Back to California

So much to do, and so little time! For those of you that didn't hear the news, Mom went back down to Stanford University in California for some more appointments. She and Dad left Thursday morning. She first had planned to go down for a talk with the hepatologist (the liver doctor, if you will) this coming Monday to see if her liver was in good enough condition to handle the radiation. However, since her bloodwork was so good, the Radiology Nurse Manager decided to switch thing around slightly. Sooooo, today Mom had those fun little gold beads put in her liver. Then she'll speak with the hepatologist still on Monday. Now there's a chance they'll stay down there for another appointment on Thursday. They would arrive home either Thurday night or Friday morning. If they can't get a plane home, they'll have to reschedule. (Personally, this is cutting it awfully close to Christmas!)

Enough with the schedule (or whatever you want to call the ever-changing, we-never-know-what's-going-to-hit-us-next series of events this past year!) Mom's doing well. Tired, but well. I spoke with Dad before and after the gold-bead procedure. They started around 10 A.M. and finished about 1 P.M. Mom will stay in the hospital until 3 P.M. to ensure she does all right, then go back to the hotel to continue resting. Dad says he thinks part of Mom's exaustion is the drugs used during the procedure. Please pray that the beads don't migrate. If they do, the doctors will need to "redo" the placing of the beads. I also hope, for Mom and Dad's sake and one less trip down, they can get a plane home Thursday night or Friday. The appointment on Thurday will involve C.T. scans to prepare for radiation. It would be great to get this done while they're down there.

Thank you for all your continuing prayer and support. It means a lot to all of us and helps carry us through this time. Please pray that we would all press into God and allow Him to lift us up and use our pain for His glory. Pray that He would give Mom the daily strength she needs to take her supplements and continue doing everything that helps her body heal and resist any sickness going around. Pray the Devil would not be allowed to bring anything in between Mom and Dad. That God's peace would surround them and overflow to the doctors and nurses helping Mom. Pray for God's timing with all Mom's appointments. Pray for clarity of mind for Dad (and Mom) while He makes many decisions - financial and medical - trying to do what's best for us all. Thank you!