Transparent Christian Magazine

“So how’s Shelli doing??” If I had a dime…

I have heard that so many times over the last year, I couldn’t even begin to count. I know it was asked in sincerity and I am NOT being smarmy or rude about it. I appreciated EVERY request. Even the ones from well meaning people that had no idea what she was going through….what the whole family has been through really.

Shelli had a pinched nerve that was made worse by some degenerating discs and an anomaly in her spine that produced 2 nerve roots in an area that only one should be. She said the pain that she felt was worse than childbirth and had been at THAT level for about a year. She had some flare-ups that we now know were mis-diagnosed as kidney stones last summer, that lead up to the “I can’t take this anymore” pain of November 2006. Because the pain was so strong we had some therapy, epidural shots, (series of 3) and then finally surgery. The surgeon removed some bone to open up some space at the nerve root and after about 3 months of healing from the surgery, she realized that she was in the same amount of pain as before…and getting worse.

We had tried some heavy duty pain meds all along, and Shelli got more and more used to them, and their effect was less and less…We now understand the physiology of an addict, because of this cycle of more drugs for less effect.

So…after prayer, consultations and second opinions, she now has a nuro-stimulator implanted in her body that blocks the pain sensors from her spinal chord. This device has been a true God-Send and she is feeling VERY little nerve pain. Shelli has the recovery aspect of major surgery (they did THIS one in 2 phases, 4 days apart) but she feels very good overall and feels that we made the right decision.

When people say “God uses all things for HIS glory” I laugh now. During the last month, Shelli managed to get a job lined up for January, figure out how we could buy a car, and encouraged me to get a new job that was closer to home.

My strong marriage is now stronger than ever, and the kids and I are SO close now. Back pain has a way of keeping you in the house quite a bit, and this process taught me the importance of serving my family, more than myself or others. My kids have chipped in more too, doing animal chores and helping around the house more.

I was thinking the other day that I started writing (blogging) in March of this year when Shelli FIRST went into the hospital. That writing produced a dozen or so short stories, (some now published), and sparked a love for writing that I never knew I had. The interest in getting the message out lead to Transparent Christian Magazine and ultimately the words you are reading now. So when I think of some weird ways that God works, I wonder if He used Shelli’s pain to get me to focus on a positive outlet for my stress…Ultimately getting HIS message out to a wider audience!? Could He? Would He use this situation to bring my family closer together, and at the same time forcing us to build a stronger trust in him and foundation…Ultimately using this foundation in a way in which we can reach more people?? I guess you would have to be the judge of that, I have to go pray and then help Shelli with something!

Love you,
Jason

P.S. One of the funniest calls we received while Shelli was in the hospital this last time is posted for your listening pleasure on the right hand side of this blog. It’s called “Sling Blade for Shelli”. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Thanks to Frank Bacus for contributing!