Week 8 of shoulder surgery recovery brings frustration, faith, and slow progress. Andrea reflects on healing, the reality of pain, and strength found in Scripture.
Happy Sabbath / Saturday ☀️
(This one’s short—but real.)
We’re at Week 8 of recovery, and let me just say…
This is taking way longer than I anticipated.
My doctor warned me:
“Even if the surgeries have the same name, the healing can be very, very different.”
Yeah… no kidding. 🙄
Tight Muscles, Tired Patience
The shoulder pain has mostly subsided—thank God.
But the tightness?
The muscle rebuilding?
The endless resistance bands?
It’s like a full-time job with no days off.
Who knew rebuilding muscles could take forever?
Please don’t throw numbers at me like 9 months… 12 months… even 2 years.
I know.
But right now?
I just want to be able to put my hair in a bun. Sigh.
This Too Shall Pass… Right?
If you’ve been following my journey, you know I’ve been living in pain for the past four years straight—shoulder, hip, and everything in between.
And while this season feels never-ending, I’m clinging to one truth:
This too shall pass.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy.
It means I believe healing is still happening, even when I can’t see it.
What’s Helping (Besides Prayer & Patience)
I mentioned this in my last recovery post, but it’s worth repeating—
I’ve been using natural oils to help manage pain, and it’s truly made a difference.
It’s helped me get through the first week of school with enough strength to show up a few days, which is honestly a miracle in itself.
Hip Pain: The Next Chapter
It took me a while to post this update—partly because of physical pain and partly because, well… hip surgery is coming next.
If you’re like me, you probably have a dozen posts sitting in drafts that haven’t made it to publish yet.
Mine are just waiting for the pain to let me press “post.”
Scriptures I’m Holding On To
These verses have been my anchor. I speak them over my body—my mind—my journey:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
— Isaiah 41:10
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”
— Jeremiah 17:14
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD.”
— Jeremiah 30:17
“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”
— Mark 5:34
Final Thought
Still healing.
Still believing.
Still showing up.
Even if I can’t put my hair in a bun yet, I will.
Because God’s got me—even in the waiting.
When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person that walked in. That’s what the storm is all about. – Haruki Marakami
Phoenix: Live Love Laugh 
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