Barely able to put on a bra

Unable to put on a coat

Difficulty wiping my behind

Could NOT comb my own hair

Fire and lightening radiating from shoulder to elbow at the slightest extension of the arm.

A living hell. 

It started with the right. A little annoying pain as I would reach to open my center console in my car. The nagging throbbing pain in my sleep. Then one day I could no longer raise my arm. After a month of severe pain, I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis, FROZEN SHOULDER. 

Between my primary care, rheumatologist and orthopedic nobody ever mentioned MENOPAUSE. No one ever acknowledged that plummeting estrogen affects joint lubrication, connective tissue elasticity, and inflammation, making the shoulder capsule prone to adhesion. AND that those with certain medical conditions are more likely to get frozen shoulder. 

The right shoulder was frozen only 4 short months. Doctors say frozen shoulder can last up to 24 months. Then began the second shoulder. It was FAR more painful than the first (as if that were even possible). Only those who’ve experienced frozen shoulder will understand the degree of debilitating pain. I’ve had 5 of my 6 babies UNMEDICATED. I can deal with pain. Frozen shoulder pain is crippling! 

But this is not a story about pain, it’s is a story about healing. I prayed and cried and cried and prayed. I KNOW unequivocally that my God is a healer. 

Injections didn’t work.

PT was a bit helpful. 

In between PT appointment I would continue my exercises at home. Every day I would measure my progress. Each day the blue painters tape marked my centimeter or so progress. 

But it was Jehovah Rophe who healed me! 

Today as I was cleaning my room my eyes went up to that tape. January 23, 2025. A year ago I couldn’t fully lift my arms but praise be to God for healing! 

Even though it is said that recovery can take up to 2 years, I can put on my bra with ease.

I can do my own hair again. 

I can sleep without agonizing pain. 

God bless my husband who helped me with EVERYTHING when I was vulnerable enough to not mask my anguish. 

God bless Adrien and Candace for doing my hair. 

God bless my then new to me orthopedic doctor, Dr. Bridges who is a MIGHTY woman of God who set me straight and wouldn’t allow me to stew in my pity party. 

If you are awaiting healing, remember God is no respecter of persons. If He did it for me, He can do it for you. You too can come to know Him intimately as Jehovah Rophe, God My Healer. 

And when your healing is complete, you just might need a little piece of blue painters tape to remind you to tell your testimony and to remind you to say THANK YOU LORD 🙌🏾