A LUCKY BREAK?

Dear Sweet Friends,

I have good news to report - God is good!

When I went to the hand surgeon and I signed in at the desk, I noticed this hand surgeon graduated from a medical school in my home state of Wisconsin - I had a feeling this was going to be interesting but did not know how.

After having him review my x-rays, he then felt around on my hand (ouch) and explained he had seen success/failure with both setting the bone as well as surgically using pins. He asked me if he could numb my hand and then feel around again so as to make a better assessment. He also said that it looked like it was broke in such a way that did not lead him to believe there was nerve damage or that the joint was or would be affected by his course of treatment.

After numbing the hand (double ouch) he manipulated it into position (triple ouch) and then splinted it. He then x-rayed the hand to view his work, making sure it was in a good position to heal.

During the course of the examination, I found out the surgeon knew my deceased father-in-law's best friend, who we heard stories about on a regular basis. Suddenly our worlds shrunk as we found our connection to one another. We shared a few stories and laughed together.

After the x-rays processed, he determined that the set was a success and said if I would truly behave myself for the next 2 weeks, not lifting a finger with the left hand, it just may work. I vowed to not cook, clean, scrub or fold until he could x-ray it again in 14 days. (Sounds like a vacation to me!) He will then examine it and make a final assessment. If it looks satisfactory to him, I will complete the healing for several more weeks in a splint. If not, pins will be needed. He felt like this method of treatment would not only give me the benefit of the doubt but spare me financially, a miracle I desperately needed. 100% function is the goal and he feels confident we will attain that.

After receiving a 20% discount, my total bill was only $360.00 vs. what could have been a hospital bill of possibly $10,000.00! I am delighted, to say the least and rejoice in what God has done. He never ceases to amaze me . . . showing up and then showing out. This is just 'part 1' of the testimony as He continues to heal and restore.

Thank you for all your prayers and sweet notes; keep praying because I still have a ways to go. Your thoughts and comments have truly been uplifting and appreciated. I think I have the best-est friends ever!!!

Cyberpsalmist

I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

Last week, after they begged me all day, I took my kids ice skating. As you may already know, this is something I love to do but was grumbling about that particular day. Call it pure laziness, I just didn't feel like it.

After lacing up my skates and getting on the ice, I took a deep breath and remembered why I loved skating so much. The feeling of the blades as they carved my path began to mesmerize me as I rounded the rink. Revolution after revolution had a way of peeling off the stresses of the day/week. So many of my senses are engage on the ice... the wind in my hair, the sound of familiar rink-side music, along with the typical smells of popcorn and pizza coming from the concession stand. My sense of balance is always exercised, a healthy practice which brings long-tern benefits to all of us.

Growing up in the north, I had plenty of opportunity to hone my ice skating skills. Falling happened less and less as me and this frozen surface became more familiar with each other. Because I still have a love for this type of recreation, I am grateful for my years on the ice; it serves me well today.

Last week I had an accident that will briefly delay my figure-skating future for a few weeks: as I was exiting the ice, I under-estimated the wall at the doorway and slammed my fist into it, breaking my fifth metacarpal just below the knuckle. I noticed the severity of it when
I could not use my hand to remove my skates five minutes later. The next day it was confirmed by my doctor through an examination and x-rays that it was a broken bone.

After the shock passed and I was all alone with the Lord, I looked again at the x-rays and Psalm 139: 14 rose up in me declaring, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." I not only knew those words for memory but needed to believe them. My hand, even in its broken state, was beautiful. God authored its amazing function and I needed to believe the Creator was capable of healing His creation.

I rest in His goodness as He completes the work He started, even if I messed it up. He is a good, good God and I choose to trust Him!

Cyberpsalmist