The coolest thing around here is the Internet never goes down! It works like a charm day or night. It’s 4:27 a.m. I got woken up and I can’t go back to sleep. Debra is making up for lost sleep she sleeps almost all the time. I was a tad bit worried but she is getting up for the occasional breathing treatment and bathroom breaks. I check on her she is fine she’ll talk a little then she goes right back to sleep. I had an interesting day as I ventured out into the streets of Mumbai, India. I took my camera which will do short video and I snapped some photo’s of the grounds around the hospital and did some video of the street traffic. I didn’t know what people here would think of my picture taking but it got to be quite funny as they would stop and ask me to take their picture. If you want to make friends in India just walk around with a camera. With this blond hair and blue jeans they openly stare at me without reservation. If I smile at them they are just charmed and if I speak to them that is even better. “How ya’ll doing” will make them break out into the biggest smile I have ever seen in my life. I talk just like I would and they look at each other and just grin. I don’t know what the deal is with asking for “butter” but it makes them laugh. I have not been able to get any butter either. One of the guys who stopped me for a photo was a city worker. He said brokenly….. to go to America if only in a photograph would make him very happy. Please take picture. I got a lump in my throat and tears welled in my eyes as I thought of what he was saying to me. I hugged him and he darted away with a smile. I had to just stand there a minute and collect myself and almost got ran over by a rickshaw driver. There are these dogs that hang out around the doors to the hospital they are so polite if you feed them they will line up and take turns to get a bite of anything you have. I took down a piece of chicken and I think I am now the new dog queen of India. Another thing that broke my heart is while feeding the dogs I realized I was being watched by a little girl so I offered her some chicken to feed the dogs as well to my surprise she took it and ran eating it herself as she very quickly bolted away from me. When I came back to the room my senses were on fire. I wanted to show Debra the pictures but she had just had another round of medications and could even look at them so I sat in this room and thought about where I was and what I was doing with the world out side being so different from anything I could imagine. It kind of makes you feel dizzy.
I met the lady in the room across the hall she is from Phoenix Arizona and she is alone. Having a hip replacement. The resurfacing was to late for her the bone was already to badly damaged. She like the rest of us found this place on the Internet and she felt that God had lead her here as well. Her husband is very ill and has so many problems he couldn’t make it even if he had wanted to come so she came alone. Her name is Bobbi. Her surgery is Saturday and she’ll only be here eleven days total. I can’t believe people do such things but the common word is no insurance and desperations accompanied with pain. I have to wonder how many people have this same story to tell. I have had several people notice my cross and they asked to see it. Then bow their heads as if out of total respect. You can tell it has an affect on people even people who might not know what it’s all about they know it’s to be respected and honored.
In the morning I am going to take my picture of the girl I am sponsoring in India down to the International Department and giving them Joe Brymers card. I just want them to know that there is a mission that helps children here that is Christian based and if any services could be used by the mission from the hospital I want the powers that be to be aware of the mission and it’s work in India. I also just want to show them my picture of the girl that I am sponsoring. I had even thought I might try to go there but it is to far from Mumbai for me to attempt it. I really will have to stay focused on Debra right now and after the surgery. It would have been an interesting trip I am sure but I am not up for it right now. That’s why I am awake at this hour in the morning writing a blog that I will read a hundred times over the years to come. It will be an amazing part of my life that I will have recorded here. Thanks for the blogger.com information. Another good thing is my typing speed is really fast and I can also type in the dark with no problems. So I can type as fast as I can think. (No comments on that please)
Better close for now just one last thing I want to thank all of you for the beautiful e-mails you are sending to me. You are the best family I could have ever had to support me through all of this. I could not have done it without all your support and love. It makes trusting in God so easy when you see others that have been there and done that and came out with good results because they could give it to God’s will and not their own. It’s hard to do that but the results are totally beautiful if you can.
Good Night all or is that Good Morning I think the sun is coming up or is it going down? These hours are killer………..Anyway keep those prayers coming I need them every hour. I love you guys.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Going down for a walk...........
Debra is again been put to sleep with those magic pills. Fifteen minutes after taking them she is out like a light and doesn’t wake up for about 6 hours. She had a very busy morning and got a shower. You have to turn on your hot water heater 10 minutes before you take a shower in order to have hot water.
She has been listening to her bible CD’s and doing some reading while she is awake. Maybe God didn’t plan on her watching Sherk and other movies while she was here, as the DVD’s don’t work with the player they have in the room. We will spend a lot of time in study over these next 26 days. It will help me as well as it will help her.
There is a huge canopy of trees outside our window and this morning it was covered with these beautiful birds. You can hear them singing early in the morning before things get going and it’s just awesome. There is always a thin layer of fog over the treetops early in mornings and the sun coming up makes it glow and shimmer. It’s quite beautiful. You sure know you’re not in Baytown, Texas anymore. People are very compassionate here in the hospital and have shown great concern for my welfare. They are quick to bring me anything that I need.
