Hey All,
Wow! Time sure does fly I must say. It is hard to believe that it has been 4 weeks since my surgery on my elbow. God has been faithful and has brought me through so far. I had a big break through in my rehab this week. I was able to get a significant amount more of flexion in my elbow which was awesome. Slowly but surely things are getting better :).
A lot has happened since I last posted in my blog. I had the opportunity to speak at Liberty Christian Academy's Sports Banquet on May 17th. It was an awesome time to be able to share a little bit about what the Lord has done and is doing in my life. Being a professional athlete has its ups and downs, but through it all I can say that the Lord has been faithful, and it is truly a blessing from Him to be able to play the game.
I have been staying busy with rehab and training. My physical therapist has been great! You can tell she knows a lot about the body, and is very informative and willing to answer any questions that I might have. I am also being trained a little bit by another Physical Therapist, Don Reagan, who specializes in Performance Training.
You can check out his website here: www.donreagan.com
Below is a short video I posted of shooting. I still have a few weeks of strengthening and continuing to improve myl range of motion in my elbow. It has been a process, but my elbow is getting better. The farthest I shot from yesterday was the free-throw line. I have to take it slow as I ease back into it, and also have to be careful that I don't overdue it.I would continue to covet your prayers! I hope everyone is doing well. The weather here in Lynchburg has been phenomenal lately, for which I am thankful for.God bless,MeganJesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God." Mark 10:27
Hey All,
It is hard to believe that it is coming up on 2 weeks since I had my elbow surgery. God has been gracious and faithful (1 Cor. 1:9) throughout this whole process. I would have never imagined that I would hurt my elbow playing basketball, which would require me to need surgery. It really has been amazing how God has shown up through all of this. My club (CCC) gave me the option to get surgery in the States or in Poland. I felt the most comfortable coming back to the USA and getting surgery. I felt like I would be able to fully understand what was going on with my elbow. I am thankful that I did come back, because I found out the recovery will be a process. Lord willing I will start shooting in a few weeks, but then I will need some time to strengthen my muscles around the joint. My physical therapist said I am looking at probably a total of 2 months post-surgery for recovery.
As I said above, the Lord has taken care of me. The surgery went without a hitch, and so far rehab is going well. There are some days that can be frustrating, but I have to say that I am thankful for the health the Lord has given me. There are a lot of people who are in a lot more difficult situations than I am in. I am still able to walk, talk, breathe, etc. Once again I am reminded to be thankful to the Lord for the many blessings that He has bestowed on me.
This week is Mission's emphasis week at the church I have been going to the past few weeks. They have some awesome speakers coming in and some wonderful missionaries from around the world. I had the privilege of listening to a missionary today who serves in an area of the world that is predominantly Muslim. It was interesting to here him share how the Lord is at work in the midst of darkness. We all have an opportunity to make a difference. Are you choosing to make a difference for Christ?
Well, I am headed to go get some cardio in. I hope everyone has a great rest of your weekend and may the week ahead be one of many blessings for YOU!
In Christ,
Megan
I wanted to post a few pictures of my progress. Here is a picture of me right before surgery: Here is a picture of my elbow a day after my surgery: God has been faithful. He allowed me to get the surgery done by a great doctor. The doctor went in and did what he needed to do to my elbow. It will be a process to gain back my full range of motion, but with each passing day I will continue to get better. This is a picture a few days after my surgery...the swelling is starting to go down. I just got the stitches out of my elbow on Friday. The picture above I still have my stitches in.
Hey All,
So I was able to get in to see the doctor this past Thursday who would be doing my surgery. It was amazing, because I was scheduled that same day for surgery on Monday.
Just wanted to let you know that I had my elbow surgery yesterday. The doctor removed a pebble sized piece of bone from my elbow joint, shaved down 2 bones spurs, and then cleaned up some soft tissue damage. My elbow is pretty sore, but praise the Lord I came through the surgery with flying colors. I took it easy yesterday, and I will be for the next few days. I start therapy on Friday, and I am looking forward to getting my complete range of motion in my elbow joint that has been missing the past couple of months.
Will continue to update you all from time to time!
Megan
Lamentations 3:22-23
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Hey All,
Sorry I have not updated my blog in awhile. I have been pretty busy since I have been home trying to figure stuff out with my elbow and everything. It seems like I have been going to the doctor every couple of days. The CT scan did pick up a loose body in my elbow, so surgery is needed to remove it.
