Saturday, February 21, 2009

Still hurting...

It seems like we are on a roller coaster ride sometimes...ever been there?

Tuesday we spoke with two more doctors in NEast Columbia (One is an MD of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the other is an MD with Osteopathic training), they are the first ones to spend two hours with us, talking through and diagnosing what's going on with Becky's hip issues. They were very helpful and encouraging. Here's a summary:

First things first: Becky's muscles DO feel much better, and she was able to have a couple of weeks without much pain--Praise God for the short relief! It has been refreshing while it lasted. The muscles are still well, but her bones are now causing much discomfort.
Second: her hips are displaced, one hip is out of joint, which causes continual rubbing of bone on bone, and in consequence, causes the inflammation she has in her bones, which is why no healing has come with the "rest" of the past year and a bit.
Third: she also has, according to these doctors, SI (Sacroiliac) Joint Dysfunction.
Fourth: no more wheel chair! :-)

Here's the tentative plan:
1. This Tuesday morning, 8:30 am, two to three injections into the back (SI Joint area) to reduce inflammation (please pray, this is very painful).
2. Take anti-inflammatory medicine to help with inflammation.
3. Possibly do another MRI for anything that may have been missed in previous consultations.
4. Do physical therapy so as to try to re-align the hips without the need for surgery. (Please pray for this therapy process, it will be very, very painful)
5. If no significant progress is made, and our Father does not heal in another way (which we continually ask Him to do), the doctors recommend fusing the hip bones as a last resort to avoid inflammation.

We continue to trust our God that He is in control and has a plan. He gives us strength when we don't have the strength to keep going. Thank you so much for continuing to pray for us through these "dips in the roller-coaster ride". We'll keep you updated as we are able to. Thank you so much for many of your emails, it's encouraging to know you're standing with us!

On the other hand, our Church's Missions Conference starts this next week, and we are excited to be a part of what God is doing through the worldwide Church, and can't wait for the day we will get to serve in Brazil, mobilizing, training and sending Brazilians around the world!

Ben, for Becky, (Noah) & Caleb.

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