3 Months Have Passed

It's hard to believe that it's now been three months since my surgery (the 28th) and I'm going in on Monday (the 26th) for my last visit ~ at lease I think that's what I'm doing. In some ways it's been a long 3 months and then in other ways it's gone by so fast....funny how time plays tricks on your mind isn't it?

As I go back I've got a list of questions. I told Joy this the other day and she said, "Funny how much you didn't understand as you went into this. I think you were in a state of shock at the time." I thought about that and I think she was right, I know she was. I had no idea all that would be involved in this or how long it would take me to get back to "normal" (I still don't feel like I'm there even yet). I didn't understand that you gain some things, but then you lose others. Like - I'm not in the wheelchair anymore and I'm able to use my hands and fingers to feed myself and do the "little" things in life that we take for granted (like dress myself completely). For all this I am very thankful, but I didn't realize that my back (shoulders) would hurt like they do, or that my head would feel so funny and heavy to hold up, or that my arm would still have that pain like it does. However, all these little problems are small compared to not being able to walk or use my hands. I still walk a little funny. I'm not sure if it's because of the surgery or just in my head ~ I'm still so aware that I could fall and I'm afraid of that happening....so I walk very carefully. Perhaps after they send me on to physical therapy I'll be able to do better. We'll just wait and see.

I'll try to get back to the blog after our trip down to Mayo. It will be a week or so (unless I can get Barbara to fill in for me). After we finish at Mayo on Monday we're going on down into FL to rest lay in the sun and swim in the pool! We are both ready to do this, but especially Lowell. This has been a really hard summer for him and a lot of pressure. He is used to battles, but he doesn't handle them as well when they involve family and believe me this was a big summer for him. He needs to hear the Dr. say that I'm OK and can get back to normal and then to rest and let his mind stop spinning. He's 76 and still working a full 40+ hours a week and his poor mind just spins all the time. If you're looking for something to really pray about, pray for him. He also found out yesterday that he has a cataract on both eyes and they are ripe. He doesn't want to hear it and he sure doesn't want to do anything about it. He says he sees just fine and doesn't need it. Ummm, well, even the Dr. said, "You're not seeing as well as you think you are." Just pray for him, he's a man and isn't going to go down with out a fight...or something like that.

There are other things that I'd like prayer for too, but this isn't the time or place to go into it all. Just know that we continue to stand in need of your prayers. These last 3 months I've seen first hand what it means to have people praying for you. You know what? I need it! I need it for my physical well being, emotionally, and spiritually. The best thing is that spiritually I know that He has begun a good work in my life and body and that He WILL complete it for His glory. He has been so good to teach me several things this summer, but believe me I haven't learned it all by any means, so keep praying.

Again, I thank each and every one of you who have prayed. The Lord has heard your request and has answered according to His plan and purpose for my life.

Thank You, so much!!

Georgie ~ or better known as Momma : )

Six Weeks Done and Counting!

Thank you for praying and standing by me these last several weeks, six to be exact! We made the trip to Mayo this week and the Lord saw us down and back with no problems. We left out of here about 9:00 AM on Wed and got into the motel around 3:30 or so. We went to Mayo and I was a little early for my appointment (e-ray of neck) and was done by the time it was "time" for my appointment, so we moved on to the next one.....and yes, they to saw us early (just to check that we had insurance)........so, we moved on from there. We went up to my surgeons office since we had to "wait" somewhere..... we got there about 1:15 and the appointment was at 3:45 : ) This is where the buck stopped! We were called back about 4:05 and saw him shortly afterwards. In a funny kind of way it was good to see him again. He really is such a nice "kid" and the kind of person you'd like to see at your church each week. Just so nice.

He was very pleased with the way I could walk, the way it was healing and the way it looked on the e-rays. We all know that we serve an "answering" God and it was clearly all due to the many prayers that went up on my behalf...... again, and again, THANK YOU!

I have been on a medicine to help heal the damaged nurves in my right arm, but it knocks me out ....... I'm talking sleeping way to much and being like a bear when you wake me up. Lowell even said he thinks I need to "come off it" : ) and he's right. So he said I could start wheining off it, which makes us all happy......I'm only taking one a day now (was taking 3 a day) and I've been awake all day today! Even went to the store to pick up a few things! First time in a long time, just ask the grandkids......each time they come over there isn't "anything" to eat!

The Dr. said I can't drive for at least 6 more weeks and then I have to take it "slow" getting back into it.....my neck isn't going to move from side to side as quickly as it use to : / I also have to keep using the brace for 6 more weeks too. BUT the good news is no exercise for my neck or shoulders for 6 more weeks either! I'm sorry, buy I just don't like exercise, but I know it's coming and I'm going to need it too. But the Lord will meet that need too I know.