I am going to go out and walk around the hospital grounds it’s sunny and clear and they have said it’s good to go outside. I saved some of my breakfast French toast to feed to the dogs. I am looking for that brown one. They also advised it’s fine to pet them they are not mean or aggressive when fed. They are polite and also grateful they compare them to our raccoons. In the since they are wild and not kept by anyone they just roam the streets.
When I go out this afternoon I know my blond hair causes a lot of staring. They find it interesting. I would like to go to the mall but I won’t do that until after all the doctors have come and I know what is going on with the surgery. I don’t think they are to keen on letting me go anywhere by myself an attendant is always advised. Not for my safety but more for my enjoyment of the travel. Knowing what to do and where to go makes it more enjoyable and stress free. It is also a matter of curtsey to a guest from another country.
They told us that about the chocolates we brought. It is not for us to bring them gifts but for them to give us a good experience here. They are very polite and very sensitive to our wants and needs. They will be sending up plain grilled chicken and mashed potatoes for my dinner tonight and have accepted the fact that only cereals and milk for breakfast with some sliced fresh fruit makes a perfectly welcoming meal for me.
Debra is asking everyday about her dog. She seems more worried about the dog than the surgery. I think things will be fine in that department. Roland can handle a dog big or small.
Well it’s time to go down to the first floor and do some looking around. Will let you know how that goes. All my love to Roland and my wonderful friends………Hugs.
She has been listening to her bible CD’s and doing some reading while she is awake. Maybe God didn’t plan on her watching Sherk and other movies while she was here, as the DVD’s don’t work with the player they have in the room. We will spend a lot of time in study over these next 26 days. It will help me as well as it will help her.
There is a huge canopy of trees outside our window and this morning it was covered with these beautiful birds. You can hear them singing early in the morning before things get going and it’s just awesome. There is always a thin layer of fog over the treetops early in mornings and the sun coming up makes it glow and shimmer. It’s quite beautiful. You sure know you’re not in Baytown, Texas anymore. People are very compassionate here in the hospital and have shown great concern for my welfare. They are quick to bring me anything that I need.
I am going to go out and walk around the hospital grounds it’s sunny and clear and they have said it’s good to go outside. I saved some of my breakfast French toast to feed to the dogs. I am looking for that brown one. They also advised it’s fine to pet them they are not mean or aggressive when fed. They are polite and also grateful they compare them to our raccoons. In the since they are wild and not kept by anyone they just roam the streets.
When I go out this afternoon I know my blond hair causes a lot of staring. They find it interesting. I would like to go to the mall but I won’t do that until after all the doctors have come and I know what is going on with the surgery. I don’t think they are to keen on letting me go anywhere by myself an attendant is always advised. Not for my safety but more for my enjoyment of the travel. Knowing what to do and where to go makes it more enjoyable and stress free. It is also a matter of curtsey to a guest from another country.
They told us that about the chocolates we brought. It is not for us to bring them gifts but for them to give us a good experience here. They are very polite and very sensitive to our wants and needs. They will be sending up plain grilled chicken and mashed potatoes for my dinner tonight and have accepted the fact that only cereals and milk for breakfast with some sliced fresh fruit makes a perfectly welcoming meal for me.
Debra is asking everyday about her dog. She seems more worried about the dog than the surgery. I think things will be fine in that department. Roland can handle a dog big or small.
Well it’s time to go down to the first floor and do some looking around. Will let you know how that goes. All my love to Roland and my wonderful friends………Hugs.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
There has been a change of plans. No surgery in the morning there are way to many test to confirm and choices to be made. They have a lot of people to confer with and it’s not coming together as the doctor chosen to do the hysterectomy is a woman and she doesn’t want to do it because of Debra’s age. It is not their way. She wants us to let her make the decision in the surgical suite after Debra is sedated. I am not in agreement with that so she had us met with the physiatrist tonight. He met with me alone and then with Debra in the room as well. They will confirm with each other in the morning after all the reports are in. This is going to delay us by at least 2 days but they are chomping us the extra days at no extra charge. Debra got pretty upset over it but the doctor sent some medications down to calm her down and she is out like a light. It didn’t take but about 15 minutes. The nurse tells her take the pill then I will tell you what it will do to you. She really balked at that and didn’t want to take it. They also took all of her regular medication away from her and locked them up in the nurse’s station, which also sent her in a tailspin. She didn’t want to let them take them out of the room. She was assured they would be given to her as needed but they had to be monitored so the doctors know exactly how much and when she is taking them. Makes sense to me but it up set her that they took them away. Today was very hectic and tensions ran pretty high. Debra is doing okay but you can tell it’s hard for her. The sleep is exactly what she needs. At this point she can’t even go to the bathroom without assistance. The anthologist has to have all this and know all of this and it’s hard to talk about it in front of me. I do try to respect her “adulthood” and stand aside as I can but they want me to confirm everything she is telling them. It’s necessary for them to have all the correct information. It’s also chaotic for me.
