Doing Kingdom work in Southern Sudan

Rehab – 101

Well, that first eventful week came and went, with all its interesting facets. Now, as many knee replacement patients have often recounted, comes the hard part. And how accurate they were!

The first few days back in our flat were great. Familiar surroundings (so to speak), space to move around, ability to wash myself in privacy, people stopping by the flat to see how I am doing, and best of all the drugs were still doing their job – relatively pain free living.

Then the physical therapy sessions began. And so did the pain. The swelling has gone down dramatically in my knee this past week, which I’m told is a very good thing (and very quickly, I’m told by the therapist). I can actually see what looks like a knee structure in there now as opposed to a stuffed water balloon.  But all of this “good news” comes with a price. My nerve endings and my muscles, which had been enjoying that cushion of drugs and swelling, and had been hiding for the past couple of weeks, have now come alive. Oh, have they ever. The saddest part is that they seem to enjoying being active the most at night, when I would like to be resting the rest of my body.

So, while I had started to wean myself off the week of drug induced stupor at the hospital, now I’m finding that I have needed to start re-taking some pain medication again each night just to get through to the morning. Sleep is still coming in spurts – in between pillow relocation (between the knees), trying not to wake my wife who is going through her own PT for her neck/shoulder, waking up at all hours wincing when one of those nerve endings seems to have not taken its share of pain medication, and trying to walk to the bathroom on crutches while being drugged at 3am to take a pee. That latter vision is one that I hope never makes it on to YouTube – crutches going in every which direction while I wonder who I am and what in the world I am doing at that hour of the night.

Geepers, I haven’t even gotten to the PT part yet. That started on Friday of last week. I thought to myself, now we are finally getting on to the recovery road and things will get clicking now. They got clicking alright, but I think that was the bones in my leg I was hearing. Toni is really a very nice woman who means well and really knows her stuff, but she obviously isn’t the one who goes home each night to endure the agony of her day’s therapy. My first visit was pleasant enough, some massaging of the knee, some bending and stretching to get the muscles working properly again, and even a couple of electrode and water machines at the end to soothe over what she had just worked on. When it was over I thought, “Well, this won’t be as bad as everyone had said”. They say that first impressions are important, and yes, they are. But mulling over that impression for several hours is not a bad idea either. That evening several of my nerve endings woke up for the first time in many days from their drug high and reminded me that they were needing to discover what this strange new bionic contraption was that had invaded their territory.  I have been working on my drug induced truce with them for a few days now.

I tried to stay off the drugs for as long as I could but as the swelling went down, more and more nerves began waking up, and more muscles began to activate themselves into a chorus of pain. Just when I think it’s to a bearable point I make another visit to Terrible Toni’s Torture chamber and endure what I know in my heart and mind is good for my body. I just wish the mind would talk to the body and get on the same page with it.

So, as the days turn into weeks, and those turn into months, the therapy will continue and my knee will eventually gain its full bionic strength and I’ll be able to set off the security alarms at airports all over the world. Through all of this process God has been so abundantly good to Cathy and me. All of our needs have been supplied and we have enjoyed some fellowship with colleagues that we would not ordinarily be around. Thanks to all of you who have faithfully interceded for us during this season of life. Please don’t stop or let up. I may run out of medications soon…..

To God be the glory,

Warriors,

OK – I think we are done with doctors for a bit (except to take my stitches out next week) so I’ll see if I can recap our updates here.

1. Cathy found out today that she has rotator cuff syndrome. Thankfully, no surgery required. But a lot of physical therapy will be going on during the next month here. We are both scheduled several times a week at the same PT place so they will get to know us pretty well.

2. Cathy’s neck problems seem to be on the mend and she now has an in-home traction device that she will be using for some time to come. Again, this sure beats surgery so we are praising the Lord all the way to our physio!

3. My knee rehab is going well. More and more movement is coming each new day, although so is more pain. The pain is probably due to the swelling coming down – and my PT’s delight in moving my newly implanted knee into all sorts of contortions that I’m sure are not natural.

4. Please be praying for Wycliffe, our compound worker, who just had his sister die. He is in Kenya where he is mourning and taking care of family issues surrounding the death. Pray that God will amazingly provide all that Wiki needs in the way of finances, emotions and physical health during this difficult time for him.

5. Always remember to pray for our journeymen, who are now in Rumbek without us, as they continue to serve the King daily in their assignments.

6. And a HUGE PRAISE for the Lewis family as they are now in their new home !!!!!! What a great blessing this is for them. Pray that as they settle in that they will make all the family adjustments that come along with bush living.

