Kim up and walking today!

I was going to say it was an uneventful day but Kim getting up and walking two different times was certainly exciting. I took some brief video of the event but promised I'd wait till she looked a little better and was walking a bit stronger before I posted her on the net. It was a sweet sight to see but still quite a struggle for her to get up and around. It will come as the days go by and she is feeling stronger and looking better all the time since #2 was done.

I made it to the grocery store on my own today...hailed an autorickshaw...said "supermarket" and off we went. I did some pretty serious shopping for some snack stuff...pringles, lay's potato chips, box of cereal, oatmeal, couple of diet pepsis, Kettle salt & vinegar chips, yeah!!! and brought Kim back a hot filet-o-fish sandwich from McDonalds and some fries...any I didn't eat in the rickshaw on the way back...probably some other stuff. Went to the gym to workout. Got my own rickshaw driver who decided to take me for a ride. Instead of the 14 rupees it normally costs he took me on a longer ride. He acted like he didn't know where he was going, he slowed down a time or two enough to holler out something and they'd point and off we'd go. Cost me 50 rupees by the time we got there...and they were closed...so I walked back to the hospital. I knew the general way and spent probably 45 minutes just walking through that section of town...shop after shop selling everything under the sun...people everywhere...weren't you scared?...not for a moment...nervous, sure a little bit. I was halfway around the world in the 3rd world country...walking to where I thought I knew I'd come from. Although I never saw another caucasian person...the only others I've seen since we've been here were in the hospital. I never once had anybody approach me. Most of them look at me like I landed from somewhere on the other side of the planet. Hey, I am.

And they look at my shoes...everybody looks down at my shoes...I'm guess I'm not wearing sandals like everybody else...either my nikes or my crocs...they still haven't figured out my crocs. I walked thru the neighborhood...saw some kids playing cricket...others playing badmittton...many just sitting watching the throngs of people doing their daily thing...going home...buying groceries...working on their cars...dodging rickshaws as they walk in out out of the traffic...and the vehicles honking at each other...they love to honk their horns and do so all the time. It's quite exciting as traffic goes.

On the way back I passed a little stand with a guy making some beautiful flower arrangements...so guess what, I carried one back to the hospital with me...100 rupees...I probably should've tried to get the price down but I was so excited to be where I was experiencing what I was...I just paid the price and splurged...a little over $2. Big spender but they are beautiful and she was thrilled. So all in all it was good day, her walking, McDonalds, flowers, walking thru the local neighborhood...oh yeah, a visit from a young man from the local church came by for a visit and to pray with us. Guess that's the end of this day and this blog. I'll do my best to keep you coming back and reading up on our journeys. Thanks for reading. By the sitemeter somebody's keeping up with us. We love you all! de & ke

A Few More Pics

Here's a few more pictures from the local area. de

Local hotel...not where I'm staying... sidewalk boys

The Ice man cometh.....................local covenience store

Gas station.........................local car dealer


working boys.

Nothing new today

It's a new day here in Mumbai but nothing new to report for today. Nurses came in at 5:30 am to give her a bath and start the day. I was already awake. Got on the net to check on the Texans who are not doing nearly as well as Kim and I are. How bout those Rockets huh? We both had good night of sleep which is a real blessing and much needed. It's now 8 am and we're awaiting breakfast. It's a real adjustment to wait for 3 hours after I get up to eat. I guess it will really mean break the fast. Probably soon now we expect the physiotherapist to come in and road test her for the first time. She's already noticing the absence of pain when she's moves her legs. Her muscles are not particularly happy about the new movements but that's going to take some time, and lots of therapy. That's what's ahead of us for the next 14 days or so. One of today's tasks is to make a food list and go to the grocery store. We've done ok with the hospital food up to now but not sure how much longer we can go without stocking up on some snacks stuff from the store. I've been through the menu pretty much once and found some things I like but its limited. My several spoonfuls from the jar of Jif peanut butter that I brought was a real pleasure last night. Cold milk and peanut butter right off the spoon...mmmm...I hope to take a brief video of Kim walking today and post it. I did post a couple videos on my myspace page for those who have that. My myspace name is davidel57. Blogger didn't seem to like the larger files. Hopefully our most difficult days are done. The Lord has been so good to us!

