Sunday

Went to Church after a short night at home. Rascal is doing fair considering Mom & Dad are gone. Sometimes he just runs back and forth in the house when they are gone, but seems to be over that for now. SS was on II Cor 8 and Elmer Glick had the sermon on being willing helpers and concentrated on the book of Nehemiah.

Counted the offering with Keith & we started early so we could be done in time for him to help get food for his children. Glad for the routine rather easy count today & we matched first time thru.

A large carryin today & had a good chat with Mark N & even compared notes on back pain with Joe Kuepfer. Also had some more in depth talks with some other people that should be kept confidential. Today was encouraging. Slept the afternoon away at Eli B’s & back for the final session which was on the “glorious Church” but for me seemed to concentrate on the 2nd coming of Jesus. A very fitting way to end a good week of meetings.

Appreciate all the people who said they will be praying for me Wed at 1PM for my open MRI. Thank you all!!!

After Church tonight I crashed a Yutzy party at Braums per David’s invitation. Freddy’s was closed and that was an earlier option. Had a great time there & esp apprec a talk with Lester about various health issues and some of the things he has gone through. This was quite helpful for me & I feel refreshed and ready to go into the next week.

Will be up awhile to get some 941’s ready. Have a lot to do between now & 10AM when I need to have the amount ready. Also have a nerve conduction test at Salina at 2PM Monday. Have no idea what to expect and think it’s probably best that way.

mikey

Saturday

Spent most of the day catching up on payroll so 941’s & KS Unempl can be completed by Monday-the due date. Actually KS Unempl won’t be due till May 18 because of last minute rate changes. Same have rates of 0%. Now how can they be so lucky!??

Went to Durham to pick up some payroll info for the above mentioned 941’s & still need some tip amounts for waitresses. Had a message from Mark N about a meal at IHOP at 1700. Got myself home & before I knew it was on my way to IHOP. Had a great meal with the following: Mark, Luke, Ryan, Jeff & Matthew Nisly, Caleb Yoder & Loyal Miller & Brian Shenk. For a bit I panicked when I saw that my ticket was missing, but was soon informed that I was NOT to pay for my meal. Thank you all!!!!

Elmer Glick spoke on believing and was a more basic, elementary session tonight. We need these kind of messages also. Very good to see Luke & Mark who are here for a wedding. Glad to see Mark’s head injury is healing nicely with well approximated edges. Discussed my MRI experiences with several. Allen says he had no problem with the MRI tube. Well, what can I say?? Guess I’ll see what next week holds. Several have told me they will be praying for me on Wed at 1PM when I encounter the open MRI machine. Thank you so much. This really is a difficult thing for me.

Had a nice phone chat with Jacob when I got home & then another one with Ryan. So much to talk about

Anyway, must get to bed & be up and at it for Church tomorrow

mikey

Friday-MRI Day!!

Woke up a bit after Noon, after a long night at Hillsboro. Still not fully rested, but able to get myself up & at it. Little did I know what terror I was about to experience. Prob should have stayed in bed.

Did a few desktop odds & ends & went to Roxbury Bank for a minor errand & then proceeded to travel to Salina for a routine MRI. Got there (Salina Regional Health Center) in plenty of time & got all the paperwork done with a few minutes to spare. Yes, that does happen on occasion. Then a nice guy about my age named Mark led me into the MRI room & I got changed into a VERY large pair of blue scrubs. Familiar territory here. Then I was led into the actual MRI area & saw the large machine. Looks OK to me.

Then I was informed that some people may experience a mild form of claustrophia while in the machine. Since I don’t have this problem I just brushed that aside. On to having my head restained simliar to the CT scan. A piece of cake. Then the table I was on was moved into the machine. OK so far, THEN it continued moving & I was introduced to “THE TUBE” A narrow cylinder where there was just a few inches between my face and the top. My arms were literally restrained to my sides due to the confimes of this narrow passageway. Mark asked if I was ready & I said OK. Thank you God for intercoms.

