Could Use A Prayer or Two

[ldysly]

So I know the Lord never gives us more than we can take but I could use a prayer bump right now.

I've had some issues with my knees for a while and I've been trying to just ice it and get through. Finally went to the doc and of course it couldn't be simple. I have advanced RA (rhumatoid arthritis) in my knees. Essentially my knees are fusing. I also have detached cartiledge that they will be removing in about a month. They won't replace the knees at this point because I'm too young and they can only do so many replacements (and they only last 10 years). So my doctor thinks if they start the replacements I have a good chance of being in a wheelchair before 65.

First thing is that they want me to lose weight and I'm now on a strict diet. They want at least 10 lbs before the surgery which is why we are waiting 4-6 weeks. But, the fact is there is no "cure" for RA and so now it's all about doing the exercise I can (swimming and biking) and managing the pain. I refused the pain pills but will take the anti-inflamitories.

I need to see if we can find some bikes for sale cheap so that I can start trying that.

Can you pray please that God will just give me the strength to face this? And that He will just give me the courage to face what comes? The doc was very blunt about the fact that there will just be days when I can't walk and that I may never be able to return to work on a regular basis. Little scared right now, but I know God will see me through.

[sallyw]

Lord,

Help the doctors in making wise decisions about these knees. Help with the pain caused and the frustration caused by the changes that will have to be made. Lord give strength to make the live style changes easier to adjust day by day. Lord we know you will provide the means to protect this child of yours and give the peace that goes beyond understanding.

Amen

[Murph]

Prayin' for you my sister and dear old friend...

looks like when we get older we start to fall apart...stuff leaks, stuff grows where we don't want it, and stuff locks up...and it all hurts...

Even King Solomon with all his wealth and wisdom...knew, and I always get a chuckle out of it...

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8...I have troubles with my grinders and windows...and on top of that I can't hear good anymore... ;D

[ldysly]

Thanks guys. I think my biggest fear is not being able to walk at all. I have a very straight doctor (and I like that) and he was very clear that depending on the progression losing my ability to walk at all is a very real possibility. The knees are advanced and my feet and ankles are in the beginning stages.

[Caretaker]

Praying with heart and prayers in agreement.

[Murph]

I didn't mean to make light of it Sylvia, but sometimes it is good to smile...what King Solomon said always makes me smile...only difference is he didn't know about Rice Crispies...snap, crackle, and pop.

all of us as we get older fear a drastic change of lifestyle where we may not be able to care for ourselves...
and we fear we will become a burden for others...
it is a very valid fear...

[Keith]

The Lord bless you Sylvia...

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

[ldysly]

Thanks Drew, Keith, sweet Sally and Marilyn.

No I didn't think you were making light of it Duck. I think I'm just in shock. The last thing I expected was what the doc told me. I thought "ok I'll have the surgery and it will take a while to come back but I can do this". But, there is no surgery to fix this, no cure, only maintenance. And yes I think I have a huge fear of becoming a burden. I've always worked and in many cases been the main support for my family.

I'm taking comfort in the fact that I really think by the time it progresses so much that I can no longer walk I won't be here. And I don't think my glorified body will have the same issues. But yes, I can't stand the thought of being a burden.

[Murph]

neither can I Sylvia...but at 65 my prayer is that I will go before I become a burden to anyone.

[Caretaker]

Silvia, Jan and I are using this ACE, which is appetite control and energy. It an all natural pill with caffein, cocoa, and natural ingredients. I have dropped 30 pounds since March, from 243 down to 213, and from 38 waist down to almost 34. Jan has dropped 34 pounds, down from size 12 to size 6, and is the same weight she was when we got married. Its a pill a day at $1 per pill, and no special diets or exercises. I notice more energy, and I am satisfied with smaller portions. My sister-in-law has dropped 72 pounds using it.

I would encourage you to get ahold of my wife Jan on Face Book, and I am sure she would send you some samples to try.

This is Jan's facebook page:

www.facebook.com/jan.montgomery.5

[ldysly]

Thanks Drew, I'll drop in on her. I'll take all the help I can get. congrats to all of you on the weight loss, that is awesome.

