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