Then the jack hammer started roaring away & I asked Mark how long it would take, just a few more minutes??? The calm reply of appx 30 minues came my way “GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!” was all I could muster up. Up to this point I was experiencing shortness of breath and it seemed to intensify with each breath. And no I can not tolerate being increasingly short of breath for ONLY 30 minutes. Eventually the table finally moved outward & the presence of beautiful life-giving oxygen was finally within grasp again.

To make a long story short-er. I was sent to the Women’s Breast Diagnostic Center where the faint of heart go for an open MRI. Arrangements were made for me to report at this same location Wed at 1PM. Chuckle if you must, but at least I will be able to breathe.

Enought trauma for one day. I went straight home grateful to be released from a suffocating enclosure I have no idea how anyone can tolerate.

Called Elizabeth since Mom & Dad are there for the weekend & told them about my day. Both Mom & Eliz had a mild uncomfortable feeling in the tube. Mom then rattled off a LONG list of persons who were NOT able to tolerate this torture chamber which provided me great relief. At least I’m not the only one.

Did some more on 941’s due Monday & later went to the revival meetings at Center. This meeting focused on forgivess-a topic I have personally struggled with for a long time. This created some more stress as I continue to stuggle with this very important topic. All very personal and close to my heart, but God is working with me.

Had a very enjoyable time with Justin & Mike Yutzy at Applebees afterwards and fun to get more acquainted with these 2 nice young men. Also stopped in at Jim’s and rec my craving of sympathy from someone who truly is claustrophic and that was very helpful.

What a day!!!

mikey

Thursday

Finished a payroll today by a bit after Noon today. Then came home & ate and worked at Hillsboro today. 6 pts today & much busier there than I’ve seen in probably 4 months. It was a fun kind of busy and we had a lot of people coming and going. Transfers make a tremendous amount of paper work for the RN’s. Not much for me except helping them copy documents to send out. ER was very busy with non-emergent cases as always, but some were VERY significant and those are the ones I get excited about.

I think I had a record number of phone calls at work, but so disappointed I couldn’t talk very long to any of them. On several other nights it would have worked out fine, but when the call lights start up and there’s things to do in ER, it just doesn’t work to be on a personal phone call. Sorry guys!! Try again

I think the busiest time of the shift was 11PM to 1:30AM and then I was sent to find a banana for someone craving that just before I left at 3AM. Didn’t find any.

Looking forward to an MRI tomorrow at 3PM. In a way this seems redundant since I’m told a CT scan is more detailed, but that’s what Dr. Siddiqui wants to do. And I’m taking my pills faithfully and plan to continue. Also plan to continue seeing the chiropractor if muscle spasms are the culprit, but I’m not totally convinced it’s not a hot nerve. Anyway, more fun tests to follow.

mikey

Wednesday

A big day & made my first international call-to the Ukraine of all places!! Went right through with no problems and a good connection. Actually I have made calls to cousin Nik in Sweden in years past, but this one is almost halfway round the world!

Did some sales tax and KS withholding & went over bank statments after an early bkfst at DK at the unthinkable hour of 6:45AM! Then a mad dash home for phone calls & start payroll for various ones & then my doctor appt at 1:45PM with Dr. Siddiqui. He brushed a Qtip applicator all over me to see if I felt it, then broke it in 2 & prodded me with the jagged edge. Not too bad at all. I am to have an MRI on Friday & a nerve conduction test on Monday. He thinks it’s more muscle related than nerve related.

He put me on lidocaine patches for my shoulder, Amitriptylin & Naproxin & Skelaxin. Now I’m a walking medicine cabinet, but will see how it goes.

Then a quick trip to Durham to get a check from the brother of the guy in Ukraine, so will have that all on time afterall WHEW!!

Then had major problems with losing worksheets and had even misplaced a check for sales tax from Hutch. Quite frustrating, but they mysteriously turned up where they were supposed to be! Went to Hutch & mailed these documents before the 9PM cutoff to save appx $100 plus in late fees had I been even a day late. Arrived at Center about 8:30PM & a continuation on Abraham & Isaac. Missed out on a fascinating childrens story I’m told.

