Part 2 of Our Story

Dear Family and Friends,

It is 8:27 p.m. on Thursday evening and we have just received the wonderful news that Randy is out of surgery and doing well! Randy went to pre-op today at about 9:00 a.m. and after several hours (long and boring hours according to Randy) he was taken back to the operating room at 12:45 p.m. I received a call saying that they started his surgery at 2:25 p.m. I received an additional update at 5:00 saying that things were going well and at 8:00 is surgeon reported to me that Randy was out of surgery and in recovery…moving and breathing! PRAISE GOD!!!

I think I left off the last letter at Miracle number 4 so let me fill you in with a few more miracles that have since taken place. An obvious concern of ours has been how we would handle this financial adjustment seeing as that we were just getting used to living on one income let alone none. On Tuesday we were informed that Randy would receive his normal pay during this time and that he would be able to use his AFLAC insurance for short term disability. This was MIRACLE NUMBER 5 and a HUGE relief to Randy as he was very concerned about this situation. On Wednesday we learned that Randy’s full spinal MRI came back all clear….no trickle down cells to deal with…MIRACLE NUMBER 6! Now, I am thrilled to share with everyone and shout it from the rooftop that God’s hand brought my husband through surgery and that he is moving along through the recovery process beautifully…MIRACLE NUMBER 7!

Please continue to pray that Randy moves through tonight and the next few days in ICU as perfectly as he has gone through everything already. We are believing for no swelling in his brain, limited blood loss, the fluid in his brain to drain properly and quickly to its designated location and for the results of the lab work to report a benign tumor (we will know this in approximately one week). Randy will undergo radiation treatment to destroy the small portion of the tumor that remains (this was expected-the origination of the tumor was on the lining of the brain and in order to assure movement and independent breathing the remnants will be treated with radiation). Randy will also go through an MRI tomorrow morning that we know will go well J.

I will be able to see Randy briefly tonight, however he probably won’t remember it…I WILL!!!!! I also won’t be able to see him tomorrow until a bit later (rounds, tests, etc.). I will do my very best to keep you all apprised of each miracle as they continue to unfold. I just heard as I am typing this letter that Randy has been calling for me…continually…I have been interceding for him continually. Praise God for miracle, after miracle, after miracle!!

I will be sure to let people know when Randy is up for visitors and/or phone calls (probably in 2-3 days or so). Please continue to believe with us for the continuation of good news and miracles to be made real during this time. We are praising God for his POWER and MIGHT and for giving us the peace that only the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ can give. We will continue to praise Him for the miracles that He will give to us!!!

Love,

Rachel (and of course RANDY!!!!)