Decision Made

My Chicago orthopedic surgeon called me at home on Tuesday evening. We were able to talk on the phone for thirty minutes and I shared with her what the new information I had learned in the past two weeks (varying opinions). She continues to be genuinely concerned, was gracious in listening to all my details and totally agreed that rushing to Baltimore is probably not the best decision. She shared several "red flags" as she saw it and they were the same things that I had been thinking. I continue to be extremely blessed to have a strong relationship with her, and love the fact that she is concerned about the emotional/social aspect and the stress this is causing on my hip. I slept better on Tuesday night after talking with her from 9:45pm-10:15pm! I always feel much better emotionally after talking with her.

The Chicago ortho gal also wants to see me this Friday, after I see the pain doctor. She is concerned that the toes have reverted to the old position and wants to check the incision under the second toe (from April surgery) that has not healed. I am elated that she cares enough to "work me in" and meet with us on Friday - this makes total sense since we are already there in the same building as the pain doctor. Every Friday is normally the day of the week that she is in surgery all day, so it is very unuseal that she can see me on a Friday - much less during a holiday week.

We stopped all the Baltimore arrangements today. There were several additional things that happened via the phone that made us KNOW we made the right decision for now. I also received a phone message from their office saying that this surgeon is going to be in St. Louis at the end of August. I'm not sure why we just found this out today, but this was the first time that his office told us this. He could see me and do surgery at that time, if it is warranted. Obviously, we will decide this later. Enough "drama" for today.

Good news .... there is no fee for canceling our two plane tickets today with Southwest airlines. Whew! We did not lose any money.

There is no doubt that we made the right decision. God is good and has provided wisdom, guidance, and patience in the past several weeks. We continue to be thankful for friends that have provided strong counsel, checked with other doctors on our behalf, and for events that have transpired that have led us to believe that things were moving too fast. We know in our hearts that if we are to see the Baltimore doctor in St. Louis in August, there is time to work through those details.

We will leave for Chicago on Thursday evening of this week and will return Saturday morning. Our appointment is at 10am with the pain doctor and around 11:00 with the orthopedic surgeon. Keep praying for managed expectations, clear answers and that the pain doctor will not be all about pills.

Breathing a sigh of relief .... Happy 4th!

je