I’m taking my 16 year old daughter Phoenix up to Mass General in Boston today for a laproscopic removal of her gallbladder. She’s in pain and scared, I’m worried and stretched thin. Surgery is scheduled for 1pm, will probably get underway around 1:30. I ask for all you well wishes and prayers for her.
Last time I asked for your prayers for her you all responded with such depth and kindness; when we got home we were in tears reading the replies that we had received. I printed them all out, now they adorn her bedroom walls. This is community.
Phoenix, be brave, be strong. I know this is scary for you, but sometimes the things that are hard are the best things for you. The ability to face some things now will make challenges later in life seem easy. When I teach my students (I teach martial arts) to face things I tell them to be a “good finder” always look for the good in a situation. Will this operation make you healthier? Will it make your life better? Will it make your family breath a little easier? These are the things to look for. Leave the worrying for someone else and focus on how this is good for you. All my best wishes, I know you can do this.
My wife had to go through this last year (on our anniversary no less!) It was over and done with quickly and she was out of the hospital the next morning. Recovery was really fast. She was a bit tired for the first couple of days but really had no recovery problems, and not a lot of pain or discomfort.
Tell Phoenix not to worry, she’s in great hands and has a whole community here thinking of her!!
You, your daughter and the medical staff working on her will all be in my prayers.
As a father of four children of my own, I know that this must be an incredibly difficult time for you. May you be blessed with peace and strength over the next several hours, may your daugher come through the surgery with flying colors and may the doctors operate swiftly, skillfully and successfully on her.