Thursday, Oct. 22 (#2)

Another email from my Dad this evening; Mom did have the "exploratory surgery" today!!!
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Friends,

This was a great day.
We had thought that the only options for Ruth's pelvis were
a) quick but not that dependable skin/tissue graft, or
2) long wait for area to heal before surgery.

It turns out the plastic surgeons had another option. They removed a lot of bad tissue and 3 liters of blood/fluid from the area and left in a sort of sponge and tube that will continue to drain her hip of whatever is not supposed to be in there. This should make them able to do the pelvic surgery much sooner. That is GREAT. Thank God!! This is an option the orthopedic surgeons didn't know about. We are so grateful the plastic surgeons thought of it. It was perfect for this situation.

Ruth feels good, no pain yet, and had a good dinner of peanut butter graham crackers (a favorite) and a hi-protein drink.

Amazingly, they are planning to operate again tomorrow, to finish the knee they started. It will be long ...

Pray for a safe surgery, God's hand guiding, a chance to witness to God's goodness to the doctors and nurses. And his power. That she has an increasing appetite. She needs calories and protein, but doesn't feel much like food. That she will sleep well. Thank God for a couple of Nurse Practitioners who have really advocated for her.

I am at a computer in the family waiting room, and just overheard two conversations. In one, a man had just died. I heard a woman wailing, wailing. Her son rushed into this computer corner to email someone and his phone rang. He simply said, through tears, "He's gone." It broke my heart.

In the next, a doctor came in and gave a good report to a family about another man. He will live. They chatted happily, casually.

Let your loved ones know you love them!

And don't delay your movement toward the Lord, the God of the Bible. He brings happy times and sad, but he will take back anyone who admits they need Jesus to pay for their sin.

We are so thankful for every thought and prayer.
With gratitude,
Brian, Ruth and the kids
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I would also like to ask specifically for prayer for us kids. God is truly holding us up, but the tension and fatigue is unavoidable. It changes everything when there are no parents around! Please pray for patience with one another. I really want this to improve our relationships-- we desperately need God's help in that. Thanks again.