A NEW WOMAN

When the new Congress was getting sworn IN last Thursday, I was being sworn OUT of the Parkhill Women's wing of Washington Regional Hospital.

Parkhill kept some parts I no longer needed, and sent me home with a fine new sling, which I did need.

In the meantime, my husband has been amassing points.  He likes to talk about how fast he loses his points, but so far he has only lost ONE.

It seems on the night of surgery he ran home to get something and left the garage door up.  Overnight.  Mike and I are older people and we know older people do better when they stick to their routines.  But our schedule has been so upside down of late, Mike got a pass.  He deserves a medal for how he has waited on me.

Just look at these sweet people.  This is my Oasis group (and spouses) who came to pray over me.  Since it was New Year's Eve we threw in a party.  They brought their own food and even cleaned up.

All along this journey, we have felt so loved.  People have called and brought food and prayed.  I felt God's presence and protection throughout the procedure and we have been careful to thank Him that He is a Shield.

Of course, we also found some "new best friends" that were along the way:

SURGEON.  Please hold all jokes about my surgeon's name, Dr. Jason Hurt.  One of our LR friends who is a surgeon was quick to say "You cut to cure".  They must teach that in surgeon school.

I'm really singing Dr. Hurt's praises. If I had known him years ago, I would have done this a lot sooner. He is not only competent, but is good-hearted and attentive.  He kindly did not leave behind any of that gas which collects up around the collar bone.

I've thanked the Lord for Dr. Hurt and the skill set God gave him.  And I'm thankful that my friend Jo recommended him.  

Besides, who wouldn't like this Daddy?

ANESTHESIOLOGIST.  What's the best thing you can say about the one who put you to sleep?  I didn't throw up!  I don't even have a sore throat.  Thanks to YOU, Dr. Shepherd.

While we were chatting it up and he was looking down my guuzzle, I looked past him out into the hall at a posting board.  It said "Shepherd/21". I asked if he had twenty-one more patients after me or if that was the room number.  He said 'Oh, that's my brother".  "What does he do?" I asked.  "He's a neurosurgeon".

Those Shepherd boys got good genes.

NURSES.  Seriously, EVERY registered nurse we encountered was a pleasure.  One favorite was a tiny red-headed RN who was young and super compassionate.  She had just gotten married in December and I asked her what made her want to marry her husband.

She didn't miss a beat.  She said he defended her to her parents.  They had complained during nursing finals that she wasn't coming home enough.  Apparently his defense was a short cut to her heart.  I'm praying the LORD will give you and your husband many years together, Kayla.

WHAT I LEARNED.  Have you ever noticed that when you tell someone you've had a medical procedure...they tell you theirs?  Well, subjectively speaking then...I would have to say I don't think you could find two sets of ovaries in the whole of Washington County.  Of course, there definitely aren't any here at BTV (Butterfield Trail Village).

Color me grateful.  I'm told I will be a new woman.  I got to experience God's tender loving-kindness and the attention of His people.  Mike treated me like a queen.  But at the same time, we're also glad to be on the far side of the experience.  We're starting 2019 fresh and new...by God's grace.