Better Days Ahead

Just over 62 hours ago, I had my first-ever lower back rhizotomy. I went into the procedure optimistic, but honestly unsure how things would feel afterward. The procedure itself was more painful than any of my countless steroid injections. In fact, the numbing shots before the rhizotomy hurt worse than any injection I’ve ever received. My doctor explained that he had to make sure everything was really numb for what he was about to do. I guess that should’ve clued me in that this might be tougher than I imagined.

The day of the procedure wasn’t bad at all. But the next morning, around 5 a.m., I woke up in severe pain. Yesterday was incredibly discouraging and honestly a bit concerning — especially after I read something I’d apparently overlooked before. Many people experience increased pain for the first several days after this procedure. In fact, sometimes lasting 4 to 10 days. I had no idea. And realizing that in the middle of it all was overwhelming.

Praise God, I woke up this morning feeling a lot better than the day before. Still, this procedure has knocked the wind out of me. Even so, I’ve spent the last 12 hours painfully preparing Sunday’s message notes. The hardest part of ministry for me has always been leading others while battling my own pain. To make matters worse, I accidentally missed my daytime medication and didn’t take it until six hours late. I went 12 hours without taking any pain medication. I’m just now finally catching my breath.

I truly believe I’ll feel much better in a couple more days. I just have to respect the recovery timeline. God knows that if I didn’t feel so called to pastor, I might have retired long ago. But thankfully, I know everyone faces some kind of pain that could hold them back. Yet God uses all of it to reveal His strength in the midst of our weakness.

I deeply appreciate your prayers and hope you’ll keep them coming. I simply need more rest and to trust God with all the rest. This procedure should ultimately bring more lasting relief than I’ve ever had before. It just won’t happen overnight. I know God called me to this, so I know He’ll carry me through this.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)