From the "It's Almost Funny" File...

Well, there have been quite a few twists and turns since my last update. It feels as though we’re moving into “this is so crazy, it’s almost funny” category…

It’s been nearly a week since my last report, so please forgive the information overload. If you have a few moments to read what’s been going on, I think you’ll understand why I’ve titled my post in this way.

Last Saturday, Tom, Brennan and I visited my Dad at the rehab hospital. He was in an exceptionally good mood and it was a terrific visit. We left to do a couple of other things, but Mom was spending the remainder of the day with him. At dinner time, he was able to go to the dining room in his wheelchair, and Mom was eating with him. At some point, his chair tipped forward sending him onto the floor (I should explain that when he is in his wheelchair, he has to sit with his feet extended straight in front of him and we know now it should have been weighted in the back to compensate for that.) Needless to say, it shook everyone up. In addition, it resulted in added bruising to one of his feet and a lot more pain in both of them. The rehab hospital apologized and said this is the first time anything like that has ever happened.

Monday was Dad’s long-awaited appointment with the orthopedic doctor. My sister, Marcia (a hairdresser) graciously moved her clients for 3 hours to the following day so that she could be with my Dad when he met with the doctor (he doesn’t hear well so another set of ears is always a good thing). First, Dad was late because the van transporting him overheated. Once they got him there (in a different van), and the doctor examined and re-x-rayed him, he explained he could not do surgery. Both heels are shattered. He explained he would need to be able to anchor screws in order to do surgery and there is simply not enough unbroken area with which to do that. Instead, it’s casts and time…lots of time. He placed him in casts which he’ll have for 8 weeks, during which no weight whatsoever can be placed on his feet. Additional casts may follow, as well as continuing therapy at various intervals. All totaled, his recovery is projected to take 9 months. We were told he would most likely be in the rehab hospital for the rest of the week while they continue to work on upper body strength, etc. The van took Dad back to rehab and Marcia went back to work.

That night, while she was working with her last client, she received a phone call that her oldest daughter (my 17-year-old niece, Brooke) had fallen and most likely broken her collarbone. She finished with the client and hurried home, took her daughter to the ER and sure enough, it was broken. They prescribed pain meds, put her in a sling and sent her home. By this time, it was around midnight. When she attempted to take her first pain pill, she began choking, which caused her to cough pretty intensely. Immediately, she’s screaming that something is “stabbing” (this is not a dramatic kind of kid). They try to get her in the car to go back to the hospital and she is in so much pain, she can’t even do that. My brother-in-law attempts to lift her and she’s literally screaming. They had to call the ambulance to get her back to the hospital. When the doctor x-rays her again, he finds a substantial worsening to the injury. He kept her on an IV drip overnight of pain med, wrapped her, placed her in a sling and at 6:00 am said she could go home (with a referral to an orthopedic doctor).

Back at home with no sleep, my sister gets Brooke settled, makes arrangements for the neighbor to check on her and starts preparing for work (to take care of the clients she moved from the day before). Just then, my Mom (who doesn’t drive) calls her to say they’re releasing my Dad from the rehab hospital! Marcia calls me at work, understandably in meltdown mode. Because of my surgery earlier this year, I had only one remaining day off, and I had been saving it for Dad’s surgery day. Since learning the day before he couldn’t have surgery, it was obvious this was the time to use it. I made arrangements at work, took a bus home, then drove straight to the rehab hospital.

