My Dad's Back
A year ago my Dad suggested that the whole Walton family gather in Georgia for Christmas 2008. As the economy worsened and flights skyrocketed we still maintained our goal to be together for the holidays. Amy, travel agent extrordinaire, found and suggested good flights for everyone. Walton Christmas 2008 was on.
But first, let me 'BACK' up... My Dad has been dealing with horrible back pains for at least six months now, each month worse than the last. As December approached we weren't sure how he would handle the long day of travel to get here. Dad remained positive saying that it would be a hard day but worth it to be here all together.
There is nothing really positive we can say about the Canadian healthcare system. Dad's doctor had referred him to a neurosurgeon but was told not expect a call to schedule an appointment for weeks to months. Because of a friend at work, he was able to see a neurologist who used his contacts to get him on the list to see a neurosurgeon. However, he still had months to wait before his appointment. Meanwhile he could barely work and was in constant pain.
One morning in early December while my Dad endured a very hard morning my Mom silently changed her consistent prayer from "please bless David so that everything will work out so that we can go to Georgia" to "please bless David that he will be given the care he needs no matter what that means to our plans". Within hours they received a call from the neurosurgeon's office telling them that he had a cancellation and could see them that afternoon. They left immediately. The neurosurgeon confirmed what we already knew... that Dad needed back surgery... and that now he would be able to be placed on the waiting list to receive his surgery, likely in March or April. The news was almost crushing. On the way out, the receptionist asked my Dad when he would like to have his surgey. Dad, joking, said 'how about the first week of January?' The receptionist said, 'how about December 16th -- there has been a cancellation. ' Dad said yes immediately. My mom started to cry. It was an answer to prayer.
They postponed their flights to Georgia still feeling confident that they would be able to fly a week after surgery. We prayed, we fasted and he went into surgery. When he came out of surgery the leg pain he had been suffering with for months was still there. Somehow he had reherniated his disk while still under anesthesia. They kept him in the hospital. (Don't let the smile on his face fool you!) Two painful days later he finally had an MRI scan. He still had not seen a physician since his surgery. The MRI showed he would need another surgery but his neurosurgeon could not schedule it until December 24th. Again devastating. Mom was already spending long days at the hospital, driving an hour away in record snowy conditions, to care for him and be with him. They couldn't imagine waiting another five days.
We spent a lot of time that night on the phone receiving new information... none of which was good. Chris was driving to the airport to pick up Amy, Mike and Brian while talking to my parents and the neurosurgeon. At one point I felt strongly like it was time for yet another prayer. Katie was beside me. I asked her if she would pray with me. We prayed and then went back to folding Christmas letters. Ten minutes later we received the news that the Chief neurosurgeon in the hospital had reviewed Dad's MRI and was making arrangements for the surgery to take place the next day. By all means I do not intend to take credit for this little miracle, as there was so many people praying for him during the same time, but I was completely overwhelmed with the power of prayer and my testimony grew ten fold.
Dad's second surgery was successful and his leg pain was much improved. On December 20th, he was released from the hospital. He still had very little energy and could only sit for twenty minutes at at time, but within a couple of days he felt like he was walking like a 40 year old. We worked on plan C... flying on Dec 24th directly from Vancouver to Georgia (instead of Seattle) to make the day shorter. We were praying for a Christmas miracle.
On the morning of the 24th Mom and Dad's flights were delayed because of the snowy conditions and they decided then that with it and my mom's health (another issue entirely)and my Dad's weak condition they would cancel the trip. They weren't coming. Everyone was here and waiting for them and they weren't coming. Although they were devastated not to have Christmas with their kids and grandkids (they could barely talk about it without crying) they felt peaceful for the first time since this all started. Dad's recovery would be slow and it was the wise thing to do. We tried to be jolly but the truth is Christmas would not be the same and everyone knew it.
On Dec 27th Dad called with more heartbreaking news. His leg pain had come back with a vengence. He was once again almost crippled and he was asking for our prayers. We left the little kids in the other room playing. Six siblings and three in-laws met in our bedroom to have a prayer. Scott prayed and it was one of the most well spoken and powerful prayers I have ever heard. Most of us were crying. I was sobbing. It happens to be one of my favorite memories from our whole Christmas holidays. There is true joy in being together with siblings who have faith and honor their priesthood and where the spirit in present. At the same time my Dad was able to receive a powerful blessing of health and comfort from his bishop.
The past month has been emotionally and painfully trying but my Dad ends every conversation with his testimony ensuring us that he still has faith that everything will work out as it should. He is a great example to me.
