Another Trip

Wednesday, April 15 is the trip we have been waiting for. We will once again go to Iowa City to meet with Justin's medical team for an evaluation of the radiation treatments. He will have another MRI and whatever other tests the doctors deem important. Then after the tests, we will meet the nurses, residents and doctors that care for Justin. We will get a report on his health and have a chance to ask questions.

I did hear from a nurse about Justin's thyroid. He was to have an appointment this week to see the endocrinologist for his one year check. The nurse said the doctor looked over Justin's chart and decided that due to the brain cancer, he recommends that we just have the primary doctor do regular checks of the numbers and let them know if they get outside of normal. No sense doing surgery or anything so soon after radiation. That is a relief. His thyroid is so big it does block his airway some when eating or sleeping, but evidently not bad enough for them to remove part of it.

We have almost everything ready for the trip. I got a free oil change card from some friends and was able to get my oil changed on my lunch hour today. They checked the tire pressure and topped off the fluids, so the truck is in as good of shape as it can be. I got Wednesday off--with just enough PTO time built up to get paid for the whole day. This trip is right before pay day (only my third since January), so we are still trying to get the funds together for gas and a meal. I know, it sounds bad...but this is just our reality for now! We didn't sign up for this, so we let God take care of us as He sees fit...and He has done amazing things so far. Although we literally don't have two nickels to rub together, I have not used credit, have not borrowed money, and have not missed too many meals. Rent has been paid every month, and although all the bills are at least a month behind, nothing has been shut off so far. It is not a fun way to live, but we see God working, and we trust Him.

Once we are in Iowa City, we will stop at Hope Lodge to catch up with some of our friends. We hope to visit a dynamo little boy from our church that is critically ill with a seizure disorder. This is very serious and we hope we can encourage his mom a little bit. We may walk a mile or so in Carver Hawkeye Arena for the fun of it. Then we will head home and will probably be home by supper. Lots packed into one day, that is for sure.

Please keep praying! We couldn't do it without you!