Here is a little run down of what has gone on since my return back to the States:
March 18th – Return Home
March 19th - Doc. Appt. 9 a.m.
· Find out that they can read my x-ray but not my MRI
· I get an x-ray that day and then get my MRI scheduled for the following day.
March 19th – MRI
March 20th – Find out the results of the MRI
· MRI doesn’t show a loose body, so a CT scan is scheduled
March 22nd – 28th – Start Therapy until the results of the CT scan are in.
March 23rd – CT Scan
March 28th – CT Scan results and doctor’s apt!
· I find out that the CT scan does show a loose body, so I do need surgery
· Doctor refers me to Dr. Wiemi A. Douoguih, an arm specialist in Washington, D.C.
· I call up to DC to get an appointment.
March 29th – The doctor’s office in DC calls me back to let me know that I can see Dr. Douoguih in a week. Originally they told me that I could not get an appointment, but after explaining my situation involving my team in Poland, they were able to get me in sooner.
April 6th –Appointment with Dr. Douoguih
· Doctor reads the MRI and CAT scan and informs me that I do need a scope to remove the loose body. At that time, he also tells me that the rehab for this surgery would be 6-10 weeks. Dr. Douoguih was willing to do the surgery that night, but the person who schedules his surgeries informed me that Dr. Douoguih is not listed within the network of doctors fully covered (100% beyond deductible) by my insurance. After learning the length of rehab associated with this surgery (6-10 weeks) and realizing that the rehab time frame would not allow me to return to my team in Poland in time for play-offs, in either case, I opted to have my surgery performed by a doctor listed within my insurance network, which will be by a doctor here in Lynchburg.
I was still glad that I went up to the doctor in DC, because he gave me a more realistic picture of what I was dealing with. I continue to workout out and try to stay in the best shape that I can. Although that doesn't involve shooting basketball or lifting, I am still maintaining my cardio.
April 9th - Set up doctor's appointment for the following week with doctor in Lynchburg who will do my surgery.
The doctor I chose to do my surgery happens to be on vacation this week, but is the one most qualified to do my surgery here in Lynchburg. I will be meeting with him next week and then proceeding with surgery after the visit with him. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support during this time of my injury. God is faithful, and despite me not being able to play the game that i love right now, I know that God's ways our higher than mine.
To all my CCC fans, teammates, and supporters, I miss you all a lot! I wish so badly that I could be back there with you all and wearing the CCC uniform, but unfortunately I can't because of my elbow. I am cheering for you all from afar!!! :) GO CCC!!!
I want to leave you with a verse from MATTHEW 11:28-30:
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
There have been times during my time of being injured that I have gotten frustrated or weary, but the Lord's grace and strength is sufficient for each day!! I am humbled when I think about the beauty of the Lord and His desire for all of us to lay our burdens down at his feet. Our joy does not come from the circumstances around us, but rather from the Lord! Are you weary today? Find rest in the Lord my friend :). What an exchange it is...we lay our burdens at the Lord's feet and in exchange He tells us to pick up his yoke which is easy to bear and much lighter. An exchange that seems impossible, but is probable because of the Lord. What are we waiting for?
OH GOD YOU ARE MY GOD AND I WILL EVER PRAISE YOU!
Have a great rest of your week! I am going to do my best to blog more frequently!
Megan
Hey All,Wanted to give you an update on my elbow:I had to get a new MRI over here which I got on Tuesday. The MRI showed a very bad bone bruise and partial tear of my ligament. They were not able to see a loose body floating around (like the said in Poland), but the doctor said it doesn't mean there isn't one in there.
It is frustrating, because the pain and limited range of motion is starting to get old. The doctor did say though that my bone bruise is really bad. He said that alone could be causing a lot of my problems. I asked him how long it would take to heal, and he said at least another month for things to calm down in there. I started rehab Thursday, and then I got a CT scan on my elbow Friday to see if that will show anything different than the MRI. It is tough, because it can be hard to read the MRI of the elbow.
So, all that to say, I am doing rehab and will do that for awhile. The doctor here doesn't want to do surgery, but if it is necessary then he will. The thing about a bone bruise, is it has to take time to heal!If I am able to get back over to Poland for the FINALS, I want to. We will see what the Lord has in store. I am still experiencing a lot of pain in flexion and extension. Please continue to pray that my elbow would get better. It kills me not being over in Poland with my team right now.Also wanted to let you know that my team moved on to the FINAL FOUR. They defeated Gorzow on 2 games to advance to the semi-finals. GO CCC!!The next round of games do not start until April 12th! I will keep you posted :).Notes from church this morning:Pastor Jonathan was talking about how we need to make our faith personal.
