Take traveling for example. Rick & I like to travel....a lot! Because of Parkinson's we have to take into consideration what time of days the flights are, if it's too early, it's hard on him. Will his med's be "kicked in" or will it being during an "off" time. If security is too crowded, getting shoes on and off, things out of pockets, and just the entire process creates tons of anxiety. Then there's where the inconvenience of sitting on a plane. Tight spaces, having to get up and go to the bathroom....well none of that's fun for anyone on a plane, but imagine you can't maneuver in and out of tight spaces, and the thought of having to try and stumble around in a very crowded, busy airport gives you anxiety you've never had before. Needless to say, Rick doesn't love traveling like he used to. But he does it, usually for me.
As I write this I'm sitting in Salt Lake City airport on a really long lay over because this time of day was a "convenient" time for Rick to travel. We had a major conference for our business this past weekend in Las Vegas, and it was important to both of us that Rick come. You see, if it wasn't for this business, there's no way we'd be able to put Rick's needs first on such a constant basis. We're incredibly grateful for it. Grateful that we have the flexibility to drop everything and go to the hospital for tests, to spend pretty much every single day together, and to travel to places we might have never had the chance to go before.
When we found out that Rick's surgery was moved up to September 26, just about 12 hours after we were scheduled to land back in Chicago, Parkinson's got even more inconvenient. We decided he'd stay home as the stress of travel itself was hard on him, never mind doing it knowing you could miss a flight and possibly miss your BRAIN SURGERY. Once again, Parkinson's changed things for us, and we made the necessary arrangements so I could go without Rick.
Friday morning as we were talking and planning for Monday's surgery, Rick got a call from Dr. Rezak's office. The surgery wasn't going to happen on Monday. I thought it was a joke. The mental preparation, the on-going "inconveniences", the excitement of getting this process underway....I couldn't get my mind wrapped around it. I seriously thought Rick was joking when he called me to tell me. He can really pull off a joke. This isn't a joke. Sadly, Dr. Rezak has had a death in the family, and therefore, he can't be in the O.R. tomorrow. Kind of important to have him there. There aren't any substitutions. No back ups. Nothing we can do. We of course are saddened for Dr. Rezak's family's loss.
The emotional up and downs and the overall inconveniences of all of it are a part of life for us. Nothing we can do, but keep a good attitude and trust that God has a perfect plan for us. I saw a quote the other day that said that the only disability in life is a bad attitude. Rick & I both aren't going to let this one blip get us down. It's just a detour. Romans 8:28 says that "and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. As our Pastor reminded me on Friday by text, Trust is not trust unless it is tested by adversity. So powerful.
We have a tentative date now of October 10. All of Rick's pre-surgical tests will be 32 days old. We're waiting on approval that being okay. Typically after 30 days, they make you complete all the tests again. I'm confident it will all work out.
The BEST is yet to come! - RPOJC
With all our love, In Jesus Name!
Traci & Rick
Heavenly Father,
ReplyDeleteIn the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray for our brother Rick and his family. Lay your healing hand upon Rick as he undertakes this surgery tomorrow. Be with all the medical personnel, guide their hands as they perform their duties. We know from your Word that you are the great Healer, and you are a God of health and wellness, not sickness and disease. Your Word tells us that all we have to do is ask, and it will be given. Lord, I ask in Jesus's name for complete healing and restoration to Rick, and peace and comfort for his family in this difficult period in their lives. In Jesus's name. Amen