A Personal Update and Blogging Note

Hi Friends, it's been awhile since I shared much personally about what's been going on with me health-wise. I'd thought about sharing often, but haven't because things have been inconclusive as to a diagnosis. So it's time to say a bit and tell you about things that are coming up.

(sharing a few pics from past Spring posts)

 We mostly finished up with the house remodel late last Spring, except for having some work crews doing landscaping and refitting our basement crawl space. Most of the hard work was over, thank goodness. But no sooner did I get to relax and get settled here at the new house, I started having a problem with my breathing. I won't get into details, but I went to six different doctors and specialists, and have gotten at least 6 different answers. It was so frustrating to be handed off again and again without any help. Very long story, that I'm trying to keep short. It's all come down to repeat MRIs that I first had done in 2016 which showed I had degeneration of my cervical spine.

The autoimmune problems I have had caused swelling and inflammation in my nerves and spinal cord, but going off gluten back in 2017 caused a big improvement and lessening symptoms. So I kind of put that thought of spine surgery on hold, thinking that with less inflammation my neck problems wouldn't be a big problem.

But after seeing all these doctors and testing for multiple possibilities, the MRIs showed that the bone deterioration has become very extensive and is literally shutting down the nerves that control my diaphragm and causing severe headaches and neck pain, facial numbness, arm and shoulder pain, and generally feeling bad. So that brings me here, after 9 months of searching for answers, to having an ACDF surgical procedure at the end of March.  Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

I was hoping it would be a relatively noninvasive procedure, but not that easy. They have to go through the front of my neck and replace two discs and remove bone growth that is the culprit for blocking off the nerves.

I'm posting All About Home next Monday, but since I really don't know how this will affect me, I'm going to just see day to day. Sitting in front of the computer is difficult right now. Hopefully it will be better after this surgery, at some point.  As of yesterday my surgery is still scheduled since it's not really "elective"; basically the nerves that control my ability to breathe are being "scrunched".

I'm trusting God through all of this and know I will come out in a much better place, but it's not easy to get through on a daily basis, especially with the corona virus situation. I'd really appreciate your prayers and good thoughts, as we also pray for all those who are ill with this virus and their families. I know we're all approaching this with the concept of helping those we can and looking inward to be aware of how we can learn whatever lessons there are to be gleaned from all this.

I think I have a post or two to share of Easter decor, but after next week I'll be taking a break for a bit. I'm hoping I'll be back in a wink, it's just hard to know. I love blogging and I'm coming up on 11 years with you all. I may end up with some very short posts at first, to be able to enjoy this Spring and Easter season. You all take care of yourselves and family. I'm praying for you all, thank you for being dear friends!