For the past couple of weeks my husband has had some abdominal pain and discomfort. His pain threshold is pretty high, almost literally.
He is a paraplegic so for him to feel any kind of abdominal pain it must reach a point where he can feel it above his sensory line. And for most of us it would be severe but for him it is discomfort to moderate in intensity.
At a doctor’s visit yesterday the decision was made to put him in the hospital to check out what was causing the pain/discomfort. A CT scan was performed and a leison was found on his kidney. Kidney issues are not unusual for paraplegics. However for us the past three years have been almost non-stop health concerns…from minor to serious, from a cold/flu to surgeries for both of us.
When David told me the doctor wanted to put him in the hospital again it was very difficult to keep myself from imaging the worst. I had to make a conscious effort to rely on those spiritual practices I developed and used to get me through breast cancer. Prayer is first and foremost. Prayers from family, friends, church, co-workers have kept me strong and focused. The prayers support and keep me from going to that place where I imagine the worst.
The other is spiritual and practical and it is about asking for help—something that I have had to do with my husband back in the hospital. This week in particular has been more about spiritual progress than healthy eating and exercising. However, as a quick update, I am keeping up well with Weight Watchers online and walking at least five times a week.
Do you have a spiritual resolution to share? Comment below!
—Carm Russell
