We Thank Thee, Oh God, for a Prophet

I had just finished watching the figure skating competition tonight (8 pm), when there was an announcement that President Hinckley (our dear prophet) had passed away peacefully at his home about an hour before...at 97 we can hardly say this was unexpected, but I can't begin to explain how suddenly empty I felt. How grateful I am for the gospel in our lives and the understanding we have of the nature of life and eternity. What a good, kind man he was; what an example of a life well lived; how we will miss him...his energy and his humor...the twinkle in his eye (especially the one he reserved for his beloved wife, Marjory)...it is good to know that the twinkle was surely there as they met once again and embraced. I surely know that he was a prophet of God and his wit and wisdom will live on in my life; may we all aspire to live in accordance with his example and teachings and may we take comfort in knowing that God will provide a new spokesman, prophet and seer to guide and direct us in these days of turmoil before the coming of our Lord and Savior.

Catching Up

Sorry it's been so long since I "blogged"; I'll try to catch up now while I can, maybe, catch my breath before the next wave comes crashing in. We have been in a whirlwind of doctors' appointments since we moved into the apartment...Don has mostly lost the use of his right hand (he can stil bring the thumb to the index finger to grasp objects, but no strength to keep holding on; also, can't straighten the four fingers). CAT scans, MRIs, electrodiagnostic testing and consultations with neurologist and neurosurgeon at the U of U have yielded no firm answers that are consistent with the location of the spinal damage that is evident in all the scans, etc. The doctors even thought that he might have a tumor somewhere since he has also lost almost 25 lbs. in the last 3 months (without wanting/trying to). With that in mind he has had his blood and urine tested and retested; a colonoscopy; an upper GI series done and chest xray; more CAT scans and MRIs and consultations. At this point he is experiencing numbness and tingling in his arm and also in his toes so the neursurgeon thinks it is time to act on the information they have...spinal calcification and collapsing discs need to be dealt with before he looses any more limb function...He will have surgery on Feb. 5th (the first of three possible procedures...and the least complicated) to relieve pressure on the nerves to the hand (we hope). Dr. Apfelbaum is a "legend" we are told; the best in the west (all he does is necks) for cervical spinal problems. This first surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, but he will keep Don overnight to evaluate how well he will tolerate surgery before they attempt another procedure. I'll keep you posted on how he does and what is next. All prayers on his behalf will be welcomed and appreciated. Enough of the medical journal for now. We were so pleasantly surprised to have Jessica and Kami stop in with Mindy and Billy and family...a BIG THANKS to all who made that possible. Their visit was all too short, just a few hours and dinner (Spencer and Nancy and kids joined us). With Don's health problems and Spencer leaving for Kuwait next month and Jess and Kami returning to Korea, who knows how long it will be before we can get that group together again. Congratulations to Betsy on her marriage and to Aaron and Chrys on their engagement (we are looking forward to their wedding in May). Not much more news for now...and no pictures this time...I'll try to do better in my next post. Love to all, Carol (Mom)