The Changing Times

Did you notice one of the new trends in blogging is to have a guest writer occasionally—husbands, dogs, whoever?  Well, in keeping with the current trend, this blog is getting a guest writer for this post—it’s a new twist, the sister-in-law guest/ghostwriter.

You may have noticed that there haven’t been any posts on this blog for a while, and you may have missed them.  The reality is that my smart, practical, modest, capable, Godly, thrifty sister-in-law Shelley is gearing up for what could be the fight of her life.  She has been having sinus problems for a couple of months, but then, who doesn’t? Several rounds of antibiotics later she was still having problems, and it was also accompanied by the strange symptom of not being able to smell.  This led to an appointment with a local ENT doctor, which led to a CT scan, which led to an MRI, which led to a consultation with a specialist in Omaha. By that time it was apparent that Shelley’s sinuses, and even nose, was full of something that you don’t blow out.  Immediately, on the spot, the high powered Omaha doctor took a biopsy—that was this past Wednesday, the 23rd.  By Friday she was scheduled for surgery, which will take place in Omaha on this Wednesday, the 30th.  There are many unknowns at this point, like the exact pathology of the tumor, the approach and method of surgery, and what can be expected for recovery.  It is known that it is expected to be about a six hour surgery, and the hospital stay is expected to be about a week.

The last few days have been busy with getting the proverbial ducks in a row, preparing for the days when the chief domestic engineer and the head secretarial/accounting worker will be out of the office for an extended, undetermined amount of time. Tomorrow will be filled with consultations with the ENT surgeon and the neurosurgeon who will be performing the surgery. Wednesday is the big day, with surgery likely beginning about noon.  Tonight things have reached the stage where time is no longer dragging, but speeding by.

Embarking on a journey like this is a bit like stepping off a cliff, not knowing if it will be a long time or never, that things will be like they were before.  Faith is more priceless than ever before…..  On behalf of Shelley, Jim and their family, we thank you in advance for your care.