more later, de & ke

A Day of Rest

Today was a good day. We both got some sleep in the night after Kim finally got settled. Today is Sunday here and a very quiet day as Wockhardt hospital goes. Lots of folks are off and the usual busyness gives way to a much more quiet day. We spent today mostly resting and Kim recouping from yesterday. We worshipped again and thought just how blessed we normally are on the Lord's Day to be with His people but we certainly didn't feel alone by any stretch of the imagination. We started the day with a visit from physiotherapy for her exercises. They'll be back in a little while to do more and likely to get her up on her feet! She probably won't go far but the Dr says she's ready to test out her 2 new hips. Glad we rested most of the day. It's amazing how fast your body can get weak when you don't use it or if you experience some trauma like surgery. I guess use or lose applies in so many ways. Surely the same prinicple applies to us spiritually. We've begun to understand a bit more about what it means to rely totally on the Lord, our prayers, your prayers, and His will. Weakness, or maybe our unwillingness to admit our weakness and need is perhaps one of our greatest weaknesses. I think Paul said, "when I am weak, then I am strong." Several have quoted in blog comments and emails Phil 4:13 that we "can do all through Christ who strengthens us." If only we could learn how that works, we could do so much more with Him working in us. We could sympathize more ably with others weaknesses and be able to minister to so many more people in His name. Our day has been a blessed one because of the One who is with us. We pray your day will be as blessed.

de & ke

Another Hard Day's Night

Yesterday was hard, hard on me and harder on Kim. I'm sure glad its over now, 6:40 am here on the Lord's day. It's hard for me to imagine having had two major surgeries inside of a week but that's what Kim's been through. It took a long time last night before she was comfortable enough to finally get some sleep. It made yesterday about 20 hours long before we both dozed off to sleep around midnight Mumbai time. Fortunately she was comfortable pretty much all night and got some rest.

The downer for me is that when I come east for whatever reason I transform into "a morning person." Most every day here I wake up around 5 am or so. It's downright scary because I am not a morning person! Anyone who knows me knows I'm a night owl. The very first time Daryl and I went to Romania it happened. Daryl became a night owl and I morphed into a morning person. It was like an alternate universe I'm not sure I liked. The good news was when we got back home everything went back to normal. There's always home. Home sounds good.

We'll again be mindful of our family at Lakewood as you gather to worship and praise God. He has certainly heard and answered our prayers so far. Don't stop now though. There's a difficult road ahead but I believe the worst is over. He inhabits our praises whether we're east or west, whether its morning or night, together with 200 or just us two.

Happy 75th Birthday Mum! Sorry we couldn't be there for your party. We were thinking of you.

Megan, thanks for the email and especially the phone call. It was great to hear your voice and to know you are praying for Miss Kim. We love you all. There's the door, hopefully time for breakfast and to make some real coffee.

de & ke

Keep those comments coming. We read and appreciate each and every one!

Is it over or just starting?

Praise the Lord, both hips have now been resurfaced! Hopefully, all will be better from this point. Kim is finally back in the room and I think all that needs to be is done, surgery, postop, moving back to the room and into the bed, in the bed postop xray. All very uncomfortable for her. Not easy for me to watch either. She's finally resting now. I think the reality is though, this is really just the beginning of the hard part, recovering from two surgeries in under a week, one Monday, another Saturday. The Dr said everything went perfectly from his standpoint and they would be getting her up tomorrow. They don't wait. That was not really what she wanted to hear, "give me a day" she said, but I think the therapists and drs will win out. The hard part is yet to come, intense physical therapy to help her learn to use the new hips she's got. But, we'll recoup from this and move forward to the next part and deal with it as the Lord give us strength. Boy did He give us that today. Kim was amazing calm this morning before the surgery, unlike the first one when she was pretty scared. Amazing actually doesn't describe it, maybe God given peace. We were singing "learning to lean" from the STB cd while waiting for her to go in the operating. I've had several people ask me in the past couple of days, " so you're a singer, with your own band, and cd," to which I reply, yes. I think I'm becoming somewhat famous maybe, lol, only in India for me. Thanks again for all your prayers. I think we're just starting.

Our journey goes on, de

The physical therapist just arrived to start her on exercises in the bed. They don't waste a moment to get started with the rehab.

Keeping Busy

Here are some pictures I took today. These folks were living on the sidewalk.
I decided one way to keep myself busy while Kim was in surgery was to go out, snap some pics and put them on the blog.

Hope you enjoy. Kim's surgery is over. That's all I know so far. de


This is the mall here by the hospital
The sidewalk folks live right across the street from the mall.

A local tea spot and----------------- some working boys.


Sunrise today------------------------- right

Propane delivery guys ----------- Anyone need shoes?

Not sure what this means.---------- Hospital landscaping crew

Gas station and---------- the local Ice guy

jockeying for a spot on the bus!

working boys

Hospital front & foyer entrance, empty at 8:30 packed an hour later!


Bath anyone!

Hip #2 today!

We both slept pretty hard last night. We're now up and Kim's getting prepped for her second hip to be resurfaced. It's exciting. As much as I know that we depend on others for the success of these operations and that we're 10000 miles from family and friends, we both know that we're ultimately in the hands of God. So many of you are praying for us and we feel, need, and appreciate each word to him on our behalf. I'll let you know something as soon as there's something else to post. Thanks for everything! This is why we came.

