Surgery Update…

Most of you who follow “Toward the Goal” knew that I was facing some surgery today.

For those of you are interested in it was all about, I had a tumor (called a “cholesteatoma”) growing behind my left eardrum. Dr. Thedinger, a specialist from Kansas City (who is WONDERFUL, just in case you ever find yourself with this condition or other serious ear conditions) peformed a “tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy” to correct the condition this morning.

What does all this mean? Basically that I look like this right now, and that you get to have some fun with providing captions for my picture. 🙂

Seriously… go for it, and have fun with this. I’m feeling very pretty good now that the anesthesia is wearing off, and they say laughter is the best medicine. So make me laugh! Best caption wins, well… the right to know you made me laugh the longest and hardest. Hey, surgery ain’t cheap, even with good insurance! 🙂

In all seriousness, though, I know that many of you kept me in your thoughts and prayers today, and I am GREATLY appreciative. Things went great, and, though I’ll have another surgery somewhere in the next 9-12 months to restore hearing in my left ear (the damage to middle ear bone structures was quite extensive), I’m on the road to recovery.

Funny how God works, isn’t it? He allowed me to have a ruptured eardrum so that a bigger problem could be found, identified, and corrected.

God is good… ALL the time.

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For more readings on my battle with cholesteatoma, check out these posts:

Also… if you want to connect with me and others battling cholesteatoma? Check out this Facebook page for “Cholesteatoma Survivors”.

John Written by:

Husband, Daddy, Christ-follower, sports fan... pressing on toward the goal for which God has called me heavenward in Christ. #ForeverRoyal!

21 Comments

  1. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    WOW. That’s the last time I ever call CB a LIBERAL…..

  2. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    I know, I know … it says “lend me your ears” … but I never thought……

  3. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    Good ones, Bob!

    I do think, however, that CB would have done far worse to me if I were to call him a liberal… 🙂

  4. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    A quick addendum to the surgery status… the medical tape they used for bandages doesn’t hold real well, so we just added to the surgeon’s bandaging handiwork and corrected the problem.

    Yes, we used DUCT TAPE!

    My doctor would be SO proud. 🙂

  5. Jala
    December 8, 2008
    Reply

    “That’s the last time I’ll Nancy she looks older than me!”

  6. Jala
    December 8, 2008
    Reply

    “I went to see Benny Hinn-he had bad aim!”

  7. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    John,

    I hit “submit” before I thought to add something about it being a phone conversation….

  8. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    I’m glad you are doing well. I did pray for you this morning.

  9. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    Jala,

    Nancy could definitely put a bit of hurt on me… good thing I know better than to tease her like that!

    Bob,

    That fits the bill even better…

    Kevin,

    Thanks! I appreciate your prayers more than you know. I’m amazed I’m feeling as well as I am tonight, and I truly believe that can only be attributed to God’s working.

  10. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    LOL! Nancy was just telling me that this photo makes me look like I’m in one of the weird sci-fi movies I watch… kinda like I’ve been wounded in battle, and I’m preparing for the final showdown with a weird alien or something…

    She cracks me up.

  11. December 8, 2008
    Reply

    Now she says I look like the “Karate Kid” meets Bruce Willis in Die Hard.

    She’s gonna win the biggest laugh prize for sure.

  12. grandpa
    December 9, 2008
    Reply

    I know what I was feelin’ but what was I thinkin’?
    Get well soon.
    Dad

  13. Jodie
    December 9, 2008
    Reply

    “That’s the last time I gloat over winning The Settlers of Catan!”

    Seriously, hope you’re feeling better.

    -‘lil sis

  14. December 9, 2008
    Reply

    “So this is what Evander Holyfield felt like after the Tyson fight…”

    I’m feeling even better this morning, now that I’ve been able to take the wrappings off my head. Those babies were TIGHT! I feel like blood can flow to my brain again…

  15. December 14, 2008
    Reply

    (Reminder to self … don’t stand up when you ought to shut up…)

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