A Week Ago Yesterday

I no longer have finger nails left to bite and I can't stop eating. These are the things that I do when I worry. As we enter into the second week of recovery for Rich, I ask that you all keep praying. Symptons like low grade temps, body aches, chills and nausea continue to haunt him, and us loved ones around him are getting concerned.

We have an appointment tomorrow to see our primary care Dr. to have him looked at. As the neurosurgeon's nurse says, that although the symptoms of low temp and pink around the incision site are normal, it won't hurt to go in and confirm that he is okay and recovering normally.

I know that God does not want me to worry. The worry that I have is not of a spiritual nature but of a selfish one. I want my husband, the father to our children, to successfully survive this physical trial. I want to get back to normal living and continue on serving the Lord as ministers of the gospel in God's kingdom, here in Sioux Falls.

It does help for me to remember that we are only in the second week of at least a 3 month recovery process and that there have been bits of progress in between the setbacks. On Monday, Rich joined us all downstairs for an after-school Monster Truck party for Noah's 6th Birthday. He was even able to snap a few pictures from the sofa and watch our kindergartener have a great time with his new school buddies. It was wonderful.

On the Mend

Please continue to pray for Rich. His pain levels have been between 6 & 8 today. Be sure to thank God for bringing his temperature down.

Love to all...

A Little Setback...

After a long night last night and long day thus far, I can admit that there has been bit of a setback for Richard on this road to recovery. Since coming home yesterday, he has experienced lots of pain, nausea, dizziness, light-headedness and now his temperature is rising. Please pray for him. If you are able, please take one minute right now and ask that God heals him.

The neurosurgeon's CNP says that these symptons are not typical of a fusion but that they sound like metabolic problems. Please pray that, as he rests, God will restore his body back to good health and proper healing. Thank you all. I will keep you updated.

If you are finding your calls to us going unanswered or unreturned, please forgive us and know that we will return them as soon and as best we can.

He Looked Great Today!

I didn't realize just how rough Rich looked yesterday until I saw him today. As I entered his room this morning, he was in the middle of standing up for the first time since the procedure. The team of people who helped him stand, helped him sit in a chair nearby. He was able to sit for 40 minutes before getting back in bed, which was very good. The swelling in his face was gone, his color was back, he was more 'with it' and his great smile had returned too. I was so glad to see that my hubby had improved.

We were able to spend all day together, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa's visit here to South Dakota. By mid-afternoon, a PT staffer had him walking down the hall. Although it was pretty painful, it was progress, which led us all to believe that this is going to be a good recovery.

I returned home at dinnertime to relieve my in-laws from child-duty so they can pay their son a visit as well. It was so nice to walk in the door and enjoy a delicious home-made chicken and rice casserole. As I sit here typing this blog and thinking about the events of the day, I feel so thankful and think to myself,

"It has been a very good day."

Richard is... Recovering

"Mrs. Flood, you do know that he will have back pain this afternoon..."

It was one of the first things I heard the neurosurgeon tell me after giving Rich his much needed spinal fusion this morning. To be honest, I really was not sure if he was serious or just kidding around with me! I was just relieved to hear that my husband, who I love so very much, was okay after the 2 hour procedure and waking up in recovery. The Dr. told me that all went off without a hitch, and I thank God for that. I also thank all of you who prayed for a successful surgery.

May I ask that you continue to petition our Father in heaven for a positive recovery and healing? Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

I got to see Rich late afternoon and he looked, as I expected, a little rough. He probably felt worse than he looked (turned out that he did) but still managed to tell me how happy he was to see me.

Good night everyone. I'll be in touch.

Back Surgery for Rich

On Tuesday, October 21st, Rich will be going in for back surgery. Please pray for a successful operation and speedy recovery. My in-laws will be coming into town this weekend to help with the kids while I nurse my hubby back to health. Although I wish they were visiting under different circumstances, it will be so great to see them again and have them meet our new church family.

This time around, Rich will be getting what is called a spinal fusion in his lower back. It will be great once all is said and done. They told him they will be having him playing tennis in three months. Of course, I don't think they realize that in three months there will be lots of snow on the ground!

Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers! I will keep you posted.

Here you can view our latest photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/RJFlood/SiouxFallsSD#

Anna's Unexpected New 'Do'

As I was making my bed the other day, Jonah & Anna came upstairs to see me and I thought to myself "she looks different for some reason..." Anna disrupted my thought process with "Mommy, Jonah cut my hair!" She was so happy.

*GASP!!!*

That's all I could do. I brushed my fingers through the right side of her hair and *gasp*...it's all gone!

*Gasp* what..how could...OH NO *gasp*

I ran downstairs and as soon as my eyes laid upon all the beautiful curls on the dining room floor, I just started to cry. I don't think I cried solely because my 4 year old cut the entire right side of his 3 year old sister's hair all off because "she told him to," but that's what it took to bring me to tears.

Well, to make a long story short, after receiving some encouragement from Richard and a few sisters from church, I gave her a new "do" and I think I really like it. It's cute and makes her look all grown up. Here she is before & after:

Come to find out, it's happened to lots of people! I've heard countless scissors-to-the-hair stories from friends and family ever since I've experienced this Mommy "rite of passage."

And I'm sure there's lots more to come...