Well, I just wanted to let you know how I am doing......just fine ! I hope to make it back to church tomorrow morning. It will be so good to get back, that's for sure.

Again thank you for your love and for showing it to me by praying for me. In case you've forgotten, God does answer prayer and I'm proof of it..... THANKS!!

Won't be long now!

Each day is better then the last - really! Today Lowell took me out for breakfast and I used the cane and not the walker....in the afternoon we went to a Christian book store and again I went on the cane (and using Lowell's hand as we crossed the street). Then tonight I fixed dinner, but to be honest - that took what I had left in me out.....We didn't even go for our walk tonight :( but I did a lot of walking today anyways.

I should be discharged this week from the PT as I said and I only have this week left and then its back to Mayo....(the 2nd) pray for our safety as we travel. I would also ask that you pray for a young couple who were hit head on by a drunk driver. He came across the center line and hit them head on. They have 4 children (8 years to a new baby) and all were hurt but the baby. Because the parents were up front they were hurt most......pray for them, what is my little surgery in light of this, but we all serve and love the same God and I know HE is in control of them as well as HE was with me ........ but I understand the need of prayer on their behalf.

I'll let you know how I'm doing as the week goes by.

I won't be back to church yet tomorrow but I'm biting at the bit to get there. Last week there were right at 300 so it's good I didn't try it ....... I'm still a little unsure of my footing, but it won't be long now!!

Thanks again for continuing to pray for me.

Georgie

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS TO ME !!

This won’t be long because I still don’t have a lot of strength for sitting at the typewriter and trying to type. It is still hard to see the screen and type, partly because of my glasses needing to be adjusted and partly because of the neck muscles needing to get stronger. However I had to thank you for all of your love, support and prayers. I have been in a valley that I’ve never been in before and it has been quite a walk. I hope to soon being up to having the strength to tell you all about it., but it will come as the strength does. For now know of my appreciation for each of you, for your love, caring and most of all your prayers for us…..we’re almost ½ way there so please continue to hold us up before His throne and continue to pray for us….it’s because of you we’ve come this far by faith!

Lovingly to you,

me.

Translation of the Blog folowing:

¡ALABADO SEA EL SEÑOR POR SU BONDAD HACIA Mí!

Esto no será larga ya que todavía no tengo la fuerza para estar sentada frente a esta maquina y escribir. Todavía me cuesta ver la pantalla y escribir, parte es porque nos anteojos necesitan un ajuste y la otra es porque los nervios de mi cuello necesitan mas fuerza. Aun así, quería darles las gracias por todo su amor, apoyo y oraciones. Me ha tocado pasar por el desierto por el cual nunca había pasado y ha sido algo diferente. Espero que pronto tenga la fuerza para poder contarles más en detalle, pero vendrá cuando regresen las fuerzas. Por ahora, les envió mi aprecio a cada uno de ustedes, por su amor, su cariño y mas que nada por sus oraciones por nosotros... ya casi llegamos a la mitad de todo esto así que continúen orando manteniéndonos en oración ante el trono de gracia. Es por cada uno de ustedes que hemos llegado hasta aquí.

Con amor

Yo

Her first "Fresh Air"!

We are so thankful for the break in the hot weather and we got her outside for a little walk.

Keep praying for her recovery!

We love you all!

Spanish translation of Blog following:

Su primer suspiro de aire fresco.

Estamos agradecidos por el alivio del clima caliente ya que pudimos sacarla afuera para que caminara un poco.

Continúen orando por su recuperación.

¡Los amamos mucho

BAD DAY! :(

No other way to say it...Saturday was a bad day!

Please continue to pray for her. Pray that the muscle spasms would subside, that her strength would return, that the pain would lessen, and even more, that her spirit would be encouraged.

Thanks!

B

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18

Translation of the Blog to follow:

Un Día muy mal :(

No hay otra forma de decirlo...el sábado fue un mal día.

Por favor, continué orando por ella. Oran que los dolores de los músculos pasen, y que su fuerza pronto regrese, que su dolor no sea tan fuerte y más que nada, que su espíritu sea alentado.

Gracias

Barbara.

“No mirando nosotros las cosas que se ven, sino las que no se ven; pues las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.” 2 Corintios 4:18

This blog should not be called "Momma Having Fun"!

First, let me apologize that it has been so long since I have been on here. When we were at Mayo, I had all the time in the world to entertain myself on here (and ya'll thought this was to keep you posted...nope, just to keep me busy!). :) Now that we are back in Charlotte, any free moments seem to be filled family, friends, naps, cleaning, ...oh yeah, and taking care of Momma!

