Chad and I have had a nice relaxing day just spending some time together. We are currently watching his brother's San Diego Chargers preseason football game on TV. Mom and dad have arrived in Memphis and will be here with us in an hour or so.
God has been so faithful and is still giving us such a peace during this process. He is truly carrying us in His hand, and it has taken an experience like this for me to comprehend the meaning of that!
I thought I'd write a post before leaving for the hospital in the morning, with some specific prayer requests for the next 18-100 hours from now. Here it goes...a restful night's sleep for us, continued peace as I prepare to go in for surgery, God's hand leading the way for each of the doctors involved in my care, good anesthesia without complications and no problems waking up after surgery, a steady hand for Dr. Yasargil and his assisting resident with every last bit of the tumor removed, no unnecessary brain tissue removed, no complications during or after surgery (e.g. bleeding, swelling, infection, speech or motor deficits, personality changes, etc), ease of waking up after surgery, the ability to be transferred to the floor very quickly and be able to start walking around sooner than anticipated, being ready to be discharged quicker than usual, and of course, complete and total healing from this tumor! That this tumor is removed and there is no evidence of any tumor remaining on my post-op MRI and no need for any further treatment ever again! Praise God for that!
I can't even put into words how this experience has changed me. I would be lying if I didn't say I had some rough days in the beginning...some days of disbelief...you know, the "why me" days. But I have to say this has been a blessing because I can truly grasp God's faithfulness and peace. He has never left me. God knew 32 years ago that I would be here now, and He has prepared me to be able to handle it with the support of my husband, family and friends, and the faith, grace and courage that can only come from Him.
I can't say enough thank you's for the prayers and those that are yet to come in the upcoming days! Chad will keep the blog updated while I'm in the hospital, and I look forward to my first post after I'm discharged...sooner rather than later! We will be up at about 4:30am CST to be at pre-op holding by 5:30. The surgery is schduled to begin at 7:15am CST. Dr. Yasargil said my surgery will take between 4-6 hours. Thank you in advance for your prayers throughout the day.
We love you and I can't wait to see you all when I get home, totally healed!
Some of my favorites through this:
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Matt 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Proverbs 4:20-22 "...give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh."
15 comments:
Sitting on pins and needles and more pins and needles. Endless thinking and praying and hoping and missing my friend. I will think of you all day tomorrow knowing that I have asked several angels that have left my life to be standing next to you throughout the entire surgery and after. I think I may say an extra prayer to God asking him for an extra large operating room to hold all the angels who will be holding your hands, your feet, your head and your heart. Peace be with you and your family. I WILL speak with you soon. P
Sleep well my friend, dream of the years that you and Chad will spend happily together, and believe that tomorrow God will be watching over you. God Bless.
Love,
Ann
Laura,
As always...you have expressed yourself with grace...it is who you are. This is from a poem by Rumi--a Sufi mystic who writes about the Beloved (Divinity/God):
A chickpea leaps almost over the rim of the pot where it's being boiled.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
The cook knocks him down with the ladle.
"Don't you try to jump out. You think I'm torturing you. I'm giving you flavor, so you can mix with spices and rice, and be the lovely vitality of a human being".
So, here is to your grace, your loveliness, your vitality. You are in my prayers.
much love,
Maryclaire
Griff & Laura:
We couldn't be more pleased at how this whole situation has turned out. It is eerily similar to our son's surgery almost two years ago! What's a littel scar, right?! It'll give you something to talk about for the rest of your life. Prayers are answered, we are so in awe of how this has turned out for you! GODSPEED during your surgery. Griff, we'll shoot our prayers during the morning to keep you calm. Laura, we can't imagine being in your position, but know that you have the strength of 10,000 men! All will be well.
God bless you both in this strange and difficult time.
Love,
Tim, Kathy, Macey (7), Max (4), & McKenzie (1)
Laura,
God bless you and Chad during this terribly tough time. Blake, the boys and I have been praying for you.
My favorite bible passage comes from 1 Peter 5:7 cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
This passage brought much relief to Blake and I when Gabriel was in the PICU last year. It was on our bookmark this year. And came back in our sermon at church today. I truly hope it helps you as much as it does us.
With our love, Paul and Blake.
Well, dearest Tinning...I am not particularly a "blogger", nor am I a quoter of scripture-I don't feel wise enough for either...I am, instead, your more irreverant friend (doesn't everyone need at least ONE??!) mostly, I guess, because for me God is LOVE and FUNNY, with an outrageous plan that never ceases to amaze me.
I see you on the floor pale and trembling, your understanding patient tittering around you-could it be caffeine??? Endocrine??? Sugar?? Meat?? Panic attack for no good reason??? And you there, with me throwing up in my trash can at work . Dying cats. And, oh, by the way, my son just leaped into the pond! DEFINITELY need OMT...And some dark chocolate...God invented chocolate.