Had a lengthy conversation after Church & had a bite to eat at BK with Josh. A full day, but glad it’s over

mikey

Tuesday

Spent the entire day doing sales tax & Kansas Withholding & even have a head start on the 941’s due Monday. Missed one guy who went on vacation before we could get his payroll reports done, but think we’ll get that worked out. What a mess!

Went to Hillsboro & went over a large sales tax account. Harvey County’s rate went up to 7.3% from 6.3% so had to make an adjustment for that. Not too big of a deal. Then went on to Hutch for the revival meetings. Elmer talked about Abraham offering Isaac & how that might apply to us today. He asked if we might have an Isaac. I don’t think I’ve every thot about it that way before, but can see where he’s going.

Went over another sales tax account after Church and got that all done. Then went to Bethany’s for a cake & tea party. Rosa, Marian & Lydia were also there. Little Noah had pinkeye, but seems to be doing OK with it. Had a fun time there & it was CHEESEcake with strawberries which I have a weakness for. VERY delicious. Thank you Bethany.

Spent the night at Willards

mikey

Monday

Finally got to bed at 5:30AM after staying a bit longer at work than usual. Exhausted & simply unable to get out of bed till 3PM. I am learning to stay off my right side which always awakens me with a completely numb left arm. It seems I’m able to tolerate the pain better, even tho it’s still there. Got up & prepared a long proposal for a client who I feel is being shortchanged by the LLC he is involved with. Could be a messy situation, but sounds like a challenge I will enjoy and think I have all my ducks in a row for any questioning that will inevitably come.

Finally had a call from Comcare at Salina Clinic at 5PM to call in to make an appt, but not even sure who with. Just have a telephone number I need to call tomorrow. Plan to be up bright at early at 9AM for that. Have a lot of sales tax to do & KS Withholding which is due Wed.

Went to the first installment of the Revival meetings at Center, led by Elmer Glick of Slanesville, West Virginia. From Mine Road area in PA originally I think. Tonight’s topic was “be still and know God”. Enjoyed all the OT references and I find these quite fascinating.

Appreciate all the prayer support & even a suggestion to consider anointing by a kind older brother in the Church. I will definitely consider that, but feel I need to know what I’m dealing with first. Went to Dairy Queen with Josh and that was a good time.

Lots of publicity on the efiling failure at Intuit which owns Lacerte, Pro Series & Turbotax. I had difficulty efiling early Monday, but they finally got thru. It was so serious, they were in disaster recovery mode. Didn’t realize it was that big of a deal. I spent Tues doing only extensions & I paper mailed those, so I didn’t get in on that fun Tuesday thankfully.

Made national news & the president of Intuit has been making several public apologies for the failure. I appreciate their taking responsibility when they could just as easily blame the IRS for the problems. That’s called integrity.

A good day, but didn’t get a lot of tax work done. Hope for more accomplishments tomorrow

mikey

Sunday

Went to Church & SS was on II Cor 7 & “perfecting holines in the fear of God” vs 1 stood out to me. Julian had the sermon on Anabaptist thoughts & showed us a glimpse of his time at Faith Builders in a class he had there. More of a classroom setting today & that was great. One thought is that Church should come before family, but that the family should be raised with the goal of being a part of the Church.

Had several nice conversations after Church and made my way to Hillsboro. It’s amazing the people God places in my life & how helpful they are with the recent news I rec. One coworker patiently listened to my thoughts & understands my fears and I’m just thankful for this persons encouragement. Apprec all the offers of prayer support at Church. Praise God.

Colonoscopy prep was the order of the evening tonight for 1 pt, and went much more smoothly than it could have.

Very pleased to have my cell phone back. Jordan handed it to me and it was all charged up. How thoughtful. Had a nice chat with Ryan on a late break at work. Appreciate your prayer support!!

An encouraging day

mikey

Saturday-Birthday party last night!!

