_{Accept my prayer as incense offered to you,}

_{and my upraised hands as an evening offering.}

_{Psalm 141:2}

The past four months since starting this blog I have shared writing that is quite serious. So, I thought it was time to mix it up a bit and share something that I found fairly funny. Well, at least I thought so at the time…

With the myriad of health professionals poking and prodding my body I sometimes start to feel like a tenderized piece of steak. I have joked with friends during the COVID – 19 pandemic that I should get a QR code tattoo because of all the medical visitors I have. 

At my firstly and only CT guided Cortisone Injection appointment I had an awfully human moment. We all have these moments. Some decide never to talk about them as they are too shocked about what their bodies can do, they block all memory of such moments. Others might silently acknowledge these moments to themselves but do not share them out of embarrassment. Still others like me see the funny side. I’ll be honest though, when you’re injured you need to be able to see the funny side of things.

So, I’ll be brave and share…

Ahem…

here we go…

I was getting my first ever shot of Cortisone Injections into my Sacroiliac joints and Lumbar 5 Facet Joints. For those who don’t know these terms it just means the lower spine and the end of the bottom bones. Because I was struggling with pain on both sides this meant I had to have four Anesthetic needles and four Cortisone Injections. To make sure it got right to where it was meant to, they used a CT scanner. I had to remain completely still. How hard could it be?

I was helped onto the CT bed and laid on my front. Which is always difficult when you have a spinal injury. I managed it and tried to breathe slowly so they could mark up the spots for the needles that were inevitably coming my way. Just a side note – it’s important to say that I hate needles. Yes, I have eight tattoos, but I still hate medical needles. I think they hurt more, particularly anesthetic ones. Also, by laying on my front I couldn’t see where the needles were going or the people that I was having to trust to get it right. So, it did show me that I have a general lack of trust of those in the medical field. Anyhow, let’s get back to it…

The procedure that seems to be followed with Cortisone injections include marking out the exact positions of where the needles are to go. Then they put in the anesthetic needles into the marked spots. After which come the Cortisone needles. I didn’t realise how painful it would be to actually have this procedure done.

I think it had hit a nerve because I felt a sudden pain all the way down my right leg. It was like an electric shock and spasm at the same time. Suddenly I felt like I was going to be sick. The assistant brought me out of the CT scanner and gave me a throw up bag, just in case. I had been so cautious not to over breathe that I hadn’t breathed enough and that made me feel sick. After a few minutes I was then okay enough to continue. Afterall we were almost halfway through the procedure…

So, as I heard the procedure starting over again, I focused on Jesus being present with me and to take my mind of what was happening I started to pray for different people. I like praying for those that Jesus shows me to pray for.

Then I had to…

pass wind. 

Fart. 

Bottom burp. 

Rip one.

pop off…

I tried to squeeze my bottom together so that I wouldn’t gas everyone as they were putting the needles in. The nurse thought I was anxious again and said for me to relax so they can get to the right spot. So, I had to just let loose the SBD fart (Silent but Deadly). At that moment I was reminded that the Bible says that our prayers are like sweet smelling incense rising up to our heavenly father’s nostrils. I wondered if my prayer was acceptable to him as the fart, I had to let loose wouldn’t have smelt sweet at all. As I focused on Jesus being with me, I thought he’d be holding my hand within his and the other pinching together his nostrils to stop the farty smell entering his nose. Then it was all over.

Apparently, lots of people feel instant relief from the pain they were in but of course I have to be different! I was in pretty extreme pain. However, I did get time to spend and talk with Jesus, what can be better?! I hoped that my little prayer might rise to God as an enveloping beautiful fragrance that wafts throughout the heavenly places. Maybe it’d smell like Chanel No.5 or Marc Jacobs Daisy, perhaps even Jadore. Well, I hope so.

My Child…

_{^{Note: This part is written from the perspective of what God, our father might say to his child/children. It is not the Bible…}}

People look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Don’t worry so much what other people may think of you. Don’t even judge your own outward appearance, there is so much more to you than what is seen. Don’t judge your situation to as an embarrassment. For when you choose to live for me your perspective will change.

I know you use humour to cover your pain, but let it out and release it to me. For I alone turn mourning into joy (Psalm 30:11-12).

I see your disappointment at all the things you’ve tried to help return yourself back to 100% “normal” but why strive for normalcy? I made you to stick out from crowd. This place is only temporary, this pain is only temporary. So I invite you to live for that which is eternal. I have set eternity in your heart and as you perceive this you will find confidence in not being “normal”(Ecclesiastes 3:11). Look at the night sky, each star is different and yet each shine brightly. Even more will you shine brighter as focus on me and not your situation.

Know that you are loved my child.

Love,

your father God.

 

Bible Verses…

Psalm 141:2 _{Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.}

1 Samuel 16:7 ^{_{But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”}}

Psalm 30:11-12 _{^{You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!}}

Ecclesiastes 3:11 _{^{Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.}}

Work Cover Tip For The Injured Person…

Don’t be afraid of getting more than one doctor’s or specialist’s diagnosis or opinion regarding your injury. Especially if surgery is mentioned. 

Work Cover Tip For Family, Friends & Colleagues...

Be gentle and patient. There is often grief when someone loses their work because of an injury.