Monday, September 22, 2008

What are we having surgery for tomorrow

Many of you are asking "why is Josh having surgery tomorrow?" Well we developed a bedsore about a week after the accident. It is a real bugger and has slowed our physical therapy progress down immensly. Sometimes it is beneficial to have a little extra flab on your bum!!! As you know Josh had no flab anywhere on his body and was only straight muscle. Well they have done everything possible here at Craig to heal the sore and it isn't going to happen without some plastic surgery. So it means that Josh will have to lay flat for 6-8 weeks, after the flap surgery. When we say flat we mean FLAT IN BED!! So we are back to eating, drinking, snoozing, watching t.v., anything that we do on our back. It could be a long 6-8 weeks but we are going to make the most of it. We have some ideas of entertaining ourselves such as many books on tape, dvd's, music, dad's jokes-(oh my goodness it could get long), games, mom thinks we should start BYU online study-WHAT?? If you have any ideas for us we would love to hear them. We will also have the opportunity to do a lot of strength training in our arms, neck and back. We can do this while laying flat, you can be rest assured that we will not waste a minute in our recovery from this surgery. The greatest blessing of all is that our spinal cord is healing whether we are laying in bed or up and around.
As we read the scriptures last night in D&C 121-123; which is the time that Joseph Smith was being held prisoner in the Liberty Jail. It made us ponder more deeply about all of the sacrifices that so many people have given in our behalf that we may have the gospel today. It made us incredibly grateful to come from a heritage that has honored their priesthood and passed it onto us. In 123:17 it tells us "dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
We feel like we can heed to this guidance at this time and we have committed to be cheerful and do everything that we can to help Josh, and then be patient, standing still, with the utmost assurance that God knows us and loves us. He continues to reveal His hand in our lives, bearing witness that Jesus is the Christ. We are continually blesssed by Him in so many ways, and so many times through all of you. The power of the Priesthood is evident in our daily lives as we are away from family and friends. We are given strength and hope to share it with those that we come in contact with each day.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! I am so proud of you and your family. You are amazing people with amazing strength. You set such a wonderful example for everyone you come in contact with. Keep strong, you can get through this!
Kara Larsen

Anonymous said...

Hey Josh!
Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! Just letting you know you have some people thinking of you in california! Keep thinking positive!
<3 Amanda

melba said...

Josh, We are cheering for you and all those that take care of you. Thanks for whoever keeps us up to date it really means a lot and seems like we have just had a visit. I loved getting in on scripture study.

Love you tons!
Nana

Becky Lewis said...

On lds.org, you can read every magazine and check out Church News. My favorite is the Music area. It has a music player for all the hymns & Children's Song book. All you do is type in a name or number, even a phrase that you recal and the music sheet pops up and you hear it played on the piano. Try it our and sing a song with music. It will be fun to have those hymns that are your favs.
Our prayers are there with you EVERY MOMENT!
the Lewis'

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Hi, I'm new to your blog, I just found it. I'm Cindy Geilmann, I use to work with your dad at Ogden High School. I love your family!
Here is something to occupy your time. Make fleece blankets for each of your siblings for christmas. Have mom get the fleece, wash it, cut the fringe on the edges 1/2 inch wide, 1/4 inch apart, 6 inches long, you can adjust the measurements. When that if done, then tie each piece of fringe.

Thanks for reminding me of that scribture 123; 17.

Your making it Josh, as long as there's improvement. You might not see it each day, maby it will be weekly, or monthly, or yearly. It all counts.

Give your Mom and Dad a big hug for me. I'm on my way to Ecuador in a few minutes. I am sharing some of God's love with little children who can give me nothing in return. I learned that while working with your Dad at Ogden High.

Stacie said...

Hi Pack family,

I continue to be awed and inspired and truly moved by your courageous faith and perspective. You're truly some of the Lord's Best in my opinion. I just wanted to offer up a suggestion on a book on tape. You may have already read it, but, if not, I love John Bytheway's book, "When Times Are Tough: 5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get Through Almost Anything". Keep the faith and stay strong. - Stacie Cheney