Jessica and me waiting for breakfast at our favorite breakfast nook.
Enjoying a snow cone in the art district!
Now, we've been back home in Knoxville and Jason is taking himself through a course independently through textbooks and online lectures and is loving it! This is a perfect scenario for him since his back is giving him such a hard time! Here is the story on his back:
Back in April Jason did something to his lower back (yes, this is different from his neck--for which he had surgery last June). He began going to physical therapy for it in May and they recommended after zero progress that he get an MRI done. He did and learned he has a ruptured disc (L4 and L5). They made an appointment for him to see the neurosurgeon about it and that finally happened this past Monday. The doctor wants to do the steroid shot to the spot next. We are waiting to get the call for that appointment and praying it comes SOON! If that shot does not help, then the doctor said surgery is going to be necessary. It sounds ridiculous since we just went through all of this last year with his neck (which has finally started to improve). But, my poor husband has spent the last month unable to sit (only stand and lie down on the floor to eat and do his work. He can sit, but it is quite painful. He wakes up in the wee hours of the morning with cramping causing nerve pain down his leg and takes walks down our street. (If neighbors see him, they may think we're a little creepy!)
Anyway, I just don't know how clear a picture of this I've give you all. When we drove down 2 weekends ago to Chattanooga (just barely a 2 hr drive) he laid down in the back of my car, but it was still uncomfortable. When we got home from that trip, he was in the most pain he'd been in yet for 3-4 days.
I'm sharing this for a couple of reasons: 1. Please pray for a quick appt. time for the shot 2. that the shot would do the trick (they didn't with the neck, so even though this is separate, it's hard to be optimistic), and 3. if he doesn't heal, he won't be able to travel with me in July to go on our family vacation :(.
I am happy to say, though, that his attitude regarding the entire thing has amazed me! I'm not going to claim that he is thanking God for it, but he is embracing it and making the most of his down time working through his independent study for this month and learning a ton. He remains aware of God's love and sovereignty in his pain.
Meanwhile, I am teaching summer school to a small group of students. That will end July 1st. It is providing a little extra income, which will help in numerous ways for Baby Bintz (if extra maternity leave is needed, or starting a savings for day care, etc.)
July 1st is also a big deal because that is my next doctor's appointment--the one with the big ultrasound! We are going to try to find out if it's a boy or girl and are super excited! So far the pregnancy has been a blessing and very easy going. Jason encouraged me to start some preventative physical therapy since I also have a history of my back going out. So, I've been twice and have a home routine that I do and will be going back one more time next week and then as needed after that. They said I may want to come quite a bit in my last trimester. I'm just now starting to wear maternity clothes (began around Week 16 and now I'm on 18) and I need to be careful since I keep "going on errands" and coming home with loose skirts, shirts, and pants. Whoops! It is kinda fun to get to start looking a little preggers though!
Anyway, that is our update and I'll be sure to update after the July 1st ultrasound and when we know more about my sweet hubby's back. Please do pray for him!
