Elaine Ballard - The Furnace of Fire

Endorsements
I have often referred to Adhesive Arachnoiditis as the Devils Own Disease. It is a disease of great harm, deviousness and loneliness. It creates a feeling of helplessness, hopelessness and fear. Elaine Ballard and The Furnace of Fire penetrates the veil of despair that this disease brings to its unfortunate victims. Readers, whether you have the disease of not, will develop an understanding of it, and the need of the victim and family to seek and find spiritual guidance. This book is critical at this point in time because the triad of an aging population, high prevalence of spine diseases, and risky medical interventions have resulted in thousands of cases of which some are now in every community. It is no longer a rare disease. The Furnace of Fire points us in a direction to begin the prevention and treatment of this Devils Disease. All interested parties should read this most timely and insightful book.
Best wishes always,
Forest Tennant M.D., Dr. P.H ., Author of over 300 scientific articles and books, Editor Emeritus of Practical Pain Management

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Elaines book, The Furnace of Fire is the first book by a patient for patients on Arachnoiditis. She does an in-depth, articulate and amazing job of sharing what its like to live with Arachnoiditis and providing hope and motivation for others facing this challenging disease and the pain that goes with it. She teaches the reader how to use mindfulness and spirituality to overcome challenges of living with pain through the strength of faith in Christ. Her faith is a testament to all who live with Arachnoiditis and other chronic pain diseases.
Barby Ingle President of International Pain Foundation (iPain), Amazon Bestselling Author and Reality TV Personality.

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Actively listening to my patients own personal experiences as well as their opinions on alternative therapies based on their own research, has been incredibly valuable in helping me to become a better physician and a more effective team member in assisting them on their healing journey.
Patients and their families are learning to use online resources to seek out new and creative solutions to problems that have not been addressed adequately by traditional medicine. The ability to take personal responsibility for ones own medical care, although a frightening prospect to many traditional physicians, will ultimately lead to a better quality of healthcare and a more productive relationship between the patient and physician. Elaine Ballard is one of those individuals who continues to seek out creative solutions to her debilitating disease and reminds us of the importance of recognizing and dealing with the psychological and spiritual effects of chronic pain and illness for those suffering and their loved ones. The Furnace of Fire represents Elaines tremendous efforts to utilize the combined resources of traditional medicine, social media support groups, and non-traditional medical services to better understand her disease and to utilize that knowledge to reach out to others suffering in silence.
Arachnoiditis is a disease that first and foremost should be preventable. Educating Physicians and patients alike is the first step in creating the dialogue towards a better understanding of the disease and to creating better solutions for the treatment of spinal disease in an effort to avoid Arachnoiditis. For those already suffering, Elaine presents many alternative views on traditional care and very useful tips for the patient and their family for taking a more active role in their search for relief.
Todd K Malan MD , Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at The Center for Regenerative Cell Medicine, Scottsdale, Arizona
MyStemCellTherapy.com
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Since joining our support group, Arachnoiditis Together We Fight in 2015, Elaine Ballard has been a great encouragement and support through her many prayers to so many of our members. Her new book, The Furnace of Fire dedicated to those who suffer with Arachnoiditis, is sure to be of great comfort and support to family and friends of those who suffer with this incurable disease. I, as well as many others, will always be grateful to Elaine for her unconditional love, support, and devotion in helping us all make it through The Furnace of Fire we know as Arachnoiditis.

Donna Corley Pain Patient Advocate, Director of ASAP (Arachnoiditis Society for Awareness and Prevention) & Arachnoiditis Together We Fight

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I first met Elaine in the support group, Arachnoiditis Together We Fight. Over the years she has been consistently reaching out to other patients with Arachnoiditis in spite of her own challenges with chronic pain and physical limitations. She is a huge inspiration to myself and to many others who suffer with this incurable disease. I have watched Elaine reach out to patients who have lost all hope and the will to live. Her encouragement and compassion have, I believe, brought much needed hope to so many.

This is the first book about Arachnoiditis of this kind. I believe it will help patients with both Arachnoiditis and Adhesive Arachnoiditis (AA) to know they are not alone and a better life filled with purpose can be found. Elaines writing style is transparent of her own life allowing others to have a sense of personal connection with the author.

Michell Freeman iPain Delegate, International Pain Foundation Your Power of Pain Headquarters

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO

The families of loved ones who lost their lives to Adhesive Arachnoiditis. When pain is unbearable, treatment not known or accepted, no cure and faith tested beyond ability to endure, for many it is difficult to find hope.

THE FURNACE OF FIRE

(Arachnoiditis an aggressive neurological

Disease of the spinal cord)

FAITH IN THE MIDDLE

OF BURNING FLAMES

Copyright2017

Elaine Ballard

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am nothing without God. He has allowed me the privilege of sharing a little in Christs sufferings and any inspiration in writing this book has come from Gods Holy Spirit.

I wish to thank the following friends and Sisters in Christ. Nancy Kriskovich especially, has encouraged me to write this book capturing my own experiences with Adhesive Arachnoiditis and the spiritual lessons I have learned through this journey. Without her support, I would not have found the strength in God to persevere and complete the book.

Donna Corley and Michell Freeman are great advocates of Arachnoiditis and many other related conditions. I truly admire their full time commitment in spreading awareness and encouragement to so many sufferers to keep going when their hope has faded.

Beth Turnbull-Haley and Theodora Fitusis Batisatos are amazing ladies who work tirelessly as Administrators in Support Groups advising, encouraging and welcoming so many members.

I am very blessed to know these five wonderful ladies who continually inspire me with the way they persevere through such devastating and challenging circumstances of their own, and still find time to encourage so many. They are true warriors of Arachnoiditis.

CONTENTS

Arachnoiditis ----------------------------------------------------------------9

1. Complete trust --------------------------------------------------------11

2. God understands our pain -----------------------------------------13

3. That special place ----------------------------------------------------15

4. The priceless value of knowing Christ --------------------------18

5. Who are you listening to? ------------------------------------------21

6. A reason to hope -----------------------------------------------------23

7. Christ identifies with us --------------------------------------------26

8. Sacrifice of praise -----------------------------------------------------29

9. The eye of the storm -------------------------------------------------31