May 27... POST SURGERY_#2_24 Days... Still no Voice:(

     The days and weeks are going by rather slowly. The nerve pain is finally gone and I have very little pain now. One thing I have learned from wearing this brace is that as the weather gets warmer, I get warmer under this brace (read sweat). I am getting used to sponge baths as well as a few showers a week (with brace on). Diane changes the liner after my shower and I get about 45 seconds of relief. Shaving is still impossible, so we will see what what my beard looks like at the end of eight weeks.
     I could tolerate the brace much easier if I could return to preaching. Not having a voice is difficult for someone like me, with the gift to gab. I have just a little idea of what Zechariah went through (Luke 1:19ff). There is so much I want to say, so many sermons running through my mind, and many notes on my computer. I will need a timer to make me stop preaching when I do get my voice back! I had truly hoped and prayed that I would be able to preach this coming Sunday (June 2nd), but that can no longer happen. From June 7-15, I will be in Grand Rapids, MI for the General Synod of the Christian Reformed Church NA. I was elected to go as a delegate back in September 2012. We tried to get either of the alternate delegates to take my place, but on such short notice, they were unable to attend. There is a good possibility that I will have enough of a voice by then to hold a conversation. The Lord willing, I will return to the pulpit on June 16.
    This has definitely been a test of my patient endurance. Am I done yet? Today I am able to squeak out a few words at a time in a very high pitch. Not enough words to carry on a conversation, just simple answers to questions. Whether Diane is at work or, in another part of the house or yard, we communicate by text messages. Pretty sad, eh?
     I lost one week of preaching after my first surgery and have lost five weeks (counting June 2nd) since my second surgery. For this reason, I have decided to give up one week of my Sea to Sea bike ride/vacation as a means of giving back to my church. They have been so patient and I am encouraged by their prayers and support. I will make up the 400+ miles by riding in WI and logging my rides and pictures here on my blog. I originally set out to ride from Grand Rapids, MI to Montreal, Canada. I will likely end my ride in Hamilton, Ontario instead. I hope and pray that I will be back to preaching soon and that this time of waiting will produce something beyond my current understanding. My faith remains strong, despite the setbacks and trials. Psalm 46:10 is that ever-present reminder that God is in charge of the present as well as the future. "Be still,and know that I am God"   Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement as I wait on the Lord's timing and purpose!

Here we go again!

It is Saturday night and it has been just over a week since my second surgery. The first surgery to fuse my neck on March 25 did not go well. During my second surgery on May 3 they found that the previous fusion had collapsed, crushing the nerves in my neck. The end result was that the Dr. had to cut away part of the vertebrae to level it off again. This made it impossible to put screws in the top of the titanium plate used to secure it. I now have a large neck brace that I must wear 24/7 for eight weeks. Sleeping is difficult and must be accomplished without a pillow. Showering is done with the brace on. My wife dries the plastic and installs the dry liner while I remain absolutely still. My voice box had to be moved out of the way for surgery and that is still presenting a problem. I have lost my voice and there is no sign of improvement yet. I sure hope and pray I will get my voice back soon and be able to return to preaching again. This is all a real set-back to my training for my Sea to Sea ride in August. I don't get the brace off until the end of June, leaving me about a month to train. Still praying that I will be strong enough to ride. Through all of the struggles, pain and set-backs, God's presence remains powerful and I am encouraged to press on.I am also thankful for the patient endurance God has given me. Thanks for all of your prayers and encouragement as I travel this journey back to health and wholeness! To my congregation, friends and family... Keep praying, your prayers have carried me along through all of this.... Pastor Ken