Dear Ann,
Actually, your post fits beautifully with the original spirit and intent of this forum. Water only fasting is about healing first and foremost. The Water Fast itself does not do the healing, but rather allows the body to heal naturally. As we have all found out, this is not an easy process, and it takes a lot of time and discipline, more than a lot of us have at this point.
I first began investigating fasting as a teenager wanting a quick way to drop weight. I could fast over the weekend, lose 5 or more pounds, but gain it all back before the week was out. Hardly a safe and healthy lifestyle for anyone; plus it led to experiments with purging which thankfully never took hold. However, as I matured and read about fasting for other reasons, I began to appreciate it even more. Unfortunately, I got caught up in "religion" (as opposed to living by faith and grace) and pretty well abandoned Water Fasting for years thinking it was not a "Christian" thing to do-how wrong I was! It was only after I turned to alternative medicine after the traditional failed to help me that fasting once again became a subject of interest. It seems harder to do now, perhaps because I know it will not be a quick fix, but I still believe in its potential to help improve the health of many people.
You said that the pain does not define us and you are correct. However, I have let that happen to some extent. When I am hurting or even just very tired I walk with a limp. My eyes look like I have been crying, I move slowly and have trouble concentrating. People who knew me before the injury or care about me can quickly tell when the pain is overwhelming. Others see me as slow witted, incompetent, and I get teased about "walking funny". This bothers me so much, and I have withdrawn from a lot of social activities, volunteer work and even church work because of the stares and cruel comments. Some folks at church have even suggested my heart is "not right" because I'm not being healed through prayer.
Anyway, enough about me. The point is that we are all seeking relief and release from health issues that have radically affected our lives. Mike simply amazes me with his spirit and determination to go on. So many people with far less pain and suffering have given up and gone on disability, he keeps fighting for a normal life for himself and his family. Plus his faith is so strong. Skyflier soars despite health and weight issues that drive many people into seclusion,you can sense her love and faith in her posts here. Marion opens up to share her emotional/spiritual pain that can be as great as our physical pain. And ,you Ann, have accepted a necessary change in your lifestyle, a lack of acceptance of your choices from those closest to you, and still radiate as a person of grace and encouragement. While this thread may seem somewhat off-topic is does show what real support can be. God bless you too.

Uplifting and timely words of encouragement from both you Ann and hopinso. I am traveling to Jax Florida on Sunday to spend 2 days with a dear friend who is in last stages of emphysemia and hospice has been called in. My heart is breaking right now because outside of my sister, who passed away about 18 years ago, I have been closer to this woman than anyone. She is only 61 and it seems so unfair but that is a disease, so she has said, that does not reverse. She is ready to go, wants to go, she is in pain from head to toe, many other complications, and is having regular seizures. Very scary stuff. It just breaks my heart to hear her speak so accepting of her days ahead. She does love the Lord and for that I receive much comfort. More than ever now she just wants to 'go home to be with Him", as she says. But it is still so hard for me to hear her talk like that.

Grace and peace to you both. Hopsino, I pray that the people in your church who suggest that your 'heart is not right' do not represent the sentiment of the leadership there. These people sound very immature in their faith, dare I say, even dangerously ignorant of biblical truth. If I thought the leadership of a church shared that view, I would be out the door in a flash. JMHO :):)

Sky

nice words and thoughts. I can only say amen and thanks to all who contributed.
My latest is that short of the second coming, we're all headed for the same place (speaking from an earthly point of view). I try to remember that. It gives me some perspective for daily living.
Life itself is painful in many ways, many other than physical.

I'm seeing my doctor Monday to try and convince him that I need just a little more morphine than he wants to give me, while I give it everything I've got to continue to work and do the other things that may bring some physical pain relief. If not, then life gets a little tougher for me, especially continuing to work, which is a must for my family unless we sell out and move into a trailer or something. But I just pray God help me to keep going. I believe He will. I don't want to get presumptuous and say I'm going to keep going come "hell or high water" excuse my expression. Because I know without God's support it could all be over tomorrow.
We all suffer in our own ways, don't we. I pray that God bless and minister to each of you, and to all of us on these boards, and help us to get through it.
Blessings, Mike