For you are God's beloved in this regardless of the seemingly overwhelming pain. I write not because I experience exactly what you know, but because my sister-in-law Terri suffers from the Long Lasting effects of RSD, diagnosed over a decade past, and the gangrenous effects such a disease brought to her through what has become the ever increasingly popular scoping of a knee injured in her work as a chef. Wondrous cook she remains, although chef no more.

Her legs were long ago removed at a point barely below the hips, availing of a slight platform by which to sit in her motorized wheelchairs [for there have been several over the years as they wear out]. Her Doc long ago gave over to the notion of providing her paliative care as agony in unrelenting pain, both bodily and phantom sought to erase her existence to a bed ridden imprisoned soul. Not to be dissuaded from life, she takes now dosages of Morphine which, by titration up over a LONG LONG time, have seen her pass the line of a dosage known to be fatal among other humans. Doc remarks with incredulity at her indomitable spirit..... and when I was visiting two weekend past, she motored up in that small town to the tiny church to hear me sing for worship. It was precious to know, she in pain, would share such moments with all of us. An appreciation plaque mounted there for her reads "Terri, long our inspiration."

Unwilling has she been to give up, painting t-shirts for oncology patients in a nearby hospital. Pain filled? Definitely. Seemingly wasting away? Yup at less than 90 lbs now. Nevertheless, she gives God glory in all she is able to share with her spouse, her family, her community, her love of God.

She inspires me.
Grateful, and welcoming you to this special place,
Mark56