15 King of Kings

On Thursday 17th March 2023, Geof and I travelled up to King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill to the Neurosurgery clinic. I was very uncertain about what to expect from the consultation. What I did know for certain, was that I was determined not to have any surgery. Not only was the thought of spinal surgery terrifying, I truly believed that just didn’t need it. I knew there were patients with far worse symptoms and suffering, so I didn’t think I would be high priority.

I had been informed that due to Covid restrictions, Geof would not be able to come into the consulting room with me. And I was ok with that. It would be easier to explain how God had been miraculously healing me without an audience present. During the journey to the hospital I began to formulate how the conversation would go. I would listen to everything the consultant said and then announce that surgery was unnecessary because God had performed a series of miracles and I was now 85 – 90% functional. And that I was sure God would do the rest.

I have been on this earth for over 50 years, so I really should know by now that nothing ever happens exactly as you plan it. For starters, we were told that Geof could indeed come into the consulting room with me. I knew from that moment I would not have the courage to tell the consultant about God’s miracles now. I realise now that in my head that had been the sole purpose for going to the appointment; so I could cross a chicken line and testify to God’s goodness. Bang went my good news for ESSL on Friday.

We were called in to see the registrar who asked questions about my symptoms, while I desperately tried to work out how I could get God’s healing into the conversation. Finally we got round to talking about surgery.

Great here’s my chance.

I was about to launch into my monologue about being a Christian and believing that God had already done some major healing, when Geof started asking questions. I closed my eyes to stop myself from saying out loud, “Geof, be quiet. This is my show.”

Which of course it isn’t. This is, and always has been about what God is doing in me and through me.

I mumbled something about having a very good quality of life and not needing it and not wanting to meddle. I managed to squeeze in some mumblings about being a Christian and believing that God has and will continue to help me, just as the doctor was opening the door.

And the Geof did what I couldn’t do; something that he really is not in the habit of doing and quite unexpected, as I rushed out of the room cringing and cross with myself. He informed the doctor that our church, Eastgate, has a healing centre which is actually recommended by our local health trust as an approved place of alternative support.

Well done Geof. I always knew you had it in you.

So the upshot of that afternoon’s appointment was that I was advised put the option of surgery on the back burner for now. In the meantime I would continue to take my Amitriptyline and monitor symptoms. Following Covid cancellations, I did wonder if I was the only person who was looking to delay surgery even further.

No need to rush into these things. If it’s not broken that much then there’s no need to fix it.