On the Road Again

Just the other day I was out for a drive with a friend. I was taking in the scenic view and enjoying some educational reading: the local billboards. It is always interesting reading the random messages plastered on North American billboards from desperate advertisers, looking to capture your attention in hopes of making a buck. But, there was something different about these billboards. I read signs advertising scrumptious "Fried Pickles," "Po-Boys," the "Voo Doo Costume Shop," "and "Swamp Tours!" At this point, I realised I wasn't in "Kansas" anymore. Make that, I wasn't in Kansas, New Hampshire, or Idaho anymore. I was in a new land. A land of gumbo, red beans and rice, and alligators! I had arrived in New Orleans! I don't know what my first clue was that I was no longer in a familiar land, but I can tell you I ain't never seen a drive-through daiquiri shop! This place is crazy! A few hours earlier I had said good-bye to my parents and friends in Idaho. I had boarded a plane, travelled across America, and arrived in the foreign country of Louisiana. It is a different world down here. Everyone has a swamp mobile, the confederacy lives on, and I have already met someone named Bobby-Boo Shay. Just kidding. Either way, I am on the road again. Stop one... Louisiana.. for a free Lasik eye surgery. Services donated by my dear friend Doctor Susie, whom I met aboard the Mercy Ship. Again, as with my first root canal, God blessed me with extreme exhaustion and therefore, very limited anxiety pre-operation. I even fell asleep in the waiting room. I was the last case of the day and therefore would have had plenty time to freak out and become highly anxious, but instead, God used my emotional and physical exhaustion from running around the past month and a half, to provide me with a calm for my upcoming surgery. God is good. His ways sure aren't our ways. but go God! I felt a small tap on my shoulder and a kind nurse escorted me to the pre-treatment room where I was given 15mg of Valium, a medication with the purpose of sedation and relaxation. Apparently, I am a light weight. The nurses couldn't believe my response to the medication. The medication is intended to calm a person, not knock them out. Either way, per report from the doctors and nurses, I was one of the best patients they ever had. I didn't move one inch. And I was afraid the doctor would yell at me, tell me to quit wiggling my legs, and have to tie me down to the table! Not the case here. The surgery took about 15 minutes and the medical team had to practically carry me back to the post-operative recovery room. It has now been three days since my surgery. I am proud to tell you I am writing this note myself and I can basically see the computer screen without difficulty. Things are a little blurry in my left eye, but I am praying that gets better. I have obtained 20/20 vision in my right eye. My left eye is 20/30 or something like that. Hopefully, it will get better. If not, I may need to wear one contact. The doctor said my case was extremely difficult because of the severity of my nearsightedness. My eyes were bad. We are talking, if my glasses were off, I couldn't read my alarm clock without picking it up, letting it hit my nose, then the numbers came into focus. Trying to look at myself in the mirror without my glasses was out of the question. My vision has greatly improved, but I am hoping for fast, total healing. I would sure appreciate your prayers toward that end as well. Tomorrow, I say good-bye to the land of blackened this and that, jazz music, crazy parties, and damage from hurricane Katrina. I am on my way to Texas! Y'all make sure you come back now and visit my blog for more updates!