Home Alone

I've been at home since Wednesday when Stephen went to West Plains to visit his parents.  Baring anything unexpected happening, this is his final visit before we leave the Kansas City area.

Today I'm one day short of being 10 days post surgery and feeling, moving, eating much better.  Now that I'm getting back to normal I have to remember to obey the lifting (10 pounds) restrictions for two more weeks.  In fact, yesterday I thought I might try sewing a couple of small projects as samples for our women's sewing ministry (Hilo, Aguja y Biblia) in El Salvador, but caught myself before I lifted my sewing machine from the closet floor.  I'm guessing it weighs at least ten pounds.  I decided it wasn't worth trying to sew while sitting on the closet floor--better to wait until this afternoon when Stephen's back.

Update on Prayer Request

I came home (gallbladderless) from my laparoscopic cholecystectomy out-patient surgery late yesterday afternoon.  It's totally amazing to be going home an hour and half after general anesthesia. Dr. Slayden took a picture of the gallbladder and gallstone--YUK--glad to have it out!

Being nursed by Stephen Parris and taking it easy for the next 5-10 days.  I'll be following a low-fat diet for the first several weeks to give my body the chance to adjust.  I have a three-week no lifting restriction (10 pounds).  Sure is going to be hard to resist lifting my grandkids when we fly to California on February 17.    

Thanks for your prayers!

Prayer Request

Friends, I've been having periodic problems with my gallbladder and recently had an ultrasound. They discovered a 1.5 cm gallstone.  I saw a surgeon last Tuesday and he believes I should have my gallbladder removed.  We talked at length about whether it had to be now or could be at some point in the future as the flare ups aren't regular. 

His recommendation was to have it removed based upon my symptoms and to do it while we are here in a more controlled environment.  I definitely don't want to be on a mission trip and have a gallbladder attack that would require emergency surgery.

My surgery is Wednesday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m, here in the Kansas City area.  Recovery is 5-10 days at home.  It's no problem for me to fly on February 17, when we head to CA.  There is a 3-week restriction on lifting (luggage, grandkids, wet clothes, etc.) so I'll have to be careful with that through February 21.  

I'll update as I have more info.  Appreciate your prayers for me, the doctors and Stephen

"New" Eyes One Week Later

Stephen is really, really happy with his "new" eyes!  Here are a couple of observations he's made since both eyes are done.

• He could read the words on the screen at church yesterday even though we were sitting 2/3 of the way back
• He could follow his golf ball after hitting it today
• He can read the highway signs so much better now

He has been looking for frames for his new glasses although he won't be getting them before we return to El Salvador.  The doctor said he should not be measured for a new prescription for at least a month after the second surgery.  

Surgery and In-n-Out

Surgery was a success; Dr. Lee said it went as expected.  He had to fast since dinner last night so we stopped at In-n-Out on the way home.  He's now napping off the anesthesia.

He has a post-op appointment tomorrow morning, but afterwards he'll be free to resume his regular activities, minus swimming and weightlifting.  Our plans for an afternoon of playing with the grandkids.

Thanks for praying for him; please continue to pray for his recovery and the surgery on his right eye which will be next Tuesday, March 7.

Aviah's Improving

Just received an update from our son, Daniel, that Aviah is doing better today.  She hasn't had any fever and has even almost "smiled" a couple of times.  She's starting to nurse again, but having some trouble keeping it all down . . . probably due to the medicine and anesthesia she received during her procedure.  Doctors say that she will need seven days of IV antibiotics, so she won't be coming home from the hospital until Thursday.  

Please keep her in your prayers, because when all of this settles down, she will still need outpatient surgery to remove the cyst.  

Here's a picture from yesterday:

Here's a picture from this afternoon.  We're so happy that she is starting to feel better.  Thank you for praying for her.