Week 586-587 - Don’t have a Leg to Stand On - 11-12-2017

Don't Have a Leg to Stand On

Since we last left you, we spent a week visiting Pete's sister Donnalee in Redding and Emily and Chad and grandkids in Butte Valley. That was a great time, but our focus for the last couple of months has been on Ellen's knee.

We have met or seen over 100 pickleball players with knee replacements. All of them said they were glad they did it and only wish they had done it sooner. In December 2015 Ellen had her knee surgery at the prestigious Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California.

All seemed well. Surgery went well and therapy started right away. Ellen had excellent range of motion, walked very soon and started playing pickleball in a few months. That was later than most players we know but it seemed like the right timing.

Over the next year things got worse. While Ellen still had good movement and range, the knee pain would go from non-existent to extreme. In January 2017 we were referred to Dr. Hedley in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Hedley is known for being willing to repair work from other doctors. Immediately he knew that the tibial insert, between the upper and lower knee parts, was too thin. He operated and replaced the insert with a thicker one. Wonderful! Now after a short recovery, Ellen's knee pain would be reduced.

By July 2017, that did not turn out to be true. The knee can still at times be very painful. Our local Dr. Mooney could not find anything wrong. "Ellen just falls into the 15 percent, whose knee looks perfect to the doctors but is painful to the patient". To get another opinion Ellen got a referral to Stanford University. We had to wait until November, but that would be okay if the pain could be remediated.

Our day had come. On November 7th we met with Dr. Huddleston at the Stanford Medical Center in Redwood City. After a couple of hours of xrays and examinations, Dr. Huddleston announced, "there is nothing we can do". Dr. Mooney's prognosis was correct.

Now what? On our visit to Em and Chad's our granddaughter asked Ellen daily, "Are you happy or sad?". Coralyn would aways choose to be happy. So based on "Coryanna's" advice, we choose to be happy.

Life has many trials. In the book of James chapter 1 verses 2 to 4 it says; "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Ellen will move on, spiritually and physically, dealing with the pain and not letting it affect her joy. We will continue to pray for a miracle. We have experienced many miracles in our life.

Ellen had a breach baby and the doctor turned it around in a painful procedure. A second breach baby came along. We had our Bible study group pray for Ellen and the baby turned around on its own.

Pete had a neck problem and could not turn his neck to the to right. We went to be prayer and worship night in San Luis Obispo. This was one of those unbelievable meetings where the pastor would announce afflictions. "There is a man with severe ringing in his ear". The man would come up, they would pray for him and the ringing stopped. Really? "There is a woman who can't use or raise her left arm". She would come up, they would pray and the woman would raise her arms praising the Lord. Yeah, right! These scenarios always left us skeptical. But Pete decided if the pastor claimed "there is a man would cannot turn his head to the right", then Pete would come forward. But, that did not happen. Finally, the pastor said "Anyone who wants more the Holy Spirit, come up". Pete went forward along with dozens of others. Without any word being spoken a man came up behind Pete, laid his hand on Pete's neck and prayed. Pete sat down and not thinking about his neck turned it completely to the right. He was healed and remains so today over 20 years later.

You can think that the first two healings were set ups. But, we know Pete's was real. We have received miracles. You have seen miracles too. Think of what a miracle the body that God created is. Look at these before and after photos of Pete's finger. 1) This is what the finger looked like after the stitches were removed. 2) And this is how it looks today. Truly, what a miracle the body is!

Joshua 24:15 "... As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Ellen will continue to work hard on strengthening her muscles. And we will continue to pray for a miracle. Donnalee sent this email: "I am praying for a miracle for you. Man has exhausted his knowledge for relief for you. May God who created all things good have mercy on you, take your pain away, and use you as a mighty testimony for His glorious work. Amen!"

We could not agree more. If you think of it, say a prayer for Ellen.

We will soon head South for a warmer winter. Come on along, it will be fun.

With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy

Photos from Nov 2017