The basic problem with this syndrome is that I lack Type ll
collagen in my body. Since collagen is
what holds your body together, not having it can cause all kinds of
problems. For the 28 years prior to my
diagnosis, I spent many hours in doctors’ offices as they tried to figure out
why my body didn’t act like it should. Over
and over I was told that my body was not normal…I was wired backwards…anything
that was considered a standard treatment for most people never worked for
me. I endured many surgeries, many kinds
of treatments, saw a variety of doctors and while some were able to help for a
short time, we were never given any kind of diagnosis until 2008.
There is no cure for this condition, they just teach you how to
live with it. So there are a variety of
things that I would never think of doing because I know that doing them would
possibly land me on an operating table…and I avoid that as much as possible! After four back surgeries, I am well aware
that the wrong move can herniate a disc rather easily; so behaving has been a
priority.
Last summer my condition began to worsen. I started having more and more headaches and
overall body pain; both signs of the hypermobility syndrome taking its
toll. I spent time in the office of my
pain specialist receiving steroid injections and also hours in physical
therapy. I gave up working outside in my
flowerbeds and mowing…which are things I absolutely love to do. Finally last winter, I was told that there
really wasn’t more that could be done…the shots weren’t having any positive
effect and they had done all they could do with therapy. Knowing that many people with this end up in
the wheelchair due to the intense pain that this syndrome can cause, I began
feeling a little panicky that I was headed in that direction.
At that point I felt like I didn’t have much to lose, so I decided
to seek a more natural, non-chemical route to alleviate my pain or to at least
get it to the place that it was manageable.
I really believe that God led me in the direction that I went, guiding
and directing my every step and every decision.
Fast forward to this spring and summer and I have spent hours working
in my flowerbeds and garden and have now been able to mow twice in the last
week. My headaches are few and far
between and my body pain has lessened considerably. But the highlight came at my chiropractor
appointment this past week. My doctor,
who has been with me for 26 years, adjusted me and then said, “You definitely
needed some adjusting, but it was if I was adjusting a normal person with a
normal body.”
Normal?? I never thought
I would ever hear those words said in a positive way concerning my body. What an answer to prayer and what a testament
to God’s healing touch in my life.
I still have Hypermobility Syndrome and I still know that a disc
can go out of place in a moment’s notice.
I also know to be sensible in what I do and not be careless in my
actions. But I refuse to worry about the
next moment, I am going to enjoy where I’m at today with the health the Lord has
given me. I am so thankful that He is
allowing me somewhat of a reprieve from the intense pain and discomfort and I
want to give Him all the glory, honor and praise today!
“I will exalt you,
my God and King,
and
praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you
every day;
yes,
I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord!
He is most worthy of praise!
No
one can measure his greatness.
Let each
generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let
them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on
your majestic, glorious splendor
and
your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring
deeds will be on every tongue;
I
will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will
share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they
will sing with joy about your righteousness.”
Psalm 145:1-7
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