{"id":324,"date":"2024-09-23T10:18:53","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T14:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hirtfamily.net\/chris\/?p=324"},"modified":"2024-09-23T10:18:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T14:18:53","slug":"pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hirtfamily.net\/chris\/2024\/09\/23\/pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many of you are no stranger to pain.\u00a0 A number of you reading this are suffering from chronic pain of various kinds.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know what that was like<\/em> – I am very sorry for your pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Some of you know that I have been experiencing unexplained pain since May.  The pain and numbness started in my lower back and spread to my legs, hips, shoulders and arms, changing weekly and mostly increased over the past several months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has been a concerning journey, one requiring dependence on and trust in God even as I have seen my health, strength and wellness melt away.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the beginning of August, I stopped running and cycling (reduce variables) and have mostly enjoyed walking\/hiking as a form of exercise and mental wellness. I snuck in a few rides this month, which I loved.\u00a0 Activity felt good, however recently any activity results in compounded pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early August I had two MRIs on my spine which led to an initial diagnosis of a minor pinched cervical nerve and a minor lumbar bulged disc.\u00a0 A second opinion led me to understand that these things alone cannot account for the level of pain \/ numbness I currently experience.\u00a0 After a brain MRI and various other tests ruling out other conditions, one neurologist landed on a suspected fibromyalgia diagnosis.\u00a0 In the past, sitting in a chair helped the leg, hip and back neuropathic pain melt away – it was a sure-fire way to relieve the pain.\u00a0 As of 3 weeks ago the pain is present no matter what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those of us with chronic pain, every day can be like a battle.\u00a0 We have to keep on going – we even get good at concealing it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week I returned from a week-long international trip where I led team meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The trip was good, the flights were long, I had opportunities to be active outdoors, and I felt like I could mitigate my pain with additional meds on top of the gabapentin I use to manage pain at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon my return to my family in Thailand, the leg, hip and lower back pain increased dramatically.  I experienced 3 days of out-of-control pain before finally finding the right combination of meds that gave me some relief and allowed me to catch up on much needed sleep.  I have learned the hard way that lack of sleep makes my pain worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The picture at the top of this post is from a week ago – the last walk\/hike Becca and I were able to do together before my condition worsened. With each increase in pain, a new wave of questions washed up.\u00a0 Where are you God?\u00a0 How long will this last?\u00a0 Why isn\u2019t this getting any better?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 42:2)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

God can handle our tears and our hard questions, so we come to him with palms and hearts open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increased pain prompted us to pursue and move up medical appointments.\u00a0 I moved up my October routine oncology appointment with Dr. Rattiya to today.\u00a0 We ran all sorts of blood tests – and pretty much everything came back good and fine.\u00a0 But she, like us, is also concerned about my unexplained and worsening pain\/numbness symptoms.\u00a0 So tomorrow, Tuesday, I will have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) where they will sample some spinal fluid to help us get a better picture of what might be going on.\u00a0 We understand that initial results will come on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for walking along with us on this journey.  We know we are not alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
– lyrics from Selah’s Wonderful, Merciful Savior<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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