Happy Easter, y'all! { Remember, Easter is a season }
After the longest, Lentiest Lent in recent history, I feel a sense of renewal among many people. Americans are sl-ow-ly wising up and getting the vaccinations against COVID, and as a result many of us are venturing out among the public again.
I won't lie: the public scares the crap out of me. Last week I finally got in to see a pain specialist about my spinal stenosis. While waiting for my turn to see the doctor, I witnessed some patients blatantly refuse to wear masks or wear them improperly.
However, my turn to see the doctor finally happened and she informed me that she can help me become pain-free with an outpatient procedure. No surgery and { more importantly} no addictive drugs needed to make me feel " whole" again.
As someone who lives to be physically-fit and spend time outdoors, one of the hardest part of the Covid Lent was slowly losing function and strength in my lower body. In addition to the pain and numbness, spinal stenosis also affects other areas of a person's lower body-- including balance. the pain, numbness and loss of balance and other functions that depend on the affected nerve roots left me feeling trapped both in mind and body.
I had to face my COVID fears and venture out to get help I needed. If I allow my nervousness around strangers to envelope me, I'll never more forward.
Baby steps forward into Unvaccinated/Unmaksed Land { a,k,a Santa Rosa County }are essential.
Recovery from this pandemic is a long-term process, both collectively and as individuals. I look at my upcoming spinal procedure as yet another small step towards post-pandemic life. As it becomes safe to do so, it is my hope and prayer that I start serving my community again. Living a pain-and other symptoms-of-spinal-stenosis-free life is a step towards wholeness.
Thanks be to God for MEDICAL Science that brings the vaccine to humankind and offers me a drug-free solution to a debilitating spine condition.
Happy Easter, indeed! Alleluia!
Sarah McCarren
1 May 2021
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