Saturday February 28, 2009

Read Psalm 30

Oh Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.—Psalm 30:2

While vacationing in Mexico I contracted Bell's Palsy, a paralysis of the major nerve of one side of the face. Luckily for me a friend had had it a few months earlier. I had seen his face and he had told me about the progression of his bout with Bell's Palsy. We quickly called the house doctor of the resort we were staying at and through my limited Spanish and his limited English we were able to determine it was Bells Palsy and he prescribed medications for me.

I saw my doctor the day after we arrived back home and she changed the medications and added physical therapy. The therapist sent me home with a small device that I was to use four times a day. I was to shock 4 different areas of my face, ten times each, to stimulate the nerves of my face to get them working again. It was not a pleasant thing to do, shocking myself on my eyebrow, nose, lips and cheek. But, I sure didn’t want the left side of my face to stay the way it was, drooping and not moving.

About the 4th day I became very discouraged and just sat down on the toilet and cried. My husband heard me crying and came in. He was surprised to find me this way since I had been pretty upbeat about the whole thing, to this point. He was very understanding and gave me a pep talk, which helped a bit. I finished that shock session and went into the bed room to talk and cry with God. I honestly don’t remember much about the conversation we had, but I do remember to this day the feeling I could finish the therapy, and that God had been with me through the whole experience and would see me through this and any other tough times ahead.

Pray: Lord, thank you for sending your son to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. I can only imagine the pain he endured. I know you are watching over me. Please help me to always come to you when I am hurting or confused. I know you will give me strength. Amen.

Alice Davis gives a shout out to Brynn, her awesome step-daughter and Jeff, her sweetheart of a husband. Oh, and their cat, Abby who lets them live with her.