Email from Mom

Dear Praying Family and Friends,

Exactly 4 weeks ago today my family and Pastor George Carr checked me in to Mcleod Health for brain surgery. This morning I am sitting in our kitchen thanking the Lord, enjoying a sunny South Carolina day with the puppies Aida and Bailey asleep on their blanket! How good God is!! I write to thank all of you for the precious prayers, a hymn sing, cards, phone calls, e-mails, visits, flowers, gifts, delicious meals delivered, practical tasks, rides for Elisabeth, not to mention care givers extending love, mercy and patience. I echo the words of Paul: "I thank my God every time I remember you" (Philippians 1:3) Until I am able to contact you personally, please accept my gratitude via this group e-mail.

Yesterday the neurosurgery called to request that we come at 9:15 rather than the afternoon. Elisabeth was at The King's Academy, having been dropped off by her Daddy, who arrived home safely Saturday evening from OM's newest ship, the Logos Hope.

(The ship was berthed in the country of the Faroe Islands, so yes, please indulge this old, former Baltimore County Social Studies teacher, and look it up on a world map... hint: northern Europe!)

Dr. Naso, my neurosurgeon checked my reflexes, commented on the good healing of my "hairband" incision, and agreed that I no longer need to take any prescription pills! I may take as needed over the counter pills for headaches and/or pain. Beginning in May I will return to Mcleod fitness and enjoy exercising with my water aerobic buddies!! I will continue to be driven around town by care-givers until at least June 24, the next scheduled check-up.
(Have you ever seen Driving Miss Daisy? We really do have a Piggly Wiggly here in Florence!)

Thank you to all who are praying for rest and sleep. Last night I was sleeping/resting in my bed for a full 8 hours!

Have you heard the phrase, "Hindsight is 20/20"? As I look back at the 261 days since Elisabeth and I arrived in Florence, I rejoice over so many answers to prayer:
feeling warmly welcomed, accepted and encouraged to settle here after over 20 years overseas serving God
meeting the orthodentist to begin Elisabeth's long awaited treatment
registering at The King's Academy, a wonderful Christ-centered private school for Elisabeth's first day of attending school in the USA
meeting Elisabeth's 9th grade girl classmates at a party especially lovingly given by fellow classmate and OM kid Lisa and her mother Rosalyn
staying in a furnished condo of dear Christians
borrowing an OM car to drive after 2 years of hardly ever driving while living on MV Doulos
seeing our new home under construction of expert builder John and his lovingly hospitable, helpful wife Angela along with their skilled team of electricians, plumber, cabinetry maker, etc.
visiting churches in the area, being lovingly welcomed at each, then realizing that Lamb's Chapel would become our new local church home
realizing that providentially our associate Pastor Jerry is part of the real estate team of our new development, Villa Toscana

I could go on and on about the many concentric threads that have been woven together, but you can see that we have experienced day by day the truth of Proverbs 3:4-6. By the time that dear husband and father arrived in September, we were all seeing God's blessings and clear direction.

On October 12 our family expanded to welcome our daughter-in-love Kari and her dear parents Albert and Andrea along with many relatives, army and FBI work colleagues and friends in Manhattan Beach, California.

Each day I have prayed, " Lord, direct my steps" as the Psalmist wrote, and also as young Samuel prayed, "Speak Lord for your servant is listening". Most of you have heard about how God used even the mis-steps when puppies Aida and Bailey caused me to fall on March 22. The scan of my head revealed the benign brain tumor. How grateful we are to be here in Florence, and to have received such excellent care from the neurosurgery practice, the internal medicine group, as well as so many professional staff at Mcleod Health.

Now during this time of recuperation, I am determining in my heart to pray, read God's Word, and listen to my Good Shepherd who leads me as in Psalm 23. Please do send me your prayer requests!

I am happy to have visitors! I am happy to prepare from my British heritage a cup of hot tea, from time in Asia a cup of hot green tea, from Austrian years a cup of strong hot coffee, and now I am learning to have Southern tea ready, a Florence favorite, which is sweetened iced tea!

Loving thanks,
Badeen

Almost Home

Dad is on his way back from the Logos Hope. He should arrive in Columbia around 9:00pm, and then will drive home from there. Auntie A stayed with Mom during the week and left yesterday afternoon to take the train back to Maryland. A friend from church is staying with Mom until Dad returns home.

On Wednesday, Mom and Auntie A were in a little car accident. They are both fine, but the person clipped the front of the car and took off the front bumper. Mom went to see her doctor on Thursday just to be sure that everything was fine.

Elisabeth went to her first prom last night! I talked with her afterward, and she said that she had a great time with Josh Tong (her friend, whose parents work with Mom and Dad).

Please continue to pray for healing for Mom and that she would be able to rest as well. Please pray for protection for Dad as he travels today and that he will be able to get some rest when he returns home. Also, please pray about the car situation that insurance will cover all of the damages and that it will be fixed soon.

