Rhonda,

First I do not blame you or Ben for being upset about not knowing of more
surgery. I'm sure there are plenty of good medical people out there, but
the horror accounts of medical mayhem causes one to want to know all what
goes on even more today than ever. I have always made it a  point when at a
doctor or any type of thing, to ask questions. Some of it is in jest, to
solicit a real answer and some is serious to get same. I don't care if they
are offended or not as even though they have many people in for treatment,
I'm the only me, and I'm going to take good care of it, even if it means
asking what seems to be foolish questions or questions to verify they are
on track. I'm still responsible and putting total trust in any person when
avoidable is risky. I might suggest to let all those thoughts you are
having fall to the wayside for the moment. Especially at night, as they
cannot be solved in the moment, but well could after a good night's sleep
and taking one thing at a time.  Keeping you all in prayer.

Brad


At 12/03/2003 on Wednesday, Rhonda wrote:
>Ben is going back for surgery again tomorrow, we didn't find out until
>tonight when one of the nurses mentioned no food or drink after
>midnight.  Ben was upset because the doctor didn't discuss this with
>him.  He told the nurse, and aparently she called the doctor because he
>came around 8:00 we hadn't seen him all day.  He said they need to clean
>out some more of the  infection, and dead tissue, they will take out the
>sponge they have atatched to the suction machine and put in another one.
>They may have to go again in a coupleof days according to what they
>find.  He says Ben should be in the hospital for five or six more days,
>and t hen stay in a transitional facility for three or four weeks.
>The doctor didn't seem to understand the reason Ben was upset was not
>because of the care he was  receiving but because he seemed to be the
>last one to know what was going to happen.  The doctor said "I didn't
>give you this infection" no one said he did, we just want some
>information.  I tried to tell him that Ben was just tired of being
>there, and needed to  know what the plans were about his care.
>
>My goodness! Ben seems so discouraged today, and what can I say?   We
>both of course want his foot to be saved, but how can it heal when they
>keep going in every couple of days?
>I had hoped Ben would be home Christmas, but it doesn't look like it,
>but of course things could change.
>
>My  teachers said they need all my work by the 18th and if I need it, I
>can get an incomplete, which would give me thirty days in to the next
>semester to finish the work.  I think Ican finish but it is still good
>to know that option is there should something happen and I am unable to
>complete the work.
>
>I think we will be able to do okay with the money, we will just have to
>be carefull one thing I really hate is  the hospital wants 5.00 dollars
>a day for the tv in Ben's room, every couple of days I give them money.
>I wonder why that doesn't just come in a room.
>
>I think we will be ok, just have to watch what we spend, it will be hard
>, but I think we can manage.
>My only concernthough it really doesn't matter much is not being able to
>buy  Christa Christmas, I know it's  really not that important, but I'd
>still like to get Jena and Christa something.
>Jena says she will send Christa a plane ticket so she can come back to
>Georgia for Christmas, but I don't know, maybe Jenna should just come
>here, I will be awfully sadif both my girls and Ben are gone for
>Christmas.
>I just don't know.  I know Christawants to see her grandparents and
>cousins, but how would I get to the hospital if she weren't here, cabs
>would  beoutrageous,  and besides I wouldn't want to stay there to long
>with Bowers my guide dog, I wouldn't know where to take her out.
>As you can tell, my mind is just rushing from one point to the next, and
>the thought of doing school work is not happening!!!
>I am praying for the peace that passes all understanding to be in  mine
>and Ben's life, and just as I pulled the blanket up over Ben so that he
>was allwrapped  up, I pray that God would wrapp us in His love and
>peace.
>Not knowing what will happen is not peace, but know that there is One
>who knows is a good thing.
>Thanks for listening.
>Rhonda