The food here is not my friend. It taste great and looks pretty good but with all the tension and nerves running crazy I can’t eat it. I feel like I have some chills but the doctor says not to worry it will pass and that it’s me who needs medication to calm down. I told him no thank you I have the Lord I will be fine. In my heart I know that this will turn out just as it should but it’s an eye opener. I wanted to take some pictures but I don’t think they like that in the hospital. I will take some out but they have told me to protect my camera while outside even on the grounds. They love my jeans. I had brought candy from the US for tiny gifts but they wont take it. I found if you put money with it they like it better. I use my credit card most everywhere and have not had money exchanged as of yet but will need some for smaller items. How much do you tip your attendants? I have no clue as to what would be good. Maybe 5000 rupee? I just don’t know ……
Bharat checks with me daily and they wanted to do my crown for me today but I was just to stressed to even think about doing something like that. They totally love my Bass Pro Credit card. They all want to look at it and pass it around which makes me a little uncomfortable. He does remember Kim and said to send his hellos back to you as well.
I better try to get some rest it’s almost mid-night here and I am dog-tired. Keep the home fires burning it will be a blessing to return.
The food here is not my friend. It taste great and looks pretty good but with all the tension and nerves running crazy I can’t eat it. I feel like I have some chills but the doctor says not to worry it will pass and that it’s me who needs medication to calm down. I told him no thank you I have the Lord I will be fine. In my heart I know that this will turn out just as it should but it’s an eye opener. I wanted to take some pictures but I don’t think they like that in the hospital. I will take some out but they have told me to protect my camera while outside even on the grounds. They love my jeans. I had brought candy from the US for tiny gifts but they wont take it. I found if you put money with it they like it better. I use my credit card most everywhere and have not had money exchanged as of yet but will need some for smaller items. How much do you tip your attendants? I have no clue as to what would be good. Maybe 5000 rupee? I just don’t know ……
Bharat checks with me daily and they wanted to do my crown for me today but I was just to stressed to even think about doing something like that. They totally love my Bass Pro Credit card. They all want to look at it and pass it around which makes me a little uncomfortable. He does remember Kim and said to send his hellos back to you as well.
I better try to get some rest it’s almost mid-night here and I am dog-tired. Keep the home fires burning it will be a blessing to return.
Our First Problems
The test results are coming back hot and heavy; I have never seen so many doctors and nurses. Test after test, scopes, x-rays, blood work, EKG’s, MRI’s and each and every doctor wants to take a quick look at this or that. Debra is wearing out and you can tell the tension is mounting. She has ordered me to go out for a while and let her rest but the doctors come to often for me to leave her alone. Ton’s of questions most of them the same questions over and over by different people.
The only doctor that is in disagreement is the gynecologist who like all the others say she is to young to have a full hysterectomy. This doctor wants us to let her make the choice in the surgery suite after they have fully investigated the situation. Debra would have already under gone being put to sleep and I don’t think it’s fair for her not to know going in what the out come will be. They don’t want to do this unless it’s absolutely in her best interest because of her age. Everything else is good all the test are coming back with positives.
There will be a psychologist coming by shortly to talk to both of us separately. Are we nuts? No, really that’s not it. He is going to advise Debra on how to trim down on medications and he is going to advise me on how to help her with the bi-polar issues. His fee is $20. Last time I paid a bill for Debra in the United States for only her to see the psychologist it cost me $179.00 for less than 10 minutes of his time. He wrote her a prescription and sent her on her way. Just gave her what she wanted. That really burned me up! We’ll have as much time as we need on this consult. We both will see him and we both will have some useful information when we leave from the visit. When the lady from the billing office came to talk to me she said there would be an extra fee for this. By her talking to me I thought it might be hundreds of dollars no it’s $20.00 can we do that she asked? Was I in agreement to have a full investigation for that fee? I told her yes I was.
Another problem is the converters are to heavy to stay in the plugs on the walls. They are not a tight fit and they just pull out of the wall. Even the converter they have here at the hospital wont work so no personal computer use until we get to the hotel and see if we can get them to work there. At least I have this one to use here at the hospital. That also means I can’t use my Skype account. They have brought in several different types of plugs and no luck, had the maintenance team came up and looked at it and it just doesn’t work. Also, our DVD’s we brought don’t comply with the DVD player they have in the room. Hummmmmmmm seems we are all the way across the world and things are a little different than they are at home. Ha Ha……oh well at least I am not totally without communications. We are very dependant on these computers these days it’s kind of scary! I can’t charge my camera batteries, or download my pictures but it’s coming. I have two fully charged batteries for the camera so I will still get my photos.
