On the Road Again...

It has been a long and difficult journey from March 2013 through March 2014. I had 4 surgeries, followed by some set-backs that kept me off my bike until July 9, 2014. I missed out on my portion of the Sea to Sea bike ride, from Grand Rapids, MI to Toronto in August of 2013. I was ready to go, but ended up with my third surgery on my neck in that year (in 5 months). That was followed by Sinus surgery on March 17, 2014. I had raised  $8,500.00 and was so disappointed that I couldn't join the ride.

After a series of Botox injections in my neck on June 17, I was finally able to turn my head again without pain. I began riding again on July 8, and have covered about 750 miles since then, with less than 75 miles left to ride to complete the miles I would have cycled in Aug, 2013. I am ever mindful of the purpose of that ride (to alleviate poverty), and think about it often as I ride. I should complete those miles this week (weather permitting).

A few good things have come out of all of these surgeries and set-backs. God had a plan, but it is in hindsight that I see it. I am now the local contact person for FRB (Foods Resource Bank) and our church is the sponsoring agent of "The Randolph Growing Project". Through an annual "Soup and Chili Supper" and some donated acreage from farmers, we are working together to sponsor projects through World Renew. This is an ongoing project that I hope and pray will continue to grow in popularity and donations for those who have been stuck in a cycle of poverty for far too long. I praise God for restored health and strength, as well as for the ability to serve in this capacity.

Over these past two + years, and despite the difficulties along the way, I have just reached my goal of losing 60 lbs. I had lost 50 lbs, but gained 7 back during and after surgery. I have lost 17 lbs since July 8, and I am now back in a 36" waist. I think it has been about 25 years since I wore that size!

To all my friends, family, and supporters, THANK YOU for your prayers and encouragement through those difficult times! I don't think I will be able to ride as many miles as I had planned to in the portion of the Sea to Sea ride, but I do look forward to participating in some way again in the future. Those steel rods in my neck make long distance cycling quite difficult. I rode 25 miles this morning and my longest ride was a little over 40 miles.

Ken Prol
Randolph, WI

Surgery Again # 4 in 1 year

Yes, it is happening again! I will undergo surgery on March 17th on my sinuses. The Dr. tried everything possible to avoid this, but  nothing changed. I will have Septoplasty surgery to fix a deviated septum and also removal of  obstructions below the eye socket. My previous surgeries were all on my cervical spine (3/25, 5/3, 8/19). The pain of the last surgery has finally started to ease up in recent weeks. I will be in University of Wisconsin Hospital for one night (hopefully) and return home on Tuesday, March 18. Recovery time is expected to be two weeks. I am hoping to be able to preach again on March 30, if all goes well. Spring is coming soon and I long to get back on my bike. I haven't been able to use my trainer in the basement due to poor breathing. I will update when I am well enough... Pastor Ken

PROGRESS IS PAINFUL

I had my six week check-up at the surgeon... oh what a thrill! He "readjusted" my neck with a strong twisting and turning. I felt the ripping sensation as the scar tissue let go. I have now started physical therapy to stretch my neck back to where it belongs. By the end of the day, my chin gets closer and closer to my chest. I also started riding my bike on the road again, but found out my wind capacity is gone. I feel like I am starting all over again, like I did after my lower back surgeries a few years ago. I have now had 4 surgeries on my lumbar spine and 3 on the cervical spine.
     It has been 2 months since my cervical fusion from C3-C7, but progress seems slow. I thought the pain would be gone by now,  but the Dr. told me to figure on six months to be relatively pain free. What will life be like to wake up without pain and go to bed without pain? I can't wait to find out! The pain I am experiencing now is generally mild compared to what I had prior to the surgeries, so that is an improvement. The road to recovery has had some speed bumps along the way, but I am confident that in time, I will return to doing the things I did before (like cycling almost every day).

On THe Mend - Slowly...

No More collars to wear!

My third surgery to fix my cervical spine took place on August 19. I have come a long way since then, but admittedly, have a ways to go yet. The Dr. wanted me on my bike trainer one week after surgery. Riding the bike and watching TV forces me to keep my head up, strengthening the muscles in the neck. I am pedaling 30 minutes a day now and it is making a difference. I started by having a small rubber ball under my chin to keep my head up while on the computer or watching TV. I graduated to a tennis ball, then to a softball size, and now I can hold my head up without help. I still have a ways to go to get it as straight as it used to be. I preached Sunday (AM only) and plan to preach both AM and PM services this week. The pain has diminished considerably, enabling me to get off most of the pain medications. I use mostly Tylenol now. I will see the surgeon on Oct. 1, and hope to be back on the road with my bike soon after that. The limited movement I have in my neck due to the steel rods is a little tough getting used to, but it sure beats the pain I have experienced in the past. Thanks to all of my friends and family and church family for your prayers, support and encouragement along the way. I am still planning to ride the amount of miles I missed when I couldn't take part in the Sea to Sea Bike Ride. I am thankful to my supporters who donated a total of $8,500 toward efforts to end poverty. Praise God for the nearly 2 million  dollars raised through the Sea to Sea Bike Tour!

