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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Home! (With photos)

Ed sent out a text this morning to friends saying: "Resting in the love of Jesus, the blessing of friends, and my own recliner."



It is startling to think that less than 48 hours ago, Ed's skull was opened and now we are home. But Ed is doing well and we were thrilled that the doctor sent him home this morning to recuperate. The hospital staff served us wonderfully, but there just is nothing like resting in your own home.

I'm sharing a few photos from the last few days. If you are the squeamish sort, you might want to skip.


Monday afternoon the doctor placed "buttons" on Ed's head to serve as markers on the MRI for surgery.


Waiting for the MRI Tuesday morning just before surgery.


Friends and family...


...Waiting the four hours during Ed's surgery.


After surgery in ICU. The nurses allowed me camp out in his room so I could stay nearby.


With the severe headaches and nausea Ed had last week, he had lost a lot of weight so it was great to to see his appetite for lunch on Wednesday. And even better to hear him joke and laugh with visitors.


The children are having a great time with their grandparents and cousins while dad is laid up, but they came in the hospital for a short visit.


Today Ed's face is a lot more swollen and his eyes are turning shades of black, blue, and purple. But a look at that incision makes it obvious why his face has signs of trauma. The railroad reaches nearly ear to ear.

This past week has been a whirl. Each day has stretched into a week. But if I have learned anything it is that we will never be truly at rest until we get Home. Life here can appear good. Even very good. We have plans, we are succeeding at our goals, and life can be rich.

But always pain lurks below the surface reminding us that real rest and fulfillment will not be ours until we reach our eternal home with Jesus.
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
 Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Thanks again for all your prayers and support. We have felt the continual outpouring of love from God's people this week.

57 comments:

  1. Bless you for sharing..it is wonderful to see everyone smiling! Sometimes, venturing into the unknown can be overwhelming at best, but to know that we are "buoyed up" by a risen savior makes it all possible. Continued prayers for all.

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  2. We are glad to hear (and see!) that Ed is home. We will continue praying for your family. Christine

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  3. I'm just right here looking for updates and here there was one! Thank you for sharing your journey. God bless and keep you guys. Praying much!

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  4. What a blessing for Ed to be home, but how much more we have to look forward to in our eternal Home. It is hard for our earthly minds to comprehend the forever. Eternal rest, happiness and peace. God grant you much peace and rest in this time of uncertainty. Keep trusting Him until that Grand reunion day when all will be made well.

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  5. Hello Gina and family, I follow your blog but rarely comment, it has been a big shock to read of all that you are going through, your other commenters have expressed everything I would like to say (but better said than I could) Sending love to you all from Australia. Love Cheryl.

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  6. Wow, what an era in which we live where one can have brain surgery one day and head home to the recliner the next. Just wait until Ed gets some of your home cooking, Gina. We stand with you in prayer as you walk through this experience. Every single time the Lord brings you to my mind, I will speak with our Father about this situation.
    Most sincerely,
    Kim

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  7. Home Sweet Home!! God has truly blessed Ed with so much Love and Joy surrounding him. Continued prayer for rapid healing! Hugs!!!

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  8. I read your blog intermittently Gina. Have read it for a while but was prompted out of the blue to look at it the other day and saw the news of Ed's tumour. Have been praying regularly for you all since then. I am a nurse. He has done VERY well to be home so soon after brain surgery! Praise God!

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  9. Yes, railroad tracks is just what it looks like. But, your on this train ride with the Lord, the best conductor ever.

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  10. Continuing in prayer for you and your family. So happy that he's home. May you both continue to feel God's peace and joy in your hearts.
    Blessings, Betsy

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  11. Praise the Lord that Ed got to come home already! You and your family are still being prayed for in Hawaii. I just wished there was more that I could do.

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  12. Glad he can be home with his precious family. Will continue to pray for healing and a calm acceptance, of which it sounds like God's been gracing you with.

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  13. Thank you and Ed for sharing your trial. Prayers for healing and blessings.

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  14. I just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. My husband was also diagnosed with a brain tumor one year ago, and although it's been a difficult year in a lot of ways, we have been blessed beyond measure and have never felt nearer to the Heart of God than during this journey. Blessings to you as you begin this walk!

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  15. Continued prayers for your family!

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  16. WOW ! How well he must be doing. Continued prayers sent up for your speedy and complete recovery.

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  17. Thanks so much for sharing all this, Gina! Yes so true that we are pilgrims seeking a better country and nothing will be quite right until we get there. But praise Jesus that we can have rest in Him alone as He is the solid Rock! Lovely to see you all smiling! You truly are a blessed family! Praise God!

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  18. Thank you for the update. You are in my prayers

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  19. So glad Ed is home with family and resting. Gina, your blogs over the past few days have been inspirational to me. Our trust and hope is in Jesus always. Thank you for sharing this journey and for the pictures. My prayers continue for Eds complete healing. Blessings, Mary T

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  20. Ed must be doing very well to be home so soon - - wonderful news! Prayers and good thoughts continue for you all.

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  21. Dear Gina,
    it's so wonderful that Ed's back home. This is just the beginning of his recovery and God is holding Ed's and your hands throughout.

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  22. Gina,
    God bless you and Ed, I am soooo glad to see he's home and resting and things went well. My husband and I have been praying so much for you. Thank you for updating with Ed's journey. I will pray Ed has as less pain as possible and recovers fast. God bless you and your family.

