Thanks, Ronnie. I’m in Sarasota, south of Tampa. LOL, I guess just about everyone knows where Sarasota is. You are too kind. I get such satisfaction from helping people who are less fortunate than I. Even though one of the women showed up extremely intoxicated today and wanted to fight me. LOL. The director made sure she was near me and kept the lady in line until she left on foot. When this lady is not intoxicated, she is the sweetest thing. It’s terrible what alcohol can do to a person.

I’m sorry about your brother-in-law passing. And also for your chronic pain and multiple spinal surgeries. You’re an inspiration! Living with chronic pain, as we all know, is extremely challenging every day of our lives. Got bless you and everyone who is suffering, my friend.

The reasons that you stated regarding why you would not use pain medications are the same reasons that I quit using them. They made me completely dysfunctional and eventually did not alleviate my pain. I would rather be alert and able to drive and spend my time in ministry than to be somewhat out of pain and in a stupor and a wheelchair at home like I was two years ago. The pain does make it more difficult, but as you know, life must go on. Either that, or we can choose to give up. I chose to live in pain. I did for decades until I tried the pump, so I. can again. It’s good and quite necessary for many. I have people in my life with everything from lupus to cancer to advanced stages of AIDS. Without pain medication and medical marijuana they would have no quality-of-life whatsoever. So for them, it is a necessary evil.

The first spinal surgery in 1997 did alleviate my pain. It was cervical and I had an excellent surgeon. My recovery was quicker than prognosed even though the fibromyalgia did cause me to take longer to heal than the average person of my age.

The second more recent surgery, about eight or 10 years ago, was lumbar. I think it was the same disks that you mentioned. Did you also have a lot of instrumentation inserted? I had a few cages with nuts and bolts, but unfortunately, it did not eleminate the pain or the forward bend. I can move pretty quickly with my walker. But take it away… And my spine just wants to collapse. The pain is always there. Due to my stomach problems, I can occasionally tolerate a few ibuprofen. It gives me slight relief for a short time... not really enough to mention.

When I was at the Mayo Clinic Clinic, Jax, in 2016-17, I had two neurologists and a spinal surgeon examine me and run tests. I have a large deformation on the thoracic spine that is visible through some shirts, so I’m careful about what I wear. They told me that if I had it removed, it would just grow back. Fortunately, that particular protrusion is not painful.

The same physicians also diagnosed a pinched L/5. I was able to tolerate it until I began having sciatica on one side. Within a few months, I developed it on both sides. It doesn’t usually bother me when I am upright, but lying down is so painful it is difficult to fall asleep. I slept for one and a half hour last night and then I just had to get up.

My insomnia is so crazy, but that has become normal for me. Somehow, God has enabled me to function not only in spite of pain, but in spite of no sleep as well. LOL. I have to laugh about it because it is so rediculous! That is why I often don’t tell people about my health issues for fear that they will think I am exaggerating to gain attention. In fact, my step-daughter is one of those people. She was so unkind to me that we haven’t spoken in nearly two years. I tried to reconcile with her, but she lives in a fantasy world. So I’ve forgiven her and let it go. As I like to say, let GO... D.

I know a lot of us feel that way because unless someone has suffered, I find that they are often quick to judge and can be superficial. They live in a La La Land of their own making. That is exactly why I stress to people not to judge those less fortunate because we know how it feels when people act as if we are exaggerating our symptoms. That’s why this site is wonderful that we who are suffering with physical or emotional pain can relate to one another and encourage each other. It hurts when people act as if we are exaggerating how are symptoms or health problems.

If it looks like I’m going to require a third surgery like you are facing, I will be in touch to find out about your doctor. The hard part is that my spouse cannot stay with me while I am going through testing or surgery. It was hard enough when I was in Tampa for the last surgery and he had to drive so many miles. I am concerned about his driving and safety.

Thank you again for your support. You would be an asset to any ministry! Enjoy your pain-free days. God bless you, and please stay in contact. I’d like to know how things go for you.

I pray you and all our friends sleep peacefully tonight.
Peggy 💖