Things have gone quite seems the doctors are off to look at test results. They will be back tonight to make the final planning stages. So I think I will lay down for a bit and rest while Debra is doing the same thing.
Oh and yeah I do like the food it’s not Texas food but it’s got some punch! Had some chicken with grilled onion and red peppers it was pretty good I kept it to snack on because it was a pretty good size portions. I’ll be dropping a few pounds that’s for sure myself. I got ice cream and I am not really sure what that was that they brought but it was not what I would have thought you would get.
Naptime ………….more later
The only doctor that is in disagreement is the gynecologist who like all the others say she is to young to have a full hysterectomy. This doctor wants us to let her make the choice in the surgery suite after they have fully investigated the situation. Debra would have already under gone being put to sleep and I don’t think it’s fair for her not to know going in what the out come will be. They don’t want to do this unless it’s absolutely in her best interest because of her age. Everything else is good all the test are coming back with positives.
There will be a psychologist coming by shortly to talk to both of us separately. Are we nuts? No, really that’s not it. He is going to advise Debra on how to trim down on medications and he is going to advise me on how to help her with the bi-polar issues. His fee is $20. Last time I paid a bill for Debra in the United States for only her to see the psychologist it cost me $179.00 for less than 10 minutes of his time. He wrote her a prescription and sent her on her way. Just gave her what she wanted. That really burned me up! We’ll have as much time as we need on this consult. We both will see him and we both will have some useful information when we leave from the visit. When the lady from the billing office came to talk to me she said there would be an extra fee for this. By her talking to me I thought it might be hundreds of dollars no it’s $20.00 can we do that she asked? Was I in agreement to have a full investigation for that fee? I told her yes I was.
Another problem is the converters are to heavy to stay in the plugs on the walls. They are not a tight fit and they just pull out of the wall. Even the converter they have here at the hospital wont work so no personal computer use until we get to the hotel and see if we can get them to work there. At least I have this one to use here at the hospital. That also means I can’t use my Skype account. They have brought in several different types of plugs and no luck, had the maintenance team came up and looked at it and it just doesn’t work. Also, our DVD’s we brought don’t comply with the DVD player they have in the room. Hummmmmmmm seems we are all the way across the world and things are a little different than they are at home. Ha Ha……oh well at least I am not totally without communications. We are very dependant on these computers these days it’s kind of scary! I can’t charge my camera batteries, or download my pictures but it’s coming. I have two fully charged batteries for the camera so I will still get my photos.
Things have gone quite seems the doctors are off to look at test results. They will be back tonight to make the final planning stages. So I think I will lay down for a bit and rest while Debra is doing the same thing.
Oh and yeah I do like the food it’s not Texas food but it’s got some punch! Had some chicken with grilled onion and red peppers it was pretty good I kept it to snack on because it was a pretty good size portions. I’ll be dropping a few pounds that’s for sure myself. I got ice cream and I am not really sure what that was that they brought but it was not what I would have thought you would get.
Naptime ………….more later
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Just a e-mail I sent out to tired to type it again.....
Hello from India
Just wanted to let everyone know that the trip to Mumbia went just as planned. We had a lovely trip and had some Indian food already that was pretty good. It's 4:10 a.m. here and the first thing after being here for about 30 minutes was a call from home. That totally rocked!! Our plane was delayed in the air for about an hour so I really wasn't expecting that I would get to talk to anyone for a day or so. I have been awake since 6 a.m. July 28 till now which here is July 30th 4:15 a.m. Watched several movies on the plane, on the way to Paris no one sat beside me so I had lot of room and it was great. Debra sat by some entertaining Russians in the seats just ahead of mine. Our room is done in pleasant shades of pale green and it is comfortable, we had people meet us at the air port, handle our bags, drive us right to the door, and checking in at 2 a.m. only took a few minutes. In the room was a plate of fresh fruit, orange and apple juices chilled and bottled water. Nurses in the room with explanations within 5 minutes of our being here. Everyone is pleasant and smiles. The rooms are named after precious gems and rare flowers. Ours is called "Hyacinth Suite". Debra is sleeping calmly her test will start at 5:30 a.m. I am running on pure adrenaline so I am not even thinking about laying down until those test start and I get to see some doctors. I think Debra's calmness comes from knowing that there has to be a better life for her. Even in the airport at Houston a lady in the duty free shop prayed for her when we told her where she was going and to my surprise Debra let her without acting awkward about it. The drive from the airport was a real eye opener. I know why they bring you in late at night! Saw a ton of those rickshaws and these little odd looking taxi's. Even at this early hour the airport was humming but here on the seventh floor at Wockhardt you would never know a thing was going on. It's very quite and the nurses don't bug you every hour on the hour they let you rest. I know I will be very tired during the days to come but I will take lots of pictures and see a little of India. Hope to keep you guys posted everyday on what's going on. I don't know about using Skype at the hospital I am on the hospital's computer right now but I will sure use it when we move to the hotel. David called on Skype and we had a really good connection without delays. You can always call me here at the room. I wont get a phone number till in the morning but David already had it. I had better go it's almost 5 and I have to fill out some paperwork. Love all of you and hope to hear from you soon. Hugs. I love you Roland and I got your lunch time e-mail.
