"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
--Jeremiah 29:11

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Mary Kathleen Medical Update

This one's not about Conway but about big sister, Mookie. Yesterday was her consultation with the plastic surgeon who will be removing her congenital nevus birthmark (mole). If you remember, the spot is on the back of her head. Compared to what her brother has been through, it is really no biggie, but surgery is surgery and she is much older and more aware than he was. She will need a general anesthesia. The good news is that she is getting dissolving stitches and they will try to sew it back up to where hair follicles will sort of line up. Unless there is a great deal of pull on the incision causing a wide scar, it shouldn't be noticeable. It's also a plus that she's a girl and not a boy with short hair. Her surgery should be outpatient and is scheduled for February 5. Like the time period before Connie's surgery, it is important that she not be ill leading up to the procedure. We will do our best to keep her well. May be difficult now that it's cold and flu season and she's in preschool this year. Hopefully we won't have to pull her out in the weeks ahead. They will send away the tissue for a biopsy and we are praying for a benign result. If it is malignant, they will likely have to go back in.

Please keep her in your prayers that any bugs stay away and that she isn't too fearful. We'll keep you updated.

We have too many blessings to count and it's times like yesterday where you remember them more easily than others. As we were leaving the hospital, we ran into another teacher that works in the same district (but different school). She was just told that her baby boy has cancer of the retina! I was having kind of a pity party before hearing that and it sure put things in perspective for me.

Merry Christmas Everyone!