Week 2, Day 2: The Comparison

"It’s often when our suffering is at its 

worst that the devil walks in, ready to 

attack our faith." 

This, a quote from today's WELS' Daily Devotion, titled, "The Comparison". It's amazing how God knows just what we need to know, and be reminded of, and exactly when. 

By the devotion's title, you may have thought that "The Comparison", referred to the contrasting of my recent x-rays. Instead, it suggests both the damage we do, and the risk to our faith, when we measure ourselves up against others, be it achievements, looks, earthly possessions... It also highlight's the time we have here, for life each day on Earth, is so brief,in comparison to the time we'll spend in our eternal home in Heaven.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's heard a sermon on a Sunday and marveled at its' perfect timing and personal application.  This is exactly how I feel about today's devotion. Read it here: http://www.wels.net/spiritual-help/daily-devotion/2014-04/devotion-april-8-2014

Really.  It's worth the read. 

Today's therapy seemed to go a lot faster than previous days'.  The idea that I don't have to CONSTANTLY be thinking about not falling off the blue disk, while using the cantilever, is - I believe - a true testament to the whole basis of this treatment.  The idea is that the postural control center in the brain is learning a new way to hold posture. When I first stood on The Vibe (the vibrating disk used while wearing the cantilever), I absolutely could not break concentration, or I'd fall.  It was like I was trying to balance on a full-sized, ball.  Now, it feels more like I'm simply standing on a trampoline.  And I can talk, and move, and I don't (usually) fall.

Today's x-ray showed no change in curve reduction (Cobb Angle); I'm still at 35 degrees. BUT, it did show that vertebral rotation is improved, and my entire spine is shifting more midline.  Dr. D was encouraged to see this, and adjusted my cantilever to persuade my whole rib cage and spine to continue moving along to the right! It's fascinating how each person's spine and response to treatment is unique.  It's fun to watch how the treatment changes and progresses, accordingly.

I've been very forthright with the doc, as well as Andi and Amy, in letting them know that I am prepared to do the uncomfortable - even painful, if it's going to work/help me!  I think maybe he's bringing me that challenge.

It's quite heavy, now.

15 lb weight on my right, and the newly-added,
2nd lever with a 10 lb weight, on the left

the myriad of cantilever weights

The biggest positive so far, is that it seems curve stabilization has occurred. Seeing as though, the surgical threshold for a fusion, etc., is around 40 degrees, I'll take my 35 over my 42, any day. Simply assuming I may avoid any surgical intervention, is a big win.

How do I feel?  Sigh.  I don't know?!  My pain gauge has hit the road, and it's so far gone.  It's odd.  I ache and hurt so much on my curve, which is working really hard to change.  I also hurt on the right side of my spine, where these newly-activated muscles are trying to react. A lot of the therapy feels good, and relaxes my tight hip flexors and other hip and lower back muscles, so some things do feel much better.  My neck, also feels much improved.  I think it's going to take me getting back into my normal routine at home, and away from constant therapy, to see what this has done for my pain.  Regardless, I am whole-heartedly convinced that it's the best option I've got.

I'm not, mistakenly-pour-oj-in-the-cereal-rather-than-the-milk kind of exhausted this week.  Phew!  I'm still beat, but it's manageable.

Off to bed I go!  I stopped to buy Garmin a new bed today, during lunch break.  He seems to approve. :0)