God Delivers

I am so excited!! The doctor came in to check on Marsha. He told us that after lunch she could go home!!



The house is ready. When I got home last night, I moved some furniture around so that she can watch TV from a comfy chair. I finished up some laundry and cleaned up some areas of the house that needed touch ups. But I digress....



So lets recap the last 9 days....



Thursday a week ago Marsha and I went to visit Dr. Rutledge. Her abdominal pains were pretty bad. - http://tommarshaleneveu.blogspot.com/2008/08/hey-gang-as-many-of-you-know-marsha-has.html

Well surgery happened on Monday. But it didn't go as planned. The "rare hernia" wasn't found. He inspected the entire intestinal tract. No hernias found anywhere. Then he turned his attention to the pancreas. Again, a clean bill of health. So then he looked at the appendix. Here he found some scar tissue showing previous inflammation. So he took out the appendix. That left only the Gall Bladder. He looked at it closely. It looked normal, but there were no other sources for her problems. So he took out the Gall bladder and sent it off to pathology.

Now the wait was on. As Marsha was recovering from surgery. (Check our past blogs) we were waiting on the pathology report to come in. Wait and Wait and Wait. We prayed many times over her and that there would be an answer to the pathology report.

Thursday came around and Dr. Rutledge came to visit. Guess what.... The Pathology report came back with chronic inflammation of the Gall Bladder. Dr. Rutledge thinks this is where all the problems have been originating. So now we just have to get healed enough from surgery to go home.

Fast forward to Saturday - Today... One of Dr. Rutledge's partners came in to visit. He told us that after she eats a good soft diet lunch and has no problems she can go home.... So I am off to Chicken Express to get her some Mashed potatoes and Iced Tea.

Thank you for all your prayers, phone calls, and visits. We love you all!!!

Tom

God's Provision Continues

God truly provides. Dr. Rutledge came in Thursday and spoke with us. He said the pathology of the Gall bladder came back. Seems she had chronic problems with the gall bladder and this is where the problems have been originating.

All the tubes and wires were removed yesterday, and she is beginning to feel normal. Its exciting to see her walk down the hall and enjoy it. She is still slow to move due to the surgical incision, but moving none the less. Dr. Rutledge said passing some gas is the last major hurdle. We are expecting to go home sometime tomorrow (Saturday). We are ready and I know our puppies are ready for us to be home.

Thank you to all who have been praying, and calling and visiting. We love you!!

Tom

PS. I was supposed to put this up yesterday. I am a day late. Please forgive me.

Waiting to go Home

Well its Saturday, and we are anxiously awaiting the Doctor. Our doctor is out of town, so we have a different one covering for him today. We expect that we will get to go home sometime today. So the WAIT is on. Keep us in your prayers.

Luv ya

Tom

God is Good!!

Well today is another day in the hospital after Marsha's surgery. Its been a long week and I am losing track of days. I have been spending the night with her and helping with her care. Its been a blessing to me to stay and help her with different things. I feel like I can really show her how much I love her. I am allowed to do things that many who are not medically trained to do (I feel privileged). So here is what we did today.....

First around 7 am Dr. Rutledge came in and visited with us. He looked at her tummy and said we are doing well. He wanted us to get up three times today. After he left we slept a little more. The RN (Laura - One of the best nurses) came in to assess My Marsha and help us get started. The first time we took a walk we went out the room and about four room down and were done. Came back. Took some pain medicine and slept. The second time Marsha walked with Annie. They walked all the way to the nurses station and back. Then tonight we walked down and around the block (Nurses station) and back. When we got back in the room she stopped at the sink and stood while she brushed her teeth. Then went and climbed back into bed. She did get a little dizzy, otherwise she did awesome!!.

Annie came today. Also Jeremiah, and I heard that IG Meghan also came. I was at home for a little while. Tried to sleep between 13 phone calls, and 10 text messages, and people knocking at the door. So the four hours I thought I would get a nap in didn't exist. That's ok. I got many things done that needed to be done.

So .. Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for those who have come by and visit. We will be here till Friday or Saturday. As we find out, we will pass it along to all of you.

Luv Ya
Tom

Trusting God

Proverbs 3:4-8 says - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will guide your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

As I prayed over my wife these words come back from my child hood. 5&6 were a memory verse we learned several years in a row in VBS. Now these recitations bring comfort, and peace. As a medical professional for several years, I know what is happening with my wife. I have my own understanding of all that is going on. Yet I believe God is calling me to not lean on my limited understandings of the human body. Nor my limited understanding on how medicine works. But he is calling me to lean on Him. To acknowledge his Grace, Mercy, Holiness and righteousness. As I watch my wife sleep I realize how much I need my Lord tonight, today and in my tomorrows. She wakes from sleep asks for ice, or swabs for her mouth. I seek to serve. Yet I seek my Christ and our Lord on an even deeper level. I am learning. I do not have the answer, But my Lord Jesus Christ knows all. He was there when she was formed.

