I just waned to thank everyone for their prayers & support over the last few weeks. They were SO needed. I felt the scriptures that so many emailed me – the prayers for healing, the prayers of encouragement, the prayers of peace, the prayers of endurance  – – all the of them – – right in my core!

I have had stomach pain since the beginning of January but did my best to remain strong and deal with it. We had a team coming in and so much to do. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

When I went to visit the St. Louis campus the pain was unbearable.  I think the 5-hour truck ride there must have shaken-up all those stones. We had an American surgery team in Haiti who would be leaving shortly after our arrival. I spoke with Dr. Holloway who told me it sounds like the issues are my gallbladder and to fly out of Haiti as soon as I could

Living in Haiti – we do not have a family doctor. The kids have one – but we do not. I had no idea who was going to refer us to a surgeon, how long would it take to schedule the surgery, and most importantly  – how long until I get back to Haiti with my family!

I sent an email to Jud Chalky who is good friends with my parent and does anesthesia with our surgery teams. One email was all it took. We landed Wednesday night around 9:30pm. My mom is a solid rock – and has been since I got here. She rolled me in a wheelchair throughout the airports &  Diane Cornelius met us and drove us to mom’s house. She’s such a dear friend.

By 10am Thursday morning we were meting with the surgeon. He scheduled the surgery for the very next day.

ONLY GOD!! ONLY GOD!!! ONLY GOD!!!

How is it that with in a few days of being told it’s my gallbladder  – an email is sent – and surgeon is seen – and my surgery is finished. God lined up the steps way before me.

I was talking to the surgeon that this was NOT how I wanted to start 2013. He told me no – this is exactly how you want to start it. Taking out your gallbladder should make you less nauseated and have less pain. He said the gallbladder was one of the worst he’d seen – full of lesions, abbesses, & fatty tissues. Had I waited even a few more weeks it could have been dangerous.

The gallbladder doesn’t just get this way overnight. These past several years where my health was up & down with stomach/nausea –  more than likely was related to this. It was always so confusing how I felt great one day and the next day – I had to pray just to make it through it. He told me that’s how it typically works with these stones. It’s an off again/on again situation. But eventually it just won’t stop hurting and patients are forced to find out what’s going on and it almost always leads to surgery.

SO – with all that said – I should start feeling much more healthier with less bouts of  upset stomach.  So it’s a PRAISE!

My sister surprised me and drove down a few hours before the surgery. My sister is one those that you either can’t wait to see or you know you’re going to kill her! I had a scope done a while back and they knocked me out. When I woke up I – was still heavily sedated. She told me they found parts of  a gerbil in there. She had her friend play along as if i ate something in Haiti and that’s what they found. They thought it was hilarious – me not so much.

She tries to joke & make people laugh during all my labors – – while I’m screaming in pain – – again – – I’m not laughing!!!

YET – – I’m always glad to see her. She helps me not to think so much about my anxiety. I don’t know of a time that either Lori or my mom wasn’t with me during all my emergencies. God has just blessed me with most amazing family.

I  got two of the most beautiful voxers from the girls in Haiti right before I went into surgery. It had my sister, my mom, & myself in tears. Just to hear their little voices telling me they’re praying for me and they love it – it was a beautiful thing to remember as I went back into the operating room.

Janeil & Heather arrived last night. Unfortunately I was still in so much pain that I lad in bed downstairs and have only been able to sit up the last hour or so.

SO there’s the play-by-play of my last few days. The doctor has asked me to stay out for 2 weeks but my plan is to head back to Haiti next weekend – Lord Willing!!! I think what takes most people 2 weeks  – – we Owen/Castillos can do in one!! 🙂

I’ll see him on Friday just to get the “final” approval though – no worries.

LOVE YOU ALL!

CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HEALING.  I AM SILL IN A LOT OF PAIN – – VERY DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE –  BUT TRYING TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE OR STAND-UP – IT’S ALMOST UNBEARABLE.

BUT I DO FINALLY HAVE PEACE ABOUT THE WHOLE THINGS AND AM REMINDED THAT GOD’S PLANS ARE NOT ALWAYS MY OWN – – THEY’RE OFTEN WAY BETTER!!