Power Equal to my Tasks

This trip to MD Anderson has been challenging to say the least. The cancellation of the surgery, the initial scare they gave us concerning Mike's heart, the inability to have tests done because of heartrates, and just the time process some of the procedures are taking, have threatened to undue us and discourage us. We are at MD Anderson's mercy, and we are trying to cooperate, but it's taking a lot of physical and emotional energy, not to even mention the financial burden.

Last night, after we learned the CT of the heart couldn't be done, the cardiologist changed some of Mike's heart medications. This is resulting in Mike having even more difficulty standing and his vision is tremendously blurred. We are hoping this is only a temporary measure to get this test accomplished. We are set to give this CT of the heart another try tomorrow at 10:40, but Mike is already dreading it. He has lost confidence in the CT department, and the process, and he is becoming a little down, fearing things will go wrong again. Also, probably a minor issue, but Mike continues to drop weight here, dropping another 6 pounds...due to the fasting for tests.

It is necessary for Mike to have this test done to be cleared for surgery. I would appreciate your prayers for Mike's heart rate and blood pressure to be the right range, to accomplish this test being done. Please pray for God to quiet Mike's spirit, relaxing him to do whatever is necessary to move pass this hurdle and get on with the surgery. That nothing serious would be found by the CT to delay the surgery. There was talk last Friday that if there is any blockage, for example scar tissue from previous treatments, one way they would rectify that, would be to do a heart catherization to repair it. Of course, that would delay the surgery even more. So please trust God with me that the CT will show everything to be in good shape to proceed.

There is a slim possibility surgery could happen Tuesday, Sep. 9th, but it is doubtful. The surgeon already has a 2 hour procedure scheduled for that day, and with Mike's procedure set to take about 5 hours, it's unclear whether the surgeon would be willing to do both. But it is being discussed, and if the results return quickly from the CT of the heart, then it might be possible. If so, we would not return home this weekend.

The surgery is definitely scheduled to take place Tuesday, Sep. 16th, if not before. Mike would need to be assessed once again, the Monday prior, by the anethesiologist. So hopefully he will successfully pass this next time. This would mean we would return home this weekend, then return to Houston Sunday, Sep. 14th.

So, that is where we are at for now. I guess the best way you could pray for us is that we would have the strength to continue running this race...pressing onward for the final prize...complete healing. :)

"O Christ, do not give me tasks equal to my powers, but give me powers equal to my tasks, for I want to be stretched by things too great for me. I want to grow through the greatness of my tasks, but I shall need Your help for the growing." E. Stanley Jones