Went to Physical Therapy and...

I went to Physical Therapy on Friday and it went well. Well, in that it doesn't look like I'll have to go more then a month and possibly not even that long. The reason is that there isn't really a lot they can do to help me improve from where I am at this point. It was worth the visit though to learn "how to sleep". A big part of my pain in my right shoulder was coming from the way (position) that I was laying and he helped me with that. I need to sleep with 4 pillows : D who knew? Sounds crazy but it really does make a difference in the morning when I wake up. Of course it's a pain during the night when I want to roll over to the other side, but I'm learning that I can go right back to sleep. The main thing that changed was putting a pillow under my abdomen which lifts the right shoulder some so it doesn't roll under causing it to hurt when I wake up. (Just in case some of you were wondering.) I've gone back to driving and that has been wonderful, but I just have to be real careful when pulling out into traffic. I can turn my head to the right a little more then I can to the left. I find I need to turn my body to the left in order to see better. I'm being very careful and so far I'm doing OK. I also try to pull into (or through) a parking space so I don't have to back out...that helps a lot too. All in all I'm getting stronger each day and for this I thank the Lord for His goodness and safe keeping.

Lowell was suppose to get cataracts removed from each of his eyes (one this month and the other one next month) but he told me today that he went back to the Dr. and told him to just refill the order for glasses that he had and that he'll get it done a year from now (maybe). : / Oh well, what does the Dr. know? : D Lowell kept telling the Dr. that he isn't having any problem seeing and that all he needs is to have his glasses fixed...they couldn't be fixed so they are having to replace them (the frame couldn't be fixed). We'll just wait and see I guess.

I still have a prayer request that is a concern of mine, but I can't yet give any of the details. I know that God is able and that He has a perfect plan and will in the matter, but I really think it needs to be addressed and yet, I don't have any answers to the situation or peace about it....so I continue to pray and trust the Lord. He hath begun "this work" and I'm going to trust and wait on Him to complete it. Thank you for joining with me in this matter. I really do appreciate it.

I can't believe that summer has come and gone and now it's the "holidays" again. Joy and her family will be going to FL to be with Michael's family for Thanksgiving. It will be a bitter/sweet one for them as this time last year Michael's brother was fighting cancer and went home to the Lord just before Thanksgiving. So this will be hard for all of them. Pray for them during the weekend if you think of it. Barbara and her family will be here with us and we'll have Thanksgiving together, along with some of the families from BBN that live out here close by us. We always came here before, but now it seems easier to go to her house since the kids are all bigger and they have the Wii (don't know how you spell it for sure) and other things for the kids now that they are older. So I don't know just where we will celebrate, but anywhere is fine with me....I just love all of us being together. The day after Thanksgiving we usually put up the Christmas decorations and enjoy them for the whole month (we take them down just afterwards). So it won't be long and we'll be in 2010! Now that's hard to believe.....seems like it was just 1999 and we were concerned about the computers (especially at BBN). How time flies!

Well, speaking about time flying, I best get off of here and go get my supper started. Lowell will be home soon and I won't be ready for him : D You take care and again I want to thank each one of you for praying and in advance Thank You for continuing to ~ I really do appreciate the love and concern that you've shown for me.

In His care I remain,

Georgie

It's been 3 mos now....

Well, the trip to Mayo has come and gone and now all I have to do is continue to wait (upon the Lord). Funny, but after waiting so long to finally get married (41 years ago) I thought that I'd never have to "wait" again...WRONG....I'm still waiting.

The doctor said everything looked good and that I could take the brace off (and wear it as I needed to), drive (but very carefully), and continue to do my housework (but to do nothing that caused pain) : ) That was nice to hear, because now I don't have to do anything that causes pain...and that could cover a lot of different areas. : ) That was all the good news, but the news that I wasn't expecting was that this is going to be a 2 year process. I had to go back at 6 wks., 3 mos., 6 mos., 1 year and then at the end of the 2nd year....WHO KNEW! I thought that this visit was the end of my "life at Mayo" and come to find out I've only begun. What it did show me was that this was really a "bigger deal" then I ever realized. I guess I'm really glad that I didn't know all of this before hand or I may have been more fearful then I was. I thought that at the end of the 3 months that I would be completely healed and ready to go. Come to find out that it will take at least 9 mos. for some of it to heal (and maybe even longer) and 2 years for it to "completely" heal.

All of this just reaffirm that the Lord surely did a wonderful work on my behalf and in answer to the many prayers that have been prayed. Lowell and I stayed gone from here the rest of the week to just rest and "regroup" some. During the week we talked about "what if" and realized again that the Lord had really directed our steps during all of this. I could be in a wheelchair right not and unable to type or do anything with my hands and fingers, plus not able to walk either. I can't get over even my handwriting and the difference the surgery made. I had really become unable to write anything and hadn't typed for some time before the surgery. It is amazing how much I had lost in just that one week before the surgery, now I understand better why the doctor was so insistent that I have it done "now" and not wait a week or two. God is so good to bring the right people into our life at the right time...all we have to do is follow.

