070124, Monday, Journal Entry

Vitals: weight 228.6; CGM 120; GMI 6.7%; Pain level 6

Book of Mormon Review Reading: The Record of Zeniff—An account of his people, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time that they were delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites. Comprising Mosiah chapters 9 through 22.

 Mosiah 21

Journal Entry 

Pain level is described in at least one publication: after looking at pain level measurement chart and decided I have been under estimating my pain level. 

• 5 = Moderately strong pain. You can't ignore it for more than a few minutes. But, with effort, you can still work or do some social activities. 
• 6 = Moderately stronger pain. You avoid some of your normal daily activities. You have trouble concentrating.

My pain level is usually in the 5-6 level. Especially at night when I'm trying to sleep after about 4-5 hours even though I have taken pain medication. Usually after I'm up for awhile and active, my pain goes down for a time. But when I just sit to read or watch TV it starts going up again... Even when taking pain meds.  I am constantly hoping my pain level will go down again.

When I went into surgery, my pain was all on the left side... usually in my left hip or upper left thigh and sometimes down to the left knee. My pain lately has been concentrated in my left knee and thigh. There is no reason for this other than the surgery where the surgeon worked on the nerves in my spine. I am told, and I completely believe, that my pain will subside soon. I'm ten days out of surgery at this point and I was told that my pain could be several weeks. So right on schedule. I am tired of it though. 

Unfortunately I reacted badly opioid pain meds in previous surgeries and we agreed to try Tramadol this time. But it seems to work for only about an hour and then not too well. So I am suffering at the 5-6 level of pain rather than 2-3. Hopefully the healing will cause the pain to lift soon and then... no issue.

Come Follow Me 

Alma 17:3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

"Prayer and fasting will allow us to be susceptible to spiritual promptings. Communicating with Heavenly Father while purposefully abstaining from food and drink allows us to “loose the bands of wickedness and to undo the heavy burdens.” Prayer, combined with fasting, will provide so that when we “call, … the Lord shall answer; … and when we cry, … he shall say, Here I am.”

Elder James B. Martino Of the Seventy, October 2015

The phrase, "They had given themselves..." Is an interesting and, I believe, informative choice of words. The sons of Mosiah were not just following some direction or commandment to fast and pray, but we're voluntarily trying to get close to the Spirit by choosing to engage in fasting and prayer without being Commanded or directed to do so. That has to have a positive effect on obtaining the guidance of the Spirit of prophecy and the Spirit of revelation.