First of all I must say I was treated to a birthday party at Marvin Nislys house that exceeded all expectations & then some! Thank you all SO much!! Those there: Jeff, Matthew, Jacob, Ryan Nisly, John Miller, Josh, James Yoder, Grant Iwashige, David Yutzy, Josh Tosten, Steven Wagler and Jared Shetler. If anyone was missed, please let me know. It’s important to me that the list is complete. And muy apologies if this is the case that someone was missed-unintentional. Also enjoyed a fun time with Michael Jon, Jordan & Darren Shetler a bit earlier.

Pizza, chips & pop on the menu, including Wild Cherry Pepsi which is new to me. Also managed to have a midnight polar swim at 1AM and maybe it wasn’t quite freezing, but it SURE felt like it. Quite exhiliarating!! Sad to say only about half of the number took the plunge, but what can I say. It’s their loss! We even persuaded Leroy to join us & I do believe he was in longer than anyone else. Way to go Leroy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff expanded our musical boundaries in a most enjoyable manner and most of all I had a great time with my guys!!! You’re all tops!!!         

Crashed about 4AM I think on the couch. A strange happening was numerous missing cell phones thruout the event. I was included in this number as my phone apparently fell onto the couch & I was without this important device all day. Hope to retrieve it tomorrow.

Now on to more sobering news: As you may be aware, I have been having back pain radiating into my L arm for about 2 weeks. Some improvement, but it’s definitley still there. Had a chest Xray Monday Apr 9 & I had an urgent message Apr 19 to come in for the results. I have degenerative disk disease, scoliosis among a few other items. C7 was not viewable due to a para tracheal mass on my chest wall. This pronouncement stopped my world completely. I instantly stood up and knew this could be VERY serious. Most of all since the pain is in my spine and the mass is on my chest wall, this could likely indicate metastasis or massive spreading of cancer cells. Of course this was premature, but what else could I think about? Things started to make sense as I HAVE been having a strange sensation when I look down or turn my head from side to side. I will say that I could not have been notified in a more kind, professional way than the way Gwneda told me this news and gave me time sort this all out. However I was told to report very quickly to the Imaging Center for a CT scan. This involved a large bore pipe being plunged into my right antecubital (elbow) region so dye could be injected into my veins. This proved to be a fascinating experience and the whishing sounds of the CT machine were soothing.

Then it was off to pick up Michael Jon & Jordan for our birthday trek mentioned at an earlier time.

With my mind all a jumble by the time I got home I made a call to Paul & Elizabeth & this was a memorable event and one of intercessory prayer that helped me make it through the night. I was not able to sleep till 5AM & I was later told by Elizabeth that she had awakened then (4AM their time) with a need to pray for me. It was then that I was able to fall into a restful slumber. Praise God!!

The long awaited phone call from Gwenda came at 2:30PM with the news that there does not appear to be any cancer cells or anything of a dangerous nature. An overwhelming sense of relief overcame me. Next week I am to see a neurologist about the nerve pain and find out more about the mass. With many people praying for me I feel prepared to face this week confindent that God will get me through this. New territory, but God does at times ask us to be out of our comfort zone.

Got to work at the hospital today with a fairly heavy pt load in ER and inpatient. Incredible how helpful it was to discuss my health issues with knowledgable coworkers ( one of whom is a cancer survivor). Found out lots of good info & advice as I plow into next week.

Praise God!!!!

mikey

Friday

Do not plan to be here tonight so will let you know a bit of what’s going for the time being. As  mentioned yesterday, I had a CT scan about Noon at the Imaging Center. I had some significant potentially life altering news at Statcare appx Noon before I had this procedure done. The last 26 hours has been quite a blur. Lots of good things happening on my birthday, but some other things on my mind also. Finally received the CT results about 2:30PM today. Do not feel comfortable saying anything since my parents don’t even know the results yet. They are out & about in Salina today.

Tonight will let my good friends know what’s going on before it’s posted here for everyone to see. My desire is that this experience will give glory to God! We serve an awesome God and He does all things well.

Looking forward to a very special night with some very special young friends of mine.

c u later

mikey