July 26, 2009, Nashville, TN., 6:24 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Wayne here.  Seems all I have been doing lately is sleeping, resting, or going from doctor appointment to doctor appointment.  Such an exciting life I lead, huh?  LOL 

Just got out of the hospital (again) nearly two weeks ago; my kidney, my good,only kidney that works (thanks, in part, to a transplant over a year and a half ago), tried to go *pffft!* on me.  Couldn't pee; when I did, pee was very dark, almost amber in color.  Not good.  Also puffed up like a balloon, puffiness was putting added strain on my heart and lungs.  I was a mess!

Ended up in the hospital; was in "prison" for a week.  More pokings, more proddings, more stabbings.  I am definitely a human pincushion; seems I am destined to be stuck time and time again!  *sighhh*  My arms are all bruised; they look terrible!  It's embarrasssing to have to explain myself to other people, especially children, who think I got beat up.  LOL

I am now home, thank the Lord, but I'm under a dcotor's care; will be for a while now, so I can be closely monitored.  I'm on oxygen, to help my breathing, and I'm basically homebound excepting for short jaunts or trips to the doctors' offices, or maybe, an occasional dinner date with my wife/family.  Other than that, I'm at my house, trying to scare up things to do, so I don't go stir crazy.

The children have been very helpful, mindful to me.  They know I have been very sick, so they try to behave and do their household chores, no questions asked.  Even Sarah doesn't have to get after them, which is nothing short of a miracle.  Rheese, our youngest, as well as Promise Hope, our newest child, recently adopted from the African nation of Liberia, still doesn't understand the implications that my health woes have put on me, but even they are trying to be good.

I appreciate that, more than they (or Sarah) will ever know!

I was working at Nashville Mem, but have to lay low for a while until strength is gained.  I miss not being able to work; it's not fun being on the other end of the charts; doctors make the worst patients.  I know, believe me, I know!!

Friends from our church have been by just about every day, bringing food, cards, even money.  I tell them the money isn't necessary, as we are well to do, but they think I need it anyway.  I appreciate their thinking of us in such a profound, godly way!  Their hearts are in the right place, so I shouldn't get too annoyed.  LOL

I haven't seen our senior pastor as well as several of the other staff members; they are currently on a missions trip to Africa, Kenya, to be exact, which is where our second-youngest son, Mwugu, comes from.  They should be back later this week; I pray they are finding souls for the Kingdom and are reaping a mighty harvest!  I pray for them continously, day and night, for God to keep them safe from harm and to make their trip a fruitful one.

Church isn't the same without Pastor Bilkey; while our other pastors are good, Pastor Bilkey is our spiritual leader at church, and he knows how to deliver a powerful sermon you won't soon forget!  What he says hits home, each and every time!

I am feeling much better, a little stronger every day.  I am eating better than I was; darn meds I was on wrecked my appetite, plus I had that lovely little number known as a NG tube up my schnozzola; that was not fun.  My throat is still a mite sore when I swallow, but a lot better than it was.  I no longer feel like I've been stuck in the middle of the Gobi Desert!  LOLOLOLOL

I take so many meds now, it's a wonder I don't rattle.  LOL 

Pills for my kidney.  My heart/breathing.  My circulation.  Antibiotics.  Arthritis.  (Got that now, in my hands, elbows, shoulders, probably from using my wheelchair or crutches all these years.)  This.  That.  It's awful; some are covered by our insurance plan; others, I have to pay out the nose for, even with having insurance.  It's terrible how expensive medical care, as a whole, has gotten; it's ridiculous!

When I, a doctor, can't even afford it, somethin's wrong, Mister!!

I don't go out much when it's hot.  I stay in air-conditioned comfort; when I don't, I'm in agony.  Have to keep drinking water, as well as take my Lasix, so I don't get overloaded and risk yet another hospital stay.  Also helps my heart/lungs from becoming overloaded.  I wear the oxygen, as I said earlier; have a portable unit, as well as extra tanks, in the van, at home, even at my job at the hospital.  Don't wear it when I am doing my surgery rounds, but use it any other time. 

I feel sorry for my poor wife, Sarah.  She's been so good to me, even when I have been horrid to her.  She has the patience of Job; she would do anything to make my life happier, easier.  Besides dealing with me and my health, she also deals with six squealing, active children all under the age of twelve, including a toddler who's into everything. 

I consider her a saint; God truly blessed me by bringing her into my ilfe!  I don't know what my life would be like if I didn't have Sarah Elizabeth!  She is truly a miracle!

Well, I am going to go.  Am going to try to attempt to go to church today, as Drs. Ram and Jagadish both said it was okay.  They said it depended on how I felt.  Well, I feel pretty good this morning, so we'll give it a try.  It will be great to get out among my people instead of whiling away the hours at home (or at the doctors' offices)!  Will write in here again soon; until then, this is Wayne Wright signing off!  God bless!

~Wayne.  :)