Philippians 4:6
6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by made known to God. 7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Keep Always Your Faith!
Love and Hugs
Vickie
Just wanted to let everyone know that the trip to Mumbia went just as planned. We had a lovely trip and had some Indian food already that was pretty good. It's 4:10 a.m. here and the first thing after being here for about 30 minutes was a call from home. That totally rocked!! Our plane was delayed in the air for about an hour so I really wasn't expecting that I would get to talk to anyone for a day or so. I have been awake since 6 a.m. July 28 till now which here is July 30th 4:15 a.m. Watched several movies on the plane, on the way to Paris no one sat beside me so I had lot of room and it was great. Debra sat by some entertaining Russians in the seats just ahead of mine. Our room is done in pleasant shades of pale green and it is comfortable, we had people meet us at the air port, handle our bags, drive us right to the door, and checking in at 2 a.m. only took a few minutes. In the room was a plate of fresh fruit, orange and apple juices chilled and bottled water. Nurses in the room with explanations within 5 minutes of our being here. Everyone is pleasant and smiles. The rooms are named after precious gems and rare flowers. Ours is called "Hyacinth Suite". Debra is sleeping calmly her test will start at 5:30 a.m. I am running on pure adrenaline so I am not even thinking about laying down until those test start and I get to see some doctors. I think Debra's calmness comes from knowing that there has to be a better life for her. Even in the airport at Houston a lady in the duty free shop prayed for her when we told her where she was going and to my surprise Debra let her without acting awkward about it. The drive from the airport was a real eye opener. I know why they bring you in late at night! Saw a ton of those rickshaws and these little odd looking taxi's. Even at this early hour the airport was humming but here on the seventh floor at Wockhardt you would never know a thing was going on. It's very quite and the nurses don't bug you every hour on the hour they let you rest. I know I will be very tired during the days to come but I will take lots of pictures and see a little of India. Hope to keep you guys posted everyday on what's going on. I don't know about using Skype at the hospital I am on the hospital's computer right now but I will sure use it when we move to the hotel. David called on Skype and we had a really good connection without delays. You can always call me here at the room. I wont get a phone number till in the morning but David already had it. I had better go it's almost 5 and I have to fill out some paperwork. Love all of you and hope to hear from you soon. Hugs. I love you Roland and I got your lunch time e-mail.
Philippians 4:6
6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by made known to God. 7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Keep Always Your Faith!
Love and Hugs
Vickie
Monday, July 28, 2008
We leave for a new beginning today........
Today is July 28th 2008 my 50th birthday it’s also the start of a new life for my daughter and myself. This is a brand new day for all of us. Sunday was a day that every mother hopes for a day when prayers are said for someone you love. A day when you realize that the blood of Christ is for the protection of everyone and that might just include you and the people you love. On Sunday before we were due to leave July 27th 2008 Debra rededicated her life to Christ. Baptized as a child she didn’t really understand the commitment she was making but to see her take that step as an adult really made her parents very happy. I am sure it made her heavenly Father happy as well.
I do a lot of crazy things but this is really off the chart even for me. Roland and I got up this morning had coffee and said our good-byes. I was thankful that there were no tears because we both know that whatever happens at this point can only be for the best. God is with us. Our Church family has prayed for us asking before God for our safety and blessings. There is nothing to fear at this point. Everything that can be done has been done. I have this saying by my computer it says that God is still God even in the most difficult of situations. Faith makes yesterday a stepping stone, today a new beginning, tomorrow a limitless possibility.
Karen Goode will come and drive us to the airport we will leave at noon. Everything is packed and ready to go. I will take a few very special things with me. These small things will remind me of home. A few of these things will seal my faith and calm my heart while I am away. My Bible, a small gold cross with Rubies and diamonds that has made this trip before us and returned with it’s owner to be safe and whole again. It will go with me as a constant reminder that Love never fails.
The flight will be a long one 20 plus hours respectfully. I will post as I can depending on computer access and time after we are checked into the hospital. I just want the people who read this to know how much we love all of you for your support and kindness. Lakewood is a family to me that I never had and your prayers and love mean everything to me.
