Recovery...Long Road Ahead

We went to see Tim's neurosurgeon last week, and he reassured us that recovery is a very long process. I suppose we had hoped for instant gratification and were dissapointed when it did not go as planned. The doctor told Tim to expect to maybe not feel a lot better until 6 months after the surgery, and to add a little more time because he had to undergo the 2nd surgery, as well. As crazy as this sounds, this gave us hope. We know that his surgery was very invasive and that having your ribs spread apart would be a long healing process. He is taking stronger meds than last time, however his pain seems better managed. He does complain of more pain, though. I worry about him, because he masks so much and I am afraid he will push himself too hard, and possibly put any progress he has made in jeopardy. I take that back; he actually has been really good about resting when he needs to, and not working to long at the office. His firm has been so supportive and understanding. We owe them so much. I thank God for them. Well, I suppose now it is a waiting game. A game of just trusting the Lord and praying for 2008 to be pain free...or to have God help us deal with whatever lies ahead.