Long day...please keep praying!

I will keep this post short but I just wanted to stop in to ask you to keep praying! It has been a long day. Momma and Daddy continue to be an example each and every day of "For better or worse, in sickness and in health".

Thank you...will try to write some more tonight once we can get her settled in.

Spanish translation of the Blog to follow:

Un día muy largo...Continúen orando.

Mantendré este informe corto pero quiero pausar un poco para pedirles que continúen orando. Ha sido un día largo. Mama y Papa continúan dando un lindo ejemplo de lo que quiere decir “Por buenas o malas, en salud o enfermedad”.

Muchas gracias...Intentare escribir mas esta noche una vez que las cosas se pongan tranquilas

Have No Fear....Florence Nightingale Is Here!

Go on to sleep and don't worry...We have everything under control! :)

We just wanted to give you and update of how Georgie is doing. Dr.'s have said she is doing very, very well and she is running ahead of schedule. She has been in physical and occupational therapy and is doing all they ask of her. Momma said to tell you all she was able to walk today all the halls making a big square with the aid of a walker. She will have to be in her neck brace for the next 3 months, but has been disconnected from most of the tubes.

The girls and I have kept a 24 hour watch and she has not killed any of us yet. Of course she has been heavily medicated. We have been patient with the patient!!

We thank all of you who have been praying for us and it has been a real testimony to those who have been in and out of her room. We have also met several Christians here. Our anticipation here is that she will be released Friday, Saturday or Sunday...we are all taking bets on the date.

Thank-you again for all of you praying for us it has been a real encouragement to us. Through the blog counter we have been able to see people who have said they were praying from countries around the world. Momma said "It it the most humbling experience to think they would stop and pray for me, but I am very grateful for all the prayers. And please don't stop praying yet I still have a long road ahead to healing."

We look forward to being back in Charlotte soon and again thank-you...thank-you...thank-you

Lowell & Georgie

Spanish translation of the Blog to follow:

Simplemente queremos darles un informe y decirles la condición de Gerogie actual. Los médicos nos dices que todo va muy bien y que la recuperación a sobre pasado expectativas. Ella ha estado en terapia física y ocupacional y ha hecho todo lo que le dicen. Mama quiere que sepan que hoy pudo caminar con la ayuda de un carrito por los corredores del hospital. Necesita tener protector de cuello por los próximos tres meses pero lo bueno es que ya no esta conectada a ningún aparato medico.

Las chicas e yo hemos estado cuidándole 24 horas al día y hemos sobrevivido, pueda ser que la razón, ha estado bajo la influencia de la medicina…Hemos tenido mucho paciencia con la paciente.

Queremos agradecer a cada uno de ustedes por orar por nosotros, ha sido un gran testimonio para todos lo que han entrado y salido de su habitación. De la misma forma, hemos conocido a grandes creyentes aquí. Nuestra anticipación es que le darán de alta el viernes, sábado o domingo…estamos recibiendo apuestas y ver quien gana.

Una vez más, gracias por sus oraciones, han sido de mucho aliento para nosotros. A través del “Blog” hemos tenido la oportunidad de leer lo que muchos dicen dejando palabras de aliento de literalmente alrededor del mundo. Mama dice “esta ha sido una experiencia que he recibido con humildad al saber que muchos ha tomado tiempo para orar por mi, pero estoy agradecida por todas las oraciones. Por favor, no dejen de orar, todavía el camino a la recuperación es largo.”

Esperamos con anticipación nuestro regreso a Charlotte muy pronto. Gracias, gracias, gracias.

Lowell y Gerogie

True Love....Always and Forever!

Kisses are like tears, the only real ones are the ones you can't hold back.

The night nurse is back... with the camera of course!

She has had her night meds and settled in for the night. I just read her all the emails and my FB notes and she had lots of smiles! Thank you!

Pray for a restful night! God is listening!

Love you all!

Here is an update from the "A team" the "B (Barbara) team" will be back in shortly. Daddy and I have been here all day with her and she has had a BIG day. Anyone who thinks people rest in a hospital has never stayed in a hospital!

