Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Surgery postponed ...

The surgery has been postponed per the Doctor’s orders today about 1:30 pm. The story is too long to tell in an unabridged version, so I'll try the Reader’s Digest version. I, of course, have been trusting God for a healing. Two days before the surgery I had basically accepted that maybe surgery was part of my path to healing. Wanting confirmation about my current condition would involve another CT with the IV and contrast (and being obliged to stay in the bathroom for the rest of the day) - a day before a 6 hour surgery! All things considered I didn't want to undergo it again. Late Monday night Robin came to me and said , " I know it's your body, faith and healing, but I'm going to say one thing and then drop it .... at this point I interrupted her and said, " let me guess, you're going to tell me about the guy who was told to dip in the river 7 times to recieve his healing". She turned around and walked towards the back of the RV and then came back. I thought she was mad at me for interrupting her, but she was smiling and said "that's exacty what i was going to say!" She expressed her feelings that maybe one more CT was an act of obedience. Later Monday night as I was praying and reading the Word, I placed a blank piece of paper on my nightstand and waited for an answer. Nothing came for thirty minutes. Then I wrote down "Move on Dr. Pisters (surgeon)". I waited about ten more minutes and wrote" signs and wonders following." I then closed my Bible and went to sleep.

This morning I had a phone call from the Dr.'s assistant and found out that getting another CT would then move my surgery back at least two more weeks. At this point, I decided that since so many people have rearranged their lives and spent so much time and money up to this point that I decided to go ahead and have the surgery tomorrow. We then headed to a 10:00 appt with the assistant. In the car on the way to the hospital we decided that if the CA 19-9(tumor marker) returned to normal that I would do the CT Scan and delay the surgery. (The last reading of this number in Baton Rouge was over 2000 normal is between 1-47.) What I really wanted was a phone call from the Dr. telling me that I had to have another CT. Since the Dr. was out of down this was highly unlikely according to Robin.

During our appt we found out that the CA 19-9 number, while not normal, had decreased to 1100. This was up from my last visit here three weeks ago but down considerably from my bloodwork in B.R. seven days ago. But since the number was still elevated we decided to go forward with the surgery. I signed several consent forms and all that official stuff. After that I had an appt with the anesthesia group. While filling out paperwork for them the receptionist called for me saying i had a phone call. I thought "Who would be calling me here?" And I bet you can't guess who it was---It was the surgeon's nurse saying that Dr. Pisters had called and decided to postpone the surgery and ordered another CT scan. Remember what I said earlier, "God move on Dr. Pisters" and also "if the doctor tells me I have to have another scan I will have it done." So friends it appears God is still in control--even though I'm a slow and dumb sheep in His Pasture. Again, thanks so much for praying. We know God is moving on our behalf because of the faithfulness of our friends' and families' prayers.

Please read the comment made by Sister Eileen on yesterday's blog. She attached pastor's letter to our prayer partners and we would like you all to read it and be in agreeement with our church family.

Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
But with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. I Peter 1:19

We love ya'll,
Thank you for everything. GW and RW

Monday, January 30, 2006

Late night confirmation ...

Quick note. We are looking for confirmation concerning my diagnosis and the scheduled surgery. We believe God is in control and that He can heal in many ways but we have " made our requests known to God who is not only the Author of our faith but also the Finisher of our faith." I guess you could say I am fleecing God ( very reverently ) to make triple sure, that this surgery is the path of healing. Intercessors, lay this before the Lord if you would.

Thank you. George and Robin

" let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. "
Philippians 4: 6-7

Need your e-mail address ....

We cannot retrieve our e-mail list for some reason right now, so would you please type in your e-mail so we can have it in case we need it. If you would rather not include it in you comments here on " The Secret Place of Elyon " how about sending it to my e-mail at grwaites@bellsouth.net

Is it always so windy in Texas? Type to you later....

" In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. " John 1:4

Noise in the floor .....?

