"...Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will ashew to you to day..." Exodus 14:13

I thought this was an appropriate title for my update. I've had a lot of pain these past couple weeks but have seen the hand of the Lord in helping me through it all. I had another appointment with my primary doctor post ER visit. I was worried that it would be another "what can I do for you" visit. Don't get me wrong, I really like my doctor a lot, she was just at the end of being able to help me. I sent out a text to a lot of my friends the morning of the appointment and asked for their prayers that my appointment would be helpful. Prayers were answered! She ended up sending me to a pain clinic at one of the local hospitals. I went there on Monday, more on that later

I was in a lot of pain over the weekend and had to take a lot of meds to get through. I really wanted to go to church on Sunday as it was the last Sunday before my good friend Marcee was moving and she and her husband were singing during Sacrament meeting. They sang beautifully and I'm glad I went, pain notwithstanding. I had a bonus that day as the local Mission President and his wife and youngest daughter were attending my Ward that day too. President and Sister Howell are such amazing and inspiring people. It was a true blessing to be able to see them too.

Back to the medical update; As some of you know my exercise bike broke a couple weeks ago. I've tried unsuccessfully many times to fix it but it's a no- go. It's made it very challenging for me to get exercise in as I often feel very dizzy and unsteady so walking can be very difficult. I've been trying to decide if it was an okay use of my credit card to charge a new bike. I have learned from experience, and many sources, that if I don't exercise every day not only do I not get better but it actually makes the pain worse. I've been looking online for bikes but they are very expensive. I've tried Craig's list and haven't found anything either. Today at work I was looking on our internal website "want adds" and someone just today posted a recumbent bike they were selling for $200. The bike has barely been used. It's in new condition! When I saw that add I felt strongly that it was an answer to a prayer. I get to get the bike on Friday!

I had my very long 2 hour appointment on Monday but it was so worthwhile. The doctor there is sending me to a place called Medical Advanced Pain Specialists (MAPS). They specialize in working with people with chronic pain and the doctor said they have a pain program there that probably 50% of the people that use it have fibromyalgia. They have you see a pain psychologist who helps assess what the affect of the pain has on your life and also what types of non-medicine things I can do; biofeedback or other ways to lessen the pain. You also work with a physical therapist who specializes in working with people in chronic pain. They will then put together a program for you. The doctor said they'll also help with diet and all of that. I'm thinking of the place as a rehab/physical therapy center on steroids! I called Monday afternoon to make my appointments and the person said it would probably be a while before I could get in, especially to the pain psychologist, but when she checked the schedule she was surprised and found an appointment for me just two days later! What's more I can see that person and then there was an opening for the physical therapist immediately after! I don't' think any of these things are just coincidences. I believe there was divine intervention.

The pain doctor also upped my medication that's supposed to dull nerve pain and put me on a new muscle relaxant that will hopefully help my muscles to calm down. I'm not supposed to take that one just as needed but actually take it every day. Hopefully it will have some benefits soon. Anyway, I'm doing well. The pain is not gone, but I know I can get through this. I know that the prayers others have said in my behalf and my own are helping me a lot. I'm very excited to go to MAPS and think it will make a difference for me. Tonight one of my good friends (a Sister Missionary that served in MN) is coming to town and staying with me for a few days. Looking forward to spending some time with her as well.