Not what expected.

I expected more than I received. I had two procedures at Stanford. One with no relief that will require a different procedure with hopes of good relief but it will require more prayer and annual care plus personal attention to maintain positive results. 

The other procedure was successful but I learned yesterday it will require more minimally invasive procedures to maintain positive results over the years. The good news is I will finally have the relief I desired. That's a blessing. 

Anxiously waiting

In a few days I will receive the first of 2 healing pain relieving procedures that will bring me much peace. One of which will be temporary and one that will be permanent. I will lose some feeling but that is ok. This is what I have prayed for over the last 11 1/2 years. The faithful patience I have held onto that Christ would provide for me this relief has been challenging at times. But I have been victorious every time.  

Stanford Pain Clinic

Here's How God Covered Me!

Prayers Answered. Wow. Today Dolly and I made another trip to Stanford to start the process of my new pain management treatment program. 

I received an injection in my Sternum Clavicular joint that was powerful. Much pain relief instantly. The Fellow kicked it off but the Senior Surgeon took over as it got close to my lung. 

The two pain management specialist I met with prior to my procedure were amazing also. The primary Doctor left the room frustrated after my intense exam. He was a little concerned because a prior surgeon I had met did not take me on as a patient to treat my back. He was also not happy my MRI results we ordered two weeks ago from two years ago were not there For him to review. When the Doctor came back in I was on the phone with the MRI records dept at another facility. He spoke with them nicely. Got my records. He then read them and ordered another MRI. 

As the Doctor had already reviewed all my other issues after a few more tests He leaned back, looked me in the eye and said. Douglas, You have been through a lot. I am a US Marine Trauma Doctor. I can tell you are stoic but you have been through a lot and I and my associates are going to help you. It's going to be a process. He told me it was time for me to work on my ability to cope with the process again and he assigned someone for that in his very office. He called in another Doctor who had already reviewed all my info. The new Doctor explained my future treatment program. It included a never before done on me block on my Right Scapula and if it works they will do a Laser procedure, "I forget the name of it" to the main nerve for my right shoulder. They will review my MRI of my back and decide on a program for that also. They put me on Nortriptyline for my nerve pain at a dose that increases each week over 6 weeks.  They kept me here for one more MRI in the morning. They discovered I can not feel cold on my right side from my shoulder down. I knew I was numb. This was new to me. They told my wife and I they are going to offer us all the support and care I need as well as some alternative treatments to help improve my quality of life. 

In the end of the day Three Doctors today told me that they were impressed with my attitude and how I have been able to overcome my challenges. It was emotional, uplifting and powerful. Dolly and I were holding back tears. Dolly thanked them and said good that now maybe I will get some pain relief, cures and sleep again. Of course I was in awe and thankful as well. 

One specific specialist in X-ray I confided in agreed with me that my faith was key. I told her we can not wear our faith in the inside always. We must shine in his glory for others to see no matter what's before us in life. 

In a Nut shell I could see Father God had clearly touched the hearts and minds of every Doctor I met with. Every staff member as well. They all were 100% committed to helping me and many of them knew more about my injuries and me then I even remembered or wanted to remember. 

In the cafe at Stanford the Director of Patient Diagnostics Administration and another Senior Hospital Administrator ??  were standing behind me in line. I introduced myself to them and told them my story of how I came to Stanford nearly 12 years ago and how appreciative I was of their staff and facilities for the role they have played in my life. They thanked me. We shook hands. As I walked away they came back to me and asked me again. What's your name? I told them of course. Maybe my story of appreciation will be shared? I just want Admin to know whatever they are doing its working because I'm happy. 

Prayers answered. It is obvious Father jumped all over my needs and he is seeing to it I am going to be ok. He gave me the best again. I return in 3 weeks and it's all going to continue to be amazing. To God be the Glory.  Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for allowing me to share with you my wonderful experience.  

Your brother in Christ. 

Doug

I forgot to mention Christmas.

As my family had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family we truly felt blessed. I barely recovered from being sick in time to enjoy it. 

