlete and she runs the Boston marathon. Beth was a great pusher; no slacking off with her. I liked that. I was soon walking with a cane, learning to walk on the grass and climb the steps into our handicap van so I could abandon the wheelchair altogether. Hallelujah!
During my last 2 weeks of out-patient, Beth had me practice walking in the house from room to room and at our nearby lake, adding a little more time each day. My goal (and hers) was for me to walk around the lake (almost one mile). She met Jim and me there one Saturday evening and we all three walked around the lake, in two segments - walk 23 minutes, sit and rest for 10, and finish it up with 17, for a total of 40 minutes, what I once did in 13 minutes. I could hardly get into the van, I was so tired. But I was happy and determined to get back to my 3-mile walk everyday.
One of my last days there, Beth took me to the stairwell and told me to walk up the stairs and back down. I figured she would be going alongside me, but no. She stood at the bottom, coaching and cheering me on. Instantly, my tears overflowed for the joy of it. Coming down the stairs was next to impossible due to insufficient bend in my right knee, but I did it!
Daring to Drive Again
The next big feat was to tackle driving. Though I did not remember any part of my accident, I was afraid. Someone could hit me again just like before. I figured an industrial park empty of people on a Sunday afternoon would be a good place to practice. I was certain my legs would give me the most difficulty, but my arms turned out to be more troublesome. My enjoyment of driving has gone down, and I find myself praying a lot, especially if I'm hemmed in with traffic. Also, I'm very particular about not riding in a car that has no airbags.The Medicine I Needed
What's in the well comes up in the bucket, and so it was with my emotions. I had many days of feeling sorry for self. One of those was interrupted by a phone from my brother in Tennessee. I don't know why I even bothered to answer the phone. I sure didn't feel like talking to anyone. But his call was the medicine I needed.Worry - I did that when I was left at home alone. Would Jim come back? Would something happen to him? Anxiety - I rehearsed my accident over and over, especially at night. How could this possibly happen that I don't remember it? Surely it must be a bad dream. Yet pictures of my crumpled-up car proved it. And I knew that my body was not the same.
A verse came to me from Solomon in Proverbs 12:25, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." (NKJV) It was like God was telling me to give a good word to others, and especially those who are suffering in any way. He reminded me of how good words from others had encouraged me. I knew I needed to lighten up.
This opened the door to humor. I discovered what a healer it is. Suddenly I remembered one of my dad's many sayings, "Keep laughing." My husband and I read the comics every day, and we try to make each other laugh often. It is a great stress reliever.