Roland, I just want you to know you are the husband that God wants you to be. I could not have asked or dreamed for more. My life has been nothing but blessed because of you. You are my world, I love you I respect you and I treasure you. I will miss you and I can not wait to be back with you again. Thank you for loving me and standing beside me though everything. It takes a special person to do what you have done. You give of yourself like no man I have ever known. I thank God for you every single day. I am so proud to be your wife. Thank you for always putting us first. I love you.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Doing all the important things today
We are getting all the last minute things done and funny as it's seems they are done. We are downloading music to the computer that I will take. Gathering our favorite DVD's and looking through the pictures that will be comforting to me while I am so far from home. Talked to all the people that are important to us and let them know what we are doing. Got to get some voltage converters and then it's off to the wild blue yonder. Karen Goode is going to drive me to the airport and Roland will head off to work just like its just another day. Sleep is not easy these days and there is worries like I have never known before. Then on the other side of that I know its in God's hands and that gives you a great deal of comfort. Doing this and not having a good relationship with God would be an impossibility for me. We will be 10 and a half hours ahead of you guys so while I sleep your working and visa versa. I will have a skype account for phone calls that are free skype to skype you can look me up on your accounts as vickie.sims but with that time difference it's going to be hard to call. There is also got a chat feature you can leave a message on. Love to hear from you guys.
Anyway nothing left to do but wait. Posted are some pictures hope you enjoy them. I wanted them here to remind me there is a place called home........
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Checking it out on the net..........
I have watched David and Kim's video at least a dozen times this morning. I also found a lot of others and I poured over them looking at all the details. Seeing the hospital by links on the internet. It's really pretty amazing. The suites are called by the names of precious gems. Like ruby and amethest. Funny thing amethest is Debra's birth stone. Ruby is mine the two mentioned in the video I saw. I think hearing that is just another way of God calming my fears. Today there is a calmness and the trembling inside is going away.
Jordan Vasquez returned from India with a smile on his face looking refreshed and happy. He was in India to attend a wedding. That was good to see before we left.
Air France has promised us excellent tranfer services all lined out and comfirmed in writing so yet another fear laid to rest. There are lots of comunications with the medical tourism service and they are fast to return your phone calls. They give you tons of contact information. David has assured me that they are true to their word and it goes like they say it will. By the other videos on the net seems many others have had the same experiences.
It's raining heavily today and storms are in the gulf (Dolly). I might just be missing another hurricane by going to India just in the nick of time. Last Hurricane we were in England eating in the Black Knight Castle while our friends here in the states fled in a chaotic evactuation. We couldn't even get back into the United States while all that was going on so be booked a table at the Black Knight and had a lovely dinner not knowing if we would have a home to come back to at all. Funny how life works. The fence was down but the house was here. I am hoping I will have the same results when I come back from India. It will be okay if the fence is down as long as the house is here.
Jordan Vasquez returned from India with a smile on his face looking refreshed and happy. He was in India to attend a wedding. That was good to see before we left.
Air France has promised us excellent tranfer services all lined out and comfirmed in writing so yet another fear laid to rest. There are lots of comunications with the medical tourism service and they are fast to return your phone calls. They give you tons of contact information. David has assured me that they are true to their word and it goes like they say it will. By the other videos on the net seems many others have had the same experiences.
It's raining heavily today and storms are in the gulf (Dolly). I might just be missing another hurricane by going to India just in the nick of time. Last Hurricane we were in England eating in the Black Knight Castle while our friends here in the states fled in a chaotic evactuation. We couldn't even get back into the United States while all that was going on so be booked a table at the Black Knight and had a lovely dinner not knowing if we would have a home to come back to at all. Funny how life works. The fence was down but the house was here. I am hoping I will have the same results when I come back from India. It will be okay if the fence is down as long as the house is here.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Realization of the day............
Today there is a realization that plane tickets are bought, appointments are being set up, hotels are being arranged, and huge amounts of money are being spent. I awoke at 6:11 a.m. to a quite calm house after days of uncertainly, fear, distress and fighting. It’s so quite you could hear a pin drop. My red cocker spaniel Cinnamon is sleeping calmly at my feet. I flipped open my bible to read some of the things I have underlined over the years.
1 Corinthians 2:3-5
3. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5. so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
(Corinthians is one of my favorite books along with all the others)
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8. Love never fails.
(God is Love)
I really needed to remember that today.
