January 29, 2014
Dearest Friends and family
TRIP TO ALABAMA
Before we had the LAST catheter removed (or so we thought) we made a
quick trip to see Chris, Terasa and the kids in Coker Alabama. We stopped in
Memphis the way through and saw Larry McKenzie.
January 17th was Kathy and my 45th wedding anniversary. Chris and Terasa took us out for dinner to celebrate. (Any of you who know me know that me waiting over an hour to eat a a local steak place shows I have learned a wee bit of patience.) We told the kids we might go ahead and get married after all!!!!
January 19th we travelled to Columbus Miss. to speak with a congregation who already help the work in Oceania and want to help build the school. Then that PM we went to Hernando Miss. where good friendsof ours work with the church. Andy and Catherine Scott are long time friends we worked with in PNG and Terasa was their flower girl. Since Monday was a holiday we stayed around and played a couple of games of pinochle. Tuesday it was back to the VA in Fayetteville.
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
At 2300 (11:00 pm) January 21st I cut the Foley catheter and removed it (as
instructed by the Houston VA). Very little liquid escaped. By 0230 the pain
had begun in my bladder so Kathy and I went to the VA emergency room (in and
out in two hours) for a re-insertion of a new catheter - this was the fourth
time! I had an appointment at 0900 with urology which was just a formal one
and then we headed back to Joplin.
After calling around all day Thursday and being told "we will call you back" we finally were able to find out that we had tickets on the Friday morning flight to Houston from Joplin. Early Friday morning (3 degrees in Joplin!!!!!!!!) we flew to Houston to find out what the problem was and what they can do to fix it so my plumbing works like it is supposed to.
They had to de-ice the plane twice and the inside of the plane had no heating until we were airborne. You know you are in trouble when the stewardess was dressed like a polar bear ON the plane. We flew Joplin to Dallas to Houston.
When we arrived in Houston snow and ice was all over the cars and roads. There were 550 accidents before noon as we drove up to the VA hospital. They had most of the overpasses closed off and we drove by a semi trailer fuel tanker which has just slid through the concrete median trying to miss another accident. (Later on TV they interviewed the man driving in the opposite lane who saw the truck coming through the median right at him.) We got to the hospital a few minutes before my urology appointment - no lunch). Texan drivers are crazier when there is ice and snow. They still try to drive 60 mph
They pulled out the foley then did a rotor rooter scope (cystoscopic evaluation). Interesting pictures. There was a cobweb type obstruction and they went through it and then back out. The plumbing is working and I am cancer free!
They had accommodations for us on the fourth floor of the hospital which has been converted into Courtesy Quarters (It was either roasting hot or freezing cold the whole three nights). I got up 3-4 times in the middle of the night (mom would be so proud I did not wet the diaper nor bed - even though I am still in diapers.) We are staying here until Monday morning for a follow-up appointment at 0800.
On Sunday we went to church services at West Houston coc where Tobey and Beka Mesa attend. Tobey is the youngest son of Jab and Becky Mesa. After all the sitting (I did not stand because I knew the bladder muscles would not working) I found that I misread the side of the diaper bag where it says, "S/M - 32" I thought it meant 32 gallons but I was very wet and moist by the time we got out of church. It meant "32 diapers" in that size. I was REALLY leaking with a very large wet place on the backside of my trousers by the time we finished eating and had to get a large plastic bag to sit on in Tobey's car so as not to wet his car seat. I know, I should have had a diaper bag!
I made it the whole weekend for the first time and the
plumbing was still working.
We saw the doctor Monday morning. We FINALLY had a good talk with the urology
doctor on what to expect. I do not have complete control of my bladder yet (they
did cut some of the muscles out with the prostate) so have to continue wearing
incontinence diapers and practice tightening my bladder muscles. The plumbing
is working and when I stand up it flows (not funny). When I lay down and sit
it does not leak so they say that is a good sign. They are giving me (non-insertion)
condom catheters + leg bags so I do not have to wear diapers all the time. The
doctor this morning said incontinence might be up to a year and if longer they
might have to do something else (pre-insert catheter device directly into the
bladder). The have set me up for an appointment a year from now. ED was another
discussion!!!! (If we have to come back we will probably change that to later
when it is warmer.)
I am beginning to understand a bit better the Lord's words to Paul - "my grace is sufficient".
Back to Joplin
We were able (thank you Lord) to get tickets out on the last American Eagle
flight to Dallas Monday afternoon and on into Joplin. When I went through the
TSA check at the airport in Houston the scanner said I "might" have
something in my crotch. When the TSA agent patted me down and then ask about
the crotch I told him "I have a wet diaper". He gave me a "huh???"
and I said it again at which point he said "OKAY OKAY" and moved out
of my way. We arrived back home in Joplin after 9:00 pm and Jason was there
to pick us up. 14 stinking degrees outside!!!!!!!!! AT LEAST WE MISSED THE FORCASTED
ICE AND SNOW FOR HOUSTON THAT MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY MORNING.
Since we have done all we can for this present time with the prostate surgery and recovery we have notified my primary VA doctor so they can schedule some of the other things we need looked at (non-urgent): blood test for thyroid, PSA, facial rash.
HEADING BACK HOME - February
23rd
So we are shooting for a Feb 23 departure back home as planned. I have to get
some more truck parts for our truck, cereal, books and Bible School material
for Kathy's children's classes, medical supplies, etc. We will start loading
up the suitcases and footlockers.
They have been having heavy rain in Vanuatu and right now there is a Tropical low within range of Vanuatu but it might head in a different direction. We should have full water tanks when we get back and we are taking a water pump back for the well we should have had drilled since we left.
We are more than ready to get back home!!!!!!!!!
The Lord has richly blessed us
The Lord has blessed this trip back (considering it was really only to get my
cancer removed you might say above all we can think or ask) and we are taking
over $81,000 back to start building on the school. We had a budget of $125,000
to get the first phase of the school build so we can start accepting students.
We would like to challenge you our supporters and readers to help us raise the
additional $44,000 ASAP. We will get started when we get back and by June /July
if we have the additional $44,000 we could in reality have the groundwork of
the school in place. The plan is to clean the area, try and get the concrete
foundations in and the materials necessary to erect the buildings and then those
of you who have expressed an interest in helping erect the buildings can cone
over for a week or two and help us get them up and built. This is the plan!!!!
Speaking engagements
This weekend (Feb 2) I am to speak during the Bible Class time at our Sponsoring
congregation at Mt Hope here but if you want us to come and present and speak
on our work and needs before we leave we have a couple of Sundays and Wednesdays
available - just call us - 417 434-8367
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If anyone reading this would like to transfer IRA (RMD) funds or stock to this account (which will directly benefit The Christian Institute of Biblical Studies in Vanuatu) you need to talk with your broker and give him this name and number:
United Missouri Bank (UMB)
300 Grant St
Carthage MO 64836
A/C# H8P033855
DTC# 0226
Thank you so much for all of you who are praying for us, supporting us and have contributed to our needs. God bless you! Thank you for your prayers!
Thank you Lord for healing and what we have!
Grace & Peace
Tobey & Kathy
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Contributions for the Huffs, the Bible school can be sent to:
Huffs/Bible School
c/ Mt Hope church of Christ
2830 Mt Hope Rd
Webb City MO 64870
or
Tobey & Kathy Huff
c/ 2730 E. 24th St
Joplin. MO 64804
Ph: 417 434-8367
Web Site: http://www.oceania-outreach.com/Index.html