Brain Tumor

On Sunday morning, March 22nd, I walked our puppies, Aida and Bailey. Returning home
the leashes crossed so that my feet went out from under me and I landed on my
head. A big "goose egg" formed on the top of my head so Joe took me to Urgent
Care nearby. After cleaning the abrasion, they said that they wanted to do
a precautionary CT. The CT showed a "spot" farther forward in the brain, so
the staff doctor told us to go to the Emergency Room at McLeod Hospital.

Dr. Naso, the neurosurgeon, came in to check me. All reflexes worked, but
he ordered an MRI of my head so that he could assess the tumor better.

The MRI shows a tumor larger than a golf ball in the left front. Probably
(90%) it is benign and there are no blood vessels running through it. I have
no symptoms, so we are thankful that the puppies tripped me up to reveal this
now.

Thank you for your prayers- I sense them in a very tangible way and we are
filled with God's peace that passes understanding.

An almost daily prayer since returning to the U.S. has been, "Lord, please
order my steps" He is leading, guiding , a good Shepherd.

Another key passage since being in missions has been Acts 17:24-27. God
clearly led us to this "exact place" of Florence, SC for this season of our
lives. The tumor has been growing slowly for a long time, but now it's revealed
and God has provided an excellent surgeon.

Next Wednesday morning (April Fool's Day) Dr. Naso and team will begin
surgery at 9:00. They will make a small "window" in my skull and remove the
tumor. After surgery I will be in the hospital for 5 - 7 days, and then back
home for 6 - 12 weeks of recovery.

Tomorrow night, Aileen will come home and stay until after the surgery.
Joshua and Kari plan to arrive Monday evening and stay several days. We look
forward to this unexpected family reunion!

Please feel free to send me any brain tumor jokes- remember that laughter is
the best medicine!
Since re-entering American culture last August, whenever confused, I've used
the line, " Please excuse me, but I've lived for 20 years outside of the
U.S."
Now I have the ultimate: "Please excuse me, but I have a brain tumor!"

Grateful for you and your prayers.

Aida & Bailey

In January, while Aileen was at home from Samford, we were given two female puppies who are half Lab and half English Setter. We are amazed by how the puppies' personalities mirror their owners! Until August, when Aileen will have an apatrment, both puppies are here.

Reaction to Marley and Me

On Saturday, January 3rd we (Joe, Elisabeth and I) went to see Marley and me. It was a great movie that I recommend, however we had different reactions. Joe and Elisabeth walked to the car and said, "let's get a dog!", while I said, "that convinces me that I don't want a dog!" Well, I'm learning that when my heart is hard about an issue, then the Lord will want to deal with that area. I began to pray that if I needed to change my opinion that the Lord would show me very clearly.

On Tuesday evening Joe came home from work to tell us about how a man had stopped by with a box full of 6 puppies that he wanted to give away!!

"Okay, Lord... I'm getting the message. Here's a new area to trust You. I've never owned a dog, but I look to You for help."

Joe and Elisabeth were surprised that I was open to the idea. In the night I woke up and really felt that we should take 2 puppies. Aileen will get an apartment off campus in August for next year, so she can have a pet.

So here we are- 1 week later enjoying 2 female puppies who have been named Aida and Bailey!! One parent is a black Lab and the other is an English setter.

I think we've really re-entered American life!