Surgery

Lakeside is one of my favorite places to go. I think I love it so much because my grandma always shared so many wonderful stories of her courtship with my grandpa. My mom and dad reminice about the fun house that burned down and the big lady with the scary laugh. Lakeside has had it's share of tragedies as well...the wooden roller coaster is both thrilling and terrifying. I've held my breath around the curve that extends over the lake as I remember the time my grandma told me of the coaster full of people that plunged into the lake.

 

Everytime I ride that coaster I wonder if it's safe. As I survey the chipping paint on the wood scaffolds, holding up the rails and yells only a roller coaster can produce, it seems a fragile maze. However, lawsuits are strong, and I comfort myself with the logic that Lakeside doesn't want a big lawsuit and must uphold certain safety measures, so I must be safe. Still, the risk makes my heart surge.

 

Surgery is tomorrow (or today if you're reading this on Monday). We will check in at 9am and Esther's surgery should begin at 11am. The doctor has scheduled 5 hours for the surgery, so it will be a long day. We can expect to be in the hospital for 5-7 days.

 

One fun thing about a roller coaster is screaming along with the person in the seat next to you. As the coaster turns sometimes you're leaning in and other times you're supporting your companion. God has given us people to share the coaster car. Thomas is having his port taken out, and Aly has an appointment with a doctor today too. I can only imagine the purpose God has in having these two families so nearby as Esther undergoes such an intense surgery, but I am thankful for the riding companions.

 

It seems like this day was so far off, yet here it is. I'm not sure if I want to ride this coaster, but my lapbelt is fastened and the metal bar is locked in place. We are going through that first, dark tunnel and have just started up the first big hill.

 

This coaster is not stopping. We are about to crest that hill and take off, and I wonder...will the tresses hold? Surgery is a big deal, there is great risk. At the same time, it's routine. There are many safety precautions and lots of practice. Just like everytime I see the water nearing as we round that sharp curve on the coaster, I wonder if we're going to make it safely.

 

Please pray

• For Peace
• For us to draw near to The Lord and to rest in His presence
• For the tumor and residual cells to be clearly seen
• For Dr. Bruney's hands to be accurate and steady and for her eyes to be keen to seeing all of the tumor she can find
• For Esther's body to heal well
• For her gut to wake up quickly after surgery
• That Esther would be healed
• For God to be revealed in our lives and in Esther's life
• For grace to know and love God more

The thing about that old wooden roller coaster is that it's a lot more fun if you put your hands up. Isn't that how it is as we journey with God? The moments we release the grip on that cold bar and reach up for the thrill of ride, are the defining ones. Pray we would walk tomorrow with arms lifted high. That we would surrender the fear of the ride and place our security in the One who brings us joy.

 

 

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