Almost at the summit – update #5

Hello friends and family,

It sure has been an interesting summer and I am so thankful I have had company on this journey. The bible says to carry one another’s burdens, which I have certainly felt from so many of you. The many words of encouragement have been like wind for my sails. Plus, I know all the prayers are being heard by our Heavenly Father and at the throne room of Grace. They are indeed availing much. I know from being a father that nothing pleases me more then when my son comes to me with all sincerity to talk with me with matters on his heart, he has my full attention. So, if I am the cause for anyone getting closer with The Father, I am greatly honored and encourage it.

Thusfar, it has kinda been like climbing Mount Everest and making it all the way up to the final base camp. Tomorrow we reach for the summit, the most challenging leg of the journey. I say the summit because once it is reached, the decent – the way home, begins. I go to the hospital tomorrow (Tuesday), at 4:45am for some repairs (surgery) to this rental car. I am expecting to get the necessary repairs so I can drive many, many more miles until I get a new one.

It has been a pretty intense emotionally for the past week or so. Fighting off anxiety and overwhelment that has tried to creep in from many different angles. Not fear of dying, but overwhelment to have everything in order, just in case. That was part of it. It was also just realizing the variety of discomforts that await me. Many times saying in my mind, “ I Pass”. When I first met with my surgeon she told me to not go on the internet because there is so much stuff out there it is only going to scare me. I pretty much have kept that advice, but last week I felt I needed to do some research on my surgeon, the procedure and look for some testimonies or blogs of people that have had this procedure. Transhiatal esophagectomy, abdominal thoracic lymphadectomy, gastric pull up, jejurosomy – possible open. Sounds expensive doesn’t it ? Some of the statistics I came across made me shake in my boots, my surgeon was right. We did have the opportunity to have a lengthy conversation with a gentleman that had the procedure over a year ago and, although it was alarming, he was alive and well and he gave me great insight of what to expect. Again, “I Pass”, but I worked through it.

I do have great PEACE from above right now, Thank God.

UCLA offers a Carepages website you can visit for updates. I am still working on getting a webcam for the surgery room, so stay tuned.
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Richardisonvacation

I am not sure when I will be ready for visitors, but feel free to e-mail, text or call Maria to find out.
[email protected]
(310) 254-8578

I will be at the new UCLA Ronald Regan Hospital which still has that new hospital smell.
Address:
757 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Phone:
Hospital Information (310) 825-9111
Patient Information (310) 825-8611
There is parking in the 200 Medical Plaza Bldg which is next door for $10.00, or valet right in front of the hospital for $13.00.
There is also street meter parking on La Cont.

For any all the past updates, photos and more visit;
Richardfelipe.com

Thanks again for reading, and for all your prayers and support. 