A PATIENT PATIENT

So many of you have called or e-mailed to see how I am doing. In the past I would have put on my “mask” and replied, “I am fine.” However, through so many lessons, these past several months, I must now confess I still need your prayers. Here is why…

Definitions:
Patient-willing to put up with waiting, pain, or anything that annoys, troubles or hurts. Enduring, calmly, without complaining or losing self control. Persevering, steady effort.
Patient-a person who is being treated by a doctor.

I get an A for being a patient-a person who is being treated by a doctor. However, I get an F+ for being patient. I got my staples out on Tuesday, Dec 29th. It went better than expected and despite some soreness/numbness in my left eye and cheek, my recovery from this surgery has been moving along quite well.

What I didn’t expect is to have some dental issues that I can not tend to, for several weeks, until I can actually open my mouth wider. I need to be patient until the chewing muscle, which was cut during surgery, heals. Consequently, if anything cold sloshes over to the left side of my mouth, I must brace myself for that lovely shooting pain from a very sensitive tooth.

Did I mention my annoyance at the extra 10 pounds I gained from my steroid trauma? Of course, due to my lack of patience, I expect and want this weight to be gone NOW. Unfortunately, I can not go back to weight training or aerobic exercise for several more weeks. Considering it has only been 2 weeks since I had major surgery…I need to be patient! In due time I will have plenty opportunity to lose the weight…

My ophthalmologist appointment is not until the end of January, so I must continue to endure my double vision. However, there has been some improvement as I have discovered a way to block out the double vision by putting a piece of tape on my glasses and sunglasses. Being the patient person I am, I will be calling, every other day, in hopes that the ophthalmologist might have a cancelation between now and the 27th.

Recently, I started to experience a sore tailbone (also known as a “pain in the butt”). I can only attribute this problem to having slept sitting up, for the first several days after surgery, putting pressure on my tailbone. Unfortunately, the pain has continued to get worse and went from intermittent to chronic. I finally e-mailed my doctor, today, to find out how I might “survive” this newest annoyance which is also testing my failed patience.

Yesterday, during one of my many “complaining” moments, unable to endure, I turned to the Lord and cried out for Him to take away the pain (yes, the one in my butt!). He turned me to II Corinthians 12: 8-9. This is where Paul writes, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I (Paul and Laura) will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I have gained a new appreciation for Paul and for those of you who have had to endure chronic pain, chronic illnesses, or painful treatments such as chemo-therapy. My “job” is to learn how to wait, trust, and rejoice in all that I am learning from this experience. As I read back through my BLOG, I am reminded of my own counsel: James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Having written this new post, I am already feeling stronger and more prepared for what lies ahead. Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable. A friend recently pointed out that I am a patient person, with others, just not with myself. I know your prayers have lifted me up, for several months, and will continue to lift me up as I try not to be the over-achieving, impatient, patient that I currently am.

Slow-dancing in La Mesa! Happy New Year!

Love,

Laura