I nearly had a panic attack FOR you (since you seemed so calm) when I first heard the results of your MRI, even tho I wasn't really surprised. Or was that a panic attack for US (your collective friends and family), at the thought of losing you? And I started praying like a maniac until I was back to the place where I knew you'd be fine and all things will happen correctly, and they did...and they will tomorrow, and there isn't even one little part of me that thinks they won't.
I'm kinda disappointed they're not gonna shave your head. Oh well. I guess you can't have everything. We'll just have to be happy with the harassment we get to give you for have had brain surgery...Truly, we can milk thatfor YEARS to come...
I shall ALL day be praying and surrounding you and your surgeon with love and peace, under which cercumstances everything always goes right.
Chadster, you rule. Really.
Well, dearest Tinning...I am not particularly a "blogger", nor am I a quoter of scripture-I don't feel wise enough for either...I am, instead, your more irreverant friend (doesn't everyone need at least ONE??!) mostly, I guess, because for me God is LOVE and FUNNY, with an outrageous plan that never ceases to amaze me. And when I protest, I eventually see that what I hated, feared or dreaded pushed and pulled me into something stronger and better...
I see you on the floor pale and trembling and now it just seems so crazy! All the chocolate, suger,protein and everything else we gave up
Hi Laura,
You are constantly in my prayers and will be in them all day tomorrow.
When Zachary was going through his brain surgery and recovery, God kept bringing Isaiah 41:28-31 to me: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God; the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint." How awesome is our Lord God! He did know you would go through this 32 years ago and He will see you through it and make you even stronger after it. Who better to heal you than your Creator? He knows you better than anyone. He loves you more than anyone. Praise God we have an awesome Creator and Healer!
Love & prayers,
Mary Lou, Jason, Zachary and Lexi
Laura -
You are amazingly strong!! I just wanted you to know that we will be praying for you tomorrow and in the weeks to come.
Oh Tinning! I'm not much of a blogger, nor a quoter of scripture...Not wise enough for either. For me, God is LOVE and God is FUNNY! God is you in my office keeping me company while I throw up in my trash can. He is you on the floor, pale and trembling while I take your pulse and your patient titters around you nervously. He's you on the phone while my cat is dying and my son leaps into the pond, and suddenly you are in my driveway, though I told you you didn't have to come. He is me lying over you, sure that any minute you are going to go into shock on the table in room 16. He is dark chocolate. And your gentle, gifted hands on me in the hospital after the birth of my children.
I nearly had a panic attack FOR you, when I heard the results of your MRI, even tho I wasn't really surprised. Or was that a panic attack for all of US, your friends and family, at the thought of losing you? And I started praying like a maniac until I got back to that place where I knew everything would be alright. And it all fell into place-why are we always so surprised?_and it's all going to be fine, there isn't even one little part of me that thinks it won't. You know. Sometimes no matter what your faith, there is sometimes that little voice of doubt or fear in the back of your head, and it just isn't there. You will be fine. And we can then commence the pursuance of reproduction.
I'm kinda disappointed tho, that they aren't going to shave your head. Oh well. I guess you can't have everything. We certainly have enough fodder to harass you for years to come for actually being the rare person who has brain surgery.
I shall ALL day tomorrow surround you and your surgeon with love and peace, under which conditions everything ALWAYS goes right.
You are so amazing! What a testimony for Christ you are! You're faith, attitude, and contenance are making your Father proud. I think He's up there saying, "She really does remind me so much of my Son. Don't you think?" :) You, my friend, are a great example to us all. I'm praising and thanking God right now for what He is going to do in the morning and for the hours, days and weeks to come. We can't be there physically, but we are there with you in spirit. We praying for you, loving you, hugging you and cheering you on! You can do all things though Christ, who gives you strength! Acts 16:34 speaks of being filled with joy when we choose to believe. I pray He fills you with joy today because you have chosen to believe!
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, Ephesians 1:18-19
we love you!! Matt and Rachel
Keeping you in our prayers and sending positive happy thoughts your way! You are an amazing person and you will get through this with strength and grace.
Tavi and Mark
Laura and Chad,
I prayed for you endlessly last night. I hope you got more sleep than I did!! All my thoughts were on you and your family. Hoping for peace in the night. Praying that angels are surrounding you and your thoughts so you are not anxious. I can't wait to hear that you are in recovery, smiling and thankful that you are on the mend.
Love you!
Alisha
Hi sweet thing! We are praying and eagerly anticipating what God has in store for you! I'm so blessed by your ability to already identify the Lord's hand and divine provision through this incredibly rough time. They say one can tell the true measure of another's character when in hard times - boy, have you shown a character exemplifying the 'Godly woman', one of incredibly faith, grace and strength. God bless! We're waiting to hear!
Joy & Joe McMillan (Lansing, MI)
Laura,
The news of prayers being answered just arrived. Isaiah 41:13 states, "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you'". God is an awesome God and He has shown mercy and grace and will continue to hold your hand through recovery.
I will keep you, Chad and your family in my prayers.
Mary C.
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