----- Original Message -----
From: Fink Holloway
Subject: Two Surgeries scheduled for today, December 30th
Our son David is having surgery on his shoulder today and we would appreciate your prayer for a speedy recovery for him, and it looks like I will have the reconstruction surgery today too, December 30 at 1:00.
I have been to the doctor or a lab five times since the surgery was delayed on December 10. If my day goes as planned, I'll have my surgery at 1:00 and be home to sleep in my own bed--or maybe on the recliner tonight.
One of the verses I read this morning was Jeremiah 10:23, "The way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man (even a strong man or in man at his best) to direct his (own) steps."
We buy planners and calendars this time of the year and we try to plan what each day will hold, but the truth is we really do not know what the day will bring. I'm okay with that, because I trust the One who knows it all. A few days ago I was talking to a man who is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. He and his wife said they were trying to have faith. (I presumed that they meant trying to believe that he will be healed.)
I told them that when I was in the middle of my treatments I often sang a song based on a statement of Paul, "For me to live is Christ. To die is gain." The song says: "If I live, well, praise the Lord! If I die, well, Praise the Lord! If I live or die my only cry will be--Jesus in me. Praise the Lord!" I felt peace trusting God to work out the details of my life. I know the Bible has a lot to say about the miracle of healing--and the very fact that I am up and working full time and able to write this day is a testimony of incredible healing that has occurred in my body.
But the Bible also has a lot to say about death. Believers are supposed to die too. Most word pictures that the Bible uses to describe death point to a gradual change of the body. Flowers fade, grass withers, vapor vanishes. The Bible does not use a lightening bolt to describe death--although some people do die in an instant. We can see changes in the flower before it drops to the ground. And you can see the changes in the body of most people who approach death. The Bible tells us to expect that. So if my time to die comes in a predictable way that is not going to rock my faith at all. The focus of my faith has nothing to do with my body. I have faith in God. I believe God's Word is true. When I feel great--God's Word is true. When I draw my last breath--God's Word will be just as true then, and I look forward to the day when I see Jesus face to face. But while I'm here, I can trust him to work out all the details of my life. Delays, detours, celebrations, crisis--God is with me in everything.
I can say I certainly enjoyed the benefits of the delay--I picked up my grandchildren and walked and bounced them and carried them to my heart's delight with no lifting restrictions.
Thank you for all your prayers. I think David has a more difficult surgery than I do so remember him especially.
Love,
Fink
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Surgery Delayed
----- Original Message -----
From: Fink Holloway
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Subject: Surgery Delayed
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1
I thought of that verse this morning as I listened to the news while we were in the waiting room of the surgery center. A military plane crashed and four people were killed who were in their own home minding their own business.
I commented to Jerry—“You never know what a day is going to bring.”
Well, before my day was done it had an unexpected twist too.
I expected to have my surgery today at 7:30, and was well on the way to the operating table. I had not had anything to eat or drink since mid-night—not even a glass of water. We arrived at the surgery center before 6:00 a.m. I put on my hospital gown and hat, had the EKG, the IV had been inserted, I signed the papers, talked to the anesthesiologist, etc. I expected to be wheeled into to operating room in about 15 minutes when I was told one of the labs from my blood came back with number that could indicate a risk. So nurse took some more blood and sent it to the hospital to run the test again, and got the same results. So I was sent home and the test will be repeated on Friday morning.
I am not sure why I had this delay, but I do know the good Lord knows what he is doing and I can rest in that.
Thank you for your prayers. They are always needed.
From: Fink Holloway
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Subject: Surgery Delayed
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1
I thought of that verse this morning as I listened to the news while we were in the waiting room of the surgery center. A military plane crashed and four people were killed who were in their own home minding their own business.
I commented to Jerry—“You never know what a day is going to bring.”
Well, before my day was done it had an unexpected twist too.