As I ponder this Knowing Marsha when she was formed. I remember something my Pappo taught me. We were working in his garage with wood. As he was building he and I were talking about many things. As we finished I though he had forgotten to do something early on. Pappo smiled, told me he was the builder and knew every little nail, cut and glue of this beautiful piece of wood. And it was perfect with out my addition. If anything were to go wrong with his wood work, he knew how to repair it. For he was the builder. Our Lord Jesus is the builder, knows all there is to know about us.

So pray for me today. That I will totally lean on my Lord Jesus Christ through this and not on my limited knowledge of medicine.

I love yall
Tom

Day after Surgery

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

This brings us comfort as we heal from surgery.
Marsha got her PCA pump last night, and that has helped much. Dr. Rutledge came in and visited before 8. He was pleasant and answered all our questions. He told us that Marsha's tube should be able to come out tomorrow if all goes well and we will get to go home on Friday or Saturday. The Nurse this morning was really nice and helping us alot with keeping on top of things.

Please pray for continued healing, and wisdom for the nurses and doctors that look after My Marsha. Also pray for endurance for the family and friends that keep her company.

Luv Yall
Tom

Surgery is Over

God truly answers prayers. Marsha came out of surgery. However the surgeon did not find a hernia. So inspected the intestines and found no abnormality. He then looked over the pancreas - Nothing out of the normal there. Then they took out the gall bladder and the appendix. They think the reason for the symptoms is located here. She is currently in the recovery room and will be till around 1800 hrs or 1900 hrs. Then moved to a room.

More information to follow as given to us.

Thanks for praying.....

Tom

Marsha's in Surgery

Ok. Marsha surgery has started at about 1345 hours. Just got an update that they are still working and everything is going fine. (1500) We expect the surgery to take from 2 to 3 hours.

I will up date more as available.

Tom

PS: Here she is getting ready....

PRAISE GOD!!!!!

PRAISE GOD!!!!

Its been a truly amazing night. We got home from church around 1400 hrs. I began cleaning house, and Marsha would get up to help for a few minutes, but would have to lay down. The task before me was immense. I told Marsha, this house would be clean before I went to bed. I worked, and worked, and worked. But I was struggling to get it all done.

PRAISE GOD!!!!

About 1800 hrs., my friend Megan from Intentional Gatherings (IG) called. She asks, can we come over and have IG at our house. I explained that I would love for her to come and have it, but the house was a disaster, and I was working and stressing about getting it done before surgery tomorrow.

PRAISE GOD!!!!

Around 1930, IG showed up, picked up Marsha's to do list and went to work. They cleaned this house above and beyond what I could have done alone. They were doing dishes, vacuuming, even Iona was cleaning the walls. My heart was truly blessed tonight through IG.

PRAISE GOD!!!!

After they cleaned up the house, we moved into the Den, and IG prayed over my beautiful wife & I. After praying we moved to the living room, and Jeremiah lead worship on our piano. My heart has settled and I feel at peace.

Thank you IG. You have blessed me in ways I never expected you too.

Love you Guys. Praise God!!!!

Tom

Marsha Surgery

Hey gang,

As many of you know, Marsha has been very sick over the past 4 months. She's had trouble eating, pain after she eats, and abdominal pain that goes into her back and ribs. Marsha has lost over 30 pounds during this time. After many tests and trials (medications, etc.), we have finally received a diagnosis.

It was discovered that a rare condition named "paraduodenal hernia". He said that all of Marsha's symptoms match the diagnosis including the fact that she knew the exact date her symptoms started. This will be major abdominal surgery to repair it.

Surgery is scheduled for Monday, August 25 at 2:15pm at Harris Methodist Fort Worth. Surgery time is estimated at 2-3 hours (not firm). She will probably not be in a hospital room until after 7pm. She will be in the hospital for approximately 2-3 days. She will be off work for 6 weeks.

For those who wish to join us, please come after 1pm. Let us get checked in and situated with all that is going on.

Directions: Come into downtown Fort Worth. Take I30 West and exit Henderson drive. (First Exit west of I35W) Turn Left on Henderson. Follow Henderson to the parking garage on your right. (Helicopter is on top of this garage. Park here and come into the hospital on the Ground Floor. Text me on my cell phone. I will tell you where we are. Or you can stop at the information booth and they can give you directions.

