Good Morning My Dear Family & Friends,

As I sit here this morning, watching the sun rise and God shine his glory on Possum Kingdom & me, I think of how fortunate I really am. It is sometime easy to whine and complain about how bad things are in our own life, then we can just stop and look around and find someone worst off than we are. I think of that when I am complaining about how I feel. I am truly thankful for what God has done for me and I know he is in control of the future.

I hope this don’t sound oxy-moron but let me tell you what is in front of me. I have to call AnMed main hospital after 1500hrs today and find out what time I must arrive there in the morning and during this phone call I will be informed of what time my surgery will be scheduled for on 8/14/2007. The surgery in case you have not been informed is called a (VATS) Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with a biopsy and pleurodesis. The surgeon, Dr. Buice, has explained to me that he will put two or three incisions and be able to determine which method will be best. One procedure is using the talc powder, baby powder, but of course medical grade, by blowing it in the chest cavity. The other procedure is by scraping the walls this will causes an irritation, therefore causing the lung to stick also. He stated that he would probably use the powder. I am truly looking forward to this surgery, so this fluid will stop coming back in my lung area.

I had another 2300mls or 2.3liters drawn off my left lung on Friday and my breathing is short and laborious already again this morning. This fluid removal was more painful and the fluid was bloody this time. The doctor said that is was from the trauma from taping so often and that she probably hit a vessel with the tap. Nevertheless, this causes me to hang out in the recovery room for about three hours and get some heavy duty drugs on board and then a ride home from family members. My weekend has been uncomfortable but OK.

I am excited about a new adventure that is about to get underway. On August 21, 2007 a new class is starting at Greenville Tech and I am excited about being a part of it. I will be co-instructing in a class, Fire Investigations 1, on Tuesdays and ending in December, 2007.

I hope each of you has a great week and keep check on the blog as we will post updates as we can. I may only have dial-up while in the hospital, and we all know what that means.

God Bless You,
Lightning