"THAT STIFF-NECKED HOLLANDER"

As the nine weeks of the Sea to Sea tour to end the cycle of poverty comes to a close, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of the riders, volunteers and staff who participated in any way. I also want to say THANKS again to all who supported my fundraising efforts and also for those who have now supported me in prayer. I have traveled along on a daily diet of Reading and praying through "Reflectors" (daily devotional, as well as through Facebook, emails, and several blogs.
I just had my third surgery on my cervical spine on Monday (Aug. 19). This time, the surgeon went through the back of the neck and took x-rays from angles not permitted before. Instead of fusing two discs, they found considerable problems and ended up fusing from C3-C7 with titanium rods and screws. This has considerably reduced my mobility in that area. I am now referred to as "that stiff-necked Hollander" with good reason. The last words from my Dr. before I left the hospital yesterday... "In one week, I expect you to be on your bike trainer, and in six weeks I expect that you will be riding again." Although I could not ride the tour as planned, I look forward to riding my bike again, with the full knowledge that every $ that God enabled me to raise will be put to good use.
Thanks to my church family and everyone else for being there for us throughout this ordeal. God is good!

Thanks again for your prayers, support, and encouragement,
Pastor Ken Prol
http://revkennethprol.blogspot.com/

http://revkennethprol.blogspot.com/2013/08/that-stiff-necked-hollander.html 
revkenp@gmail.com    

Surgery # 3 is Scheduled!

I have had two surgeries on my cervical spine (March 25 and May3). The first one failed when the vertebrae broke where the screws were attached. That was repaired and re-done on May 3. Well, something shifted since surgery and there is pressure on the nerves again. (IOW, PAIN!) I am now scheduled for a third surgery on August 19. I am so not looking forward to this surgery! I am told that going through the back of the neck is difficult, because of all the nerves there. Dr would not say whether or not I will be in a brace again this time. It depends on how well the plate and screws attach on this double fusion.

The only thing I am looking forward to is an end to this pain! Surgery # 1 was on March 25, surgery #2 on May 3, and now #3 on Aug. 19. That makes for 4 lumbar surgeries and 3 cervical spine surgeries. Five of these surgeries in five years (since I came to WI). I appreciate your prayers and support through these surgeries. I am also extremely grateful for the financial support of Sea to Sea that has now reached $ 8,500.00! I received another $ 250.00 min donations on Monday!! My passion for ending the cycle of poverty is stronger now, than when I first decided to join the ride last year. If you would still like to make a donation to this worthy cause, the deadline is August 24.   http://www.seatosea.kintera.org/pastorkenprol    Donations over $ 10.00 will receive a tax-deductible receipt.

I am more than just a little disappointed over not being able to join the Sea to Sea bike ride in Grand Rapids, MI as had been planned. I trust God to lead and guide me into the future, just as he has in the past! My original intent was to ride about 825 miles, ending in Montreal, Canada. It is still my intent to ride the equivalent miles in this area of Wisconsin when I am fully healed.
I covet your prayers as I travel this road again.
Pastor Ken Prol

BUMMER... THE FINAL SET-BACK! NO CYCLING :-(

Last Fall, I began planning for the Sea to Sea ride. It has been an exciting journey of preparation, fundraising, shopping, and fine tuning my bike. On March 25, 2013 I had surgery to fuse the cervical spine @ C6-C7. My plans were to get right back on the bike within 6 weeks. Well, in 6 weeks (May 3), after a time of intense pain, I was back in surgery to fix the broken vertebrae from where the screws were fastened. I was disappointed, but still determined to get back on my bike and train ASAP. After a slow start, I realized that the pain from my surgery and from wearing the large neck brace wasn't going away. I continued trying to ride, in hopes that I just needed to get back in shape.

Last week I went to see the surgeon and had an x-ray. The Dr. called me back  and requested a CT scan. On Thursday July 25 I received the bad news.  Something has shifted since the surgery and is putting pressure on the nerve root. I am not allowed to ride as planned in the Sea to Sea tour, and I am off the bike until further notice. I am not even allowed to drive my vehicle any long distances. I had hoped I could go to Grand Rapids, MI just to meet some of the riders and volunteers. I am sorry I will miss all of that. I will see the Surgeon on Wednesday July 31 to discuss the next surgical procedure.

I want to take time once again to thank all who have donated to this cause of ending the cycle of poverty in my name.Together, you have donated over $8,000.00 to end poverty! I am so proud of all of you and so thankful for your support, prayers and encouragement, despite the set-backs. I am also humbled by your generous support. I ask once again for your continued prayers as I face a third  surgery on the same spot in the very near future. Prior to my neck surgeries, I also had 4 back surgeries in recent years. I am now equipped with titanium rods in my back and a T. plate in my neck, along with the screws and fastening hardware:-)

I have not thrown in the towel... yet! When my neck is properly healed, and with the Doctor's approval, I hope and pray that I will ride again. My intention, is to ride the miles I would have traveled on the tour, at a future date. I will stay in this area of Wisconsin as I ride, take pics and keep you all informed through my blog. This will be my leg of the Sea to Sea Ride. I have not lost my passion for cycling, nor have I lost my passion to work at ending the cycle of poverty that claims so many lives. Stay tuned for more info. You can follow the bike tour at www.seatosea.org  and donations toward the cause can still be made until August 24
http://www.seatosea.kintera.org/pastorkenprol

The pain of sitting out this ride is somewhat comparable to the physical pain I am enduring once again. I am not looking forward to yet another surgery, but I trust in God's guidance and direction as I face the future. I will continue to blog as I am able through this next phase of my stiff-necked ordeal!

Thanks to all for your understanding and especially your prayers. I am especially thankful for my church family and their patient endurance throughout these set-backs.

Pastor Ken Prol
revkenp@gmail.com
920-382-8061
http://revkennethprol.blogspot.com/