I am a healthy person, especially good for my age. Most of you readers do not know this, I have been dealing with right shoulder pain since mid-April. I am one of those people who often thinks their aches and pains are stressed or pulled muscle and it will go away in a week or so with ice or a heating pad. Well, this time it did not, instead the pain got worse and the area around my back shoulder blade was noticeably mree swollen than the other side. After a few more days of ice instead of heat and ibuprofen making no difference in pain and very little with swelling, I called to get into the doctor. His next open appointment was over two weeks away but they would let me switch that with my spouse, who was scheduled for the next day and he could come on the later date. This was a small
blessing. The doctor recommended more frequent ice sessions, a short regimen of theraphy, and larger doses of ibuprofen to see if it fixed the problem since I still had good range of motion. I was praying and
expecting a quick healing, instead the pain only seemed to get worse! However the swelling did finally go down.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. - Psalm 30:2 (ESV)
Since therapy did not work, I was sent for an MRI in May, which showed two muscles tears above the shoulder blade and inflammation in the shoulder joint. I was referred to the Orthopedist that did my shoulder surgery several years before. It would be almost two months before I could an appointment with the specialist! I made the appointment and asked to be put on a wait-list in case of a cancellation. By now, my spouse had to drive me everywhere because I could barely lift my arm. I was wondering why God was not giving me a quick solution, which I was continually praying for. A few days later, the Orthopedist receptionist called me to see if I was willing to go out-of-town for an appointment in mid-June. Another small blessing that we willingly took! The Orthopdic surgeon said the old surgery still looked good so he gave me shots in the shoulder to relieve that, plus scheduled therapy to start the following week, and a perscription for a few pain pills. The shots made me dizzy and nauseous. So after being returned to in a seat in the waiting area and drinking half a can of soda, I was ok enough to walk to car with my son and spouse helping. I took a nap after each therapy session once I finished an icing session because the pain pills made me sleepy. Over the next few weeks, the pain got somewhat better and after about two months I could finally drive myself again. I kept praying to be strong and healthy again. Thank the Lord, I had the support I needed during this time [unlike poor Job with his friends and family].
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise. - Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV)
However, there was still occasional bad pain. When I went for my yearly physical at the beginning of this month, my doctor asked about the shoulder. I said it was better, although I still had pain off and on, as well as limitations in what I could lift. Since it was no longer excruciating and keeping me from doing most things, I said it was something I could just live with [like Paul's thorn in the flesh].
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” - Luke 8:48 (ESV)
About seven months after all this started on Sunday (November 10, 2024) at church, we had a movement of God for healing and help with other needs. While we were praying for people, I got an impression that I should lift my arm as high as I could. So I relied on God, lifted my right arm to a typically comfortable level, and continued to pray in the spirit as God led me. As I prayed I could sense my arm going higher. By the time we finished praying and praising God, I had no pain! Praise Jesus! It may seem like a small thing to some, but to me it was a miracle! I felt like the woman who touched the hem of Jesus garment. I feel it is a testimony that although we may go through things and not understand why, with God all things are possible and everything that happens has a purpose. We may not understand the why yet, but someday we will.
