Saturday, March 7, 2009

After a difficult night, I woke up this morning to an unexpected email from a friend.  She wrote, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam. 3:22-23).”  At the very moment I read those words, my ever-whistling husband began whistling, "Great is thy Faithfulness" off in the kitchen.  It was another confirmation of what I have been trying to allow myself to fully believe--that God is in every detail.  He knows everything I need.  He will take care of me.  I do not need to worry.  God is good.

As my ankle pain begins to subside and my healing is moving along, more of "real" life is beginning to creep back into my life.  The cost of this injury and the realities of budget

 issues at our school has brought about new concerns that are hard for me to "let go and let God."  Somehow it is easier for me to give my ankle over to the Lord because it is obvious that I am powerless to do anything about it.  But when it comes to money--it feels like I should still have to bear some of the responsibility to take care of it.  I am working through this.  It has really gotten me down and I just can not slip downward.  I have too far to go.

So--today I got out of the house and went to Annika's soccer game.  I saw so many people from school and was greatly encouraged by many of the conversations that I had with them.  It was good to see sunlight, hear the joyful voices of children, and be hugged and kissed by friends.  Life really is good.

Love to you all--

Anne

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

I have news!  I went to see Dr. Carbonell today and found out that I am scheduled for surgery for next Friday (the 13th).  He is going to remove the metal plate that is still exposed on my bone, close up the wound with dermagraft, and then . . . (drumroll) . . . take off the external fixator!  

Following the surgery, he will fit me with a boot and start me on physical therapy for three times a week.  Also, even though the wound will be covered with skin, Dr. Carbonell would still like me to continue with the VAC therapy.  That means that I will still need to carry around my little machine all the time and be seen by my home health care nurse twice a week.  

In addition, by next Friday, I will have been on the antibiotics for eight weeks.  So . . . it just might be that my infectious disease doctor will have me stop taking the IV antibiotics (the ones that are still causing me such wacky side-effects).  

So many changes . . . can you stand it???

I had planned to host a chapel presentation at my school on March 17 (the Tuesday after my surgery) so I hope that I will still be up for it.  I have been so anxious to go back to my sweet students and talk to them about this entire experience.  I want to talk to them honestly about how difficult this process has been--but that it has been such a blessing, too.  Even though they may be as young as five years of age, many of them are experiencing tragedies far worse than my little ankle problem.  I want them to know that God has a plan for them--no matter how bad it may seem right now.  

So many of you have written me such amazing things.  I have heard from old friends from college and my childhood, Kindergarten students, people currently going through horrendous hardships, wonderful parents of my students, dear members of my church, my crazy brothers, and even people I have never met.  Each of you have reacted to tiny things I have said in my blog by sending me jokes, ridiculous videos, words that let me know that you "get it," inspirational verses, offers for rides and meals, and medical advice given to you by doctors or friends.  One of you even sent me a picture of a person's ankle after it had been mauled by a polar bear--sure proof that there is an ankle out there that is definitely worse than mine!  :)

I love each of you so much and appreciate that God is using you to bring me through this time.  

Thank you so much.

Anne