Hurry up and 'weight' ...

We have an appointment today with the eye specialist again to make sure we get the correct weight for Paul's eyelid. They will also get a CT scan for use in the surgery to correct the positioning of the eyeball and do any other reconstructive work on the orbit. That surgery won't take place until we can stabilize the shunt complication. We are waiting to see the neurologist again, so that another adjustment can be done. Paul's headaches continue with about the same intensity as before. We have had some very long nights lately, which in turn make for longer days. Paul has gotten up each day to walk 2 to 3 times. He eats only one meal a day and that is about all he accomplishes. On Monday, Paul decided that he would try to walk Abby. She stayed by his side and when she tried to pull away on her leash, he spoke her name firmly, and she got right back in line. I was holding his other arm as a precaution, in case she saw a squirrel and tried to take off. That is a new sport for her, which in turn keeps the squirrels in line!

I read the comments from my niece Kelly Fidero and then the response from my brother Jim. I was sitting in the early morning hour and was feeling very drained. As I sat here, I thought about those comments and then started to read the morning prayers and realized it is the Feast of St. Philip and James, Apostles of Jesus. That lead me to the bible and the Letter of James. He was a cousin of Jesus and he ruled over the Church in Jerusalem, wrote an epistle and converted many of the Jewish people to the faith. He led an austere life and suffered martyrdom in the year 62. As I was reading through the Letter of James, the sun rose high enough to shine on me, ever so faintly, through the trees. I felt comfort in that light and in the chapter I was reading about perseverance. It ties in with the comments stated above.
"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand."
"Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5: 7-11

He goes on to write, "Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise."

As we approach the 6 month, this is all about perseverance and steadfast love of God as we "walk", with songs of praise for all that God has placed in our pathway. Today, I sing praise to God for all the love we have received and the prayers, from everyone who shown themselves to be persevering followers of Christ in their words and actions. It is what helps us stay the course.

I am to hear back from the neurologist today about having a weekly CT scan done on Paul, with an appointment following to adjust the shunt. If there are a number of adjustments to the shunt, a once a month appointment does not appear to be in Paul's best interest. While we don't want to over drain the fluid, I do want to know if a more timely way to monitor this can be taken.

We await with joyful anticipation the arrival of James, Jon and Marie next Tuesday. They will be finished with school and James will be here for the month of May to help me and Jon and Marie will be on their way to their new home in Virginia.

God's blessings to all of you,
Jon and Rebecca