2 Corinthians 1:21
21. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22. set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Galatians 1:3-5
3. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4. who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5. to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
Galatians 6:7-10
7. Do not be deceived: God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
2 Timothy 1:7
7. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
James 1:2-4
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, 3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
There is so much peace to be found in the pages of the bible these underlined verses that can comfort you over and over again reinforcing your faith. All the plans have been made and what will be will be. There is no turning back now. James 2:24 says “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
Our flight will leave on July 28 at 4:05 P.M. on Air France. Flight AF0033 we will fly to Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport. We will take a medical transfer to another flight going to Mumbai, India. We will get there at 11:05 P.M. on July 29th. Coming into a strange place at that late hour scares me. It will be dark. Putting my trust in people to come and get us that I don’t know also is scary. The trip in mileage is 9,374 miles. Some 20 plus hours might be involved. I have flown many times but never for something like this under these circumstances. We will go directly to the hospital from the airport and things will start happening very quickly. There is a lot of fear but there is also a lot of determination to help Debra. That over rides any fears that I might have. I think we are always wondering what will happen but there is no crystal balls to tell us the future so I am putting my hope in the love of Christ Jesus. I am bowing my head in faithful prayer. I am surrendering my will to his and I am trusting in the promises of God. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way I want I am still trusting it will turn out as it should and I am willing to except that whatever happens it’s was within God’s plan.I hope to be able to keep up my journaling. I am sure I will have free time but I also want to take in as much as I can while I am there. I have an adventurous side to me as well. Sights, sounds, smells, foods, that all will be worked in between surgeries, doctors, and test and chaotic mayhem. We will have 10 days in the country that we will stay at a hotel before our return. They want you to stay at least that long so they can be fairly sure there are no complications. It also gives you time to heal a bit before your flight home. They do help you with medications for the flight home so it’s more comfortable as well. That’s good news. Well my day has to get started so I am off now to check e-mails and see what this day will bring……….Love Vickie
1 Corinthians 2:3-5
3. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5. so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
(Corinthians is one of my favorite books along with all the others)
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8. Love never fails.
(God is Love)
I really needed to remember that today.
2 Corinthians 1:21
21. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22. set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Galatians 1:3-5
3. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4. who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5. to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen
Galatians 6:7-10
7. Do not be deceived: God can not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
2 Timothy 1:7
7. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
James 1:2-4
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, 3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
There is so much peace to be found in the pages of the bible these underlined verses that can comfort you over and over again reinforcing your faith. All the plans have been made and what will be will be. There is no turning back now. James 2:24 says “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
Our flight will leave on July 28 at 4:05 P.M. on Air France. Flight AF0033 we will fly to Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport. We will take a medical transfer to another flight going to Mumbai, India. We will get there at 11:05 P.M. on July 29th. Coming into a strange place at that late hour scares me. It will be dark. Putting my trust in people to come and get us that I don’t know also is scary. The trip in mileage is 9,374 miles. Some 20 plus hours might be involved. I have flown many times but never for something like this under these circumstances. We will go directly to the hospital from the airport and things will start happening very quickly. There is a lot of fear but there is also a lot of determination to help Debra. That over rides any fears that I might have. I think we are always wondering what will happen but there is no crystal balls to tell us the future so I am putting my hope in the love of Christ Jesus. I am bowing my head in faithful prayer. I am surrendering my will to his and I am trusting in the promises of God. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way I want I am still trusting it will turn out as it should and I am willing to except that whatever happens it’s was within God’s plan.I hope to be able to keep up my journaling. I am sure I will have free time but I also want to take in as much as I can while I am there. I have an adventurous side to me as well. Sights, sounds, smells, foods, that all will be worked in between surgeries, doctors, and test and chaotic mayhem. We will have 10 days in the country that we will stay at a hotel before our return. They want you to stay at least that long so they can be fairly sure there are no complications. It also gives you time to heal a bit before your flight home. They do help you with medications for the flight home so it’s more comfortable as well. That’s good news. Well my day has to get started so I am off now to check e-mails and see what this day will bring……….Love Vickie
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Once upon a time in a land far far away
Once upon a time in a land far away……….
In July of 2008 I will be turning 50. July 28, 1958 I came into this world. I have put a lot of dreams and plans on hold starting things that I didn't finish. Planning things to the last detail and never really doing them. The other side of that is I have done far more than I could have ever imagined that I would. If I had done it all I would be really tired. Roland has been the most wonderful husband anyone could want. Our lives are a mixed up mess of very very highs and deep deep lows. Sometimes happiness just seems to be held in the palm of my hand then darkness so over whelming it takes everything you have just to stand up.
Roland is angry with me right now he doesn't seem to understand. It really taxes your
relationship to fill in all the little details it takes to make a medical trip to India. Yes, it is daring out of the box thinking. Debra our daughter has for a very long time been sick with many different types of problems. We piece milled together care for her. She is without insurance and it makes it impossible to live a normal life when you don't have the health care that you need. If I could help her make her life be more normal it might help us to make ours more normal as well. Whatever normal is. I looked it up and it has a long definition. It says you conform to the standard or the common type; usual; regular; natural. Serving a fixed standard. It goes on and on but I don't think it's something many people ever really know. So what I did was pray. I asked God and He said trust me. I will show you the way because I am the truth the light and the way.
