Life update time!

I am 11 days post-surgery! I had a panniculectomy and some other abdominal reconstruction/skin removal on February 20^th. I don’t have any really good pics to share publicly yet but will add one below for some reference. The surgeon said things went well and they removed 17 pounds of flesh and some liposuction (not sure of that measurement). The pain has been manageable, and the swelling is crazy. My brain has not caught up with the reflection in the mirror, I do not recognize myself! But that is totally normal. I went to sleep and woke up 7 hours later minus the equivalent of a limb. Wow!

All things considered; I feel pretty good. This has been my best day so far, hence writing an update. Took my 3^rd post-op shower this morning and it didn’t wear me out like the 1^st two did. I’ve been staying at a friend’s home to recover since I was released from the hospital last Saturday. We hadn’t really planned on it, but she offered a couple of days before the surgery, and it made sense. Besides the help getting out of bed and other tasks, the kitties’ “help” wouldn’t have been all positive. Especially the drain tubes that appear very temptingly chewable for their little teeth. I will likely get the drains removed during my 2^nd post-op visit with the surgeon this Thursday and I plan to ‘move’ back home then. I miss them! Another friend has been visiting and taking care of them. It takes a village, and I love mine!

The other benefit of staying with this friend has been dialogue. We’ve been able to share life stories and struggles. We weren’t super close before, not intentionally, we’re just both fairly introverted. I have really enjoyed having Biblical discussions with her. Especially with the way things are in the news these days, it’s good to encourage each other. On that, let me share a scripture below. Philippians chapter 4, verses 4-9 has been an anchor for me over the past 6 years, here it is in The Passion Translation:

“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always. Put into practice the example of all that you have heard from me or seen in my life and the God of peace will be with you in all things.”

In verse 8, other translations start with whatever is true. Pilate asked Jesus (John 18:38), “What is truth?” John tells us back in 14:6 that Jesus said He was “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” This is truth: He is God! He is in control and on His throne. Regardless of all else, He is Who He says He is, everything else is distraction. Some good, some bad, that’s life. The point is to focus on Truth, no matter what, He is God. He is the way to eternal life. He is love. Accept His love, His sacrifice, death, and resurrection. Have His hope for eternity.

Come what may, He does not change! We rarely understand His plans, but He is for us who are His (Romans 8:28).