This morning started with breakfast. She is having to relearn how to eat. Her depth perception is off and she is having to really concentrate to get the muscles in her hands and arms to work. Then when that was done occupational therapy came and put her through the paces. Shortly after, physical therapy came and got her up and in a chair. They told her she could sit there and hour, but she fell asleep and stayed there close to 2 hours. (drugs are great!) They woke her up for more physical therapy. This time they got her up and walking! (walking is a relative term....she was able to use a walker and "walked" about 12 feet--baby steps lead to big steps one day) The therapist ask her if she was a "fast paced lady" and Momma said , "Joy am I fast paced?" I told the nurse, "No she is not fast paced just head-strong and she wants to go home!" She finally made it back to her bed after an hour down in x-rays. Through all of this we have been doing a breathing contraption every hour. She is now back in bed and exhausted from her big day. All the activity today has increased her pain. The Dr. said all those nerves that were pinched tight for so long are now getting used to having room and are "waking up". While I am sure she is glad they are waking up I think right now she would like for them to go to sleep so she could sleep : )

My mom, dad, Barbara and I have all been amazed and encouraged by those of you who have been so sweet and have sent up so many prayers on our behalf. It is one thing to hear others talk of God's grace and the goodness of His people praying for you it an another thing to experience it!! Thank-you all for praying. Please continue to pray for her to have strength and grace for the coming days. One Dr. today said usually the 3rd day out of surgery is the hardest. And the surgeon is still not sure if she is going to need physical therapy here at another facility before he will release her to go home. Also pray for Daddy and he continues to wait and watch. He is a "fixer" and a "doer" not a "waiter" and a "watcher".

Much love to you all....

Joy

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

A continuación un informe del “equipo A” el “equipo B (Barbara)” regresare en pronto. Papa e yo hemos estado aquí casi todo el día con ella y ha tenido un día enorme. Todo el que piensa que al estar en un hospital descansa obviamente no ha estado internado.

El día comenzó con desayuno, ella ha tenido que aprender una vez más a comer. Su percepción de profundidad no es buena y necesita concentrarse mucho para mover los músculos sus brazos y manos. Después, los de terapia ocupacional trabajaron con ella. Después, los de terapia física llegaron y la sentaron en una silla. Le dijeron que podía estar sentada una hora pero se quedo dormida por casi dos. (¡Lindas las drogas!) Después la despertaron para más terapia física. Esta ves, la pararon caminaron con ella. (Caminar, un termina relativo...ya que uso un carrito y “camino” como 4 metros, de los cuales la llevaran a caminar mas pronto) La enfermera le pregunta si era una señora acostumbrada a rapidez y mama dijo, “¿Joy, estoy acostumbrada a la rapidez?” le dije a la enfermera que , “¡no, es cabeza dura y quiere ir a su casa!” Finalmente regreso a su cama después de estar una hora en la sala de rayos-X. Con todo esto, hemos estado ayudándole a que respire con un aparato que le dieron cada hora. Por fin esta descansando después de una día de mucha actividad. Toda la actividad del día le ha causado mucho dolor. El doctor nos comento que todos los nervios que estaban comprimidos por mucho tiempo ahora están “despertando” y acomodándose con todo el espacio que ahora tienen. Se que esta agradecida por que están “despertando” pero se que prefiere que estén como antes para que pueda descansar.

Mi mama, papa, Barbara e yo hemos sido motivados y estamos agradecidos por el amor demostrado y sus oraciones por nosotros. Es una cosa escuchar a la gente hablar de la gracia y el amor de Dios de su gente y sus oraciones, pero es otra cosa totalmente experimentarla. Gracias por sus oraciones. Continúen orando para que tenga fuerzas y vea la gracia de Dios en los días venideros. Un medico nos comento que el tercer día después de la operación es el mas duro. Otra cosa, el cirujano todavía no esta seguro si mama necesitara terapia física aquí o en otro lugar antes de darle de alta y regresar a casa. Oren también por papa ya que continúa esperando y viendo. A el le gusta “arreglar” las cosas y “hacer” cosas...no le gusta “esperar” ni tampoco no “hacer nada”

Mucho amor para todos...

Joy

One night down....and a big day to come!

Good morning! It is a little after 6:00 here so I thought I would let you know how Momma is doing.

They have been able to keep her relatively comfortable and around 4:30, she started being able to sleep a little (up to 10 minutes here and there...doesn't sound like much but I promise, that is a long span for her right now). Til that point, she would doze out, wake up, thinking it was morning, and it had been less than a minute. She was VERY thirsty from one of the meds so she has kept her awake also, needing constant sips of water.

God has been so merciful to her with the pain. It is most definitely there, but is still bearable so far. The anesthesia should wear on out of her system today making her more aware of what is going on and being felt. She is strong in spirit and keeps saying she has to get better so she can go home. Please pray for her today as they want to get her up and moving. Not sure how that is going to go as she is not even steady sitting but we will just wait and see.

