It’s been a bit of a battle for Patty as she has found medical personnel not willing to listen to her.  You see, it’s not that she’s qualified in the “gone to medical school way” but is highly qualified in the “I’ve been managing dad’s weight and health for over 3 years and know what it takes when the fluid begins building.  In fairness, the problem was communication.  The personnel were all taking their orders from the attending physician at the hospital.  He’s in a rehab facility and the orders were passed there when he checked out of the hospital.  Patty just requested that personnel contact Mr. Shurley’s primary care doctor in town.  That doctor has all his records and has gone through his care with Patty the past 3 years.  Well, that wasn’t done and the fluid continued building until he reached almost 20 extra pounds.  It was then that Patty was felt she was immediately removed from every Christmas Card list in the facility.  ha ha ha  Needless to say, the primary care doctor AND his nurse showed up at the facility yesterday to get everything on track.  Praise the Lord!  It’s going to be a slow process, which of course we were aware, but there is already a slight difference in his weight and a great deal of difference in his mental state of mind.  So important to the healing process.  Patty will remain there…….until………

I continue trying to focus on what God has for us and this ministry as I deal with the vocal issues.  We covet your prayers as we seek His will.  Lord willing, I will be heading to Yazoo City over the weekend and be there until my December 31st service in LA.  I will blog anything of importance should it come up but appreciate your patience in checking in knowing that I’m not blogging all that often these days!

Blessings,
John

Patty headed out this morning.  He father is in the hospital but doing so much better than when he was admitted on Tuesday.  Dehydration was the culprit this time.  She will take over the duties from her brother as he heads back to ATL for work.  The plan, right now, is for Mr. Shurley to enter a swing bed/rehab facility on Monday and be there for a week or two.  She will stay and see that he’s settled for a time then head home.

Let’s see…on the vocal front.  I’m still taking it relatively easy although I’ve been talking a little more and rehearsing a bit.  My doctor wanted to make sure I didn’t go into my two banquets next week having not talked at all.  He felt like that would be a bit too much of a shock to my cords so I’ve warmed up each day and taking it slow.  I am scheduled for an initial evaluation with a speech therapist on Monday and see where we go from here.  On Tuesday I will drive up to Anniston, AL, for a Senior Adult Luncheon then drive to Yazoo City to spend the night.  Then I will drive on out to Tyler, TX, on Wed for another Senior Adult Luncheon on Thursday.  My doctor is trying to get me through these last two events of the year before taking some time off to reevaluate.

Thanks, friends, for the continued prayers on our behalf!
John

Well, with the exception of a small bit of talking during time with family at the recent Thanksgiving celebration, I have not spoken since I saw my doctor on November 5th.  We have been praying and asking you to join us in the effort and so today we began our December schedule.  I had the privilege of filling in for our Worship Pastor today.  I do that a few times a year as he goes to conferences, retreats, or family vacations.

As I write this I can tell you that God gave me exactly what I needed to lead the services and I am so grateful.  Right now, I don’t have much of a voice.  I’m trying not to be too frustrated but it is difficult.  This afternoon Patty made two calls for me and canceled my next 2 events.  I am thankful for the kindness of those individuals leading for I know this puts them in a very difficult place.

This week I will be trying to get back into the Ear, Nose, and Throat physician and see if the months worth of silence has gotten rid of the nodule development.  We are hoping that to be the case and that the hoarseness I’m experiencing tonight is simply because of the workload this morning ( 45 min rehearsal and 2 morning worship services) after not having spoken in a month or if there’s other issues.  Appreciate your prayers.

In the meantime, we are still balancing family with ministry.  Prayers there too, please!

Hope you have a blessed Christmas season!
John