I have to admit, I was really angry at them because they hadn’t yet taught us how to even get Dad in and out of a car, we hadn’t moved any furniture or made the necessary preparations at home or anything! When I arrived, the discharge process was well underway. A nurse was going over a long list of medications with Dad & Mom (a neighbor brought her). Another nurse came in with other information and I asked if they were going to show us how to get him in/out car, etc. I explained that we weren’t expecting this and weren’t prepared, etc. She apologizes, saying “I’m sorry this seems so disorganized, we normally have more time to do this” and then (looking at my Dad) she says “but you were the one who wanted to leave today, so we’re doing our best…” at which point my Mom and I realize what has lead to this whole flurry of activity. When the nurse walks out of the room, Dad stammers a bit and says, “that’s not what happened…it was the therapist who said they have done all they can do for me until my next set of casts, etc…” Knowing Dad was very anxious to get home, we really weren’t sure what to think, but at that point, it didn’t really change anything. They showed us how to get him in and then out of the car from his wheelchair, we took him home where he sat on the porch while we moved the necessary furniture in the house. We finally got him settled and I left to fill his 12 prescriptions, pick up other needed items and make some phone calls for my Mom.

By the time all this was complete, it was late afternoon. I left to pick up Tom from the bus stop, prepared a very quick dinner, went back to get Mom (while my brother stayed with Dad) and the three of us went to the funeral visitation for my Uncle. He had passed away on Saturday after a very lengthy illness.

Yesterday, my niece had the appointment with the orthopedic doctor. He’s placed her in a different type of sling and indicated he believes (in addition to her broken collarbone), she has possibly displaced her shoulder. She goes back in two weeks at which time he will determine if she needs surgery. You can bet we’re all praying she won’t -- first for her sake, but also of course for my sister. I can only imagine how much that could complicate this whole scenario.

Besides a couple of minor issues, Dad seems to be doing alright at home. Mom’s hanging in there, too.

If this weren't quite enough to push me to the point of almost laughter, add in a car in the shop, plumbing problems and a broken washing machine (no kidding). Yes, we're in the midst of quite a season here. Praise God we can trust (despite appearances) He does indeed have things under control.

Maybe you too find yourself in the midst of a storm. Can I share a passage of scripture that resides at the forefront of my thoughts these days? It’s 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 from “The Message.” I've made this my 2009 Scripture Memory Challenge for the entire month of June...

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

Once again, I’m so grateful for (and humbled by) your prayers and encouragement. I’m so blessed to count you as friends. I’m hoping to be back to blogging more regularly very soon. I really miss visiting with you! Take care.

Update on my Dad

Hey guys, Thank you so much for your kind prayers and words of encouragement for my Dad. I wanted to give you an update. Believe it or not, he still has not had surgery due to swelling. Yesterday, he was moved to a local rehabilitation hospital where he will remain while they continue to work on that. They are also trying to help him build his upper body strength in preparation for his recovery. He's so much happier to be out of the original hospital. His treatment there seemed to be progressing at a snail's pace and he had developed all sorts of complications from the pain medications. They finally changed it on Wednesday and by that night, there was some improvement. Yesterday, the improvements continued and they were able to move him to the rehab hospital. Once he was settled there, they placed him in a boot that circulates ice water all around your foot/ankle continually for 2 hours at a time. They alternate the boot on one foot, then the other. By last night, you could already see a reduction in swelling. Even more encouraging was the change in his overall demeanor. (He was starting to get depressed by the lack of progress and complications.) Last night, he really looked like a "new man." The orthopedic doctor will see him again on Monday and determine when to schedule the surgery. If you would, please continue to keep him in your prayers. Thank you so very much.

Prayer Request for my Dad, Clyde

Could you take a moment to lift a prayer for my Dad? He's a carpenter and while working yesterday, fell from a scaffold onto the homeowner's driveway. He broke his heels…one in two places, the other is shattered. Both will require surgery. He was admitted to a local hospital where they now have his pain under control, but he has major swelling. Apparently, they cannot operate until it's gone down somewhat. (They're saying it could be 5 days before that happens.) We've been told recovery from the surgery will be rather lengthy.

There are lots of questions and concerns looming ahead (Dad is self-employed, won't be able to drive or work for quite some time, Mom doesn't drive and isn't in the best of health, Dad already tends toward depression, etc.) but we know and believe God is in control. This is all part of His plan. There is truly a measure of comfort in that! We are also grateful his injuries are not more severe...he could have broken his legs, his back, his neck or even worse.
We are of course bringing his case to the Great Physician and trusting Him for the best possible outcome. I would be most grateful if you would, too. Thank you.