It is now a week later and he is slowly recovering. There is much unknown. When will the pain go away?...when will he be able to go back to work?... More miracles needed... more faith required.
The Walton Family... minus two very important people.
But first, let me 'BACK' up... My Dad has been dealing with horrible back pains for at least six months now, each month worse than the last. As December approached we weren't sure how he would handle the long day of travel to get here. Dad remained positive saying that it would be a hard day but worth it to be here all together.
There is nothing really positive we can say about the Canadian healthcare system. Dad's doctor had referred him to a neurosurgeon but was told not expect a call to schedule an appointment for weeks to months. Because of a friend at work, he was able to see a neurologist who used his contacts to get him on the list to see a neurosurgeon. However, he still had months to wait before his appointment. Meanwhile he could barely work and was in constant pain.
One morning in early December while my Dad endured a very hard morning my Mom silently changed her consistent prayer from "please bless David so that everything will work out so that we can go to Georgia" to "please bless David that he will be given the care he needs no matter what that means to our plans". Within hours they received a call from the neurosurgeon's office telling them that he had a cancellation and could see them that afternoon. They left immediately. The neurosurgeon confirmed what we already knew... that Dad needed back surgery... and that now he would be able to be placed on the waiting list to receive his surgery, likely in March or April. The news was almost crushing. On the way out, the receptionist asked my Dad when he would like to have his surgey. Dad, joking, said 'how about the first week of January?' The receptionist said, 'how about December 16th -- there has been a cancellation. ' Dad said yes immediately. My mom started to cry. It was an answer to prayer.
They postponed their flights to Georgia still feeling confident that they would be able to fly a week after surgery. We prayed, we fasted and he went into surgery. When he came out of surgery the leg pain he had been suffering with for months was still there. Somehow he had reherniated his disk while still under anesthesia. They kept him in the hospital. (Don't let the smile on his face fool you!) Two painful days later he finally had an MRI scan. He still had not seen a physician since his surgery. The MRI showed he would need another surgery but his neurosurgeon could not schedule it until December 24th. Again devastating. Mom was already spending long days at the hospital, driving an hour away in record snowy conditions, to care for him and be with him. They couldn't imagine waiting another five days.We spent a lot of time that night on the phone receiving new information... none of which was good. Chris was driving to the airport to pick up Amy, Mike and Brian while talking to my parents and the neurosurgeon. At one point I felt strongly like it was time for yet another prayer. Katie was beside me. I asked her if she would pray with me. We prayed and then went back to folding Christmas letters. Ten minutes later we received the news that the Chief neurosurgeon in the hospital had reviewed Dad's MRI and was making arrangements for the surgery to take place the next day. By all means I do not intend to take credit for this little miracle, as there was so many people praying for him during the same time, but I was completely overwhelmed with the power of prayer and my testimony grew ten fold.
Dad's second surgery was successful and his leg pain was much improved. On December 20th, he was released from the hospital. He still had very little energy and could only sit for twenty minutes at at time, but within a couple of days he felt like he was walking like a 40 year old. We worked on plan C... flying on Dec 24th directly from Vancouver to Georgia (instead of Seattle) to make the day shorter. We were praying for a Christmas miracle.
On the morning of the 24th Mom and Dad's flights were delayed because of the snowy conditions and they decided then that with it and my mom's health (another issue entirely)and my Dad's weak condition they would cancel the trip. They weren't coming. Everyone was here and waiting for them and they weren't coming. Although they were devastated not to have Christmas with their kids and grandkids (they could barely talk about it without crying) they felt peaceful for the first time since this all started. Dad's recovery would be slow and it was the wise thing to do. We tried to be jolly but the truth is Christmas would not be the same and everyone knew it.
On Dec 27th Dad called with more heartbreaking news. His leg pain had come back with a vengence. He was once again almost crippled and he was asking for our prayers. We left the little kids in the other room playing. Six siblings and three in-laws met in our bedroom to have a prayer. Scott prayed and it was one of the most well spoken and powerful prayers I have ever heard. Most of us were crying. I was sobbing. It happens to be one of my favorite memories from our whole Christmas holidays. There is true joy in being together with siblings who have faith and honor their priesthood and where the spirit in present. At the same time my Dad was able to receive a powerful blessing of health and comfort from his bishop.
The past month has been emotionally and painfully trying but my Dad ends every conversation with his testimony ensuring us that he still has faith that everything will work out as it should. He is a great example to me.
It is now a week later and he is slowly recovering. There is much unknown. When will the pain go away?...when will he be able to go back to work?... More miracles needed... more faith required.
The Walton Family... minus two very important people.