Guess what I did...

I can't believe I did something so crazy, last Saturday. 

The day started innocently enough. We had a birthday party for my adorable Nephew, who turned the big 3 years old, to go to later that day. 

It's a hike from our home to the party place, but we made it a nice time by hitting our favorite breakfast spot when in the area- Omelette House. I'm drooling just thinking about it now. 

Afterwards, we hit a thrift store that was 'new' to us. That ate up just enough time to go to the party!

We hadn't even been at the party for an hour when disaster struck...

I was participating in something that a woman of the age of 47 years young, should not be doing.

What you ask?

Bouncing with my Sisters, in a bounce house. 

Yep! There I was feeling good. Thinking my Lymph system is going to be very happy from all the jumping around I was doing. Everyone is having a grand time. 

Next thing you know, I bounced and came down in excruciating pain! 

I saw stars.

The pain took my breath away.

My head felt thick and fuzzy. 

I could hear their worried voices filled with concern and excitement in the background. In that group of voices, I could hear my Mom, asking if I can get up because I was scaring the children. Oddly and inwardly, that made me laugh. She added that she didn't want anyone bumping into me, causing me more hurt.

Gotta love her! 

I kept feeling as though I was wetting my pants. My vanity kept checking to make sure I wasn't. That's all I needed. On top of hurting my knee, pride, feeling stupid and to pee myself?!

UGH!

I heard someone yell to look for Terry, who had just ran to the store for a T-shirt a very sweaty, Mini Man. 

Next thing you know these beautiful blue eyes are staring at me with so much love that I felt my heart burst. He spoke to me gently about if I could move my leg. I honestly don't remember speaking. 

I felt hot and sweaty. 

I couldn't speak.

I felt like I was going to throw up. I thought to myself, please don't let me blowing chunks too...

The fuzzy cotton feeling was leaving my head, though there was ringing in my ears making it hard to hear everyone. Voices were chatting all at once at me. 

Could I walk? 
Could I move my toes? 
Was I okay?

Terry asked if I could get up. I shook my head and squeaked out a "No!"

My leg felt weird. Kind of like jelly but with hot pokers stabbing the knee. My hip and ankle hurt too. At the same time I didn't feel my leg. It felt floaty. That scared me. It was a weird feeling. If it felt floaty why did it hurt so *@*!-ing bad?!

He managed to help me slide out. He asked if I could walk. I tried but then I felt a lightening flash of pain as my knee decided to slide to the left of my leg. The back of my leg felt as though it was popping to the back of where it shouldn't and the top of my leg seemed to keep on it's path forward. 

I freaked out and saw my Dad sitting to my left and called for him.

Back in the day, he was in charge of the Ortho Department as a Ortho Tech. 

He came over quickly, peppered me with questions about how I was feeling. 

They found me a chair that I managed to slide in. I felt the room dimming. Even my lips felt heavy.

I told myself, 'NO! I can't pass out! Mini Man is scared enough!'

His eyes were as big as saucers and I could see his bottom lip quivering with worry.

I felt a rush of heat that reminded me of a hot flash. Still feeling nauseated, someone gave me a bottle of water and an ice pack. 

Dad and Terry kept talking to me. All the while I just wanted everyone to be quiet. 

I couldn't think. 

I hated to worry everyone. I knew something was terribly wrong with my knee. Dad reminded Terry we are right across the street from the hospital.

After what seemed like an eternity, in actuality I think it was less than 10 minutes, I told Terry I think we needed to go to the E.R.

Arrangements were made to keep Mini Man at the party with the family. There was about another hour to go and he was looking forward to pizza and cake. Staying would get his thoughts toward something fun instead of worrying about me. 

My parents and Terry managed to grab a wheeled chair to take me out to the Jeep.

I felt cooler at that time. My need to vomit was fading. Thank goodness!

I managed to joke with other parents as we were leaving, not to play in the bounce house because this is what happens.

I couldn't just get in the Jeep like usual. 

NO WAY!

Terry thought it would be best for me to sit in the back across the seats. I freaked out a few more times as the knee wiggled off the side of my leg again, sending stars back. 

Now how we got in the E.R. is fuzzy. I'm not sure why. 