Prayer Request

Hey there, sweet ones...could I ask a favor? Would you mind lifting me in prayer? Tomorrow morning I am having my gall bladder removed. If all goes according to plan, it will be a laparoscopic procedure and I will be leaving the hospital later in the day. (In a small number of cases when organs can't be seen clearly, an open procedure is required.) Personally, I'm praying (optimistically) that the laparoscopic method will work just fine! = ) Several friends of mine have had this procedure, all of whom tell me recovery is not bad at all. (These are good things to hear!) I've had a number of ugly flare-ups in the last couple of months so needless to say, I'm ready to bid this little organ of mine farewell. Thank you so much for praying!

Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
~ 2 Chronicles 6:40

Please Pray - UPDATED

Tom and I just returned home from the hospital. Earlier tonight, we received one of those dreaded and surreal telephone calls saying that Tom's cousin, Karen had suffered a "devastating head injury" today. She was airlifted to a local hospital and after a battery of tests, confirmed to have no brain activity.

We know God can do anything, so of course we immediately prayed that if it be within His will, He would work a miracle and bring about some activity, and ultimately restore the damage that had been done. We headed to the hospital and were shown the way to a waiting area that was absolutely overflowing with family and friends, most of whom are in shock. Around 10:00 pm, her parish priest arrived and called everyone to her room for prayer. There were so many people filling every space around her and spilling out into the hallway. She is undoubtedly well-loved.

Karen is one of the most kind and caring people you'd ever want to know. She has a very strong faith in the Lord and is an incredible servant. This month, she and her husband, Mark are celebrating 25 years of marriage. They have three sons. One who is a sophomore in high school, one who is a senior and their oldest, who is a junior in college. The oldest has been on a mission trip in Spain. He's in the process of trying to get home as quickly as possible. Karen and Tom are the same age (51). They grew up together. When Tom and I were engaged and then married, she was one of the first people in the family to reach out and try to make me feel welcome.

Even though there are already many praying for Karen, her husband, their boys and her siblings, could you please pray, too? We pray with hope, yet fully trust in God's sovereign will. Many thanks.

UPDATE (Sunday afternoon): We learned a short time ago, Karen has passed away. God did indeed heal her body...though not the way we would have hoped. I do ask your continuing prayers for Mark and their boys. They're all great guys and they adored Karen. Please also pray for her siblings. Their family is strong and very close. They have endured a number of tragic losses and difficulties in the past few years. This loss will be felt deeply. Thank you so much.

Confession Time

Can I be really honest with you? My hubby and I could really use your prayers. Hearts are tender and somewhat heavy in my house these days. Soon our one and only son, Brennan will depart for college, over 400 miles from home. In one fell swoop, we will become empty nesters. Unlike some of our friends with a house full of kids, we’ve never been eager for this stage. Our little family has always been very close. I wouldn’t trade that for anything, nor would I change it if given the chance to do it all again. But it does make this particular time especially difficult. There are no other kids in our home clamoring for our attention. No other babies for the tending. (We don’t even have a dog, for heaven sake!)

My hubby and I both know God’s grace is more than sufficient to meet our needs and ease our heartbreak. We are confident He has gone to great lengths to prepare us for this time. We’re leaning hard on that, in fact. We also know countless parents have experienced what we’re preparing to walk through and just like them, we’ll be alright, we just dread the process. Typically, Tom and I are much more inclined to the giving of prayers and encouragement as opposed to the asking for it. But because I consider you friends, I want to be real, transparent and honest before you. Several of you have already been praying for us. We can’t express how much we appreciate that. We also know that in the grand scheme, there are those with far greater needs and certainly far deeper pain than ours.

