Merry Christmas Eve

God bless you! May Mary, the Mother of God, hold your hand through your trials... I always think of her at 9 months pregnant riding a donkey cross-country and then being forced to give birth in a stable without her womenfolk to support her. In those times I think typically a woman would be surrounded by her kinswomen, a learned woman (doula or midwife), and fellow villager women. However, Mary gave all that up because of the emperor's census. She travelled with Joseph on a donkey -- they were probably very fortunate to have one -- across country. It must have been a terrible and terrifying time, but she knew the Savior was going to be the result.

Two months ago I was in Houston preparing for major surgery.I was in a lot of pain and very anxious for the pain and surgery to be over. The surgery was relatively quick, but the pain (mostly from the surgery) is a continuing trial. The severe pain issues from before the surgery have dissipated for the most part. My collarbones don't feel like they're being pulled down my chest unless I over-use them. My arms are weak, but the nerves are stretching and hopefully healing properly. Physical therapy has carried me a l-o-n-g way towards recovery. I will never be as I was, but with this physical therapy I am doing so much better. In a little less than 6 weeks I've gone from being unable to lay flat (on my back, no attempts on my stomach) to being able to lay on my stomach while raising my upper body by my arms. That is a HUGE difference.

That's not to say that PT is all rainbows and unicorns... Some of the exercises and manipulations are terribly painful. I've got scar tissue/adhesions between the muscles and skin that constantly work against standing up straight. On area on my left is so painful that it feels a bit like when my appendix was inflamed. In order to eliminate the adhesion I have to press on it where it hurts the most and hold pressure on it for 90 seconds. That is the longest 90 seconds I've encountered for a long time! Thursday at PT Simon got to help by doing the pushing on my sore spot. He thought it was great and funny, I thought it was typical and torture!

May this procedure (surgery and PT) be my savior from my problems!

I also want to say Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my journey. I've been trying to send Christmas cards to those who send me notes, cards, or contributions, but I am a failure at correspondence. Believe me, I am so grateful for every little thing that everyone has done for me that I'd love to write notes to each and every one of you. The sad fact is that I don't because I get caught up in everything else going on: Christmas, kids, house, work, etc. It's no excuse really, but , that's what it is. I apologize if I've left you out... I plan on trying to write more cards before the New Year. God bless you all and Merry Christmas!!