As we were getting ready for bed last night, all the nurses on the floor came to the room and wanted her to know how much they were thinking about her and hoping for success in her surgery today. It was very touching. These folks are some of the most caring people! Praise God for each of them.

de

Our day is done

For most everyone checking in on us its the middle of your day but our day is done. It's been a really good day for Kim, busy but good. She felt good today, had lots of physiotherapy and did quite a bit of walking. We're just ready to get second surgery over with. It's scheduled to begin at 8:30 am Mumbai time. I think that's about 10 pm Texas and Oklahoma time but as I said they don't reckon time as precisely as we do. Several of our church members will swear I'm part Indian then because I don't reckon time as precisely as they'd like either. lol Pray for us. I'll post something as soon as I have something to let you know. Thanks again for all the emails, prayers, comments on the blog, text messages, and phone calls. We know without a doubt that the Lord is with us and hearing all our prayers. We continually thank Him for his watchful and guiding hand on us every step of this journey. They just came in and gave a "sleep good" pill. Why won't they give me one too!

Till next time from the other side of the globe! de & ke

Today's a better day

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Yesterday was not a particularly good day for Kim or for me either. She struggled some physically but it was more emotional than anything, a real struggle all day long and there wasn't much I could do to comfort her. Bound to have some of those days. We're in a totally different culture with a people of different ways, food, language, time zone, physical surroundings, need I go on. Later I'll write about some of that stuff when we're rehabing.

Today's a totally different day and she's done a complete 180 from yesterday. She working with the physical therapist right now. She still has a lot of swelling around the surgery sight and down the leg which they say is normal. They're putting her thru the paces to get her ready to shift all the responsibility to the "new hip" and leg. When 's done tomorrow the new one will be the strong one till the other comes along to meet it. The surgeries are no doubt extremely difficult but I sense the rehab is going to be as difficult or more because come 24 hours the surgeries will be done and all the rehab to go. She's walked with pain, difficulty, and been totally out of whack for so long she's basically going to have to learn to walk all over again. I think it will surely be no pain, no gain. They are very good, patient, and caring with her.

Lastly for this post, for those who asked, the scottsman across the hall is doing well after his first surgery. He got up yesterday and will do more so today. His sweet companion came in last night having made her own way to the supermarket and brought me back a french coffee press and some ground coffee. I guess I had been a little too verbal about drinking only Nescafe freeze dried individual coffee packets for the past week. i couldn't imagine a culture that didn't drink coffee. They're a tea people and not Nestea or Lipton either but that's another blog. The lady went on her own to the supermarket, found it, bought it, went to a nearby restaurant and begged them for some ground coffee and made her way back to give it to me. Had some this morning. Sure was good. It's a better day today.

Surgery is less than 24 hours away now. Keep us in your prayers. We know we are in good hands both His and here. Thanks for checking in. I'll keep you posted.

de

Just Another Day in Mumbai

There's not a lot happening for us in the next couple of days, more rest, rehab, rest, and rehab. Surgery on her second hip is still tentative for Sat which is only aboug 48 hours from now. I meant to tell you about our first night here and the guy across the hall. We arrived and the nurses said we should meet a man from the states who had the same hip surgery and was headed home. He came across the way and we began to talk. He told us he was a Baptist pastor from Conneticut. We had a great visit and he talked about his surgery, the good treatment and care he had gotten and how pleased he was with everything. You just can't imagine hoe encouraging that was on our first day.

Then he asked if he could do anything for us and if he could pray with us? We gladly said yes, and he led us in a beautiful prayer. I was never more grateful to see and to pray with another believer. The Hindu folks here are as sweet and caring as they come but in that moment whatever differences there might be between that Baptist pastor and us disappeared as we approached the throne on the One we both love and serve. It was again a moment neither of us will ever forget.

Again, thanks for reading, for praying, and for comments below. We read and enjoy every one! Maybe I'll get to putting some video of my auto rickshaw ride to the local gym to workout. Pretty cool stuff.

Here's online version of the local paper I'm getting to read each day. Not a lick of US news. Fortunately there's the web. http://www.expressindia.com

later, de

Surgery #2 Now Set

Dr Malhan came by today and said that Kim is doing so well, they've tentatively schedule her second hip resurfacing for Saturday morning. We didn't know exactly what to expect but we are very excited. Now we know more how to pray. As Bill Riley commented on my earlier blog, "Git Er Done." Praise God. He just continues to work through these kind and skilled folks to do amazing things.

de

Kim up and walking on day 2!

Recent Pictures

Here are a couple of pics from today.

Today's sunrise

My breakfast - masala dosa, fermented thin, rice batter pancake with potato filling served with sambhar (tomato stew kinda thing), coconut chutney (white stuff). Very, very good stuff. Doesn't sound all that appetizing but its delicious all together, a fruit plate, and some wheat flakes cereal, (not pictured but eaten).

