Surgery Day is Coming Up Soon! What Should You Expect & How Can You Pray?

I've had lots of questions about my recovery time following surgery and what to expect for recovery.

The doctor/surgeon and physical therapist informed Rence and myself that full recovery would take 18 months. I am having 3 screws placed on each side of my pelvis bone and spine (SI joint) - 6 screws total - as well as a possible periformis release, which will involve cutting a muscle on each side of the pelvis that stabilizes the SI joint (screws will now stabilize mine) and, in my case, presses on the sciatic nerve. This causes numbness, tingling, burning, and additional pain in the pelvis and down the legs. Clipping this muscle would help with that.

I will be staying overnight in the hospital for at least one night, and hopefully returning home on Friday if my pain is managed well enough for the trip (there is really no way to know this - this is typically a very painful surgery, so we are praying for the ability to manage my pain well, especially on the 3-4 hour trip home).

I will be using a walker for 3 weeks, then transitioning slowly to walking unassisted & using my chair for long distances until I recover fully. I will start physical therapy locally at 3 weeks post-op. I will be absolutely unable to bend at the waist past a 90 degree angle when sitting, completely unable to bend at the waist when standing (weight will be on the joint), no twisting, no lifting more than 8 lbs (a container of milk - even that hurts right now), no climbing stairs or lifting my legs to a right angle while standing, no favoring one side/leg over the other (regarding weight-bearing), no standing still for more than 2 minutes without moving or resting the spine.

I hope this helps some of you who have been asking or just wanting to understand better. Please continue to pray for both Rence and myself as well as a smooth transition for the boys to childcare during surgery & hospital recovery time. Please also remember to pray for the medical care team (Dr.'s, nurses, techs, etc.) - that God will guide their hands and that this might be a time of miraculous healing in my life & circumstances. And if God has other plans, I praise Him still!

NOTE: If you would like to help us out with childcare or meals, we would be so very grateful. There are still many, many ways to serve that are listed on a sign-up calendar on Volunteer Spot. The link is http://vols.pt/hx3WP5 . 

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

·    Visit this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/hx3WP5 

·    You will be asked to enter your email address before entering our customized volunteer calendar. This is so that we can contact you for further details if you sign up. Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Rence or Beth Anne, and they can sign you up manually.

·    Simply look over the calendar and the descriptions of needs listed. If you see something you feel you can fulfill, simply click "sign-up" and follow the prompts. Rence and I will be notified through email that you have volunteered. NOTE: There is always the flexibility to swap with another person at a later time if needed - if a cancellation is needed, please let either Rence or myself know.

You have successfully signed up (no log-out from the site is needed)! If you have any questions and would like to help out in any capacity, please feel free to call.

We can't tell you how much we appreciate those who help out in such a large capacity in such a big time of need in our lives. Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ!