The Tuna

This handsome young man...

has a brain tumor. You heard me right, a brain tumor. We found out last Wednesday. My Dad went for a consultation with a neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Gardner, last Friday. It's the size of a golf ball. It's benign. It's operable. The tumor is between his skull and his brain and it's on the brain but not from the brain. If it's not removed he'll have a stroke within the year and if that happens there will nothing the doctors can do.

My Dad has been having a problem with his left leg for a while now. He drags it when he walks, he's almost fallen several times, it shakes and his toes are curled on that leg. So he had a series of tests done but nothing was wrong with the leg itself. The doctor said that they would have to look farther up. Way up. So last Wednesday the doctors performed a series of tests including an MRI. That's when they found the tumor. It's pressing against the nerve that goes to his left leg. Praise God that it's not wrapped around the nerve.

The next step? Surgery. Or "getting my head sawed on" in the words of Daddy. Dr. Gardner is very confident that he can go in and remove the offending tumor without any problems. Daddy will have to stay in the CCU for a week, he'll have a terrible headache and a horseshoe shaped scar. But best of all, he should be able to go hog huntin' when September rolls around. At this moment we're waiting for the powers that be to set the date for his surgery. It should be in the next few weeks.

My Dad really likes Dr. Gardner. He's been doing this (neurosurgery) for 31 years now. He was also in Vietnam the same time Daddy was. He's confident, patient and kind. He also told my Dad if he preferred to have his surgery in Emory rather than Greenville that he could refer him to some excellent doctors there. But my Dad really likes Dr. Gardner so he'll be going to Greenville.

Every one is doing well right now. We're all a little nervous and a little scared. My Dad isn't one to show emotions but he's commented several times that he's nervous. We've talked and he told me that he knows the Lord will heal him. Praise God!! My Mom is really nervous but she's keeping her spirits up as well. Keeping her spirits up and cleaning like a mad woman. At the moment my parents seem to be Summer/Fall cleaning in preparation for the coming fall - cleaning the chimney, stacking the wood, cleaning the house, etc. They're getting as much done as possible before the day of the surgery. Don't visit my parents unless you want to be put to work!!!

What about my title - the tuna? Wednesday night I explained to Hannah that Papa had a tumor in his head - a big boo boo that was making his leg feel bad. The day after we found out about the tumor we spent the entire day at my parents house. My parents and Hannah were sitting on the porch when Hannah looked at Daddy and said, "Papa do you have a tuna in your head?" He thought she meant he had a bug or fly on his head so he said No. She brightened up and asked, "You're feeling all better?" That's when he realized what she was talking about. Now we generally refer to it as the tuna.

I think I cried just about all day when I first found out about the tumor. Brain tumor are two words that you never want to hear. I'm so very thankful that it is benign and operable though. A scripture that keeps coming to mind lately is:

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

I know how I want things to turn out. I want my Dad to have the easiest surgery, easiest recovery and the quickest recovery. I want him to be around for many many years to come. I tell the Lord this every day!! And I'm taking comfort in the knowledge that He is in control and He has his hand on us. He's the Gentle Healer and no matter what happens that will always hold true.