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  23. These pictures bring a flood of memories... so familiar & so extremely hard. But our Heavenly Father is there every step of the way, He is so faithful and will continue to carry you & your beautiful family. Much grace & blessing and healing to you!

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  24. That is wonderful news that he is home already. I will keep praying for peace and wisdom.

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  25. I'm I'm happy is home with you all. I'm containing to pray for him and the rest of you all.

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  26. So lovely to see Ed is home. Keeping you all in our prayers. Sue

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  27. Very glad to hear that, thank you for sharing the update!

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  28. Thank you for sharing the update; there's really no place like Home! Suz

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  29. So good to see Ed at home where he'll mend quickly under your care. God is good!

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  30. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. God is not done with Ed yet here on this earth. This just shows that every moment is precious. Prayers from Ohio.

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  31. Since coming across your blog recently you have been in my prayers. If there was something I could do for you beyond that, precious lady, I most certainly would but trust the hand of Jesus to fill all needs that I wish I could help with :) . Continuing in prayer....

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  32. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
    -Linda W

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  33. "But always pain lurks below the surface reminding us that real rest and fulfillment will not be ours until we reach our eternal home with Jesus." Yes. And to learn how to hold in our hand both the lurking pain and the 'good-ness' of life is to have learned to trust the Creator and to have lived well! Continued prayers. ❤

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  34. Gina, you are being prayed for, by our family, our church... God bless you each minute.

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  35. Praising God with you that Ed is home and able to relax in his own recliner... he looks more comfortable. We are still praying for all of you. Thank you for sharing during this trial in your life. You are a blessing to me.

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  36. So glad Ed is home, hospitals are great when you need them, but home is the best for recuperating. Prayers going your way each day. Take care of yourself, so glad you have so much family and love around you.

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  37. Gina, My mom wanted me to tell you that my family and church will be praying for you too.

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  38. What a journey you are on...so glad you have support yet it's yours to travel and the rest of us can only look on and pray. Grace and peace to all of you.

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  39. My husband will be having cancer surgery soon, and your blog has helped me tremendously in the last few days. Praise God for you Gina. You have helped me tremendously in the way I am approaching this. Prayers for you and Ed.

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  40. Dear Gina and Ed, thinking of you in the far away country Russia.

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  41. Let the scar heal well, and most importanly let the miracle happen and c be gone.

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  42. Gina, your With No Regrets post was beautiful and eloquent; I didn't have a chance to respond earlier.

    We continue to pray for Ed and you and the children and all the medical personnel that surround you.

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  43. WOW! You, your writing, your family, the medical team, your extended 'team', HOME, GOD, wow!! And all the comments, too - you really bring the best out in people :)

    With continued prayers for the very best for you,
    -a grateful reader

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  44. Praising God that Ed is home and recovering comfortably. We will continue to pray for healing and peace in the days, and all time, to come. Hugs.

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  45. Wow Gina, what a large incision. Praise God that Ed is home already. How amazing. I will continue to pray that he recuperates quickly.

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  46. Just checking in to see how Ed is feeling today. Hope he's healing quickly and back to normal sooner than the doctors could ever expect! And I'm sure his face will reappear as handsome as ever once the bruising and swelling leaves!
    Prayers continue!

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  47. That is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I definitely will not give any kind of advice but just wanted to share this article about another young Pastor who went through something very similar in recent years. You probably know already about him but just in case- http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35086396/ns/health-cancer/t/brain-cancer-tests-young-pastors-faith/#.WSER7nT3ahA

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  48. Continued prayers for your family!

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  49. Oh my goodness. I haven't come to your blog for several weeks and so had no idea of the health crisis you have been dealing with. It's wonderful that your husband came through the surgery so well and I hope and pray that the cancer can be controlled.

    Praying for peace and a lessening of anxiety for you and your family.

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  50. Our prayers are with your family too! Thanks for the update, many of us obviously feel we know you and yours! We are glad to hear good news.

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  51. May God continue to richly bless you with His peace and rest! Praying for wisdom and strength and healing. Thank you for the update. Linn

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  52. Gina, I am so sorry to hear of the trial your family is currently going through. I have found so much inspiration here and just want you to know I am praying for you. Lots of love to you and your beautiful family.

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  53. Dear Gina,
    I haven't stopped by your blog for awhile and so I wasn't aware of the trouble your family is experiencing. Be assured of my prayers. I really hope the Lord holds you all in the palm of His hand.
    God bless,
    Dana

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  54. Sending you all love and prayers from England. xx

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  55. Saying a prayer for you and your family.

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  56. So many blessings for Ed & your family! GOD IS SO GOOD! Thank you, Lord, for giving the doctors wisdom beyond their years for Ed's surgery to go so well ; for the family & friends who gave such wonderful emotional support & who helped care for the children; for healing Ed so quickly that he could go home in just a few days ; for giving Ed & Gina the strength to get through this crisis in their lives knowing that You are always there with Your loving hands held out to guide us & sustain us. We continue to pray for Ed's speedy recovery. In Jesus' mighty name! Amen. Gina, I feel such joy right now for your family. I wish I was there to give you both a hug. God bless you all! (Carol in Phoenix, AZ)

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  57. This comment you wrote was so well said:

    But if I have learned anything it is that we will never be truly at rest until we get Home. Life here can appear good. Even very good. We have plans, we are succeeding at our goals, and life can be rich.

    But always pain lurks below the surface reminding us that real rest and fulfillment will not be ours until we reach our eternal home with Jesus.

    How is Ed doing these days? Thinking of you both often.

    Alice

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