CASPER UPDATE: MAY 21, 2011 (with updates)
As Radical Nephrectomys [kidney removal] go, the doctors informed me, mine was just awful.
The incision and following surgery turned out to be more than twice as large as anticipated, twice as complicated as anticipated.
The culprit was a 15cm renal cell carcinoma within the left kidney, and the kidney having attached itself to the spleen.
A mess due to the sheer size of the thing, it could not be removed without doubling the size of the anticipated ‘opening’ and then ‘closing’ with 48 metal staples.
I amnot writing however, to discuss the surgery, but the ‘recovery’.
The surgery was Monday, today is Saturday, a period let’s call “Six Days to Hell and Back”.
There were six of us on this trip, the doctors, the hospital staff, you, me, my family, and God.
During the hours and days after surgery, in IRU/ICU, there were times I didn’t think I would make it back. ‘Complications’ clouded ‘issues’ and it was then when every prayer counted, yours, mine, each of them. Each minute was like an hour, each hour became like a day. Eventually it was just me and the ‘problem’, which was an issue regarding breathing, 'will do'or 'won’t do' and 'can do'or 'can’t do'.
The issue was resolved by a combination of things, ultimate effort, ‘LGLG’ (Let Go/Let God), and prayer, yours and mine too. In was here I had the epiphany that motivates this message. It had to do with the Germain message from a few weeks ago in which he once again said something to the effect, “We can’t do it for you, you must do it yourself. But we (God) will help you”. I now UNDERSTAND that message.
I have had several unique experiences during my lifetime, several situations I should not have survived, an out of body experience that lasted more than an hour- I was provably in two places at the same time, anda undeniable ‘visit’ from a deceased child, my child.
This week’s ‘experience’ ranks right up there with those I classify as ‘unique’ in my life. ‘Things’ happened, unique experiences, and here I am witnessing to you about them. A crisis time arrived. Things got scary. I believe every single one of your prayers ‘weighed’ in the resulting victory over the crisis time and I thank you for them, every one of them.
A full recovery is expected. Progress is occurring very swiftly. Thank you Lord, thank you friends, family, doctors and hospital staff.
CASPER – May 21st, 2011