[Keith]

Just spectacular brother Drew, congratulations to you both!

[ldysly]

Having a hard time this morning so I would covet your prayers. Trying hard not to let the depression take over, just so very tired of all of this. The more research I do on this the more depressed I get. I never realized what arthritis could do or what it has done to so many people's lives. Been a "fixer" all my life and always felt that a solution could be found. For the first time I truly don't see any solution to this one and I'm just having a hard time wrapping my brain around it.

[Keith]

Jun 30, 2012 8:54:14 GMT -6 ldysly said:

The more research I do on this the more depressed I get.

Stop borrowing trouble, sister. You'll go crazy about the 'what if's' which may never come...

Jun 30, 2012 8:54:14 GMT -6 ldysly said:

For the first time I truly don't see any solution to this...

The solution is Jesus. He will either heal it, or provide the strength to endure it. Either way, it's in His hands, but first you have to let Him have it.

[ldysly]

Good advice dear brother and I'll do my best to follow it.

[sallyw]

Jun 30, 2012 13:33:03 GMT -6 Keith said:

Jun 30, 2012 8:54:14 GMT -6 ldysly said:

The more research I do on this the more depressed I get.

Stop borrowing trouble, sister. You'll go crazy about the 'what if's' which may never come...


Amen

Jun 30, 2012 8:54:14 GMT -6 ldysly said:

For the first time I truly don't see any solution to this...

The solution is Jesus. He will either heal it, or provide the strength to endure it. Either way, it's in His hands, but first you have to let Him have it.

[veterinarian]

Jun 30, 2012 8:54:14 GMT -6 ldysly said:

The more research I do on this the more depressed I get.

It is easy for me to say, but I will say it anyway: don't do the research right now! Wait a bit.......if you can. I have watched many of my patients and their owners over the years after such a diagnosis, and the best I can say is do what you are already doing. Pray to God, go to those you know for support, and follow your doctor's instructions.

I am praying for you. May our dear Heavenly Father keep your thoughts and emotions turned toward Him and not your disease. May He guide you to pain management that will keep you free from pain.

[ldysly]

Thanks so much sweetie. I do have to get some research done because after they remove the cartiledge they intend to start me on a drug regimen. I want to know that they are using the right one because some of them have some nasty side effects.

I can deal with the pain (not a stranger to that) but I've lost a lot of mobility and that is difficult for me. I am trying to give it up to God, really nothing left for me to do except that. I thank you for your prayers and hope that you will keep me in them.

[Murph]

Amen to that Sylvia...not an easy situation but not anything the Lord can't handle one way or another...

Will be praying for you...

[Keith]

Jul 5, 2012 14:57:21 GMT -6 ldysly said:

I am trying to give it up to God, really nothing left for me to do except that.

Here's something for you Sylvia, that Nita and I live by:

"Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee." (Psalms 33:22)

The Lord's blessings, provisions and sustainment upon us are based upon our confidence that He will provide them. He's God, and can do more if he wishes, but if we're not expecting that much from Him, He won't provide it.

Albert Barnes Notes On The Bible says of this verse:

"(a) it is but “reasonable” that we should look for the favor of God only as we trust in him, for we could not with propriety expect his favor beyond the measure of our confidence in him.

(b) This may be regarded as the most that we are entitled to hope from God. We have no reason to suppose that he will go beyond our wishes and prayers, or that he will confer favors on us which we neither expect nor desire.

(c) One of the reasons why the people of God are no more blessed, or why they receive no more favors from him, may be found in what is here suggested. As they expect little, they obtain little; as they have no intense, burning, lofty desire for the favor of God, either for themselves personally, or for their families, or for the world, so they obtain but slight tokens of that favor.

(d) The true principle, therefore, upon which God is willing to bestow His favors, and which will be the rule that He will observe, is, that if people desire much, they will obtain much; that if they have big expectations, they will not be disappointed; and that God is willing to bestow His mercies upon His people and upon the world to the utmost of their desires and hopes."

We should have as much faith in His provisions as we have faith in His salvation. Very simply, if we expect His intervention in our lives, He will intervene.