Update

This is Brian. Weird huh? I have been given charge of doing the updates for Linda while Jenn is traveling. She is on her way to Greenville, SC as I type this. Joe has sent an update and here it is. Mind you it is from Friday.



FRIDAY OCTOBER 3, 2008

I know many are wondering: "How did Linda's surgery go?" Well, she didn't have surgery. "NOT NEEDED," said the surgeon.
"PRAISE THE LORD," said Linda and me.
She was taken to surgery at the scheduled time this morning and he looked at the wound, cancelled the surgery and sent her back to the room. We can only thank our merciful, loving, grace giving God for allowing the wound to be healed to a point that surgery was not necessary. We believe your prayers were answered today!!

The surgeon presented his plan,
Operate! Was his command.

As God's servants were on their knees,
Our loving God heard their pleas.

Back to your room, you don't need me,
Bring the next patient for me to see.

God's child felt the Master's Hand,
And today surgery was not in His plan.

Late this afternoon her medical doctor finally visited our room and we pressed him for a plan to get out of here. Here is the short version of "the plan" for the week-end:
Today she was taken off all antibiotics.
The NG tube will be removed, maybe tomorrow. (Saturday)
She will be seen by a speech therapist to determine the ability of her swallowing.
Eating of solid food will be slowly introduced as determined by the speech therapist.
If all the above goes well, she will be allowed to go home Monday or Tuesday.
The doctor wants to be sure she is eating and her bowels are functioning before she goes home. We are ready to "check out" of this place.

Jennifer called from Vicksburg Mississippi where they stopped to spend the night. They have a long drive ahead of them tomorrow as their goal is to arrive in Greenville, South Carolina. Continue to pray for them over the week-end. She said the kids did pretty well with the trip today.

I don't know why I have gotten so caught up with numbers lately. But I was thinking today of a Bible verse to go along with Linda's room number – 2 3 6. I came up with Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:" This has been a precious Truth during the past 11 days in this room.

Thank you for praying today and thank you for praying tomorrow.

Keep Looking Up,

Joe