Two weeks after back surgery...

On the 28th of March, Dr. Jakoi and his team of doctors performed a fusion of L4-S1 in a 3.5 hour surgery at North Kansas City Hospital.  April 10th marks the end of the second week after back surgery.  These two weeks have been an interesting journey.  

I spent two nights in the hospital under the skilled care of the 9th floor staff.  The care and compassion of the therapists, nurses, doctors and physician assistants was the best.  Back home, Nancy stepped in and watched over me as I made the transition to home care.  Abbey, Jason and the grandkids came in over the weekend to help with things around the house that I can no longer do for the short term.  Bonus - In the midst of their time in Lawrence, they were able to celebrate KU's win over North Carolina for the NCAA National Basketball Championship.  On Thursday they left for home and Nancy and I were on our own again.  Over the weekend my sister from Salina came in to spend time with my Lawrence sister.  I was able to spend time with them over the weekend for some day trips and meals together.  These two weeks have been a healing journey.  

What have I learned over the last two weeks in this new normal?  

1. There is a balance between being independent and letting others help along one's journey way.   
2. Healing from surgery takes time and I need to take time to heal.  
3. Things change physically.  This doesn't mean inactivity is a new norm and not quitting is an important step to not giving up.  It means that doing things will be different and slower as the process of healing continues.
4. The cost of health care in today's world is a blessing for those with health insurance, financial resources and/or government health care.  The cost of health care is becoming a curse for those who are on the outside looking in.    

What are the blessings of my road to recovery.  Two weeks after surgery the issues that I had are no longer present though I still have post-surgery issues.  I have been able to spend time with part of my family in ways that are blessed moments.  I celebrate the small victories -  Sunday, April 10th I was able to walk just over 2 miles at the Baker Wetlands with Nancy and my sisters.  

What am I looking forward to?  

1. Thursday I have post-surgery followup to have staples removed and to receive my therapy orders.  
2. Easter, to remember again the story of resurrection Sunday and the importance an empty tomb's impact has on the healing process of the lives of everyday people.  
3. Lawrence Memorial West where David will work with me in physical therapy.  
4. Evolution Athletics where Tyler will begin again my personal training.  
5. May 28th when Tescott High School class of '72 will gather for our 50th year reunion.  
6. June 21st when we fly to New Hampshire to bring grandkids to Kansas for 3 weeks.  At the end of the 3 weeks, Beth & Gary-Paul will be in Kansas for the first time since October 2019 to take the boys home.

The most important lesson - Life's journey and the relationships created along the way are the most important.  

1. it is the relationship that the church and its founder, Jesus Christ, have in my life.  
2. it is family that surrounds me that are an integral part of my journey.  It is my immediate family and my extended family in Kansas, Arkansas, New Hampshire, Missouri, Texas, Ohio, Florida and Nebraska as well as other states.   
3. it is the many relationships that have been forged throughout my ministry that have created their own place within life's faith journey.
4. life goes quickly and it is important to do the things that make life meaningful, before it's too late.
5. life's journey will have twists, turns, hills, mountains and valleys.  

The most important lesson - It's the journey, not the destination.