Beautiful morning ….
Robin and I went to M.D. Anderson for blood work and an EKG. Tomorrow (Jan. 31st) we have an appt. with the Dr. at 10 am and an anesthesiology consult at 1 pm is scheduled. I’m also supposed to start a clear liquid / soup type diet Tuesday. Yippie!!! But praise God in all circumstances.
(P.S. While I was finishing this post, an usually loud ‘ bbbbrrrrrrrrr’ sound started under my feet! Everyone in the lobby looked at me like I was making the noise - now, had this been following a CT with barium contrast (the nasty tasting stuff) that I've had in the recent past, I may have been guilty, but this obviously was a concrete drill. We were on the 1st floor in the lobby so I guess the guys in the basement were busy drilling holes).

“And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have the opportunity , let us do good unto all men (and women), and especially to those who are of the household of the faith”.
[Galatians 6:9-10]
Talk to ya’ll later. . .

Sunday, January 29, 2006

They have arrived!

My mom, dad and my mother's sister Eva are parked and set up across from us. It is so good to have family here! We are overlooking a 4 acre lake with a big fountain in the middle of the lake shooting about 25 ft into the air. The sun is heading for the horizon creating a beautiful scene.
We went to church with a local couple, Bob and Pat, who were kind enough to bless us with lunch afterwards. The church is named "Liberty Christian Fellowship" and the Pastor's name is Bob White and his wife's name is Frieda. The praise and worship was great and the message was not only very funny but also very challenging. He compared a real sports fan's comittment to his players and team to the real christian's committment to his/her church and the Lord. He may have steppped on a few toes, but what are Pastors for, right?
Please continue to pray for me, Robin, Lauren, Bryan and our extended family that God would be glorified in every situation. Also, we would like to pray for any needs you or someone you know may have. Just leave the request under comments. Thanks!!!

Psalms 37: 39- 40. "But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the Lord helps them, and delivers them ..."

Resurrection day ....

Good morning! The fog was so thick this morning you could have cut it with the proverbial knife. Bob, Gladys and the kids left to back to home. We had a couple here in Houston, Bob and Pat, the parents of a friend from Hosanna, are taking us to their church this morning. Gotta go, they just drove up ..... talk to ya'll soon.

"If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God". Colossians 3:1

Saturday, January 28, 2006

In Houston ... through the rain ...

We made it to Houston Saturday evening but had to go through some serious rain along the way! Bob and Gladys made it in a few hours before us and set up their RV. This place is called "Lakeview RV Resort" and it is really nice with a 4 acre lake and a walking/jogging track around the lake and you can even fish "catch and release " style. It apparently is a new place.
Mike and Patsy are on the way tomorrow. The weather is getting cooler and high humidity.

We look forward with expectancy to see what God has in store tomorrow.
I'll log an update Sunday. Love ya'll !!! George.

" I Am the Resurrection and the Life" .... Jesus Christ

If you stopped by, leave me a quick note ....

Now you know if you came by my house we would talk a while - maybe eat a bite or two - so leave me a quick note on how you are doing. Just click on comments and follow the directions. Thanks

Friday, January 27, 2006

Surgery date set ......

We will be leaving for Houston on Saturday for the scheduled surgery on Wednesday February 1, 2006, (barring a complete healing by Jesus Christ before I get there). All is well so far and everyone has been great to me and my family.
I would like to thank my wife Robin, my wonderful kids Lauren and Bryan, my dad and mom (Mike and Patsy), my in-laws (Bob and Gladys), my brother and his family (Mike and Eva), my Aunt Eva and Aunt Ebby, my dad's mother Granny Ruth, Uncle Ron and Aunt Maggie, my brother in-law (Randy and Sonya) and his family, Great A and Uncle Harold, Pastor Don and Sister Eileen and the entire church family of Hosanna Assembly, my employers/Doctors and colleagues at CVT Vascular Lab, all of my friends in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, River Ridge and abroad who have called to pray with, encourage and comfort me and my family. You have all supported me so much and made me feel like the most blessed man on the earth! I don't deserve it, but I do appreciate every visit, phone call, cards/letters, prayers prayed, help offered, financial support and other resources given.
I pray God will return unto you 10 fold all that you have given to us.