Hand Surgery

The Building Brows

We got the call yesterday for Jim's hand surgery time. We had to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM. Okay. No problem. I can handle that. Except that it takes an hour and a half to get there. Jim awoke at 2:00 and I got up at 3:00 to the same sound we went to bed with--pouring rain. Rain. In January. Practically unheard of in Vermont.

We finally hit the road at 4:30 and less than half-way there, it turned to freezing rain, then sleet, and then snow. I sat on the edge of my seat the whole way, my nerves as frayed as Jim's. On top of arriving late, Admitting misdirected us. But, we eventually ended up in the outpatient surgery area.

Once in the prep room, Jim talked to his surgeon only to discover that the lump on his hand that was there yesterday had once again disappeared. Dr. Nutting could no longer find nor feel it and doubted surgery would be successful. He advised Jim to wait until the middle of the work season when it would flare up large enough to operate. Jim could continue, but he'd probably have to have the same procedure twice.

"What would you do?" asked Jim.

"I wouldn't have it."

"Really?"

"No question."

He almost said "go ahead" just because he'd gotten up so early and traveled through such much, but with an exposed roof at home needing coverage to keep the plywood from delaminating, and the word "twice" echoing in his mind, Jim quickly decided to take Dr. Nutting's counsel. We packed our bags and headed out for breakfast on much improved roads thanks to the sun's arrival.

Once home, we picked up roofing paper and Jim is now covering the roof. Maybe, just maybe, God allowed that cyst to disappear for a time for Jim to take advantage of another strange 45-degree January day.