Progress Report

I am doing remarkably well. The stitches came out on Thursday and the scar on my neck is healing. It looks like in time you won't be able to see it. I can move my neck without pain and can see a great deal of improvement in my movements. Today I started the physical therepy (I call it Physical Torture) and that will also be a big help. The only setback is that I still don't have my voice back and the doctor ordered me not to utter a word for at least a week to help the nerves heal. Mark is enjoying that part. It looks like the surgery is a big success. Yippee!

There's Nothing Like Good Friends

I must say that this has been a very difficult two weeks. Trying to make decisions about my health and whether or not to have the surgery. But, having the love and support of all our dear friends has been a life saver. You really don't realize how many friends you have until you go through something like this. First, Dan and Tina from the Galapagos Islands happened to fly in Sunday before my surgery and were kind enough to spend the entire day with Mark and I to try to keep our minds off the impending surgery on Monday. We ate lunch together (I was trying to eat all I could because only soup and mush allowed after the surgery) and we walked downtown Cuenca to see the sights. How kind of them to sacrifice their time to cheer us up.

Then Monday rolled around and Look who came to see me in the hospital. I can't believe all the love and support. Not to mention all the lovely flowers, visits and well wishers. Thank you everyone. Your presence and continued support really helped Mark cope with a difficult situation and I must say it did wonders for me to see all your faces as I came out of the anesthesia. When your family isn't available it's wonderful to have your extended spiritual family around for love and support. We both appreciate it very much. I'm doing well as you can see I am actually typing this blog 3 days after the surgery! And the stitches come out this afternoon. Who knows what I will be doing next!

She's O.K.

Hola Becky's Friends, it's the crazy kiwi reporting for Becky here. She wanted you all to know she is doing fine after the surgery! Of course still in pain but able to walk and move around fairly freely. I am pleased to report that she has not lost her sense of humor and can even crack a smile, if not quite laugh cause it hurts too much.

Mark is truely living up to the "Man Among Men" fridge magnet they have on their refridgerator and is at this moment giving her a back massage. What a good feller! I am sure Becky will keep him on a bit longer!

Regards to you all from a land down under

Beth

Tomorrow's the Big Day

I go in the hospital tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. The surgery is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. I wanted the early spot to ensure that the doctor would be fresh and alert.

Friday, Mark talked to the doctor to finalize some paperwork and ask more questions. The doctor informed him that the surgeon that invented this procedure and taught our doctor is flying in from Brazil to assist in my surgery. The amazing part is that he is coming as a favor to my doctor and is doing it all pro bono. The doc told Mark that since I need two levels replaced instead of one, he feels better having his mentor along for the ride. I must say that I feel better also. Eddie Orrellana a local doctor and brother who is on the Liaison Committee will also be present in the operating room He is doing this as a favor to help me feel easier and just in case an issue with the blood should arise. The chances of that are slim since this is not a bloody procedure. But, it is nice to have that peace of mind. Jehovah is really looking after us and we can see His hand in so much that has happened.

We will keep you updated on my progress. I'll write again as soon as the doctor gives me the okay.

Oh What a Week

This has been a very frustrating week and I am really trying not to freak out. I know that this is a minimally invasive procedure and I am trying to focus on that fact. But, I'm still having trouble with the idea of someone cutting on my neck and fiddling around with my spinal cord.

Oh well....The doctor told us two weeks ago that I needed to go ahead and have the surgery on my neck to correct the two herniated disks. He didn't want to wait any longer since the problem is getting worse and I am experiencing more and more pain and side effects. So, we set up the surgery for this coming Monday. During the week we had to take care of all the pre op tests, i.e. blood test, EKG and lung Xray. That wasn't too bad, everything came out normal, except my cholesterol is a tiny bit high. What do you expect since I haven't been able to exercise for a while? But, the doc said it wasn't too high and wouldn't be a problem with the surgery.

So you may ask what is so frustrating? Well we had to sell our assets in the States to pay for the surgery and have the money wired here to our savings account. Our bank in the States tells us we can't wire that amount of money from outside the USA. Then we came up with the great plan to wire the money to Mark's brother's account and he could then wire it to Ecuador from the USA. Our bank won't allow us to do that either. They enjoy making things difficult I think. All Wednesday we have been going crazy trying to figure this out. You see, the hospital will not allow me to check out unless the amount is paid in full. They will literally keep me prisoner until they get their money. Isn't that crazy? Fortunately, Mark's brother has kindly offered to wire the money from his account to ours and then we can just send him a check to pay him back. We finally got that settled. And another person has kindly offered to loan us what we need to make up the difference for which we are very thankful. So here I an making plans to go into the hospital on Monday and Mark made his plans at work to be off the two days necessary. Then our Doctor called last night to say that he is changing hospitals and that may change the day of the surgery. He now wants to do the surgery in Monte Sinai. We have been told that Monte Sinai is a more expensive hospital especially dealing with foreigners. I guess they think we are all millionaires. HAH! However, the doctor is trying to get us a discount. He seems to think it will be a bit cheaper. We have to wait and see.

I just want this to be over with and be able to get on with my life. Hopefully, this time next week I will be pain free and starting on a new life. Won't that be grand? I apologize for the pity party I'm indulging in, I just needed to let off some steam. Thanks for listening.

Farewell to Donna

Today we had a very happy and a very sad event. Donna, my English study, has made such a miraculous recovery that her doctors sent her home to Salinas. She was to stay at least another two weeks in the hospital. It is wonderful that she is better, but I am sad to lose her as a study. She will continue to study in Salinas with a sister.

The staff of the hospital came to give her a going away party. They brought balloons, streamers, gifts and everyone ate pizza. They even brought music to dance. It was interesting to watch even the doctors get up and dance. Can you imagine that in the USA? I don't think so. Everyone was very nice and they were all wishing her well. It was fun to see. Donna apparently made quite an impression on everyone at the hospital.

Donna promises to keep in touch and we will be communicating by telephone. She says she will leave the difficult questions for me to answer (funny). With tears in her eyes she thanked me for teaching her the Bible and giving her a foundation in the truth. Of course, we know all the thanks goes to Jehovah. I will miss her very much, but I am hoping I will be able to be present at her baptism at the English convention in Guayaquil. That is her goal. Wouldn't that be great? So, I guess is back to business and teaching again in Spanish. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Meet Donna Nicoll

Meet my English study Donna. She is recovering from surgery and we study twice a week in her hospital room. She is an amazing study and is thirsty for Bible truth. We come away after every study just beaming because we can't believe how well she is understanding and applying what she learns.

It's also fun because Donna is from TEXAS! What a small world. It's been great to hear the accent and talk about things in common. But, the most amazing thing is that Donna truly believes what she learns and is applying it in her life. She expresses her appreciation for Jehovah on a daily basis and is overcoming many obstacles.

Please keep her in your prayers.

Today I made her a good old fashioned Texas Chocolate Meringue Pie and took it to her. What a treat that was and what a joy to see how much she enjoyed it. Brought back memories of Texas.