God is sooo good to us on the Sudan team. We lift Him up and praise his magnificent name,

Mark and Cathy

Knee Replacement Surgery

This has been an interesting week, to say the least. Beginning with my admittance to the hospital on Monday afternoon until my release on Sunday at around noon, it has been an incredible learning experience.

Monday evening was filled with the preliminaries of any major surgery – the masses of paperwork, sorting out of drugs, meeting the first of a multitude of new nurses, bathing with surgical soap, and that ever present “smell” of cleanliness. Sleep comes sparingly with – mind racing with all the possibilities that come with having some of my bones cut out of my body and being replaced with space age plastic. The myriad of pain possibilities kept relentlessly popping my head of the pillows. Of course there was also the nightmares of having to wear white stockings for a month after surgery…

Tuesday morning came bright and early with more surgical showering, the shaving of my leg with batteries quickly running out, and then that final drug-induced gurney ride to the operating theater. My wife and the nurse apparently have some comical stories and pictures that go along with those final minutes of my semi-comatose state. Not sure I really want to see the pictures….

They probably go hand in hand with my post-op recovery state. That is never one of those “People Magazine” photo opportunities. I vaguely recall glimpses and the voice of my bride from time to time but couldn’t possibly tell you what day it was. By Tuesday evening I was safely tucked away in a front corner of the “high care” unit (something like the ICU). I was joined there by a nightmare induced man who kept screaming at the nurses to clean his toes, give him pain meds, or feed him a hamburger. Then there was the woman who was clearly “off her rocker” in the far back corner who let out shrieks reminiscent of any of the recent horror flicks put out by Hollywood. I was sure the men in white coats would come bursting through the doors at any moment. It was a good thing I had my noise canceling headphones and my iTouch with me. That drowned out most of the other distractions that surrounded me and allowed me a good, restful evening – that and great drugs.

By Wednesday morning I was wondering when I was going to begin feeling the terrible pain that many other knee replacement patients had informed me about. Turns out that because of the epidural that I was given before the surgery my pain would be almost nothing, throughout the first week at least. If I had known this would be the case this surgery might have happened a couple of years ago! But then came the physical therapist time. I knew that my leg would soon be contorted into positions that might be natural for a twenty year old knee but ones that I was quite sure I didn’t want to be trying with one that was just surgically set in place less than 48 hours earlier. I knew there was going to be a “pain clause” that I didn’t read about somewhere.  At least I was moved out of high care and into my semi-private room today.

So, along comes Thursday and Cathy informing me that she will also be in the hospital for the next three days. With all of her neck/shoulder problems it was decided that she undergo some neck traction for three days, and since I was already admitted it just made sense for her to be here as well. Turns out God made it possible for us to be in the same room together, which was amazing. So, over the next three days we each watch the other undergoing physical therapy, meeting the others’ doctors, and learning how to care for each other in the weeks that follow.

Finally today, Sunday, is our day of release. If I wasn’t ordered to stay on my crutches of a solid month I think I would glide out of here. The type of surgery that was done on my knee – without using any glue – requires that my up-front recovery time is greater and more monitored, but the benefits for the long term are much more encouraging. The doctor tells me that within three months I should be walking fine and can begin a more normal exercising regime.

All in all it’s been quite a week but I’m certainly glad it’s behind me. Now for the rehab time…..

Warriors,

Just a brief note of thanks for your faithful intercession during this past week while both Cathy and I have been in the hospital. My knee replacement surgery was successful and has been rehabbing well to date. As you read this I will be out of the hospital and in our flat in Jo-burg, where we will be for the next 4-5 weeks. Cathy was in the same room as me for her three days of neck traction and x-rays. We were both released this morning (Sunday).

Cathy will have more tests and doctor visits this coming week while I will be going slowly as the surgeon and physical therapist have advised. The type of replacement that I had done was one in which did not use glue, which means the near term rehab is longer but the long term prognosis is much better. Pray that I will be faithful in not overdoing “what the doctor has ordered”. We will update you on Cathy’s progress as soon as we know more later this week.

To God be the glory,

Mark and Cathy

HI from South Africa. Mark continues to do well. He had a bit more pain last night and didn’t sleep well, but he took some good naps during the day! They had him up and walking a couple of times. He will come home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, I (Cathy) will go into the hospital for three days of traction to try and sort out a neck problem. It is NOT a pinched nerve; it appears to be a disk that has degenerated somewhat and is bulging, putting pressing on my neck. The traction is one hour on/one hour off for three days, and fortunately for me does not involve needles or IV’s. I will be able to get up and walk around during my hours “off” (although I will be on pretty heavy muscle relaxers so won’t try to do anything except maybe read!)Â I will be ready to come home on Sunday afternoon as well.

