Sept 14 prayer email from Sheryl

Good Morning all, I got a call late last night with this update on Cindy.

First, she is being cared for very well. Her friend in Nashville, Michelle, is right by her side and the staff at the hospital has been wonderful. In addition, Janet Matyas’ brother lives in Nashville; he and his wife were able to go by the hospital to encourage her on our behalf. I guess it was sort of like the Journey devotional this morning when Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage when he could not be there himself. Thanks be to God for blessing her with people around her like this.

Second, as of last night, Cindy was still in the ICU at Nashville Baptist Hospital. The tumor is on the left side of her brain and covers approximately ¼ of her brain. The doctors feel fairly confident that the tumor is not cancer and feel very positive about the surgery to remove it. Post-op recovery is estimated to be 4-6 weeks, with a hopeful prognosis for increased thinking, energy, and functionality skill after the operation. The doctor told Cindy she has probably been facing gradual degradation in those areas without realizing it based on the size and location of the tumor. Cindy has become very comfortable with the doctor in Nashville, who has a very good reputation, so she is planning to have the surgery done there and she will most likely recovery at home with Michelle during the 4-6 weeks post-op.

However, this doctor can not perform the surgery until the week of 9/24. Given the facts I have already mentioned, they are not concerned about this amount of delay. If they feel comfortable they have the seizures under control, and it appears they do, they will probably release Cindy from the hospital this weekend.

In addition to the seizure medication, she will also be given steroids to take to try to shrink the tumor as much as possible before the surgery. At this point, Cindy’s brother is planning to drive to Nashville from Arkansas, pick her up, and drive her to Dallas so she can get her affairs in order before the surgery. Then her brother and sister plan to return to Nashville to be with her during the surgery.

Third, the obvious “how can we help” question. Many of you have expressed a desire to go to her and given that she is returning to Dallas in a few days and that she is in a restricted visitor situation in ICU, Michelle has strongly recommended we not do that right now. There will very likely be ways we can support her financially since Cindy does not have medical insurance.

The hospital has supplied her with financial aid applications and told her not to worry about this in regards to her medical bills, but Maynard and I were thinking we may want to rally around some things like rent and utilities back here at home, especially while she is away in Nashville. She will also need someone to care for her dogs while she is away.

Of course the thing we can all do and is most important to do is pray. I think this email has lots of “prayer material” in it so let’s pray our hearts out – for decision making wisdom, for financial provisions, for doctor’s to treat and operate wisely, for Cindy to have supernatural trust and peace, for us to know how to come around her like the body of Christ is meant to, for God to be glorified …..

Cindy is in good spirits and Michelle told me she is in awe over how many people are loving on her through their concern and prayers.

Thanks to all of you for being part of her loving support team. I hope to have another update to send out tomorrow. Love,Sheryl B