My father had purchased a home across the street from ours a month prior and over Christmas my mother visited him as she currently lives in assisted living in Sonoma County. Christmas Day my mother announced she would be moving back in with my father. This was exciting news for us all. 

She had considered moving into another facility here in Redding but changed her mind and surprised us all. 

 My wife and daughter and son will provide much of my parents in home assistance. Having my parents near me again has truly got to be one of the best gifts I could have received and I did not even see it coming. Wow. 

My health is relatively stable now. Headaches, back pain and some pain in my sternum and clavicle but tolerable. My plan moving forward is to continue my physical therapy and hopefully reduce my weight. I'm now using a tens unit to control pain issues. I like it. 

SHP Ends 2014 accomplishing much.

Goodbye to 2014 and Hello 2015. We accomplished much in 2014. We came together as a community. We researched community village solutions for homelessness. Formed a vision. Developed and implemented a plan. Created our facebook page. Created our website. Elected a Board of Directors. Appointed committees chairs and recruited volunteers. Joined the Shasta County-City of Redding Homeless Continuum of Care. Opened an office on Pine Street. Opened a Bank account. Established a Corporation and a 501c3 nonprofit. Received donations. Held a fundraiser. Became a member of the Redding Chamber of Commerce. Held a Community Forum. Had constructive consulting meetings with local business owners and county and city officials. Developed collaborative relationships with individuals in the community, other organizations and agencies. Directed staff to research and write program outlines. And so much more. 

Yes we truly had a very productive 2014. As we say goodbye to 2014 we will never forget all the hard work and sacrifices made by our volunteers. Nor will we forget all the financial and material donations we received from our supporters. Together your help is what got us to this new year of 2015. We are one year closer to reaching our goal. Let's keep this positive community supported momentum going as we will need Land, Grants, Sponsorship & Donations to achieve our goals. On behalf of those without a home I Thank you all. You are truly Amazing!

Happy New Year!

Sincerely, 

Douglas J Christian

President

Shasta Humanity Project

Happy New Year! 2015 Toast.

Well some how we all made it thru 2014 and we all still have our attitudes and personalities. 

Ladies & Gentlemen, please lift up your glass and toast with me. 

May 2015 be a year of renewal & prosperity full of love, joy and peace for ourselves and for all those we share this big blue marble with. May the days be bright and cheery and the nights be calm and restful.  May no man, woman or child suffer from the lack of love, food or shelter. May all hearts and minds be filled with the compassionate loving creative & collaborative wisdom needed so this world may be a better place for us all. 
Happy New Year. 
Welcome 2015. 

Cheers. 

After Thanksgiving 2014

My Family and I spent this year at my fathers new home accross the street from mine. My Mother left her assisted living facility to see if she would like to join him long term and try having my Wife Dolly, my Daughter, Son and I help her and my father with their daily needs. My sisters and their daughters also joined us for the holiday meal. 

It went well considering. I got sick. My mom got sick. My sisters could not stay long and returned home to their jobs with their daughters. And of course the usual family politics. 

As the week went on I got sicker. My father did a very good job cooking for my mother. My wife kept their kitchen and home clean. I ran to the store for them twice but only because my wife and kids were all working. 

In the end the new week began. My Doctor gave me antibiotics. I got better and tomorrow I will drive my mother home whom is also feeling better. She got cold meds early on. I think that saved her. Boy did I feel shame as I get chest congestion every winter but I'm not contagious I thought. So bummed she got a cold. 

The staff at Shasta Humanity Project is back to work this week. Things are moving forward there. 

About 4 weeks before the holiday I went to Soar to the guru Dr. Gamburt and he gave me a nerve block in my neck. It relieved about 25 percent of my pain in my neck and some of my shoulder. Enough I can sleep a little again. Such a relief to be able to sleep again. 

Life is what we make it. We can keep our minds occupied and give our lives a little purpose and it can give a dificult life a spark of energy that provides for a quality of life that makes it enjoyable. With faith and a positive attitude even when we get sick we can see the positive. I pray it stays that way. My faith leads me to believe it will.