So, I guess enough about me...as for Momma...it has been quite the roller coaster ride. Let's just say, none of us have been riding with our arms up! Just holding on for dear life.

The pain has been far more than anticipated and we have had to change out the medicines 3 times. I thought on Wednesday, we were going to have to take her back to the hospital to get it under control. The problem was, they were going to have to take her in an ambulance and which one of you thinks for one second that Momma is going out the door that way...at least while conscious?!? Not our Momma! After trying to talk her into this, I realized that she was more likely to go out in a hearse than an ambulance!

She has had a lot of trouble with muscle spasms due to all of the muscles having to be pulled away from the spine during surgery to get in there and operate. She is still under "Lucy and Ethel's 24 hour care" which you can imagine how humored she is after 2 weeks of this! We still find each other hysterical and know that some day....very far away...she will find it funny too! :)

I have to say it has been amazing to have so many friends and family support us through all of this. Our church has provided dinner every night this week for my parents and if it weren't for them, those would be 2 skinny old people by now! :) (The good thing is, she is not mobile enough yet to get on a computer and read all I am writing. If you turn on the blog one day, and it is gone, you will know Momma got up and I quickly had to delete all I had written!)

At this point, she is still pretty much immobilized. She is not able to do simple things yet like feed herself or write but we pray this will start to come back quickly as she begins occupational therapy this week. It is killing her to not be able to write thank you notes to all the people who have done so much for us! This week, because of all the pain, she has not been able to do anything at all.

Can I ask for you to pray for her for one more week? I know there are so many with far greater needs that I hate to be selfish but it has been amazing to see the direct answers to your prayers.

We love you all!

B

P.S. More pictures to come...she is not drugged enough right now for me to snap one! :)

Translation of the Blog following:

Este blog no debe llamarse “Mama divirtiéndose”.

Primera, disculpas ya que ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que escribí algo aquí. Cuando estábamos en la clínica Mayo, tenía todo el tiempo del mundo para entretenerme con esto, (y ustedes pensaban que era para mantenerles informado...la verdad que no, algo para mantenerme ocupada.). :) Ahora que estamos en Charlotte, cada momento libro se llena con cosas de la familia, amistades, siestas, limpiar casa...y también el cuidado de Mama...

Pienso que ya es suficiente escribir sobre mí...ahora lo de Mama...Hemos pasado tiempos inestables, es como si estuviéramos en una montaña rusa pero no con las manos hacia arriba, mas que nada, tratar de no caernos.

El dolor ha sido más de lo anticipado y hemos cambiado medicamentos ya tres veces. El miércoles casi la llevamos al hospital una vez más para que le controlaran el dolor. El problema fue que la tendrían que llevar en ambulancia y cuantos de ustedes piensan por un minuto que Mama viajaría en ella, puede ser que inconsciente pueda ser. No nuestra Mama. Después de tratar de motivarla a que viajara en ella, me di cuanta que seria más probable que viajara en coche fúnebre que ambulancia.

Ha tenido muchos problemas con dolores musculares ya que los músculos fueron separados de su espina dorsal durante la operación. Todavía esta bajo el cuidado de nosotros 24 horas al día, al cual se pueden imaginar lo chistoso que es después de habar pasado 2 semanas juntas. Todavía nos matos de risa y sabemos que algún día...muy lejos...ella se dará cuanta de lo chistoso de esto. :)

Debo decirles que ha sido increíble al ver a muchos amigos y familiares apoyarnos a través de todo esto. Nuestra Iglesia a proveído cena cada día para mis padres y si no fuera por ellos, ellos dos ahora fueran dos viejitos flaquitos. :) (Lo bueno es que todavía no pueda moverse, lo cual la impide de tener acceso a su computadora y leer todo lo que estoy escribiendo. Si algún día ingresan a esta blog y no aparece, se darán cuanta que Mama ya esta mejor y ha eliminado todo lo que he escrito.)

Hasta este punto, ella no pueda moverse. Ni siquiera puede hace las cosas simples como alimentarse sola o escribir pero oraremos para que esto pronto se revierta rápido al comenzar terapia operacional esta semana. Se le hace muy difícil al no poder escribir notas de agradecimiento a todos los que han hecho tanto por ella. Esta semana, por el inmenso dolor, no ha podido hacer nada.

¿Les puedo pedir que oren por allá una semana más? Estoy consciente que hay cosas mayores por las cuales están orando y no quiero ser egoísta pero ha sido increíble ver una contestación directa a sus oraciones.

Los amamos mucho a todos

Barbara

PD. Más fotos por venir. Por ahora no esta muy drogata para tomarle uno... :)