Daddy and Joy should be back over here around 8 or 9 so please continue to pray for them. Daddy and Momma are so sweet as they both want to take care of each other, but there is not a thing the one can do for the other. Pray that they would both sense God's amazing grace.

Thank you is not enough but please know we are more grateful than we can ever express for all the prayers on Momma's behalf. God has heard...and has answered.

Continue fighting on your knees in this battle with us! Today is going to be a BIG one!

May He restore our souls in the valley,

B

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

Termino la noche…esperamos un gran día por delante.

Buenos días. Ya pasaron las 6:00 de la mañana aquí, me gustaría compartirles un poco sobre la condición de mama.

Han podido mantenerla relativamente cómoda y como a las 4:30 de la mañana, comenzó a dormir un poquito (10 minutos a la vez…no parece mucho pero esto es mucho para ella en su condición) hasta ese punto, se quedaba dormida y de repente despertaba pensando que ya había llegado la mañana pero únicamente habían pasado 10 minutos. Por causa de una medicina ha tenido mucha sed cual también le ha causado que permanezca despierta tomando pequeños tragos de agua.

Dios ha sido muy misericordioso con ella en cuanto a su dolor. Es obvio que está pasando por dolor, pero lo puede soportar. Los efectos de la anestesia están por pasar y el dolor aumentara y lo sentirá mas fuerte. Su espíritu es fuerte y continua diciendo que necesita mejorar para poder regresar a casa. Por favor oren por ella en este día ya que quieren levantarla y comenzar a movilizarla. No sabemos los resultados de esta decisión ya que aun le cuesta estar reclinada, pero veremos que pasa.

Papa y Joy llegaran al hospital entre las 8 y 9, oren por favor por ellos. Es lindo ver el deseo de Papa y Mama de cuidarse el uno al otro, pero en este momento no hay nada que ninguno pueda hacer por el otro. Oren para que los dos experimenten la gracia de Dios.

Estoy consciente que decir gracias no es suficiente pero sepan que estamos muy agradecidos y no hay palabras para expresar nuestro agradecimiento por todas sus oraciones de parte de Mama. Dios nos ha escuchado…y ha contestado.

Continúen orando por nosotros en este día de batalla. ¡Hoy será un día DETERMINANTE!

Que Dios restaure nuestras almas al pasar por el valle.

Barbara

Night time is coming...

Just wanted to send you a quick update.

Momma is in her room and she just keeps thanking the Lord. She is doing better than she thought and though she is in pain, she is able to endure it so far.

The doctors came by and were very happy with how she was doing but said to be prepared for tomorrow! Can I ask, or even beg, you to pray her through 2 more days...and especially, tomorrow? God is answering YOUR prayers and I plead with you not to quit now.

Daddy and Joy have gone to dinner and then back to the hotel for the night. Needless to say, they are wiped out. I am the "nurse on duty" for the overnight shift so you may want to pray for momma extra tonight! ;)

I can not tell you how grateful we are to each of you. We have been blessed and encouraged by your prayers! God has proven himself faithful...yet again!

We love you all!

Finding all sufficient grace,

B

For those of you asking....I have the computer here with me so if you want to email her, her email address is mail4momma@gmail.com

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

La noche llega.

Quiero enviarles una notita rápida

Mama esta en su habitación y continuamente agradece a Dios. Esta mucho mejor de lo que pensaba y aunque esta en dolor, lo esta soportando muy bien.

El medico nos comento que estaba muy contento de como se dieron las cosas y estaba feliz con lo que mama exhibía pero que necesitamos prepararnos para mañana. ¿Permítanme pedirles y hasta rogarles que oren por ella en por 2 días mas...especialmente mañana? Dios esta contestando sus oraciones y les pido que no desmayen.

Papa y Joy se han ido a cenar y después van directamente al hotel para descansar. Vale decir que esta cansados. En lo personal, estoy de “enfermera” cuidándola durante la noche así que oren por mama esta noche.

No tengo palabras para decirles y agradecerles a cada uno de ustedes. ¡Hemos sido muy bendecidos y motivados por sus oraciones! Hemos vista la fidelidad de nuestro Dios una vez más.

Les amamos mucho

Encontrando Su gracia suficiente...

Barbara

Para los que han preguntado...Tengo una computadora conmigo así que si desean enviar una notita para mama, su domicilio es mail4mama@gmail.com

Recovery!

Just allowed in recovery. momma is doing well please keep praying.

Long day....

Starting the day at 4:30 has finally caught up with them!

