More thoughts tonight ....

Two posts in one day .... that might be a new one!

Things to pray for between now and Friday morning:

- Travel safety (to central IL and to Chicago Friday am)
- The Chicago will be able to understand my medical case quickly, offer insight and a possible solution to the current problem.
- If he (dr.) thinks that I need to see a neuro guy, perhaps he will offer to get me into see someone in Chicago sooner.
- Pray that is an orthopedic issue and not a neurological problem.
- Pray for a specific suggestion on how to improve things – general stuff is not real useful.
- Expectations; that we’ll be happy and thankful for whatever happens.

- Agreement; perhaps he will agree w/the TX dr. on the next step.
- If it involves something surgical, that we’ll be able to make a decision and move forward …. the pain issue continues

10:30am appt. – Friday, March 6th – w/Dr. K at Northwestern
Orthopedic Institute

It is a HUGE blessing that I was able to get in to see this physician yet this week …. We just called on this on Monday afternoon. God is good! This Chicago dr. has a very impressive bio on the Internet & it said that people come from all over the world to see him. I am still checking w/TX to see if they feel the gait analysis test needs to be done again – not totally sure yet, so that has not been scheduled.

My dad’s brother is going to go w/me to Chicago and will be my driver on Friday. It is not wise for me to drive in downtown Chicago with my left foot as the driving foot, much less have to figure out parking when we arrive.

My physical therapist & I feel strongly that if I do 2 orthopedic opinions and 2 neuro opinions between this week & next that this is probably enough. When you get too many opinions, everything gets complicated and messy.

I am hanging in there and am doing okay. We are just taking it day-by-day and will get through this one way or another. We haven’t come this far to have it all fall apart now. The past 2 ½ months were nearly perfect, so we can’t be that far off …. I don’t regret any decisions that we’ve made for treatment thus far. There is a reason that all of this is happening now, although we may never understand it. Keep believing that it will work out!

I did not have students today & won’t tomorrow, so that has been a nice break and I’ve been able to get a lot accomplished at my desk. I will drive to central IL on Thursday night and will stay at the Eickhorst farm …. We’ll leave bright and early on Friday morning. I will take the laptop on Friday, but am not sure about updating; really depends if I can find a place w/free wifi.

Thanks for hanging with the situation and for praying …. it means more than you will ever know & it is what is keeping us going.

No pedicure needed this week …. the one from the last Chicago trip is still good!

Love & hugs,
je