Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day 261 (63)

Howdy Folks,

I have to say I've been blessed. My recovery is going very well and each time I talk to the Docs they're telling me to Slow Down! The are definitely not used to trying to keep up with a 21 year old. Turns out they frowned on my 60 daily push ups because they 'may torque my hip before its properly set'. I said PHOOEY! but then was very obedient to follow their directions. Surprisingly the same was true with physical therapy. The bottom line is: I have a limited amount of time for these 'bone struts' to set properly, and after that I should be able to do physical therapy till I'm blue in the face.

More about what I've been up to... I really like my djembe (pictured in the photo page). Its a lot of fun to play and sounds amazing with an acoustic guitar. I had a chance to play praise and worship at the Aggie Awakening retreat on the 22nd of October. It was good fun and a great learning experience being the first time I've ever done anything like that. I was also able to go up to College Station for a Halloween party last weekend disguised in a medical gown as a hospital escapee (picture not available). All in all its been just over two months since the surgery and I'm praising God each and every day.

P.S planning on going back to A&M in January. Whoop!

All Glory To God.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Day 250 (42)

Well that shower was about 42 days over due...

Hi everyone, wanted to let Y'all know things are going well. I just saw my surgeon yesterday and she said "Good, you haven't broken any of the bones we put in!" Holy Cow! She wasn't kidding about taking it easy. Good news is I can now take my brace off. This allows for larger range of motion, less discomfort, and you've guess it - showers and pool! She did say that it takes a minimum of 3 months for my bones to set properly, so even though I'll be starting physical therapy up soon, I won't be able to weight bear on my right leg for another 6 weeks or so. This had me bummed for about 25 seconds until I remembered a person in the waiting room without a leg. There is so much we have to thank God for every day!

In the mean time my brother has me doing push ups, I'm trying to keep up my reading, and I'm starting to jam out on my new Djembe (very large African drum, looks like an oversized bongo). Also my Grandma and Aunt are coming in tomorrow so I'm pretty excited to spend some time with them.

Bible Verse of The Day - Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

All Glory To God. Amen.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Day 242 (34)

Alright,

For the last three days and three nights I've told myself I'd post on my blog, and the procrastination stops here. Forgive the blogging dry spell you've experienced over the last 15 days, it seems no matter the volume of things to do, my mind delights in withholding the discipline to complete them all. I admit that was quite an expressive way of saying I'm getting lazy, bogged down, and disorderly; but, that is all about to change.

I saw the plastic surgeon team today, and will see my osteo surgeon next Wednesday. Thursday will most likely bring the commencement of my grueling physical therapy expedition. Now I'm not 100% sure of the details, I've been told these 'PT Types' are often retired Drill Sargents intent on advancing all patients to US Army physical standards. In any case, this might be to my advantage because my response to "See you in two months, expect you to be walking" was nothing less than "Expect to see me moon walking!"

Also trying to start reading again after a bit of a break. A friend encouraged me to read Healing by Francis MacNutt. I've only just started, but it seems to show the ins and outs of recent healing accounts all around the world, some of which where worked through the guy MacNutt. Very interesting stuff even at the inquisitive stage. If you've read some of my previous posts you'll know I've been talking to got about fixing me up in a way of his choosing. So far I believe He's been instrumental in my progress and I think this book will lend to this notion.

-Bible verse of the Day-
“[A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.] O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”- Psalm 63:1

Trust that God is near even when your unsure. Hebrews 11:1-21Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.

All Glory To God. Amen

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Day 228 (19)

Home Sweet Home!

Hi everyone, been home since Saturday and everything continues to go well. I'm up and moving around, going upstairs for the first time today and I'm excited for a neighborhood wheelchair ride tomorrow.

Not sure if I specified earlier, but I did go through with the full surgery on the 2nd. Meaning, I was in the OR for 10 hours where they removed the tumor, some muscle, and invaded pelvic bone. I'm telling Y'all this because it amazes me that through this entire deal including 3 days in ICU and 12 days in the regular hospital, God has blessed me with minimal pain and a quick recovery. Praise Him!

1 Peter 5:6-11

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

All Glory To God. Amen

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Day 219 (10)

Good evening,

Today is the 10th day since my surgery. Folks, I gotta tell you "I've been blessed!" Each day passing brings another milestone of improvement. At first it was great to have one of my many iv lines or my nasogastric tube removed. More recently I am noticing more feeling and movement in my leg, and increase in appetite.

At the moment, my right butt muscles and some others are still a bit 'scrambled' so my mobility is limited to under 100 ft w/ a walker or crutches; but as I recover I shouldn't have many limitations using these tools. The bones in my right side are still healing and setting, so I wont be allowed to walk unaided for about 6 weeks, (but whose counting?). O.K., a number of people are counting so yes this will be a strict limitation but at least that will be cutting down my yard work.

In other news I have been virtually pain free this entire process! Praise God. I was off pain meds only a few days after, and the only meds im taking right now are anti clot and anti infection drugs.

Well, I'm wearing out a bit, I'll have to cut this post a little short. Before I go I wanted to reassure you my discharge date as sometime this week, with things going according to plan. I'd also like to thank all of you, "You Know Who You Are!", and even if you don't, believe me "I appreciate your support". Lastly I'd like to reserve the award for best parents on the planet for my two. They've put up with a whole lot, God Bless 'Em. (who else can I trust to change my diapers?)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”- Philippians 4:4

All Glory To God. Amen.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Day 215

Surgery - success
body - recovering nicely

might be out sometime next week

All Glory To God. Amen.

Psalm 91:9-10

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Day 208

Brothers and Sisters,

Tomorrow marks the next step in my journey. From around 7AM to 5PM I'll be in the O.R. having surgery to remove the remaining cancer in my body.

I want to thank you all for the overwhelming support, lifting me up above the worries and doubt that often get in the way.

This has been my life for the past two hundred and eight days. "God, I'm ready to move on. I thank You and praise You for the gifts and talents, experiences and blessings you give. 'How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him'. For Your name's sake heal my body. I stand on your word, 'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.' All Glory To God. Amen."


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
-2 Corinthians 12:9

8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11