To start my story our minister at our church took his wife to India to help with a very painful matter. She needed hip resurfacing and after trying a lot of things she got the help she needed in India. Insurance was an issue for them as well both being self-employed/contracted. I got on line and looked up medical tourism. Wochhardt Hospital was the first thing to come up when I started to search. Because I was at the end of my rope and I didn't see anything changing for my daughter’s life I knew I could not just keep band-aiding the problems. It was imperative that I fine some way to help with the problems and move on it. I asked myself why not just trust your heart and let God show you the way? Other have done it Kim Ellis, Brad Wims to name a few of the brave souls. Is it a radical choice... yes it is. Is it scary? I can't even tell you how much. David and Kim blazed the trail they did it with little time and they didn't look back. That is wise because once you look on the map and see where India is it kind of freaks you out. The words South East Asia become part of your vocabulary. You look at the internet and see there is a world out there where help lies that is so different from anything you know. It all looks so different. These doctors are educated at Harvard Medical Colleges in the United States. There are many doctors that are Indian that practice here as well. The doctor that did my lap band was Felix Spiegel he is Russian. God gave all these doctors their talents and he shows no favoritism.... isn't that what He says? So if there is someway to just go to where the help is what is wrong with trusting God and doing what you need to do. My faith is strong enough and I do trust my Lord. I have gotten my travel visas, sent money for plane tickets on Air France and I am going to do what I have to do to make our lives better. It may cost me my marriage. It may cost me everything. It may not be the right thing at all for our lives but I know this if you don't try you don't know. In and with that respect I prayed for guidance and I got it now I have to trust it and go with it. God please be with us...........
8:42:00 PM
by Vickie Sims
In July of 2008 I will be turning 50. July 28, 1958 I came into this world. I have put a lot of dreams and plans on hold starting things that I didn't finish. Planning things to the last detail and never really doing them. The other side of that is I have done far more than I could have ever imagined that I would. If I had done it all I would be really tired. Roland has been the most wonderful husband anyone could want. Our lives are a mixed up mess of very very highs and deep deep lows. Sometimes happiness just seems to be held in the palm of my hand then darkness so over whelming it takes everything you have just to stand up.
Roland is angry with me right now he doesn't seem to understand. It really taxes your
relationship to fill in all the little details it takes to make a medical trip to India. Yes, it is daring out of the box thinking. Debra our daughter has for a very long time been sick with many different types of problems. We piece milled together care for her. She is without insurance and it makes it impossible to live a normal life when you don't have the health care that you need. If I could help her make her life be more normal it might help us to make ours more normal as well. Whatever normal is. I looked it up and it has a long definition. It says you conform to the standard or the common type; usual; regular; natural. Serving a fixed standard. It goes on and on but I don't think it's something many people ever really know. So what I did was pray. I asked God and He said trust me. I will show you the way because I am the truth the light and the way.
To start my story our minister at our church took his wife to India to help with a very painful matter. She needed hip resurfacing and after trying a lot of things she got the help she needed in India. Insurance was an issue for them as well both being self-employed/contracted. I got on line and looked up medical tourism. Wochhardt Hospital was the first thing to come up when I started to search. Because I was at the end of my rope and I didn't see anything changing for my daughter’s life I knew I could not just keep band-aiding the problems. It was imperative that I fine some way to help with the problems and move on it. I asked myself why not just trust your heart and let God show you the way? Other have done it Kim Ellis, Brad Wims to name a few of the brave souls. Is it a radical choice... yes it is. Is it scary? I can't even tell you how much. David and Kim blazed the trail they did it with little time and they didn't look back. That is wise because once you look on the map and see where India is it kind of freaks you out. The words South East Asia become part of your vocabulary. You look at the internet and see there is a world out there where help lies that is so different from anything you know. It all looks so different. These doctors are educated at Harvard Medical Colleges in the United States. There are many doctors that are Indian that practice here as well. The doctor that did my lap band was Felix Spiegel he is Russian. God gave all these doctors their talents and he shows no favoritism.... isn't that what He says? So if there is someway to just go to where the help is what is wrong with trusting God and doing what you need to do. My faith is strong enough and I do trust my Lord. I have gotten my travel visas, sent money for plane tickets on Air France and I am going to do what I have to do to make our lives better. It may cost me my marriage. It may cost me everything. It may not be the right thing at all for our lives but I know this if you don't try you don't know. In and with that respect I prayed for guidance and I got it now I have to trust it and go with it. God please be with us...........
8:42:00 PM
by Vickie Sims
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