Health

Ok here’s the scoop on my surgery. I will go in for post operation blood work and final instructions on what to and not to do on the February 15th. Surgery will take place at Charlton Methodist hospital in DeSoto. I won’t find out what time my surgery will be until post opp. day. Surgery shouldn’t take more than a few hours barring any compactions; it’s a fairly standard procedure. The surgeon stated that I shouldn’t require more than two days in the hospital and most likely I will be released the same day once again barring any unforeseen complications. Up to this point my overall condition hasn’t changed. Although my injury is located in my neck, the disk is fully ruptured and has severely compressed the nerves on the left side of my upper body. This causes me to have pain and some weakness in my left arm, under the left scapula and the rib cage under my left arm. Both my left index and middle fingers are numb and I have a tingling sensation in the ring and pinky fingers. My pain levels vary based on what position I am seated in and what activities I do. I do want to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns. Your caring helps me to keep a positive attitude.

Pain and Kindness

Very much a tuff day today I was up at 5:30 and then off to admin to report for light duty. Driving for me right now isn’t pleasant. I haven’t been able to sleep and was in a lot of pain to the point that I went directly to the Dr’s office. Blessedly he was in and was able to see me on short notice. I was truly grateful for his willingness t stop in the middle of his day and tend to my situation. He gave me a shot for the pain which helped a lot and I didn’t have any adverse reactions. We choose to try a different pain med which is helping and has not made me sick so far. He went ahead and put me off work for the duration of the injury. I am thankful for that because driving with the meds isn’t a good idea. It is extremely uncomfortable for me to drive anyway. Still I feel blessed with the job I have and the people that are associated with the Fort Worth FIRE Department.

Ouch that hurt!!!

I went to the Dr’s Office today and the news wasn't good. I have two injured disks in my neck. One bulging at C4 & C5 and one ruptured at C5 & C6. The one atC5 and C6 is pressing on the nerves associated with that disk. That is causing the pain and weakness in my left arm. I will be referred to a neurosurgeon and a plan of action will be decided upon at that time. I am still hoping no surgery will be needed and a short time spent in physical therapy will help to shrink the ruptured disk and I will be able to get back on my regular schedule so I can get back to driven fire trucks. How did I happen upon this injury? Well It’s a long story and I won’t show you because that would be about as smart as me doing it in the first place. Let’s just say if you can’t do something don’t try with your head no matter how hard that dang thing is with or without rocks.

Why willows wind?

The overall picture of this poem is a hill side with willow trees and a gentle breeze blowing through the branches. The willow being the battered Christ and the wind the spirit of god directing the events of one day in history. Life and death in the balance for all to see. While we neither know nor can prove the divinity of Christ the story of his sacrifice tends to warm our hearts with some sort of realization that we are cared about. This has been and is still one of my favorite pomes because it depicts the essence of the salvation story blended with a flowing unseen movement of these long delicate branches flowing in the wind.

Willows Wind

Death walks through Willows

Alone in mine hearts eye
I see a man hanging in a tree

Death walks through willows

Heavenly hosts flood the sky
All waiting to see the miracle King

Life’s springs eternal

Three on a cross only two are Thieves
One is blind only one can see
The man in the middle a Glorious King

Death walks alone

My Father My Father why did you leave
Neither hell nor death will conquer me
At your side I must be

Death is no more

No sacrifice is to great you will have

Love and Mercy

I will give it my all to be why I AM
The man named Jesus The God Man