Round Two: More Shoulder Surgery Friday

Hi family and friends,

I first want to thank my wonderful husband for taking on the task of the last several posts when I was unable to do so. I'm back to posting today, so you know that invariably means a longer post! Ha!

I'll get the technical aspects explained and for those who are bored or curious, I'll provide a peek into my heart in this bout of adversity and trial. First, thank you to all who prayed for my surgery in January. It was good to hear the doctor confirm that January's surgery is healing just fine and seems to be in great shape. That surgery re-sected the torn bicep tendon and attached it lower down on my bone. The problem now is the ruptured rotator cuff that he couldn't repair. My connective tissue disease has allowed one part of the rotator cuff to loosen and it is popping in and out of the open joint space. I was just going to put up with the annoying "clunking" sound and resultant pain it was causing, but the doctor feels there is a high probability in the near future it could get hung in the joint and then my arm would be "locked" in that position. Hence, the need for more reconstructive surgery. The surgery will be this Friday. Please pray the surgeon will be able to clean out all "loose" debris in the joint. My father-in-law said I was the first person he knew who had to have a "clunkectomy" following a previous surgery. (Love you Gary!) Pray specifically that the surgical team will be able to attain good IV line access. Last surgery took 2 hours to get an IV for meds started. This is part of my connective tissue disease complications. Also pray for the intubation process. Because of my cervical fusion and anesthesia complications, the normal process isn't able to be followed and I actually am awake as they put the breathing tube down my throat since they can't use the typical medicines to paralyze me. This will be my 4th awake intubation and my stress about it doesn't seem to get any better. Thank you for praying. Steve will update during or after surgery depending on what is going on.

Now to heart issues: After learning I needed another shoulder surgery, it felt overwhelming. I set my kitchen timer to 60 seconds and allowed myself a pity party and then told myself it was time to put my big girl pants on. Pity just magnifies hurt and suffering. I'm not interested in entertaining negative attitudes as I have found that adversity comes with enough on its own.

I challenged myself recently to a 3-day task. On the first day I took a piece of paper and for five minutes I wrote the worst things that I could think of that happened to me. I put the paper in an envelope and placed it on my office desk and labeled it "Worst". One week later, I took a piece of paper and for five minutes I wrote the best things that I could think of that happened to me. I put the paper in an envelope and placed it on my office desk and labeled it "Best". One week later, I sat down at my desk and opened both envelopes and placed the papers side by side. From memory, I knew there was some overlap of good that came out of hard times, but I wasn't prepared to see that almost all of what I had listed "worst" showed up directly or indirectly on the "best" list.

This year marks 30 years since I began this battle against suffering. Time and modern medicine finally gave us a cause for it all when I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos. I have lived long enough now since some of the

"worst" things I listed have now become some of the "best" things I listed. The truly hard part for me is the patience needed to rest in the fact that God uses the hard, difficult, and heart-wrenching experiences of life for our ultimate good. And He does it in his timing. My two lists gave me great hope, great confidence, and great thankfulness; that even when I can't see the hand of God in a situation, I can trust His heart. God sees the meaning in our suffering and one day, we will too.

I sat and stared at the two sheets of paper - "The Worst" and "The Best". I tore up their envelopes and got a new envelope from the desk drawer. I tucked the two sheets inside the envelope and placed it on my office desk and labeled it "God". And smiled.

Because of His peace,

Lee

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." James1:2-4

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Comments

Mark Colavecchio:

Love this Lee! Your perspective is inspiring and the fact that you have learned to cling to Jesus clearly is the key. Les and I will be praying for you.

Joan Bouck:

Lee, you humble me in your special way of viewing life. Good luck and, as always, prayers are surrounding you. Hang in there! Joan FD3

Sandy Temple:

Thank you, again, for sharing from your heart, and always being so honest and open with your feelings. You are such an amazing woman, and you inspire me, so many others, as we watch you walk through this life with the Lord. I will pray as you have asked, and then some. Love you, my sweet friend😘

Lisa Currall:

We will be praying!! God's Blessings on you.....

Steve Braden:

Praying for you and Steve today. We love you guys.

Jennifer Keller:

I love you. Always have. I had two rotator cuff repair surgeries (one with a bicep tendon, too) within six months this past year. And I DON'T have a connective tissue disease. So I can sympathize a tiny bit with what you're going through, though mine was much easier, I'm certain. I will pray for you and for Steve as he cares for you. Much love... Jennifer (Whittaker- from Wallace and the BSU) Keller

Molly Deines:

Always good to hear about your heart. We will be praying for peace regarding your surgery. Thank you for the update. Love, Molly

Tom and Linda Hamilton:

A beautiful post Lee. Thank you so much for letting me know how to be praying. And I will be.....Friday it is!!

Rae Jean Bettmeng:

Oh my dear sweet Lee.... what a gift you are to me. Praying for both "lists" and God's faithfulness to complete the work He has begun in you! We love you and Steve!

Ellen Bunch :

Love you Lee Bob. I will be praying that all goes well Friday.

sandra henry:

You are AMAZING! Praying for you and your medical team in this next round. Love and blessings to you and Steve.

Tony Grande:

Thank you for the update. We will continue to pray and will lift up your specific requests. God is good!