A Humble Request 🙏

I am humbled and grateful for the generous offers and help during my recovery.   Since arriving in Seattle, we have been treated to fresh beds before moving back into our house, delicious meals, and entertaining activities for the kids.

In addition, people have told me over and over that they have been praying for us.  I cherish the prayers.  Please 🙏 Please 🙏 pray for me.  I am a stressor by nature.  When my kids are late coming home from school, my mind worries that they have been in an accident.  When I don't hear from my parents for a few days, I wonder if everything is OK.  Tens years ago, when I had a slightly elevated liver enzyme test, and the doctors prescribed a MRI, CatScan, and biopsy, I stressed that I had a fatal disease until the test results came back negative and normal.

But when I first opened my eyes in the hospital in Buenos Aires, I was at peace and unfazed.  That is not my instinct or personality.  Even though I was tied down to the bed, and I knew I was in a critical unit, I was free from anxiety.  I did try to undo the knots holding down my arms, but when I failed, I serenely went back to sleep.

Four reasons I am having this surgery... 💕

Adam credits this to the morphine.  I thank God.  I am quite sure the morphine helped in the first few days, but the pain killer quickly ended, and the harmony grew stronger and still continues seven months later.  Thank you for praying for me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers were answered, and I am deeply grateful.  I could not have lived this experience joyfully without the equanimity and love imbuing my heart.  It is a gift from God.  Thank you.

Again, I am humbly asking for your prayers.  On Thursday, July 12th, I am scheduled to have a cranioplasty to replace the missing section of my skull above my left ear.  The surgeon told me that he does not intend complications, but until he opens up my skin, he won't know how the previous doctors left the area and what it will require to secure the prosthetic plate.

Carmela - a day after turning 12.  WOW!

Planning for surgery is a bizarre experience since I feel healthy and strong and normal.  I dripped sweat during my 50 minute cardio workout this morning doing burpees and jumping jack squats, then I went for a 30 minute jog spontaneously meeting a friend on the trail and chatting together as we ran up hills.  A few hours later, I rode 8 miles round trip to meet my new principal and tour my new school.  I am smiling, active, and energetic.  Life is good!

My memory is normal, and I am back to nagging my kids when they put their dirty feet on furniture, forget to flush the toilet, or leave their pajamas laying on the floor.  I prepare the meals, do the grocery shopping, manage the schedules and household, clean clean clean, and am excited about my return to the classroom in August.  Yet, in a week, I will be back in the ICU with a half shaved head, a huge horseshoe shaped scar, and under doctor's orders to avoid cardiovascular activities for a month.

Hair Today, Gone Thursday

Please pray that the surgery is straightforward and successful. 🙏

Please pray that meningitis or infection does not return. 🙏

Please pray that I do not suffer a stroke, blindness, death, seizures, or paralysis. 🙏

Please pray that I am at peace and accept, without resistance, the following month of relaxation.  That is so hard for my rabbit spirit. 🙏

AND Thank you.  

Your prayers are the finest gifts.  

THANK YOU!