I also found out the pain in my other arm is caused by my shoulder, so I have an appointment with the shoulder specialist on Friday. We will just hope that’s not something serious!!!

So, next update will be Sunday evening or Monday morning. No news is good news!

Cathy

Mark’s surgery went well. He is out and (groggily) awake. I will have a chance to visit again this afternoon. Will let you know how he’s doing.

Cathy

Warriors,

1. The training session last week at the Bible school went great. Eighteen local pastors were trained in “purity and holiness” and “giving”. The very next day there was a shooting in Akot and the director of the school reported to us that because of the training they were able to deal with the trouble in a Christian way.

2. On Tuesday morning at about 8 am Jo-burg time (about midnight EST) Mark will be having his knee replacement surgery. He will then be in the hospital for about a week of recovery and rehab before a further month of rehab in Jo-burg. Pray for a steady hand and sharp mind for the surgeon and his staff. The surgery was moved up a week for which we are grateful.

3. Cathy arrived safely on Saturday – though with a long delay in Nairobi due to a Kenyan Airways strike that was going on – and is now here in Jo-burg with Mark – PTL

To the King be the glory,

mk

Warriors,

2. Cathy will be coming to join me here on the 15th. In between now and then she will be traveling to Juba, Kapoeta and Nairobi. That’s lots of plane connections that need to be made (many on little dirt airstrips) so be praying for her. Her schedule is:

- 10 August (Monday)Â WFP Rumbek-Juba
- 11 August (Tuesday)Â WFP Juba-Kapoeta
- 14 August (Friday)Â MAF Kapoeta-Nairobi
- 15 August (Saturday) to Joberg.

3. We have created a new home page “Pray Now” box on our sudansouth.org web site. You can go there anytime to find out what is urgent in the prayer lives of our team.

mk

Warriors,

What a month. In the last update I told you about our prayer retreat and our Sectional meeting – as well as requesting some other intercessions. Lots of good news in this one…..

1. The Lewis house is now on site in Riwoto (outside of Kapoeta)!!! The foundations are going in and we have a great Kenyan contractor there helping them with the myriad of other tasks that go into setting up a compound to live on in the bush. What a huge praise to God for this happening. We still have a couple more containers to get in and out to the site so please be praying for these to get there fast, before the roads get washed out. There was a communications snafu (once again) and the paperwork for the other containers didn’t get where they needed to be – but they are now. PTL

2. Our family had an incredible time together on a sailboat in the Mediterranean. We all met up in Istanbul, with no flight glitches and only one delayed piece of luggage, and spent a few days with some dear friends. Then a week sailing around some of God’s most beautiful creations with a small, but great group of people. This is one of those times that will be indelibly inscribed in each of our minds and hearts. Everyone is now back in our respective homes and back to serving the King in those places. Thanks for praying us though this holiday – it was wonderful being together.

3. We have a very good possibility looming on the horizon. A new couple are looking at one of our key job requests and are moving along in the process to come out as our Youth Work Directors. Please be praying for Michael and Rachael as they travel through this new season of life. Pray that all the communications between the field and Richmond will be clear and that this assignment will be filled by this family (they have a young daughter, Esther). We are over-the-top about this good news.

4. All of our journeymen are now back together in Sudan and everyone is healthy! That in itself is reason for great rejoicing as the past few months were pretty rough on the team. Cathy and I travel in tomorrow morning (Saturday) to join up with them. The HIV/AIDS team have a volunteer team coming in later this month so be praying for them. You can probably read more about this team on our sudansouth.org web site (maybe on the “CAPS” site on the home page). Continue to be praying for the other programs they are involved in with the youth in Rumbek – read all about them on their blogs from the sudansouth website.

5. Remember to keep praying for the Lewis family as they settle into their assignment in Taposa land. They are now busy with language and culture acquisition while at the same time watching their home being built in the bush. Their young boys have adapted quite well so far. The first week we were with them you wouldn’t have known that they hadn’t lived there for a year already – trapping birds, hunting snakes, playing with the local kids, constructing all manner of local “crafts” and pretty much enjoying bush life.

My oh my, God is so good….all the time. We on the Sudan team feel so blessed to have a great team of prayer warriors like you who intercede for us, and who praise the King along side of us.

To God be the glory,

mk