I shook just about the whole time I was there. I know the shock of the whole situation was bearing down on me. Terry gave me a HUGE hug that grounded me back down to earth. 

After the evaluation with the D.R., he said, he believed that my Patella may have been detached as well as damage to ligaments and possibly my MCL.

I felt even more dumb.

My parental units and Sister  brought Mini Man to us afteward. Mom captured that pivotal moment on video. So, much of that moment maybe entirely different then I recall. 

By this time I was in better spirits, was given pain medication and waiting to be discharged. They joked a kidded me to keep my mind from wondering about my horrendous folly.

The ride home was not pleasant. I hadn't eaten since early that morning and the pain medication was making my nausea worse. 

I was never ever so grateful to see the Golden Arches. We rarely eat fast food but it was just enough to settle my stomach. I closed my eyes on the way home, still using my pressure points to help with the car sickness as well.

After we got settled in, I reassured Mini Man that my leg didn't fall off and wasn't broken. I showed him what it looked like and that satisfied him enough to ease his concerns.

A visit on Wednesday to see the Orthopedic D.R. was another backseat adventure. 

Did I mention I get carsick in the backseat? I was holding my pressure points on the way to and from on last Saturday and Wednesday. 

His thought is that I just tore the heck out of my knee area and that he will know more when he see the MRI results. He believes that a 6-8 week recovery will be in order. 


BUT...

He stated that if the MRI shows if I tore or detached my Patella or MCL or worse then I will need surgery that he would do 'after' my 6-8 week for the swelling to go down. Then, the surgery. The recovery from that will be another 6-8 weeks to heal. 

Confused? I was too. 

So, we are talking a possible 112 days if it is the worst scenario when all said and done!

ECK!

The MRI has not yet been approved by insurance. I'm supposed to have it on this upcoming Tuesday, seeing the D.R. again on Wednesday for the results. He also ordered a flexible knee brace that I did get an appointment for on Wednesday as well. 

So this is where I'm at. I work my way between one side of the couch to another. I try to sit in Mr. Awesome's chair to add variety and get up at least once an hour to stretch my aching behind. 

Training for my whirlwind bike tour is off the table right now. It's not impossible, just not happening for awhile.

The opening of my little antique shop is also being pushed back until late Summer or Fall of 2018.

When I do it, I really do it good!

Thankfully, Peanut is on Winter break. She can help me out really well. I've enlisted her and Mr. Awesome to perform energy work on my knee at least once a day. 

I received a new book, 'How to heal yourself when no one else can', by Amy B. Scher. that I'm excited about trying out. It deals with EFT. I'll experiment and let you know how that works with my other energy work. 

Mini Man is the every dutiful wee one. He helps out a bunch and only whines complains a little bit.

I admit to already going stir crazy. I am still a terrible patient.  

Mr. Awesome believes that in some weird way maybe this is a way for me to slow down and just heal from Lyme issues. 

I feel grateful. 

It wasn't both legs. 

These legs have supported me everyday. 

Carried me. 

Helped me run to safety when I needed to. 

I love my legs. 

Kind and soulful, Wendi, who is a Moderator in one of the many FB groups I recently joined, reminded me to send love to my legs. I need to do this for the rest of my body as well for continued healing for Lyme.

It's funny how much you begin to appreciate things when you are unable to do the normal routine. I'm blessed. This is small stuff in comparison to so many other issues others have. Though I may rant whine  talk about being a bummed and frustrated. I know this is for a reason. 

I have had time to finish a shawl that I had been working on and off for a few years.

I crocheted a pair of slippers for myself, created a button necklace and earring set, and working on my next book. 

Most importantly, I have time to dig into my Bible!

Research design ideas for my shop, call Scotty about opening a farmstay, market my books, do another Vision Board, design our next garden, think of potentially setting up at the Spring fleamarket and dream of other wonderful things next year. 

I'm excited no matter what the outcome of my knee. I know God's got this!


P.S.- It's okay to laugh at this. I am. What a story that my Sister will remember, marking my Nephews special day!

Guest post: Someone I think you should know- Kristal Slager

Mr. Awesome had encouraged me to reach out to those that I have been inspired by.  There are so many people that are in my own tribe that have successful businesses, as well as those that champion for a variety of Causes or those that changed their lives dramatically because of some sort of serious issue.