Surgery is over!

We have just met with the doctor. He said...

-Technically, it all went well. He does several of these a week but this was a very severe case.

-Her biggest struggle is ahead and that will be pain...and it will be intense.

-She is in recovery now and we will be able to see her in about 3 hours or so. Depending on how well she does in there, we are hopeful that she will not be put in ICU.

-He thinks that she may have to be put from the hospital into a rehab facility but this will not be determined til we see how she reacts to the surgery.

-She has a few staples in her head where they had held it in place with bolts during surgery.

-We had discussed flying her home (when the time is right) but he feels that the pressure from the cabin will be too much for her. Therefore, we will drive her home...whenever that may be.

Please, and we say again, PLEASE, pray for her pain levels to be miraculously controlled. Because they will not be able to give her much pain meds, prayer is her only hope for this.

Thank you again for standing with us! We know there are only the 4 of us here, but we feel the strength of each of you!

Thank you,

Daddy, Joy, and Barbara

Spanish translation of the Blog follows:

¡Se termino la cirugía!

Nos hemos reunido con el medico…Nos dijo lo siguiente…

- Técnicamente, todo salio bien. El realiza varias de estas operaciones por semana pero dijo que este fue un caso severo.

- Su mayor desafió esta por venir y será muy doloroso…y muy intenso.

- En estos momentos esta en recuperación y tendremos oportunidad de verla en mas o menos 3 horas. Depende de su recuperación ahora, determinaremos si ingresa a terapia intensiva.

- El medico piensa que tendremos que admitirla a una centro de rehabilitación una vez que salga del hospital pero tendremos una mejor idea al ver su progreso después de la cirugía.

- Tiene algunas grapas en la cabeza para cerrar los pequeños cortes que hicieron para inmovilizar la cabeza durante la cirugía.

- Hemos hablado de llevarla a casa en avión después de su recuperación pero nos dicen que la presión de la nave la causaría más dolor. Así que, la llevaremos en auto…a su debido tiempo.

- Por favor, lo digo una vez más, POR FAVOR, oran para que el nivel de su dolor pueda ser controlado. Ya que no le darán mucha medicina, la oración será su único confort.

Gracias una vez mas por estar a nuestro lado! Sabemos que únicamente somos 4 los que estamos aquí, pero nos sentimos la fuerza de cada uno de ustedes.

Gracias

Papa, Joy y Barbara

Closing Up!

They just called from the OR and said they have the rod in and now they are going to start putting her back together and closing her up!

Relief for us...but oh my goodness....now the hard part for her!

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

Suturando la herida!

Recién nos llamaron del quirófano para decirnos que han instalado implante metálico y ahora están listos para suturar la herida.

Una alivio para nosotros…Pero, ahora lo difícil para ella.

Waiting waiting

Daddy is listening to BBN and checking email. No word yet on momma. Thank you for praying!

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

Papa escuchando BBN y revisando correo electrónico. No tenemos noticias de mama todavía. ¡Gracias por sus oraciones!

And it's on!

They just came and let us know that surgery has started! Keep praying!

Spanish Translation of the Blog following:

¡Ha comenzado!

¡Nos acaban de informar que han comenzado con la cirugía! ¡Por favor oren!

Good morning! Momma has been taken back for pre-op and then surgery . We arrived here around 5:30 and they took her back right away....which is a good thing, since sitting and waiting can seem to last forever.

This morning, she said all she could think about was Psalm 57:1.

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until these calamities be overpast."

Here is what we are praying for...

First, that the Lord would guide the surgeons hands and that there would be no complications.

Second, that she would not have any problems with blood clots moving...she has some in her legs, pray that they stay there.

Third, for the pain following. Please pray that she will be able to endure this and that the Lord would help comfort her and daddy as she goes through the days to follow.

Fourth, and most important to momma, pray for daddy. Pray for a "Peace that passeth all understanding."

Thank you!

Leaning on the everlasting arms,

B

Spanish translation of the Blog follows:

Buenos días, Mama ha sido llevada a cuarto de preparación para la cirugía. Llegamos al hospital a las 5:30 a.m. e inmediatamente la recibieron… esto es algo bueno, ya que estar sentada y esperando es se le hace largo el tiempo.

Esta mañana no comento que lo único que le venia a la mente era el Salmo 57:1 “Ten misericordia de mi, oh Dios, ten misericordia de mi; Porque en ti he confiado tu alma, Y en la sombra de tus alas me ampararé Hasta que pasen los quebrantados.”