Faroe Islands

Dad arrived safely in the Faroe Islands after an eight hour delay. During his first night there, he slept for nine hours! Please pray that he will continue to get some sleep while he is on the Logos Hope. He is excited to be there and has met some of his old friends.

Yesterday, Mom and Cricket went to Lamb's Chapel for the first time since Mom's surgery. She loved being back at church. She also took Benadryl on Saturday night and said that she slept for a few more hours than usual, which is great.

Please continue to pray for healing and a full recovery for Mom.

Maryland Friends

Dad left for the Faroe Islands on Friday. He called me while he was on his way to the airport and said that he almost canceled going on his trip. Mom was flying around the house tearing things apart looking for a neck pillow for him to take, which he did not want or need. Then she was talking to Aunt Helen on the phone, and Aunt Helen fell, so Mom was trying to contact 911 in Rochester, NY. Without success, she then tried calling Uncle Kevin and then Aunt Nancy. Since she could not contact either of them, she then called Jeff. So, while I was in class I got a phone call from Jeff and then my Mom. I then woke Elisabeth up to go and check on Mom. Meanwhile, Dad was trying to gather all of his things for his trip and get to the airport. Needless to say, it was a confusing and hectic morning for them.

Elisabeth stayed with Mom all day and then Cricket Barrazotto came to Florence to stay with Mom for the weekend. She is wonderful and a great blessing. We are so thankful that she is going to stay with Mom and Elisabeth while Dad is gone.

Tomorrow, Auntie A (Allison Gault, mom's college roommate) is coming to stay during the week. Another huge blessing. Mom will have so much fun with Cricket and Auntie A. Lately, she has been frusturated with Dad and how he is trying to protect her. I do not think she realizes that she is still in the healing process, and it will take time.

Please continue to pray for Mom and her recovery because her personality has changed. She still is not sleeping a lot because she only sleeps for about three hours a night. Please also pray for Dad while he is away. He does not like being away from Mom, and he also needs to sleep and rest. Please pray that even while he is in the Faroe Islands and busy with work that there will be time for him to rest.

Email from Dad

Badeen is improving daily. She is still fairly hyper and only able to sleep 2-3 hours a night as the steroids continue to affect her. This could last another 3-4 weeks. Her staples are out and all the medical staff are extremely pleased with her progress. We have a DVD with the MRI showing her tumor. I’ll see if I can email you some images.

I leave tomorrow to take 16 publishers to the Faroe Islands (north of Scotland) for a week on our newest ship, Logos Hope. Cricket and Allison are coming from Baltimore to have a girls week. Several ladies from our office & church have supplied us with loads of food and will be around to help if needed. Elisabeth is doing very well.

I’ll have email but no phone while I’m away.

Many thanks for all your emails, gifts and prayers. We deeply appreciate all our family has done for us during this time.

Blessings,

Joe

Please Continue to Pray

Last night, was another rough night for Mom. Dad called me around 11:00 and told me that Mom was upset and being completely irrational. Please pray for her recovery. The surgeon said it can take 4-6 weeks for the steroids to be completely out of her system, but this process is hard for both my mom and dad. She is still only sleeping a few hours a night.

Dad has to leave tomorrow for the Faroe Islands for work and will be gone for ten days. He does not want to leave Mom, but fortunately some of her friends from college and Bible Study Fellowship from Maryland are coming down to take care of her while he is gone.

Please pray for safety for Dad while he travels and that he will be able to get some rest during his trip. Please continue to pray for healing for Mom. We really appreciate your prayers!

Easter & Staples Removed

Easter morning, Dad, Mom, Aida, and Bailey (the puppies) were up for sunrise at the house. They stood on the back porch and Mom sang some hymns and then a church nearby had bells that played as well.

Grammie and John came back to Florence on Friday and stayed with Myles and Patty. They came over to the house during the day to stay with Mom. On Easter Sunday, Myles and Patty had everyone over to their house for Easter supper. They are such a blessing! During the afternoon, while Mom was at the Taves' house, Dad got a chance to go and take a nap. He is not getting very much sleep since Mom is still only sleeping two to three hours a night.

Aunt Jane McAfee also came to Florence on Sunday evening to stay with Mom and Dad for a few days and to help Dad. She has been such a blessing to our family. She has been watching Mom during the day and taking Elisabeth around to her friends' houses. Elisabeth is off school this week for spring break.

Mom and Dad went to Dr. Naso's office yesterday to have Mom's 40+ staples removed! They met with a nurse, and she answered some of the questions that they had. Mom is still on an anti-convulsant to prevent seizures. Also, they were told that it can still take 4-6 weeks for the affects of the steriods to wear off. Mom had her last steriods on her last day at the hospital, but she still has acted differently since being home. The affect of the steroids on her is having increased energy, increased talking, and not being able to settle down and sleep for long periods of time.

Please continue to pray for Mom. We are so thankful for her progress, but there is still a long way to go. She becomes confused about different topics and still switches and talks with a southern accent sometimes. I am not sure whether or not she is aware that she is doing it. Please pray for Dad and continued strength for him. He has been doing an excellent job and is so patient and loving with Mom.