June 15, 2024

“Hold my beer!” That’s what Lauren said when she heard I might need foot surgery. She will not be out-suffered. Uugghh…so this happened…

Yesterday around dinner time, she called me to say she was having horrible abdominal pain. And this morning around 7:00, she had her appendix removed. She is resting quietly but uncomfortably after a long night. This is her eighth surgery. She had cranial surgery after her accident. Then a tonsillectomy. Five wrist surgeries. Now an appendectomy. Like we’ve always said…no one suffers more than Lauren.

She is in the hosptial in Mt. Airy, about 9 minutes from their new home in Pilot Mountain. We drove down Andy Griffith Parkway to get here. Yes, it’s the inspiration for Mayberry and Mt. Pilot from the Andy Griffith Show, Other than the patient yelling in the hallway while Lauren is trying to nap, all the people here are just like you’d expect them to be. The check-in receptionist looked genuinely worried when I told her Lauren’s pain was excruciating and that she couldn’t wait to be seen, the surgeon was smiley and chatty, her student nurse was smart and sharp and friendly, and her night nurse was as sweet as Aunt Bea.

Mt. Airy hospital is impressive for a small town, and I’m glad to know Lauren and Gavin have access to great care close to home. It was around 11 last night that she was transferred from the emergency room to a private room, and she texted me to ask if I had anything she could use to clean the makeup off her face. Smart to ask because I’m usually packing. She knows that as many times as we’ve been in the hospital for this girl or that girl, I keep a bug-out bag in the Bandwagon at all times. I’ve got tomorrow’s outfit, jammies, socks, new contacts and solutions, spare makeup, lotions, tooth brush and paste, playing cards, coins and folding money and a prepaid Visa, face masks and sanitizer, a travel pillow, cardigan and shawl, and a good book. If you need some Tylenol or Advil, I got you. I’ve got two battery backups and charger cords for iPhone and android. Nobody’s losing power on my watch. I’m your girl for shampoo and conditioner. But no, Lauren, the one thing I don’t have is facial cleanser. Doomsday prepper fail.

She didn’t want to use the hospital soap to wash her face last night, so I asked the nice business receptionists who took the copay what stores might be close by. Turns out Mt. Airy kind of rolls up the sidewalks in the evenings and not much is open. No pharmacy or grocery stores that I could find at 11:00, but there was a gas station a few miles down the road. The best I could find for Lauren was Dude Body Shower Wipes, which are like cardboard. Plenty of condoms, but no face wash.

So now we are a few hours post surgery and she just got some pain medicine. Just clear liquids for now and she will go home tomorrow. She cried thinking she was ruining Paul’s Father’s Day. The truth is that we could have been solely focused on Lauren’s appendix if only Father’s Day hadn’t happened. Priorities. We’ve been planning a special family meal, but Lauren needs to rest tomorrow, so she and Gavin will stay in Pilot Mountain Sunday. The Mauks don’t mind dragging out a celebration, so we can do Father’s Day Partie Deux when Lauren is feeling better.

This has been our vacay week when we would usually be at the beach. But with my broken foot issues, we decided to keep it local this year. We talked last night about how challenging it would have been to have to deal with an appendectomy while out of town. I’m thankful that wasn’t the case, but we would have dealt with it. There is always much to be thankful for and abundant reasons to give praise. Lauren quickly got the care she needed in a wonderful facility. Gavin has been a strong supporter just like she needs. Mt. Airy isn’t just around the corner for us, but it’s close enough that Paul and I have been able to come here last night, this morning, and this evening. Lauren is visiting right now with Grace, Eli, Harry, and Emily in some much needed family time.

I planted some Bible verses in Lauren’s hospital room while she was still in recovery this morning. Written on scraps of paper towel, they are hidden but not hidden well. In a drawer. Under the window blinds. On top of the liquid soap dispenser. Wedged in the vitals machine. The blowing AC unit could dislodge one or the next family might find it when putting things in drawers. Or maybe when the room is being cleaned the custodian might wonder how it got there. The verses are all about healing because just like hospitals, God is in the healing business and healing is what we are claiming for Lauren. Are you ailing today? Bent over in pain?Limping on a broken foot? Licking your wounds from a torn relationship? Take heart that God sees you and has healing for you.

Jeremiah 33:6 “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”

Mark 5:35 “He said to her ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”