We finally heard from Dr. Parekh's nurse Joan today. Anxiety got the best of us, so Jim called the office when we hadn't heard from anyone by 1 p.m. The endoscopy ultrasound is still on for March 31 - to see if there are any nodules in the area of the esophagus.
Your prayers that no nodules will be seen during that ultrasound would be greatly appreciated.
We should know the results of the ultrasound on April 1 and at that time we're thinking surgery will probably be scheduled.
Surgery will involve removal of the whole esophagus, not just a part of it, and will take 4 to 5 hours. If everything goes as planned, Jim's hospital stay will be 5 days. It could of course be longer.
At the time of surgery, a feeding tube will be hooked up to the small intestine. It will be in place for 3 months, and hopefully by the end of the 3 months, he should be able to eat solid food again.
PREACHING
While we wait for time to pass, there are still things God has given Jim to do. You think doors close, that you're no longer needed some place because someone else has come. But things don't always come together just as we think they will. It's all in God's timing. Perhaps we would all do better if we thought less and talked with God more.
At any rate, Jim is returning to Wilton Baptist Church in Wilton, Iowa - that's a few miles south of Tipton, this Sunday, March 15, to preach. His message, from 2 Timothy 1:12, is titled "Our God is Able."
