I was supposed to be in NYC this weekend for the CEFL Renew gathering. BUT drama unfolded again in the Rios Household. The good thing not life-threatening.

I was awakened on Thursday morning by the yells of my husband Hiram, “Liz! Liz!” Don’t panic but come here!” Needless to say, my heart was racing and I thought one of my dogs died, yeah, I did panic. What I saw in my kitchen was not a dead dog (the last time he yelled like that was when my beloved 10 year old Boxer died the week of Thanksgiving 2004), but it was Hiram seemingly paralyzed on the kitchen counter. Leg shaking. Gripping to counter. Crying…in pain.

What happened? What’s going on? I asked trying to look as in control during crisis as my husband always seems to be (and not doing a very good job at it). He said “I took Advils but as I was reaching for the dog’s collar, I felt a pinch and that was it.”

That was it alright. He could not move. I wanted to take him to the ER in my van but he could not sit. He was frozen and any movement caused extreme pain. So…I called an ambulance. They came. They took him. My older son Samuel was in tears, wondering what was happening with his dad. Boy little guy has seen enough drama in our household with his little brother’s 27 surgeries and my life in the hospital…he was in fear. As the ambulance left, I got myself and the kids ready (no I didn’t send Sam to school…what for? He would not be able to concentrate thinking of his dad)…it was 6:30 am.

Fast forward a few hours later, 12:30 pm and I’m picking up my hubby who is being escorted out of the hospital in a wheelchair (yeap a wheelchair). He’s on heavy pain medication and muscle relaxers and he can’t drive until at least Monday. The doc said its a few things, an MRI on Thursday will confirm his suspicions but for right now…its only a sciatic nerve problem. The doc said Hiram should rest this weekend–no lifting, kneeling, bending, yadda yadda yadda. You get the picture. Men do feel helpless when they can’t do what usually defines them as men, so pray for my babe.

So needless to say, I didn’t go to NYC, I changed my trip to the weekend of Nov 30-Dec 3. I think the ladies in the Renew group understood…family comes first. Hiram is recovering and is resting. I’m preaching on Sunday and we’ll all show up to church.

And this was another dramatic episode of as the Rios World Turns…stay tuned for the next episode…will Liz have to use her super human strength to lift Hiram and DJ with a single hand, will Hiram recover his super-charged pastor powers and be able to sing, dance and jump in his usual manner…

hey you gotta have some humor!