I have to go to physical therapy for my neck and will begin that this Friday. I've been without my brace for a week now and I can already see a difference in now and when I took it off a week ago. When I first took it off my head seem wobbly but each day it seems to have gotten stronger. I'm sure that in a few weeks of exercise it will be much stronger. So all in all it was a good week and I'm looking forward to getting back to "normal" what ever that may be for me. The doctor did say that I will never really be back to normal since there was some permanent damage done before I had the surgery and that will never be changed. : ) Aging, there are some benefits but there are some problems too. Just a new chapter in my book of life that's being written.

Just before we left town Lowell broke his glasses and they couldn't be fixed, so we went to the eye doctor for an exam since it was time to anyway and if he was going to have to get new glasses he might as well get them right....well, the doctor said there was no reason to give him new glasses yet because he has cataracts on each eye that need to be removed first. : / Lowell wasn't real happy to hear this news and it's taken him a week to agree that maybe the Dr. was right. We go this Thurs. for an exam with the surgeon and then the earliest he can get it done is the first part of Dec. (They say that Nov. & Dec. are the two busiest months of the year, because of it being so close to the end of the year and everyone wants to get it "in" before the end of the year.) So that will be our next little venture I guess. : )

Well, that sort of catches you up on what's going on in my life and again I do thank each and everyone of you for praying for me. As I mentioned in my last post I do have another matter of concern to me that I'd ask you to pray about. I'm still not able to give you any details, but the Lord is well aware of it all and He will know just what you are referring to when you make your request known unto Him. Yesterday at church the sermon was right to me....it was... God Is Able. This of course wasn't new truth to me, but it was a good reminder to me that He knows all about what is going on and He is concerned about it and will work according to His plan and purpose. I know this, but sometimes it's just good to be reminded of it. I know He has His timing and I'm waiting on Him (but it seems to me "now" would be a good time to answer our plea). So if you'll join with me again I sure would appreciate it ~ it really is important.

Again, I thank you for your love and concern for me over these past few months, I really appreciate it.

Georgie

Phil. 1:3

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... :)

OUCH! The PAIN!

Momma is at home but is finding the pain to be very intense. Some of this may be because of the long ride home in the car and some of this is because there are many things that are actually harder now that she is home. For example...bed. Seems like the best thing in the world would be to sleep in your own bed...that is unless you have to get out of it! In the hospital, of course, we would set the bed up to get her out. Here, no buttons on the bed! :(

This has been the most painful day so far so please continue on in your prayers. We are blessed to here, 6 days out, but the road ahead is looking a little bumpy today!

Thank you so much!

(To send a note: mail4momma@gmail.com)

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

¡OUCH!…¡Que Dolor!…

Mama esta en casa pero esta con mucho dolor. Pueda ser que esto s el resultado del largo viaje en el auto y también porque ha encontrado algunas cosas difíciles ahora que esta en casa. Por ejemplo…la cama. Uno de imagina que para dormir y descansar bien no hay mejor lugar que su propia cama…al menos que tengas que subir y bajar de ella. En el hospital teníamos una cama que la podíamos enderezar y elevar…aquí en casa, no hay botones para oprimir…

Esta ha sido el día mas doloroso para ella, por favor continué orando por ella. Es una gran bendición estar aquí. 6 días han pasado, pero el camino todavía se ve difícil…

Muchas gracias

(Para enviar una notita: mail4momma@gmail.com)

(To drop her a note: mail4momma@gmail.com)

BeLiEvE In MIRACLES!!

We will fill you in on the details tomorrow but we had to let you know, the doctors released her this morning...fun story to come on that...we put her in the car....AND MOMMA IS HOME IN SWEET NORTH CAROLINA! Would have never, ever, ever, happened without YOUR, yes, YOUR prayers!

Thank you! We will tell the story tomorrow...it is midnight, she is in bed, and we are all going to rest in answered prayers!

We love you each and every one!

(In case you are wondering, she still has a long road ahead. She will have to have 24 hour care as well as "in home health care" working with her. This journey is not over, but it sure feels better working from here.)

Spanish translation of the Blog following:

CREAMOS EN MILAGROS!

Les compartiremos mas detalles mañana pero no podíamos aguarnos mas en decirles que los médicos le han dado de alta a mama esta mañana…mas adelante, les compartiré una anécdota sobre esto… Le hemos subido al auto…y mama estaré en su hogar, lindo hogar en Carolina del Norte. Esto nunca hubiera pasado sin sus oraciones, si…sus oraciones.

Muchas gracias. Mañana compartiremos mas detalles…es la media noche al estar escribiendo esto. Por ahora, mama esta durmiendo y también nosotros nos vamos a dormir.

Los amamos mucho.

(Si es que están pensando, todavía le falta mucho por delante. Tendrá que ser atendida las 24 horas del día en casa que le ayude con su terapia. Esta etapa de su vida no ha terminado, pero trabajar con ella desde casa será mejor.)

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