My Afternoon in a Metal Tube

One thing I have concluded after spending a spiffy afternoon keeping still inside a noisy metal tube: I was not made for they and they were not made for me.

This afternoon I enjoyed tremendously (tongue in cheek here) a series of five MRI tests at a wonderful place here in Flower Mound. The place was nice, I must confess, and the people there were friendly and helpful, even when they chided me in the middle of my spinal exam, "Try to keep still as much as possible!" I had been in the metal MRI tube for 30 minutes and my shoulders, arms, backside, and neck were absolutely killing me.

Keeping still ain't easy. Especially when (confession time...) I'm not used to sleeping on my back. I'm a side sleeper. Always have been. if they had asked me to roll over on my side, I would've been good for hours. But on my back...? Can't stand it. But I had to. For five tests.

The technician and radiologist were swell folks and did their best to bear with me. I did my best to bear with them. Two and a half hours later, the radiologist informed me "we're all done!" After laying down for so long, I wondered if I could still walk. And if my insides would forgive me for violating their privacy. I can walk. But like a woman who didn't get flowers on Valentine's, my stomach's giving me the cold shoulder.

I've had seven tests done in the first three days of this week. Seen so many doctors, aides and techs, I'm starting to wonder if there's a convention somewhere around. Still no definitive answers on what is the cause of my arm and leg troubles. I'm really hoping the MRIs will shed light on what's going on at the brain and spine level. Those two areas seem to be the leading suspects in my case. Maybe it will be something less intimidating than the diseases mentioned. Maybe it will all go away one morning.

Maybe I just need to go somewhere where there's warm water, lots of sunshine, coconut trees, a hammock, and a cold glass of... iced tea. With sugar and a twist of lemon.

Can I get paid to do that?

Be God's!

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Testing... 1...2...3...4...5...

I imagine that even doctors would, if cornered, confess that the human body is still a mystery to them. The most complex living computers on earth, we are. And just like that pesky desktop computer that each of us has, our bodies sometimes behave in a frustrating manner that will drive a sane man mad. I know that mine is doing so at this moment, and I keep hearing insanity knocking on the door. Don't worry. I'm not answering my door... yet.

Next week I have five tests scheduled that I hope determine what's going on with my failing body. For those who don't know, over the past six months I have been gradually losing my grip in my hands — both of them. I've dropped countless things, from the mundane (a bowl of salsa) to the expensive (a digital camera). At first it was only an occasional drop, but the frequency grew over the months. I thought it was pure clumsiness at first. I tend to be that way by nature. But after Christmas it became epidemic. During these six months I also felt my strength leaving my arms. I could not lift the weights I used to lift. I found my arms growing tired after carrying something -- anything.

And when I started waking up in the mornings with both of my arms numb and burning, I knew I was in trouble. I shook my arms awake every morning but couldn't stop the tingling. Matters got worse three weeks ago when my legs started to give out on me like rock turned to rubble. Now I struggle just to climb the same flight of stairs I bounded up two steps at a time before Christmas. Two weeks ago my hands started shaking subtly when I reached to pick up or touch something. So I saw a doctor and then a neurologist. After a pint of drawn blood on Thursday, I have five tests ahead of me next week. I'd appreciate your prayers. On Monday morning I have nerve and muscle testing at my neurologist's office in Grapevine. On Wednesday afternoon I have four, gulp, four MRI exams in one sitting. I know the brain and spine will be examined. Not sure where else. I report back to my neurologist on March 3 for his evaluation of all this testing.

To be honest, I'm really not scared of this predicament. Annoyed, maybe, but not scared. Oh sure there's some concern because my body has gone downhill so quickly since Christmas, but right now my faith is securely in the hands of the Great Physician, the maker of my complex and mysterious body. He knows every blood cell my bones have created and every nerve that now bugs me. He saw me in my mother's womb and gave me life there. He did the same for you, too! And I know that I've never slipped out of His divine peripheral vision. There are no blind spots with God.

So I see this whole period of time as an opportunity instead to glorify God in my trial. What I'm going through is nothing compared to the suffering seen around the world right now — and not even in my own neighborhood. So I will largely keep silent about it. But my humble prayer is that God is glorified in all this through my words, my conduct, and my faith. Would you pray for me that this happens? It's what my heart wants. And I think it's what God wants, too.

Be God's!

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Random Thoughts...

Scattershooting while intentionally not looking at an emotional Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode (I mean it's about a dying mother for crying out loud!)...

-- Dropping your keys can get pretty darn annoying. Dropping a pencil, however, is the norm.

-- Having a friend who cares is worth more than gold. Especially so when he has clues to solving your mysteries.

-- Duct tape can fix almost anything... except an old desk chair that lowers a quarter inch every five minutes. Maybe it just needs more duct tape...

-- That six degrees of separation sometimes becomes two. I don't usually expect to hear about someone I know on the radio or television. I just don't run in those circles. But I found out this afternoon that the daughter of an old mentor died unexpectedly. Suicide, police think. Her husband was famous in these parts. My heart is very heavy for my friend and his family.

-- That haste makes waste in SO many ways. Especially when it involves my health.

-- I found out tonight I can cook fish. That's a first for me. Tilapia coated with seasoning salt, and cooked in butter with green onion and parsley. Still yet to be conquered: raw shrimp, lamb, and goat. Don't hold your breath for that last one...

-- A little note of encouragement can make a day. A Bible verse that ministers, even more.

-- That I like this format of blogging but I imagine it gets annoying to read...

-- That when God says "no," it's because He's in the know. I went to buy a camcorder the other day with some extra cash I'd saved but the store was all out of the camera model I wanted. Every store around was out of stock. Turns out I needed the money for a high utility bill and doctor's stuff. I was bummed at the store. I am blessed now.

Be God's!

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Love Words From... The Skit Guys

Gotta love The Skit Guys. They have a new Valentine's Day-themed video. Take a look. The link takes you to their website. Click on "Watch Preview."

Love Words « Videos « The Skit Guys


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Suffering Well

As some of you may know, a dynamic pastor in the Flower Mound area is going through a really difficult trial right now thanks to a brain tumor. Matt Chandler is senior pastor at The Village Church, a fellowship some 6,000 strong, and was diagnosed with the cancerous intruder last Thanksgiving. He's currently undergoing aggressive radiation. He's 35. One of our staff here at Crossroads Bible discovered this story on Yahoo about Matt's brave battle and I wanted to share it with you. It really moved me. Get your tissues out and join me in praying for the young man and his young family.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100131/ap_on_re/us_rel_the_pastor_s_cancer_1


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