Happy Thansgiving to us.

Just as we were leaving to see Steve's primary doctor this morning Stanford called. Oh...I haven't told you. We go to Stanford on Monday morning for pre-surgery consult. Surgery was scheduled for Friday November 21. Well they called this morning to re-schedule because the doctor has a conflict that day. So I ask her just how long will we need to be at the hospital that day {I didn't ask when they called earlier because...well...I have a lot on my mind these days!}. He will be in the hospital for 3 to 5 days!

Take a look at your calendar. It's Thanksgiving week. {and that Wednesday happens to be Laryssa's 10th birthday} *sigh*

Steve called back and tried to use his charming personality and see if they could bump it up a little but no dice. And the next available date is well into December.

It's not like we will be devastated to miss Thanksgiving but it just adds another thing to the whole picture of a really rough year. I have no idea what we will do, or what the kids will do. I definitely can't stay there all those days but it won't feel right to have turkey day without Steve here either.

So we went to his doctor appointment. She didn't feel comfortable clearing him for the surgery without seeing a cardiologist first, she is trying to get someone to see him tomorrow. But she did give him a release for work...at his own pace. I think this will do a world of good for Steve to be able to go back for a little while and feel useful again {not like he isn't useful around here because he is!}. He went down there yesterday to visit and is just itching to get back.

Then after the primary doc we went over to see the surgeon who did the biopsy in September. He was visibly horrified that we are doing a tracheostomy. We're horrified too but can't see an alternative. He admitted that he didn't know the entire history and could understand our feelings of desperation. I actually appreciated his honesty and he was very humble. He asked if we would consider seeing a general surgeon {he said "I'm just a little ole thoracic surgeon, LOL!} and see if he would do the fundoplication {the stomach surgery to stop the acid reflux}. We said of course and he is trying to get him to see us tomorrow.

While it would be nice to be able to have the surgery sooner than later I still question if Steve is strong enough to handle it and the stress could also aggravate the vocal cord issue so he would still have the breathing difficulties. It's so hard to know what to do!

And if that was not enough Steve has a nodule on his adrenal gland that the surgeon says may be another carcinoid tumor so he needs to see an adrenal specialist. He also needs to see a hematologist because of the blood clots.

While we were walking out to the car Steve asked what happened to the good old days when you had one doctor who did everything. I said "like when they had Doc Baker in Walnut Grove and he delivered the babies and buried the old folk and got paid with chickens?" Well Ma & Pa still had to go to Mankato to see a special doctor when Doc Baker couldn't figure out what was wrong with Baby Charles Jr. {I left out the part where he died anyway!}

We aren't making any decisions right now. If we can get into the surgeon we will go from there. We are still going to go to Stanford on Monday and explore all the options we have. Prayer is, as always much appreciated. And opinions and advice are welcome too!

And Bruno continues to do well. He did get sick all over our bed at 3am so I am limiting his intake today and giving him boiled rice and chicken, which he loves.
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A new day.

I've been sitting here glued to the TV watching the election results. Obama just finished his acceptance speech and all I can say is "wow". He wasn't my choice, for many reasons but we do live in a democracy and he was fairly elected. I do have to say what he had to say was inspiring. I truly hope he lives up to the promises he has made.

I agree with him when he said "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer". How so very true!

This has been going around in emails for a few days and it says all that really matters:

10 top predictions no matter who wins the election!!

1. The Bible will still have all the answers we need.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still enjoy the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing to the glory of God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

and God approves this message!

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE?

So 2009 is going be very different for many reasons. I pray it is all for good. And I pray it is very different for my family as well!

PS I want to publicly thank my son Jason for making me go vote. After a not so very good day I just threw in the towel and wasn't intending to go. He was so excited about voting for the first time in his life he dragged me out at 7:45! I'm glad he did and I'm very proud of him!
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Roller Coaster

Bruno is home. He is doing great and very happy to be home.

Two hours later Steve was re-admitted to the hospital.

I've lost track... is this number 14 or 15? *sigh*

Homecoming!!

The vet called. Bruno is eating, peeing and pooping like he should. She said he is also HOWLING! He would like to come home now. We go to get him at 5 tonight. We can't wait!

Gloomy Day

Bruno doesn't get to come home today. He is vomiting again {but no diarrhea..that is great!}. They think it may be due to worms so they are going to deal with that today. He needs to be able to take his medicines by mouth before he can come home. We are trying to be patient.

Steve is having a hard time. I had to take him home last night in the middle of church and he hasn't really improved. I know he'll be ok, it's just hard to see him like this.

But....

God is still on the throne and He is always in charge.

God in the small things.

Remember my first post on this blog? I said I was going to remember God in all the details no matter how small. All things considered when you look at all that has been happening here at the Thomas zoo a sick puppy might seem small to some. But to me it was big. If he died I would have gotten over it, the kids would have moved on, Libby {our little Jack Russel who adores him} and the cats would have forgotten. But my heart would break, even if just for a little while.

Thursday was a sad day. I was convinced Bruno was dying. He actually was. I stood in the shower with the water running so no one could hear me cry. With everything that has gone on these past months I don't think I have ever really "questioned" God. Maybe it was my Grandmother instilling in me as a very young child that you don't ever question God. Well that day, in the shower, I cried out and said "Jesus WHY"??!! He didn't yell back and he wasn't mad that I dared question. I felt His love and I felt Him say "after everything that has happened can't you trust me, even in this"? Oh.

It wasn't about a puppy. It was about me giving EVERYTHING to HIM. I'd been telling my kids and my friends for days to please pray for Bruno, but I have to admit that I really wasn't. I didn't trust Him to make it ok. Why should God be bothered with such an insignificant thing. Then I went to see the puppy and it was clear to me no one there had any power to make him better and he truly was in Gods hands. I prayed. And I prayed. And then I prayed some more. And you know what? God came through!

I don't really know completely what this is teaching me. All I can say is that I am so thankful right now that He loves me so much and he keeps putting up with me the way He does! Even over a silly little slobbery puppy!

Today I visited Bruno and he RAN to the door of the cage and when I picked him up he licked every inch of my face and neck! His tail was wagging so hard he was nearly airborne! And I bawled like a baby! He's getting sprung tomorrow. He can resume his underwear toilet paper shoe eating ways and I won't complain one bit!

Bruno Update

The vet called this morning and said Bruno is "PERKY"!! He is much more alert and peeing. No more vomit, no more diarrhea. They offered him some food but he only took one bite and refused any more. He is a bit of a finicky eater normally, he prefers underwear and shoes!

In case you've been wondering he is at Waterhouse Animal Hospital. They are the most wonderful people there and Bruno could not be in better hands!

Thank you all for your prayers. It means so much to us!