A Summer to Forget

As I sat in church yesterday, I was thinking how quiet things have been here. Tom starts his new position in two weeks. We both have been bored on and off between times of seeing family and friends. Then, I remembered where I was two years ago..and I was thankful.
Two years ago on August 8th, I was anticipating the third surgery on my hip which was coming up in three days. I seriously had moments when I wondered if I would live through it. Tom told me he was quite concerned about me - more than I knew until later - as I had continued to lose weight..
As many of you know, it started in January when I fell in Walmart's parking lot. I did not slip. After the first surgery in which the ball of my hip was replaced, I did not seem to gain even my somewhat subnormal energy back. When I visited my brother and his wife in March, I would fall asleep even in public places - once at a soccer game and once during a pastor's prayer:) - not Tom's.
Anyway, one night near Memorial Day, I suddenly told Tom I needed a half of pain pill and didn't think I had the energy to walk from the car to the theater where we planned to meet for a movie after a meeting he had that night. I called my surgeon at his home, which I have never done, and he directed me to the ER. They sent me home with a cane but could find nothing wrong.
After several more weeks of consultation with my surgeon and rheumatologist, and fairly intense pain and limited mobility, it was decided to try adding a socket to the hip, as possibly the ball hadn't accepted my natural one.
When they opened me on June 24th, they found a serious infection and removed the ball, replacing it with cement. I would need at least six weeks of antibiotics three times a day and then a third surgery.
On August 11th, I had the third surgery. All year I had to sleep on my back. I needed help in the nursing home getting in and out of the bed though could take care of myself besides that. I had great support of family and friends. I lost weight without trying (though have gained that weight all back:)).
I sang a song that Summer that we sang again yesterday: "Blessed be the Name of the Lord". A few of the phrases in it include: "Blessed be Your Name when the sun is shining down on me and the world's all as it should be..on the road marked with suffering, when there is pain in the offering..Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise". Some emotional pain I have experienced has seemed as rough as this was, but each time He has brought me through. I don't always feel as close to Him as I would like to or feel I should, but I do choose to Bless His Name!