Update on Scotty at Mayo Clinic

     Hello friends! Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to you for all the prayers for Scotty as he is here in Rochester, MN at the renowned Mayo Clinic. God has been answering our prayers and we are thankful for many blessings! We are truly honored that you care and are supporting us in love and prayers.

     As we are on this journey, I just wanted to share a brief history and update because sometimes it can be hard to piece it all together. Basically, Scotty is here at the Pain Management Clinic. This is an intense three-week program for people who have chronic pain with no other options for surgery or medicine.  The  goal is not to necessarily relieve all pain nor to find new answers for the condition at hand, but to help the patient reduce medicine and learn practical methods to live a quality life with as little pain as possible.

                                    Some of the caring staff at the clinic

     Scotty’s back pain started over 20 years ago as he was injured playing football as the quarterback at Evangel University. He has had four major back surgeries. One was a fusion down low at L5 S1 and another surgery was a fusion with hardware placed in the mid-back at T11 T12. The third surgery took the hardware out after a few years. And the last surgery was a total-disk replacement back down to the lower spine. The operations were performed by doctors with the highest qualifications around the country including Dr. Ziglar at the Texas Spine Institute for the total disk replacement. And yet, none have cured the injury. In fact, there is not only  spine damage but there is also nerve damage, arthritis, degenerative disease, and scar tissue that adds to the pain.

     Consequently, we have tried numerous medicines, herbal oils, vitamins, hot tubs, topical creams, acupuncture, chiropractors, massage therapy, physical therapy, and a dozen other things we would say were “unusual but worth trying”! While some of the remedies do give relief, it only lasts momentarily at best. This is what has led us to the Mayo program.  We have accepted that outside of a miracle, which we are believing for, we have done all we can do.

     To this point, Scotty has completed two out of the three weeks of the program. The staff is excellent and we know they are offering the best possible. While most of the tools taught we are already aware of and apply, there have been enough new things to give us hope. However, it will take weeks if not months to see results on a measurable scale. So, we trust the Lord and are doing our part to utilize the information we have been given.

    

     Overall, Scotty is doing well. God is helping him. To be honest, it has been very challenging physically and mentally, especially at night as he is off all meds and working to “retrain the brain” on how to deal with the pain. There are many other lifestyle details he, and all of us, are learning that is part of the process. In fact, the older two girls and I attended a two-day training to learn what we can do to help. We are all working together for optimal results.

The girls in class (7 hrs/day) learning how the body handles pain and how to live with someone in pain. 

     One blessing is that Scotty has been able to still preach on the weekends in various churches and will do an upcoming youth event this weekend. Honestly, I stand in awe of the Lord equipping him for these because of the struggle going on physically. But God is greater than our own ability. For everyone's trials, we can rest assured that "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29 

     No matter what you are struggling with in health, loss, hurt, financial concern, addiction etc. God is strong when we are not. We are unable to control our circumstances but we are able to fully depend on the Lord for every moment. When we suffer, our main focus is to trust He has allowed it for purposes beyond our knowledge and will help us. 

     Whatever you may be facing could be a time of challenge, but we want to encourage you with Isaiah 41:10. “For do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand!”

      Again, thank you for your love during this time. We are on Day 13 and appreciate all the prayers for the next 8 days and the weeks to follow. Believing for healing and victory! 

With the girls praying for God to help us while we praise Him for all He has already done.