Workers In The Vineyard

Dear Family and Friends, Just a little update on my last trip to Mayo in which I had my thyroid removed due to Grave’s disease and one small, cancerous nodule. I want to thank everyone for all the prayers and intercession. Everything went very well and was straightforward according to the doctors. My surgeon was happy with the results: total thyroidectomy, with one very small nodule with a very slow-growing, non-aggressive carcinoma which was removed and showed no infiltration anywhere. My voice right now is about an octave lower than usual and not very loud, so please be patient with me on that one. It’s normal but may take some time to return fully. They were not concerned because they said they easily identified the vocal cords and nerves and they were well protected during the surgery. It will take some time for adjustment to the meds but I am already experiencing the relief of some of the effects of hyperactive thyroid. One of them is a lessening of hand tremors which had be

Yesterday was the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  Felt his presence during our visit to Mayo for a few additional tests, one an echocardiogram which turned out pretty normal.  In fact, I was joking seriously with the sonographer about seeing my heart through all the fat.  She said, "I have pretty pictures of your heart.  Your heart is very photogenic!"  It made me laugh.  Wasn't expecting that. Again, everyone we met or had appointments with was so pleasant and helpful and authentically engaging.  This has been consistent everytime we go.  I believe it's a working climate that has been deliberately cultivated and produces, because of that, an entirely different spirit than we are used to when dealing with clinics and hospitals.  In fact, I met a couple of medical center administrators from Arkansas who have been going to Mayo for their own personal care for decades.  They have tried to bring some of what they see working at Mayo to their own work in Arkansas.  Th

  Mother Mary Alfred Moes, O.S.F., was instrumental in establishing first, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate in Joliet, Illinois, as well as the Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, Minnesota. She was also the founder of St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, which became part of the famed Mayo Clinic. Sr. Hesed and I just returned from Mayo for a followup.  As you know, I have a number of endocrine issues. I had a consult with my primary doctor there (endocrinologist), after all my tests.  I have had the results for some time, but needed explanations. I will need to have my thyroid removed due to Graves disease.  Graves is an autoimmune disorder which causes the thyroid to overproduce thryroid hormone.  Given, as well, the cancerous node on the thyroid, removal is the best course of action.   We met with the surgeon to set a date.   The cancerous nodule is slow-growing and not aggressive. Very good prognosis. Very minimal follow-up once thyroid med is sta

This is a blog site for those who are interested in knowing my health updates.  It is for those who will be committed to prayer and being positive.  Please, no over-anxious and energy-wasting worry.  No doom and gloom comments.  No jumping to conclusions based on emotional reactions.   We are followers of Jesus Christ.  I am His disciple and spouse.   He is the center of my life, not health, not cancer, not treatments, not myself, not you or anything else in this life.  I strive to see all things through Him, with Him and in Him.   And in Him, I love all of you.  If  you are a true follower, you do the same.    As disciples, we are all on the same road. It is a road that leads to Calvary, and then to Resurrection and transformation.  There are always little Calvaries on the way, personal stations of the Cross.  But sooner or later the road will take us to the top of the hill which is Golgotha. And we will mount the gibbet of the Cross to suffer in one of two ways.   W