Surgery...again

I'm sitting here with lots of words swimming in my head, but no idea what to say and how to put it all into explanations and feelings...so as I process through my numbness, I'll just share information.  The synopsis of Phil's appointment today:

The doctor came in, looked at both eyes and left the room, which kind of surprised me and the nurse didn't look real clear either on it.  We were the last patients of the day and so it wasn't that he was checking on someone else.  He came back after a few minutes and told us he had needed to take a little walk. He said that he was very frustrated and that he knew we were too.  At this point we knew it wasn't going to be good news.  There is still fluid underneath the retina and it is simply not draining out and getting better. He feels that the best option is to go in and do the surgery again.  They will take out the gas bubble that is in his eye now, do the repair, and then put a new gas bubble in.  He will then be face down for 2 weeks again.  He tells us that it will be 2 weeks or less this time...but we aren't getting our hopes up.  The surgery will be tomorrow,  Friday (Nov 10) in the late afternoon.

He did say that he is hopeful that another laser surgery (in office, non-invasive) surgery on the good eye will keep us from needing to do the full surgery on that eye at all.  Again, we are hopeful, but not counting on it.  This would be the 3rd laser surgery on this eye. 

I don't have words...and ya'll know that doesn't happen often.  This was not the news we wanted to hear.  We are disappointed, overwhelmed, and so many other emotions right now. Phil doesn't know how he will do this again...I'm wondering the same...But we will.  One day at a time.  Maybe one moment at a time.  God has gotten us through the last 6 weeks (really 12 since the symptoms started) and He will get us through the next few.  He won't leave us now.  We know that.  We really do, but right now we have lots of feelings and emotions at the forefront and it is hard to stay focused on that.

My dad will be taking Phil up to get registered and checked in at the hospital because I have two veterans day programs to put on at each of my schools.  Immediately after the 2nd one, my principal has given me permission to leave to get to the hospital before he goes back into surgery.  We will have to return on Saturday morning for the doctor to change the dressing out and examine his eye. 

So, prayer requests:
1. A successful and final surgery on this eye.
2. Peace and calmness in the midst of all of the emotions happening.
3. A heart of thankfulness, as we know there are those who have it much worse.
4. For Phil to feel God's presence before, during and after surgery and that God will sustain Him and grow him during the 2 weeks of face down.

Thank you for loving us and praying for us.  We feel it...we really do.