Friday, November 18, 2011

Once again, I thank you for your many prayers.  God is so in control of everything, it never ceases to amaze me.  The trip home was not bad at all.  I was in business class all the way and people met me with wheelchairs each step of the way to take me to the next point.  During my layover in Paris, they left me in the Business class lounge where I read my book and dozed a bit.  My parents and a good friend met me at the airport in Atlanta and we arrived home around 6:30 last night. 

This morning I already had an appointment with a specialist my Mom had been to.  He saw the x-rays and immediately confirmed the earlier report I had received...  It’s really bad…  Feet are not his specialty, so he made a phone call, and another amazing thing… got me right in to see one of the top doctors of Atlanta, “the best”.  This is the orthopedic surgeon for the Atlanta Braves and the Hawks, so he must be good!  Once again, he confirmed that it’s… really bad.  Surgery is set for Monday evening, 6 p.m., at Piedmont Hospital.  I don't know yet, but I suspect that I will be in overnight.  Recovery time will probably be at least a couple of months. 

Yet another blessing along the way…  Instead of regular insurance with a deductible of $750, I will use Workman’s Comp – since it was a job-related injury.  I will have no deductible to meet! 

A few prayer requests at this point…

Please pray that the surgery will go as scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday evening.  I will have to fast most of the day to that point, but Piedmont is such a busy hospital right now, that there is no guarantee that an emergency won’t delay my surgery.  The doctor was so busy today, that I’m truly amazed that he made time to see me. 

Please pray that the med-evac insurance will pay for my return trip to Mali, whenever that may be.

Pray for the best possible scenario during the surgery, that there will be minimal damage and repair needed, and of course, wisdom and guidance of the doctor’s hands.

I know that it’s your prayers that have been holding me up!  It’s unbelievable how little pain I have had to this point.  I am assured that the pain will be incredible after the surgery.  So please continue to pray about that.  Hopefully the pain medicine will keep that in check. 

Thank you again for your prayers.  May God bless you richly for your part in all of this!