TAKE IT PERSONAL, JESUS DID! Jesus personally entered into His creation.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered[a] for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinner nor ever deceived anyone.[b] He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.He personally carried our sin in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd,the Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:21-25
Factual Faith - A lot of people know what they are supposed to do, but they don't live it out.
Traditional Faith - out of routine; tradition never changed anything.
Emotional Faith - Certain people will turn to God in the bad times, but then put God "back on the shelf" so to speak when everything is okay.
*PERSONAL FAITH: 1 Peter 2:24
A. He personally gave His ALL!
B. He personally gave us power!
C. He personally gives you everything!Have a great week ahead!! I have therapy early tomorrow morning, and then I go back to the doctor on Wednesday.God bless,Megan
Hey All,I apologize I haven't written the past few days. As you all know, I hurt my elbow about a month ago. After an x-ray, MRI (2), and an ultrasound in Poland, it was determined that I had partially torn a ligament in my elbow, have a bone bruise, and have a piece of something floating in my elbow joint. They told me before I chose the rehab route that I could immediately get surgery to take out the floating piece, of I could try to rehab and see how my elbow responded to treatment and physical therapy. I opted to do about a week of rehab after resting it for a few weeks, and I continued to experience problems with my flexion and extension, along with some catching. Well, after much prayer, talking to a surgeon here in Lynchburg, and talking with my family, I opted to come back to the States to get my elbow checked out by doctors here.They determined in Poland from my symptoms that I needed to get the piece of cartilage or bone (actually not sure what it is) taken out. I felt like I was missing out on some things in translation medically, and the club graciously allowed me to pick whether I wanted to get surgery in Poland or get it here in the States. I flew back on Sunday morning and got into Lynchburg, VA Sunday night. I had a doctor's appt. yesterday, where they determined that I would need to get a new MRI, because they could not read the one I brought from Poland. I got the MRI today, and tomorrow it will be read. I am praying that the Lord's will, will be done. I know that He already knows what is going on, so I can rest in that :). I will keep you all posted! Depending on what the MRI shows, and when and if surgery is needed, will determine whether or not I can return to Poland to be with my team in the FINALS of playoffs. It was a tough decision, because I didn't want to leave my team, but at the end of the day, I had the most peace about returning and figuring everything out here. If things progress quickly here, I will join my team for the FINALS of playoffs. In the mean time, I will be rooting for them from afar!! GO CCC :) Tomorrow they play their first playoff game.It has been a whirlwind past few days, but I am so thankful that the doctors here are working me in and seeing me quickly which is a huge blessing.I would appreciate your prayers!! I find that when I am home I am pretty busy, but know that I will update on here when I can.Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.--Ephesians 3:20-21God is good :)I loved this from "My Utmost For His Highest":"When you have a right-standing relationship with God, you have a life of freedom, liberty, and delight; you are God’s will. And all of your commonsense decisions are actually His will for you, unless you sense a feeling of restraint brought on by a check in your spirit. You are free to make decisions in the light of a perfect and delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your decisions are wrong He will lovingly produce that sense of restraint. Once he does, you must stop immediately."
Megan
Verse of the WEEK:
“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had.” Lamentations 5:21
I hope you all had a great day today! I spent most of the day with "my family" here in Poland. It was great to eat lunch with them and hang out. It has been some gorgeous weather here in Poland lately.
Have a great Sunday tomorrow!!
Megan
Verse of the WEEK:
“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had.” Lamentations 5:21
I have been reminded over the past month of the Sovereignty of the Lord. Being injured the past month, has not been fun necessarily, but the Lord has taught me so much. I have really tried to seek His face during this time, and what a blessing it has been. There have been days where it hasn't been easy, but God has given me enough strength for each day. When I lay my head on my pillow at night, I can say without a doubt - "God is so good"!!
