He's Got This! ~ An Update on My Health Situation

A week ago, I posted about a struggle I've had for the past couple of years, and asked for your prayers.   I was overwhelmed with the comments of support, emails of concern, and so many helpful suggestions.   I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for each and every one of you who reads this blog.  You are a blessing to me.   


I also sent a link to my post to our local homeschool group email list.  I was FLOODED with notes of encouragement and suggestions about places I could turn locally for help.   So many friends lifted me up in prayer, and I have felt so peaceful for the past week.  I felt so much peace that I almost fell asleep in the MRI machine, and if you've been in one you know they are LOUD!  


Here is an update of what happened after my MRI.   Are you ready?   Nothing.  Yep, nothing. The results showed there was no change in my MRI of 18 months ago.  The diagnosis is still a herniated disc (L5 S1 level) and my doctor recommended yet another epidural shot that "might" work this time.  I politely declined and now I'm about the business of taking some of the suggestions people have given me.


In talking with a good friend of mine, she suggested  a women's health/physical therapy center in our area.  The center specializes in issues of the spine and also physical therapy and Pilates.   I made an appointment and will start visiting them this morning.    I know I need to be more diligent about physical therapy and some weight loss is also going to help.   I know I need to put this situation FIRST (even above homeschool) right now if I am going to feel better.  


I had a pow wow with my kids yesterday and explained everything to them.  I told them we would be going to physical therapy a lot in the coming weeks.   We have a bag they have packed with lots of things to do while we are there.  I told them mommy needs to be the best she can be and hopefully this approach will make it happen.  I look at this picture of my children and it just motivates me to feel better!   


Someone left me a comment this week that said "Don't worry about this, girl - He's got this!".    So true, isn't it?  I thought about that a lot.... God will send me the answer I need.  He will use this situation to glorify Him and strengthen me.   


So, thank you for checking in on me all week.  I so appreciate it.... I'll keep you updated. I have a feeling every now and then I might need some cheerleaders as I go through physical therapy, so I might be calling on you.....

Read Aloud Thursday - How Do I Choose??

So many wonderful books, so little time!!   I've been so overwhelmed with books the past couple of weeks (in a good way).    I have a whole shelf of "want to reads" for this coming year.  Then, we go to the library and I come across a few more titles I "just have to add into the schedule"!   Does this happen to you, also?

This week we finished another book in the 26 Fairmount Avenue Series.  I will say it again and again:  My children love these books!    This book, Why: The War Years, got much more serious because it deals with the beginning of WWII and the death of one of Tomie dePaola's favorite cousins who was a soldier.   There is a lot of talk about air raid drills, black out curtains, rationing, and all the other things that went along with the war.  There still is, however, Tomie's ever light-hearted tone and humor.  In my opinion, this is a wonderful way to learn history... we have been talking with my husband's father about this time period and he can add so much to the children's learning.   




Yesterday we began a book we've wanted to read since last spring.   Shiloh, written by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor,  was finally checked in at our local library and it's every bit as good as we heard it would be.  I just love how it is narrated by an 11 year old boy, Marty (I think we like these stories that are told by children!), and he has quite a conscience and love for an abused beagle, Shiloh.   It's tugging at our heart strings and we're only seven chapters into the book.   I know there are two other books in this series, too.   


The book takes place in rural West Virginia and some of the language gets a little rough (lots of "shut ups" and a few "damnits" and "hells"), but the bad language is also only used by the villain in the story... so in context it is obvious to my children that the language is known to be inappropriate (if that makes any sense!).   


That's Read-Aloud Thursday in a nutshell.  Visit Amy, at Hope is The Word, to submit your RAT post!