Slow & Painful recovery
It was a slow and painful recovery and I spent most of the day lying on my side due to rectal pain and severe bloating. I had to go to the bathroom almost every 2 hours (including nights) and was very sleep deprived. This routine continued through 2016. In Summer, I had mobility issues when my leg muscles became stiff due to excessive bathroom trips with my weak legs. In November 2016, there was another major setback when I was diagnosed with C.diff infection after my dentist prescribed antibiotics and complete recovery took nearly 6 months. It was only prayers that helped me sustain this phase. Though I was too sick to pray myself, I was constantly supported by prayers from friends and family.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
In Aug 2017, my GI doctor wanted me to try a new drug. I initially hesitated as this category of medicines (Biologic drugs) had caused a lot of bloating / pain in the past and didn’t want to start all over but later agreed as my doctor promised me that it’ll have lesser side effects than the previous ones. The Lord strengthened me with His word:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Cor 4:16-18
Breathing problems
The new biological drug helped me initially but I started having other side-effects. It started with a bad cold, then Bronchitis and when I didn’t recover even after taking antibiotics, I was concerned. I started coughing out a lot of phlegm and this made my sleep pattern even more erratic. I was able to get only short naps and was having trouble breathing. After various diagnostic tests (Pneumonia, TB etc), I had to discontinue the medication as my symptoms were intolerable. My breathing problems improved significantly after the medication was discontinued.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me.
Psalm 66:20
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul (It is well)
Perforated Root Canal
As I was getting treated for my lung issues, I was also treating my recurrent dental issues (gum disease) and my dentist noticed that one of my root canals which was done in the late 90s was perforated and my bloating significantly reduced after this tooth was extracted. My dentist confirmed that the perforated root canal was a major source of bad bacteria that caused excessive bloating. This was a significant step in my recovery. The Lord strengthened me with Psalm 139:14 many times all these years and it was fulfilled:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Psalm 139:14
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well
India trip
Since the bloating reduced considerably, I was finally fit enough to travel to India and wanted to undergo the Ayurveda treatment (for deep cleansing and rejuvenation) again. The Lord blessed me with journey mercies and I reached India without much trouble. This was my prayer before starting the Ayurveda treatment:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrew 10: 23
I was completely broken when one of my friends, who’s a Pastor visited me at the hospital to pray for me and encouraged me with this verse:
For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;
Psalm 22:24
he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help
By God’s immense grace, the treatment worked better than my expectations and I was able to go out comfortably after 5 years. The Lord’s promise for the year 2018 was that it’ll be a year of “restoration” and it was fulfilled at the end of that year!
Leave a Reply