I soak up positive stories like some people soak up the sun. I am encouraged, uplifted and amazed at the challenges or obstacles these people have overcome. 

I will bring you people that I pray impact you as much as they have impacted me over the next year and maybe longer! 

I worked with Kristal, well; I worked in the same building we were on different teams. The times we interacted were filled with banter and fun ribbing on one another. I still have a fondness for a super adorable Cupcake bag she has.

I didn’t see her for a bit and kind of keep to myself with the rumor mills that run around workplaces. I happen to overhear a conversation between a few co-workers and was sadden to hear that she was diagnosed with Terminal Cancer and she wasn’t well enough to keep working.

A dear Friend had started a Facebook page called Praying for Kristal. The page is filled with support, prayers, and love.

I kept tabs on the group as well as on her personal page, I was inspired how she didn't seem like some person just waiting to wither away! I became deeply encouraged by her faith, courage and strength on her journey.

She shared some intimate moments but always gave glory to the Lord. I found out recently her journey started with her mammogram in 2010. There was a lump found on her right breast. She quickly had that taken care of and remained free of cancer for many years.

Fast forward to a few years, she developed back pain so severe that she could only find some degree of comfort by sleeping in her car or chair. She had seen a doctor whom informed her she pulled a muscle and later that she had Degenerative Arthritis. He provided her with comfort measures and sent her on her way. Time is passing and her back wasn’t getting any better. The Doctor kept giving her the run around, cortisone shots and offering physical therapy.

She was to the point where she couldn’t walk. Work and just getting around was becoming too extreme. After 2 years she was no better than when she first saw her doctor. She needed to take matters in her own hands so she consulted another physician.This doctor ordered numerous tests that her other primary caregiver hadn’t done!

She received her results the afternoon of her testing. The results sank in immediately.  She has incurable, inoperable Stage 4 Metastasized Cancer. There are 23 tumors in her spine, 3 in her groin, 6 in her Liver and scattered throughout her body.This is why she was in so much pain with her back!

She was/is being treated with radiation for 2 series. She will be on Chemo for the rest of her life and starting on a new series of radiation on her legs as it has spread.

After her diagnosis she gave her Cancer to the God and considers herself 100% healed! She recalls looking out the windshield, telling the Lord she couldn’t do this! She told the Lord to take it! It’s much bigger then what she could handle and she was not willing to have Cancer in her body. Finding a hair color was big enough but this?! This was too much!

With this she never took it back. She says when we have a problem we give it to God, if we keep praying about it then we didn’t really “give” it to Him. We told Him about it but keep praying on it rather than casting all your cares upon Him.

When Kristal faces doubt or challenges come up she prays for wisdom, strength, a positive attitude and how to talk to others about Jesus. She wants to give glory to God!

Even though some folks would grow negative, bitter, depressed and upset, she continues to share how much God loves her in the waiting room at the doctors or while waiting for her Chemo treatment. She wants to share when God has done for her! During this time some of her relationships have grown closer, yet some grew further apart as her faith grew and she began to witness for the Lord.

She turns everything over to God, sometimes she forgets and frets over silly stuff and then it clicks to give it all to the Lord. She quotes scripture for solace and give thanks to the Lord: 

I lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help…

Blessed is the man that walked not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sitter in the seat of the scornful but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in this law doth he meditate day and night…

She has many favorite verses but Nahum 1:7 is her favorite: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him

I had asked her what words or encouragement did she think should not be said at this time. She says that she has explored her options for and says please don’t offer but appreciates it.Within the first week of diagnosis several well meaning folks suggested that she try:

Hypnosis
Marijuana
Dandelion Root
Oils
Acid diet
Greens only
Or that she travel to Mayo Clinic.

Kristal says it seems when they make suggestions it makes things a bit awkward and has to tell folks “Thanks but no thanks”.

Throughout all of this she thanks God for giving her a wake up call to live!  Her adventures have included visiting friends and family and being invited to speak at a Women’s group. She is also invited to lunch much more before her diagnosis, it’s been wonderful to reconnect and to connect with loved ones!

To learn more about the Lord and this God loving Woman she can be reached on Facebook Kristal Biggs Slager and Facebook page: Praying for Kristal 

I hope her story has inspired you as much as she has inspires me!