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.

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

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.