The LONG story...

as best I can. I wanted to check in with everyone and tell you the story. The truth is, I am not sure I have the strength. I have been SAPPED of all energy lately and I feel like I can't even TYPE! But, I know you have all been faithfully praying me through and I have desperately wanted to THANK YOU and update you on things. Here is the blow-by-blow: Monday, December 12 - LAP RNY all seemed to have gone like clockwork. I was up moving and walking shortly after surgery. Tuesday, December 13 - I feel okay, but never really great. I am just attributing it to the fact that I have never had surgery and don't know what it feels like to go through the pain of recovery. I also drink/eat whatever I can to prove to them that I am READY to leave. Wednesday, December 14 - They say I can be released, but if the pain persists. I REALLY need to call them. At this time I still feel pretty rotten. My head hurts (turns out it's because of morphine) and my body is still REALLY sore. Thursday, December 15th - The pain is getting worse. I really need to WALK more. So, I walk and try to move around and continue to medicate every 3-4 hours. Nothing ever cuts the pain, but at least it's minimized. By evening this night I cannot walk upright, and I have to sleep seated up with my head nodding off. Friday, December 16th - Unimaginable pain. I think to myself "Why can't I handle this?" I must really be a wimp. But, I really can't go the whole weekend without talking to my surgeon." I call the surgeon, explain my symptoms: excruciating pain all over my abdomen, awful pain throughout my body. To the point of inabiblity to function. He tells me: "Go to hospital admitting and get an x-ray! Come see me immediately afterwards." I get to the hospital and CANNOT WALK. I have to be wheeled to admitting. I get admitted, praying every moment through literally every breath because of pain, they take me to x-ray where I must to THE most HORRIBLE thing...lay down. I SCREAM with raw pain as they x-ray my body. I get a CD with the x-ray and go to my surgeon's office. He takes one look at me and says "We have to go back in. Something is very wrong." I cry...my family is taking care of my children and working, I am all alone with the surgeon and nurse who do their best to console me. But, I KNOW this is what needs to happen. So, I consent, they call my dad (who is home with my children.) And from there, the family comes one by one to the waiting room, as quickly as possible to pray me through what I found out later was life saving surgery. It turns out I had a twisted part of my intestine/bowel near the anastomosis. Thus causing a leak. The leak FILLED my entire old stomach with bile, which then leaked into my BODY! So, they had to fix the leak and then proceed to wash my organs/flush them almost FOUR times to get rid of the stuff. My old stomach was so enflamed it was pushing on my organs. I come out of surgery...Safe for the time being. Thank you God for your peace and your wisdom. Saturday, December 17 - My kidneys are not functioning. The nurses and doctors are unsure what is wrong, but there is NO urine. They become worried and start to flush my system and finally resort to lasiks (sp?) I actually gained 30 LBS in water weight!! Because they kept trying to flush me out!! Sunday, December 18 - My liver is struggling and I am jaundiced. What next??? But, all the time, I feel peace. I am never afraid, only confused and concered for everyone else. I am ready to meet Jesus and I tell Him. It's so sad to think that I may have to leave my husband, children and family, but again....peace. Monday, December 19th - The turn around...finally, my kidneys kick in, my biliruben is up and I am starting to feel better. The irony, even through all this I STILL felt better than I did the Friday before surgery. Tuesday, December 20th - Saturday, December 24th - I recuperated and grew stronger with each day. I realize now the prayers of friends and family and YOU ALL are what got me through. I never would have survived this journey without you all. Thank you SO much for your love and support through this scary time. December 24-26 - Stayed in town and celebrated Christmas with my family. TODAY: CAME HOME!!!!!!!! I am finally, home along with my husband. They called him home from his post when things looked very grim. I feel better every day, but I still have NO ENERGY. I look forward to things getting better and better. Sorry this letter is so disjointed. I wanted to get it out, but I am wiped out now. So, please know that I have not stopped praying for you all and I SO APPRECIATE you all praying for me!! Blessings and much love~ Becky

Becky, Talk about gaurdian angels. I am so happy to hear that you are recovering. You were good to the Lord and the Lord was good to you. You never wavered your doubt in what he was giving you. I am very proud of you. I pray that your recovery will be uneventful from here on. I ask the Lord to heal your body. 2 Kings 20:5 I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, Surely I will heal you. Kristie

Oh, Becky. What a journey you are having, and what a story of victory you will have to share with others. God bless you! We are praying for you and know that the Lord will deliver you and give you energy in abundance. Prayers and praise. Peg

Oh Becky!!! I am soooo happy that you are home, I read about your pain and I am crying!!! I was so worried about you, I am sure your sister told you that your dimpledopper called. I couldn't take it anymore, I had to. I miss you so much and know that I love you more than words can say!!! I am thankful that our Father brought you back home to us. Just know that your faith and everyones prayers have been answered! I am so grateful to have a friend like you and I know you are going to do great even after all that has happened. Tell Ken hi for me and love those kids for me too. Te amo mucho mi hermana y que suenas con los angelitos!!! Tu amiga en Jesucristo, Steph

Becky, PRAISE GOD!! That you went to the Doctor and that he was fast and experienced to see the problem. I am so happy for you. Remember your body needs to rest and please take care of yourself. God is Faithful!!! When I pray about you, all I hear is "I AM" I AM the Lord that healeth thee. I AM the Lord your provider I AM the Lord your strength I AM the Lord your Strong Deliverer Praise His Holy Name, and The Holy Spirit who gave you comfort and peace beyond understanding! I know this test will become a testimony that God will use for His Glory!! God Bless, Take care Deborah

My Dear Sweet Becky, I am so sorry you have been struggling - you have been in my prayers and thoughts. It is so good to hear from you and though you are still weak, I am glad you are doing better. Thank you for taking the time while you were in the hospital to drop us a line and thank you for the update today. I will continue to pray for your energy to be restored and continued healing. Although this has been difficult the Lord is going to use this experience in your life to glorifiy Himself. I love you! God Bless, Lynda Phil. 4:8

Becky, We have missed you so much. We praise God that in spite of every valley you were in He walked you though it!! You said that you could feel the prayers everyone was praying on your behalf; that's because they were real and genuine. We all love you so much and it literally makes me ache to hear of the pain you were in. I will continue to pray with you and for you. God bless you! Dawn

WOW! What a journey! PTL your doing better and better everyday! I'm so sorry you had to experience all this. Lifting you up in prayer, Letty

Bless you Becky! What a journey, I pray that you will soon be getting your energy back and feeling really good. Thanks for letting us know what has been going on. Blessings! Gina

Dear Sweet Becky... You have been prayed for and very missed. I have been in and out of the boards lately with my famly being here and my trip to DC, but I have been trying to check up on you and see how things are going. I am so glad that you are finally home, and that you are reunited with your hubby. That is such great medicine! You have been down a long road so far, but your journey is touched by the Lord. His hand is on you. He orders your steps. There is purpose to it all, though we can't see it at the moment, and our simple minds can't comprehend it. I am so selfishly thankful that you are still here with us, though. The energy thing is a hard one. I am still working on that one. I have been taking sublingual B complex since week one of surgery that is supposed to help. Supposedly, it takes a while to kick in. I feel somewhat better now I guess...especially since I am able to eat normal food now. It will get better for you. It is just a time and learning process. Know that you are loved and prayed for! So glad to have you back! Steph