Esto es por lo que estamos orando…

Primero, que Dios guié las manos de los médicos y que no tengan complicaciones.

Segundo, que mama no tenga problemas con coágulos de sangre al querer moverse…ella tiene algunos en sus piernas, oremos para que allí queden.

Tercero, por el dolor. Por favor oren para que ella pueda soportar esto y que Dios le de confort a ella como también a papa en los días venideros.

Cuarto, y lo más importante para mama, oren por papa. Oren por la paz que sobre pasa toda sabiduría.

Muchas gracias

En sus manos poderosas

Barbara

To send Momma a note...

Many of you have asked how to drop her a note...So that I don't have to go into her personal email, and many of you don't have facebook (which I don't have her password anyways), we have set up an email account for you to drop her a note. We will print these and take them to her daily.

The email is mail4momma@gmail.com

(We will read these to daddy too!) ;)

Keep praying! Please, keep praying!

B

Spanish Translation of the Blog to follow:

Para enviar una notita a mama...

Muchos me han preguntado como pueden hacer llegar una notita a mama...Para evitar de darles su correo personal y también consciente de que muchos no tiene facebook (del cual no tengo la contraseña de ella), hemos creado una cuanta de mail para que pueda recibir las notitas. Las estaremos imprimiendo y se las llevaremos todos los días.

El domicilio es mail4momma@gmail.com

(También se las leeremos a papa!) ; )

Continúen orando! por favor, oren!

Barbara

So.....here is the latest from Mayo!

We are here and have met with the doctors. There is good news and bad news....which would you like first? Let's start with the good.

The good news is they are only going to have to cut into the back. This is wonderful since it will keep surgery at 4 hours verses 8 hours. That is something we had prayed for and are excited that they will be able to use this method as it will hopefully be less invasive.

The bad news....the doctor said the pain will be unbearable. He kept saying he could not emphasize enough the amount of pain she would be in. Usually, people who have this surgery are in pain and then the surgery helps relieve this. The problem here is that Momma is not really in pain...she just has no feeling or use of her hands and legs. Therefore, it will add pain to her that she did not have. They do not want to give her much pain medicine as for fear of blood clots that could go to the heart...with "bad" results.

We will head to the hospital at 5:45 in the morning and they will take her in to prep her and head to surgery. They hope that she will be out of surgery til 1 but we will not be able to see her while she is in recovery. Therefore, we will not see her til 3 or 4 in the afternoon.

Momma said to put on here, "Please pray for her, but even more, please pray for daddy." You never want to see those you love in pain. Other than that, she does not have a lot to say right now.

Thank you for your many prayers. God knows what we are each able to handle and we know Momma won't have more than she can bear.

We will keep you updated as we hear from the doctor throughout the day.

Thank you!

Learning to lean,

B

Spanish Translation of the Blog follows:

Estamos aquí y nos hemos reunido con el medico. Tenemos buenas y malas noticias...Cuales quieren primero? Comencemos con las buenas. La buena noticia es que únicamente cortaran por detrás del cuello. Esta es una linda noticia ya que la cirugía será de cuatro horas en vez de ocho. Por esto hemos estado orando y estamos felices que podrán usar este método ya que es menos agresivo.

La mala noticia...El medico nos comento que el dolor será insoportable y continuo enfatizando el gran dolor que mama experimentara. Típicamente, individuos que reciben esta operación tienen mucho dolor y al terminar la operación cesa. El problema es que por ahora mama no tiene dolor...Lo que tiene es que no tiene sentir en sus manos ni pies. Pero esto, agregara dolor que ella no tiene. No le quieren dar mucha medicina para el dolor ya que tiene temor de que le causen coágulos de sangre que pueden llegar al corazón...y tener malos resultados.

Necesitamos estar en el hospital el martes a las 5:45 a.m. y la prepararan para la cirugía. Esperan salir del quirófano después de la 1 de la tarde pero no la podemos ver ni estar con ella mientras se recupera. De ser así, no la veremos hasta después de las 3 o 4 de la tarde.

Mama me dijo que les pidiera que “por favor oren por ella, pero más que eso, oren por papa.” Uno nunca quiere ver a los que ama en dolor. Más que eso, no tiene mucho para decir por ahora.
Gracias por todas las oraciones. Dios sabe lo que cada uno de nosotros podemos soportar y también sabemos que mama no tendrá mas de lo puede.

Los mantendremos informados cuando tengamos mas noticias del medico al correr el día.

Aprendiendo a confiar en El.

Barbara

Information?

