If you could spare a prayer

My brother in law is in surgery right now. This is Dean's twin brother Dave. A few years ago he wrecked his knee at work. A year and half ago he had his knee replaced, only he'd already developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). I'd only heard of this one other time, and it's miserable thing to live with for the rest of your life. It is constant, never ending, SEVERE pain. It never ever ever stops. Not when you're sleeping. Not when you're trying to enjoy your life. Not when you're tired. Nothing. It just never stops. Dave has tried a lot of things to stop the pain, like walking around with a spinal block, morophine pumps, and stuff like that. It's just plain miserable. Some people with RSD go as far as having the affected limb amputated.

Since he had his knee replaced he's had nothing but problems with it. It's loose, and collapses on him. Turns out the knee had had put in was somehow defective (or the surgery was done incorrectly). Everyone agreed he needed to have it replaced again, but NOBODY would touch him with the RSD. You see, as bad as it already is, RSD can be made WORSE by additional trauma to the tissues. After a year and a half of not being able to use his knee correctly, his back and hips are now a mess. You know, the whole domino effect.

Anyway, He finally found a doctor at the University of Minnesota who is replacing his knee today. We pray that this is the end of PART of his problems. The RSD is here to stay, but life would be so much better for him if he can use his leg correctly, without further damaging his back and hips. Please say a prayer that todays surgery is without complication, and he can start his road to a better life.