Last Dance!

Well I think this will be my last blog entry, which is a very good sign.

Today was my coming out party. Julie, my nurse filled my bladder then removed my catheter. I sang like a red headed stepchild for what seemed like, well what seemed like a lot longer then the few seconds it actually took. Then I got to play red light green light to see if the muscles that restrict urine still worked. It works in 70% of the cases after a surgery like mine. The Doctor said, "start then stop" twice and then said "perfect". It was my best leak to date. Speaking of leaks, that is what I will do as my muscles are retrained and my bladder heals. NOW, you may think that this is way too much information, but it is a big part of the recovery from this operation. I did spare you the details on "pad" shopping, so you can be grateful about that. Speaking of grateful, thanks for all of you who have been praying for Patti and me through this time.

Yesterdays service was very cool. We had our first communion together and all went well. Speaking of "went well" how many pastors do you know that has preached, served communion and peed all at the same time. Now that I am catheter free, I do pray that it is the last time I experience that trifecta. As you think of me, pray for our work in CTK Nampa... God wants to do a lot here in Idaho!!

Peace...
Rick

Field Trip Wednesday!

Today my good friend Ralph Kellogg took me on a field trip. He took me to Dino's for a hair cut and some good ole Idaho humor. Then we went to Kohl's and shopped for several seconds. The big game to bag was a pair of Sunday sweats. I just had to have the special "catheter" addition by Addidas. Then to my office where I climbed a set of stairs did about 7.23 minutes of work. went down the stairs, gave Betty a hug and went home exhausted. It was a very tiring 2.5 hours. Now it's off to drain my little friend and stare at an incredible Idaho sunset. God is good.

Rick

I am at home recovering from my cancer surgery. Today they removed the 20 stainless steal staples that held the external wound together. There are still layers of sutures inside that are holding me together and they will dissolve in a while. In the meantime my body is literally restarting from the temporary paralysis that the surgeon induced to perform the surgery. Tonight I am hoping to move from the recliner to the bed. And I now have four real meals in my body even though I have little to no interest in eating.
Next Monday they take out the balloon catheter (they call it my "coming out party") and after that I can start driving.
I am planning on teaching next Sunday, before the cathiter is removed... talk about a pastor with a lot of baggage!!
Right now I am pretty weak...but God is very good, He DID get all the cancer.

Peace
Rick

january 3rd-

I am doing a bit better today. I just walked about a half mile with the cat and dog following me. So far today I haven't felt a need for pain pills which is a real praise. Patti and I had a great time with Jesus today with a really good time of praise music to follow. I feel a little old but then I look in the mirror and to my surprise...I AM. No not really, I am excited about this year and I am going to charge after it as God allows. Thanks for the prayer, it is working.
Peace,
Rick

Friday's Update

Today I am doing well. It is hard to sleep and I had to get some new meds for flu like symptoms that was infection related. I think we have it all under control now. I haven't had either ability or desire for food consumption of any kind since last Sunday, so I have to force myself to eat anything. I go in this coming Monday to have the 20 staples removed, then in another week I have the catheter taken out. Please pray for the Church this Sunday and my friend Brian Knight who will be teaching. Thanks for checking in on my blog, it is nice to be able to add something for the first time.

Peace, Rick

New Year, New Day!

It is Thursday evening and I thought I would let you all know that Rick is doing as well as can be expected. He is however fighting an infection and so they have given him two different antibiotics to fight off any bug that may be trying to attack his body. Please pray that these new drugs will do the trick.
He is in pain, and should be since he has a 8 inch or so incision that has been stapled together, OUCH!! and his insides have been reconstructed. He has yet been able to get much sleep but if he can stay ahead of the pain he is comfortable, that is until he has to stand up or sit down or try and adjust in bed, but other than that he is good!
I know that Rick was encouraged and taken aback when he read the Blog today. When he read about the process, the little setback that he had during recovery and the comments it became more real for him. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and prayers, he was touched and very thankful for all of you.
I hope that in the next couple of days Rick will feel up to writing a bit here as well, I know that he does not have the mind energy at this time, so if there is anything new to update I will be sure and post it, but I will not bore you all with the mundane hour by hour of watching Rick sit and hopefully sleep details. Now if you want an update on a ball game or something well....thats a different story!!! HA!
Okay, I pray that all of you are well, that you had a great time celebrating the coming of 2009. Blessings to you all!!
HUGS...
Patti

Wednesday Update

Everything is going great with Rick, He is looking good and managing to get up and around with a little more ease. He is right on track and will be leaving the hospital today to go Home. Your prayers have been so wonderful and I know it would be encouraging for Rick's recovery for you all to respond back on this blog, facebook or to just email him your well wishes!
Rick and Patti have felt your loving prayers and very much appreciate your support!
God has shown up Big and to Him be all the Glory forever Amen! Please keep praying for a speedy recovery and for Rick to begin to feel healthy and strong again.