The Happy couple head home after a day of "information overload"!

Dr. B

look who's the Dr. Run Georgie run!!

At the Dr. Office

At the Dr. Office

Almost there!

Just talked to momma and daddy and they are doing great! They have had tests run all morning (labs, chest Sears, etc.) and are now grabbing a bite to eat. They will be signing off on all the paperwork around 3 and then we will all be going in to meet with the surgeon at 3:45. At that time, we will know all the details about the surgery and how extensive it will be. They will also tell us what time it is going to be at in the morning. (Hopefully after nine because Joy and I aren't big on missing Regis and Kelly).

We are (that is Joy and I) on our way down there now. We are somewhere in Georgia. So far, I think we have hit all the Cracker Barrels and are having a great time!

Thank you all for your prayers! They mean more than you will ever know. His grace truly is sufficient!

Learning to lean,
B

On the road...

Momma and daddy are ..."On the road again..." :)

Pray for them today as they travel back to Jacksonville. It is difficult for Momma to sit, thus making riding a bit painful, and there are plenty of nerves and concern as they head back down to keep their minds occupied.

Joy and I (which will look like Lucy and Ethel on a road trip) will be headed down first thing in the morning so we will be there in time for the "Pre-Op" appointment with them. I have a few questions myself to ask to the kind doctor...like "Is this the first time you have ever done this surgery?" (Momma said he was young...you never know!) :)

Thanks for your prayers!

Learning to lean,

B

P.S. I won't ask the doctor that. ;) Don't want anyone sitting out there saying "Poor Georgie!"

Update from Daddy....

Georgie noticed she was loosing control of her hands and walking was a little unstable. We went to Mayo Clinic in Florida to run some tests. Because of Arthritis in her body it caused a major pressure on a nerve system in her neck. This was causing great concern and was the reason listed above. We went to Mayo for a prognosis.

They told us she had a type of arthritis that was moving rapidly and because of this would continually increase could cause permanent paralysis of her hands, arms and feet and they suggested we move immediately for this surgery.

Providently an opening came up this coming Tuesday and they offered it to us. They were graciously concerned about her situation and we believe the Lord opened this opportunity. We accepted their offer and are moving in that direction.

Please pray for her this Tuesday and she faces this surgery and give the Doctors wisdom for a successful surgery. Georgie and I thank you for your prayers and concern... Don't forget ...Tuesday morning about 10:00 AM...

We Thank You from the bottom our hearts for your concern.

Lowell

So here we go....

You can imagine Momma's happiness to find out I am online blogging about her! :)

For those who asked....let me explain briefly.

PAST:

Momma has had pain in her hip and back for quite some time. She has had cortisone shots to help alleviate this but the shots have not seemed to do much good. Believing it was arthritis, it was assumed there was not too much that could be done.

Recently, she started losing feeling in her finger tips. The numbness, moved onto her hand, and up her arms. Again, to make a long story short, she started also having problems with her balance, lost feeling in her feet and soon her legs. We have all seen an almost daily decline in her, as she could herself. After 2 falls, one of which she conked her head, we all knew it was time to get the best help there is...Mayo!

PRESENT:

She has been at Mayo all week...seeing doctors and having test run. She has had everything from blood work, to 2 MRI's, to CT scan, to muscle and nerve test, etc. Today, they have met with the doctors and here are her 2 options:

1. Stay in a wheelchair the rest of your life and depend on Joy and Barbara to take care of you! (Not a good option...considering we find laughter in the craziest things!)

2. Major surgery...and it needs to be done ASAP. She needs an operation on her neck/back where they will insert a rod and screws. They will cut the back open, and then depending on what they are able to do, they will then have to cut the side if necessary. If only cutting the front, 3-4 hour surgery...if cutting the side also, an additional 7. This surgery will require a 4-8 day hospital stay...depending on how much cutting and work needs to be done.

FUTURE:

They are leaving for Mayo on Sunday, they will take care of the pre-op on Monday, and surgery on Tuesday. She is not thrilled, to say the least, about this but knows that there really is no other option.

Please continue to pray for them as they are traveling back tonight, will wash and re-pack tomorrow and then get on the road.

God's grace is sufficient and we rest in that. I will continue to update this as often as possible. I may even get her on here this weekend! :) I told daddy that before this was all done, I would have him on here blogging and who knows...he may be on Twitter before we know it! (Don't look for him on Twitter...he will still with this!) :)

Learning to lean,

B

July 24, 2009

No word yet...keep checking back and we will post what the doctors say! :)