WW Post 8

Well its another week. I basically stayed the same. At a .4 gain I am still 282.2 Nothing really lost or gained this week. I did do good with my veggies. And I am focused for another week.

The exciting news is that Imogene (remember previously mentioned) is going to get her big "Lifetime Award." It should be an exciting meeting next week. All the ladies are truly excited. So should be a fun meeting.

Talk to you next week.

Tom

WW Post 7

Well, its another successful week. I am happy to say that I lost another 2 pounds. My weight is now at 281.8. This even after a weekend at my In laws eating Huge chunks of steak with baked potatoes (Loaded I might add). The next morning it was those addictive sausage balls. You know, the kind you cant eat just one. LOL. But alas, I did OK and still lost weight.

Well here is my steady decline in chart form. My 10% goal is 275lbs, and I am getting closer. For my 10% Goal I am going to take a day trip to Fort Parker in North Texas to tour one of the only Pre-Civil War Forts left in Texas. I am excited and motivated. So, after I go, I will post some photos of my day trip.

Thanks for following my waisting away blog...

Love ya guys.
Tom

Ian Surratt Memorial Fishing Event

On or about July 10th, my boss came to me and asked me... "Wanna staff an ambulance for a fishing tournament?" Now those of you who know me, know that me and fishing are meant to be... LOL. Now here I was offered a chance to participate in a fishing event and get paid to be there. So of course I said yes. I was told it would be a fishing tournament for cancer kids from our hospital, and we would be there "just in case."

July 29th (Thursday) I was allowed the privilege to go and assist with the Ian Surratt Memorial Fishing Event sponsored by C.A.S.T. for kids. This "Fishing Event" is for cancer kids from Cook Children's medical Center. Below are the links that will tell you a more about the event, and even a link to tell you who Ian Surratt was in life. Please take a few minutes to read. I think they are awesome.

We arrived right about 0800 hrs. Parked the ambulance, and just watched. What unfolded was truly amazing. I enjoyed watching these kids get a brand new fishing pole, and a tackle box. They were truly excited about the opportunity to go out and fish. They were then fitted with life jackets, had their photo made with the fishing professional and off they went.

When they started coming back, they were talking up a storm. One child got off the boat with a very large sand bass. He ran around to show every one that would take a look. He was smiling from ear to ear. Another young man came in with two large sand bass as well. But the stories were about how many they caught and released. Some were saying 23 or 24, others 13 or 14. One even said he caught 50. I don't know how many, but I know, to see the smiles, the energy of these children as they returned to have lunch, just brought joy to my heart. One young lady, thin and weak from her treatments, walked off the boat, took 10 steps. She sat in the grass, exhausted but smiling from ear to ear. Her dad helped her walk to the pic nic tables where she laid her head on her towel and fell asleep. I watched as her dad picked her up with a smile on his face and some tears in his eyes and carried her back to the car. I could see on his face the joy that was brought to him and his daughter. This was truly an amazing event.

http://76.12.206.213/eventdocs/85/Event%20Report%20CAST%20Eagle%20Mtn%2008.pdf

http://www.castforkids.org/event_detail.aspx?id=85

http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=8121

http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=281658

http://www.awishwithwings.org/August2006.pdf

May you have a blessed day.

Tom

WW Post 6 - Maintained

Last week a lady named Imogene made goal weight. She started weight watchers in 1972. (Yes 36 years!!) She was so excited. I thought the entire group was going to go off their rockers. (LOL) It was really cool to see everyone encourage and rejoice with her.

Well this week isn't fabulous, isn't bad. Its just there. I worked hard at getting all my veggies in. I even ate spinach salad, and other fresh veggies. Nothing real remarkable about the weight gain/loss this week to write about. Just a report about the weight. Last week I was 283.6. Thiss week I am 284 even. So Gain of .4 pounds is not bad in my book. Just not what I was wanting. So focus, and pushing.

My Goals for this week --

1. Not to use all my "extra points" that I am allowed.
2. Three days of exercise of at least 30 minutes.

So tune in next week for more fun and interesting events.

Tom

PS. Mom if you are reading these. The ladies in my weight watcher group act just like you and Doris Ham, and some of the other ladies you would hang out with in Houston. I am the only man, and I am the youngest. Yall be safe out there.

PSS. Breakfast this morning ---
Egg Beater omlette
1/2 cup egg beater - 4 points
1 cup fresh spinach - 0 points
1/2 cup Fresh Diced Tomatos - 0 points
1/2 cup onions - 0 points
1/2 cup jalepenos - 0 points
3 oz lean ham - 3 points
1 slice swiss cheese - 2 points

Total Points - 9 with three servings veggies. Only got 2 more to go for today.