For those with little ones, I know this day seems far away. Believe me when I tell you it will be here before you know it and you’ll wonder how in the world it happened. Can I give some advice you can never hear too often? Cherish the everyday moments. Read the extra story. Play a bit longer. Talk a little more. Hug & kiss them every chance you get. Speak words of love and affirmation daily. Linger over them as they sleep. Pray for God’s greatest blessings in their lives. Savor them like never before. You’ll never regret it.

Here's a little glimpse of Brennan's first 19 years of life...

Good News about Millie!

Thanks for your prayers for my Mother-in-law, Millie. I called her last night to ask about the doctor's appointment. She was very happy to tell me she got a good report. Basically, her doctor tells her NO surgery (for now). Apparently, in the course of his exam, he was working on her wound, and it began to bleed (in his words) "very well." He was quite pleased by this because it means some of the blood flow to her lower leg has been restored. She told me (and told her doctor) in the last week, her pain, though still as intense, is coming at less frequent intervals. There seems to be definite improvement! She will still have a home care nurse visit every day to check, clean and redress the wound. The doctor wants to see her again in two weeks, at which time, they will reevaluate what is needed. Her relief and happiness was quite evident. I told her it sounded like answered prayers to me, and she agreed! This, in and of itself is answered prayer! In previous instances, if you told her you were going to pray for her, she would tell you not to bother...that she didn't need them. God definitely seems to be softening her heart, and that fills my heart with much joy! If you would, please continue to pray for her. I'll keep you posted.

Prayer Request

I know a lot of you are getting ready for "She Speaks" and may not see this, but I wanted to go ahead and share it for those who might. I'd like to ask for prayer for my Mother-in-law, Millie. (This is she and my Father-in-law, Bob.)


We just learned she has a major blockage in the main artery in her leg (when I say major, I mean from her hip to her knee). She will need bypass surgery. At present, they are trying to get it scheduled with the surgeon.

Sometime in mid-late May, she hurt her shin. Not sure if it started as a cut or bruise. It continued to get worse rather than healing. She finally agreed to see the doctor. He sent her to a wound specialist, which was very unpleasant, and it still was getting no better. Finally, they requested an MRI. That's how they discovered the blockage. The wound isn't healing because the blood flow to her lower leg has been stopped.

She has enjoyed great health for years. I was never certain of her real age until now...she's 88. Up until last fall, she wasn't on any medication of any kind for anything! In the past three years, she has had three different surgical procedures and her recoveries have been long and hard on her. She does not want to have this procedure, but she really has no choice. Her doctor said the alternatives are heart attack, blood clot, stoke or gangrene (from her wound). Not very good alternatives.

Part of our concern is for her spiritual well-being. She has always been disinterested in things of faith. Tom's Dad is a devout Catholic, so she agreed they would raise their kids that way, but she had no active role in the family's spiritual development, and rarely attended mass with them. As adults, Tom and one of his sisters have really grown in their faith and embraced Christianity as a way of life. Over the years, they've both tried talking with her, Tom's Dad has tried talking to her, I've tried talking with her...all with seemingly minimal (if any) results. Even when several of her close friends found Christ, she wanted nothing to do with it. She doesn't believe she's a sinner. When you try and tell her the Bible says we're all sinners, she simply ignores the authority of the Bible. She has attended many of our church's productions for Easter and Christmas where they always share the plan of salvation and pray the sinner's prayer. It is our prayer that on one of those occasions, she has prayed silently along with our Pastor and just maybe hasn't shared it with any of us, because of pride. If she hasn't, maybe having this procedure will be enough to finally convince her of her need for Christ. It's hard to think about not seeing someone you love in eternity.

Again, I would so appreciate your prayers. I'll keep you posted.
**UPDATE (6/20): I spoke to Millie earlier tonight and learned they have an appointment with the surgeon for one week from today 6/27. I don't believe this is the surgery date...but rather a pre-surgery appointment. (I was a bit surprised they aren't operating right away.) Instead, she's resting at home. A nurse comes to their house each day to check and re-dress the wound. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.**