Today I read through the book of Hebrews. Hebrews is a phenomenal book. The book of Hebrews talks about the power of God, as well as the importance of having faith. The phrase "By faith" is used countless times in this book. By faith Noah built an ark, by faith Rahab was not destroyed, and the list goes on and on. It got me thinking...is my faith strong? Is your faith strong? I know this may be a little extreme, but if today you or I had a gun pointed to our head, and we were asked to denounce Christ and be able to live or stand up for Him and die, what would you choose....what would I choose? I would like to think that I would take a stand for the Lord - I don't just want to think it though, I want to know it :). I am so thankful for my relationship with the Lord, and for what He has done in my life and for what He is going to continue to do. I want my life to reflect the amount of faith that I have in my Lord and Savior.
Here are some verses that stuck out to me from Hebrews:
“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.” Hebrews 12:1-4
If you really take the time to decipher the verses above, there is a lot to take in. Do you find yourself weighed down by the cares of this world...or by a particular sin? Do you feel like you are enduring the race, or do you see yourself falling behind? The important thing is that we keep moving forward. When we come to a stand still, that is where we are the most vulnerable. We all have different struggles in our lives. Satan wants to see us stop or fall to the ground. His desire is that we perish - not that we live. You know what is pretty cool though? We have a "911" number that we can call - His name is Jesus. And this number isn't just used in emergencies, it can and should be used all the time!! Jesus is the ultimate lifeline! We serve a God who is the giver of ALL and to all. I can guarantee you, I will end up flat on my face and have before when I choose to not look to the Lord. Let's not become weary - Satan would love that! Sure, this life isn't easy, but the Lord promises to never give us more than we can bear. The Bible is full of countless promises from the Lord. We need to make sure we are claiming those promises as our own.
I really liked what "My Utmost For His Highest" said today:
One of the penalties of sin is our acceptance of it. It is not only God who punishes for sin, but sin establishes itself in the sinner and takes its toll. No struggling or praying will enable you to stop doing certain things, and the penalty of sin is that you gradually get used to it, until you finally come to the place where you no longer even realize that it is sin. No power, except the power that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit, can change or prevent the inherent consequences of sin.
“If we walk in the light as He is in the light. . .” (1 John 1:7).
Lets take action of sin that may be in our life. What do you need to ask the Lord to help you with? What do I need to ask the Lord to help me with? We are foolish to not go to the Lord. We can't change on our own, but only with the help of the Lord.
I hope you all have a great weekend :)
Check out the song below! I think it sums up the importance of keeping the faith :) Don't give up! Keep on keeping on!!
God bless,
Megan
Verse of the WEEK:
“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had.” Lamentations 5:21
Today was an off day for our team today. I did rehab for my arm at home and then I also worked out. I am thankful that I am able to still do things to stay in shape which has been great!
Today I decided to read from James. James is an awesome book. It talks a lot about going through trials, and how the Lord can use them to make us better. It truly does depend on our perspective when we are going through hard times. Are we "looking up" or are we "looking out"? If we choose to "look up" to the Lord, I guarantee you that we will realize that He is all we need.
James 1:2-4 – “Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Have a great weekend!!
Megan
Verse of the WEEK:
“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had.” Lamentations 5:21
Hey All,
How is everyone doing today? Happy "Hump Day" :). I am happy to report we won our game today 85-46!!
I decided to take a little diversion from Ezekial today. Philippians is one of my favorite books, and so I decided to read it. Isn't is amazing how God speaks to us when we are open to listening? I am so thankful that I serve a God who loves me and wants what
is best for me! So, I came across a bunch of verses in Philippians that I had to underline and highlight in my Bible. I just recently got a new Bible before I came overseas, and I love being able to mark a verse that sticks out to me. I have quite a few other Bibles that are just great to look through and see different verses that have stuck out to me at different times. Well, today my favorite verse that stuck out to me from my reading was:
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Phil. 4:6
God is faithful. The past week or so I have really been seeking God's guidance and direction for a decision that I have to make. I want to be able to say, "Lord, here I am. You take my life and do with it what you want to. I surrender my all to you." You know, it is amazing that whenever we completely and deliberately surrender everything to Him, He is faithful to see to it that He will lead and guide us.
While I am overseas, the Lord teaches me a lot about myself and I feel like I learn so much. Sure, I have a lot of time on my hands, but it got me thinking that you know what. "I need to dig deep into God's Word on a daily basis whether or not I in my finite mind think I have reasonable time or not. God makes time for us daily, so the least we can do is reciprocate spending time
with Him. Are you communicating with Him on a daily basis?
Well, tomorrow we have off, and I will be getting another workout
in! I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow!!
God bless,
Megan
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