Bone Disease.God blessed me bountifully. Teaching kindergarten and first grade was the ultimate. Substitute teaching sixth graders was a joy also. Of course the children wanted counseling rather than teaching and that was fine too. Helping children with disabilities was my cup of tea. Therapeutic foster parenting was also a way of life for me. The last twelve years of my life have been spent housing troubled adolescents and teenagers. My motto: Just one life turned around makes whatever you go through worth it. The sun was shining and it was just such a beautiful day. All the schools in the Cumberland County School district would visit the Courtrooms. It was their annual sixth grade field trip, the last field trip for the school year. As I attempted to park the bus, something snapped in my back. It didn't hurt then but by the time the field trip was over I could not walk. I was taken to the nearest hospital emergency and the test and trials began. For the next eight months I was flat on my back with around the clock care. Testing was most crucial. I was able by the grace of God to take all the tests needed, with the exception of the ---well the dreaded MRI. Because I am so clostraphobic they decided after five months to put me to sleep for the test. Diagnosis: Degenerative bone disease in lower lumbar, Rediculitis in hip with extensive damage to the Cyatic Nerve which caused paralysis in my leg and foot. I was taken to doctors, chiropractors, was given massages, heat treatments, ice packs, nerve shock waves, therapy, cordizone shots in hip and spine. I even became addicted to the pain medication I was prescribed. Getting through the addiction was as painful as the pain itself. My doctor decided my real body parts needed to be replaced with plastic parts and pins. Before the operation, I needed a test which could mean my life since I am highly allergic to iodine. They wanted me to sign a waver stating they would not be held accountable if I died, or worse still if I ended up a vegetable. Didn't sound appetizing to me so I opted to pass. Because I chose to not have the operation my doctor fought my getting disability but yet again, God interceded.
Losing all I had worked so long and hard for was such a hard pill to swallow, but moving from North Carolina to South Bend was even harder. Stability and independence have always been highlights in my life, now my children have to take care of me because I am unable to care for myself. I love my children so very much. My daughter and her husband are the best in the world. "Oh Lord Jesus, I just want to take this time to thank you so much for my Rebecca and Demond. I know you will bless them for blessing me". They excepted me and my grand daughter into their home and took really good care of both of us. They made their home, our home. A bond is there that will never be broken, no matter what life brings. Attending church services was far and in between because of the excruciating pain, but this one Sunday I just had to go. While there my pastor announced to the congregation that I was in great pain and he wanted all of God's people on one accord as they prayed for me in Jesus Name. No doubt about it, I was going to be delivered right then but not so. The devil seemed to be saying to me, "How dare you go for prayer and how dare you think you are going to get better". I really hurt bad and I was so depressed and discouraged. Around the middle of the week something happened. I was able without even thinking about it to go up and down a flight of stairs, got dressed on my own and on my way out the door with my children, my son-in-law realized what had happened. I had been delivered! 
|