I expected to have my surgery today at 7:30, and was well on the way to the operating table. I had not had anything to eat or drink since mid-night—not even a glass of water. We arrived at the surgery center before 6:00 a.m. I put on my hospital gown and hat, had the EKG, the IV had been inserted, I signed the papers, talked to the anesthesiologist, etc. I expected to be wheeled into to operating room in about 15 minutes when I was told one of the labs from my blood came back with number that could indicate a risk. So nurse took some more blood and sent it to the hospital to run the test again, and got the same results. So I was sent home and the test will be repeated on Friday morning.
I am not sure why I had this delay, but I do know the good Lord knows what he is doing and I can rest in that.
Thank you for your prayers. They are always needed.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reconstruction surgery scheduled 12/10/2008
----- Original Message -----
From: Fink Holloway
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008
Subject: Please pray about the next surgery
This morning I had an appointment at North Hills Surgery Center for pre-op work, and another appointment with my plastic surgeon, Dr. Atwood. The surgery for the next part of the reconstruction will be this Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30 a.m.
This operation will "remove the tissue expander in my right breast, create a breast pocked and place a permanent reconstructive breast prosthesis." I also plan to have the port that was used for chemotherapy removed from the left side. The port has been there since September 12, 2007, and I'm very grateful that my doctors do not feel that it is needed any longer.
This will be a one day surgery, and if all goes well, I expect to be back at work Monday, December 15. Please pray that I will not have any infections or complications.
I am so grateful for all of you who have been praying for my health all along. It is working. Several co-workers and relatives, including my husband, have been quite sick with colds, bronchitis, etc. I have not been sick, and it looks very much like the surgery will go forward as scheduled. I thank the Lord for that. The tissue expander is quite uncomfortable and I've heard the real implant will be better. I sure hope it is.
Initially, there will be discomfort--of course. I am supposed to sleep on my back for several days, and for two weeks wear a bra at all times--even in bed. The tissue expander has been a pain and eventually I expect to be able to sleep better when it is removed. Sometimes the pain radiates down my right arm and I hope that will get better too. You can also pray that I won't have a capsular contracture--that would make the implant hard and uncomfortable (like the tissue expander). Since I had radiation, I am at risk for that complication and for lymphedema. A few days after surgery Dr. Atwood plans to show me some things I can do to help prevent contractures, but when it comes right down to it, I know the good Lord will need to provide the healing touch. Doctors can cut and sew, and do marvelous things, but ultimately I look to the Lord for my healing.
Thank you so very much for your prayers and your friendship.
From: Fink Holloway
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008
Subject: Please pray about the next surgery
This morning I had an appointment at North Hills Surgery Center for pre-op work, and another appointment with my plastic surgeon, Dr. Atwood. The surgery for the next part of the reconstruction will be this Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30 a.m.
This operation will "remove the tissue expander in my right breast, create a breast pocked and place a permanent reconstructive breast prosthesis." I also plan to have the port that was used for chemotherapy removed from the left side. The port has been there since September 12, 2007, and I'm very grateful that my doctors do not feel that it is needed any longer.
This will be a one day surgery, and if all goes well, I expect to be back at work Monday, December 15. Please pray that I will not have any infections or complications.
I am so grateful for all of you who have been praying for my health all along. It is working. Several co-workers and relatives, including my husband, have been quite sick with colds, bronchitis, etc. I have not been sick, and it looks very much like the surgery will go forward as scheduled. I thank the Lord for that. The tissue expander is quite uncomfortable and I've heard the real implant will be better. I sure hope it is.
Initially, there will be discomfort--of course. I am supposed to sleep on my back for several days, and for two weeks wear a bra at all times--even in bed. The tissue expander has been a pain and eventually I expect to be able to sleep better when it is removed. Sometimes the pain radiates down my right arm and I hope that will get better too. You can also pray that I won't have a capsular contracture--that would make the implant hard and uncomfortable (like the tissue expander). Since I had radiation, I am at risk for that complication and for lymphedema. A few days after surgery Dr. Atwood plans to show me some things I can do to help prevent contractures, but when it comes right down to it, I know the good Lord will need to provide the healing touch. Doctors can cut and sew, and do marvelous things, but ultimately I look to the Lord for my healing.
Thank you so very much for your prayers and your friendship.
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