Kim at the computer this morning going to school. She was able to get up, sit in the chair, do some limited work, walk down the hall, and back to the facilities, yeah!

Yesterday Today

Oh yeah, one pic of the new wing they are building outside the one we are in. They poured concrete all night long and are just finishing up. Didn't see a machine one. The concrete came from a big mixer and thru a pipe which they arranged and moved around all night. Most guys wear flip flops, only a couple in rubber boots.

Slum on the hillside

Day two post op!

Today is day two post op from the surgery. I finally got some much needed sleep, almost 8 hours give or take. After about 5 days of 3 hours a night I was feeling quite weary and sleep deprived but today is a new day. Kim's feeling so much better today than yesterday, much less pain everywhere. She's anxious to see how it is to get up and stroll down the hall again. She's eating good as am I. She's a bit more conservative in her food orders than me too. I love the adventure of trying almost anything new. Sometimes it is rewarding other times disappointing but I figure you miss the good stuff if you don't experiment.

Took my first autorickshaw ride yesterday. We boarded just outside the hotel to go see a local gym where I could go workout some. It was 14 rupees one way about 30 cents I think. After touring the gym/spa/beauty salon my hospital companion took me down the street to the local market. What an experience to see the hundreds of shops and vendors on the street selling everything a good Indian might want or need plus a lot of other stuff. I was the only white person for miles, sorry kilometers, I'm sure. There was fruit, vegetables, fresh herbs, stands making and selling a local tea (I wasn't that adventeous), clothes, shoes, household items, jewlery, electronics, well you get the idea. There were blocks and blocks of shops, and thousands of people. Almost like Wal-mart, not! Not an American sight around except for the sheer commerce of it all. I certainly stood out in the crowd but never felt unsafe at all. Folks definitely knew I was out of my element but I'm the adventurous type.

I'm sure today will be full. Kim's resting and I'm headed down to the surgery area to check on the Scottishman's wife. He's in surgery #1 planning to have both as well. I sure favor being on the ministering side rather than the patient side but God has his own way of helping us understand what others are going thru. Today, I'm the minister for awhile. Sounds pretty nice for a change. Thanks to everyone who's been ministering to us in so many ways.

More later, de

Kim's Up!

The physiotherapist has been coming in to work with Kim pretty regular. This afternoon she came in, did some exercises and then got her up and walking. It wasn't very far or very fast but she did go out of the room for just a few steps, turn around and then back to the room. Pretty cool for just over 24 hours from surgery. Will post a couple of pics from earlier in the trip and then later a pic or two from her first walk. de

A new and exciting day

Early Tuesday am in M-town. It promises to be a new and exciting day albeit a painful one. We had a pretty fair night considering her yesterday. The surgery went perfectly but its like...well I don't know what its like. I was going to compare it to trying to rebuild an 50 year old car but that just didn't seem a good comparison. Removing, redoing, resurfacing old worn out parts...well its hard and painful...and they don't give up easily. Enough of that, you get the idea...major renovations took place yesterday and she's mighty sore. I suspect when she does get up it'll hurt like...can't compare it to everlasting punishment but that was the word that came to mind. As you can tell I'm seriously sleep deprived over the past several days...if I don't do something to improve my bed I'm gonna need both my hips replaced before we leave! Kim told me to bring my own pillow and she was right! She had breakfast just now and ate good after broth and juice last night. Maybe time for a siesta before somebody comes in to do something else.

thanks for reading and commenting, de

Been a long day

It's 10 pm here now in Mumbai. My day started about 4 am when I woke up wide awake in anticipation of the day. Kim's been back in the room for several hours now. They've given her antibiotics, vitamins, pain meds, tested her leg, started with physical therapy once already, and she had some broth. The dr visited briefly to say as soon as she was ready, we'd move to the other hip and that the surgery went perfectly.

A new couple from Ireland arrived today for bilateral hip resurfacing for the man. The wait there, in their National health system was about 18 months. Cost was 15,ooo lbs. Anyway, its quite a place drawing folks from all over who come here for the same reason we're here. It's been a very long but blessed day. Thanks for your emails. They're going to get her up and going tomorrow so, right now we're going to bed for what i hope will be a long night of sleep for both of us.

God bless us one and all, de & ke

Long road to here, One down!

It's been a long road to get here in every sense of the word...10,000 miles...two long flights...and that's just the trip over here. It's been so much longer for Kim who's been hurting for years without knowing why. When we found out that it was her hips...there was just no waiting...no waiting to try to find insurance...no waiting for some miracle to happen in the States...just find help...go there...and get her help...so here we are in Mumbai, India. Many of you made this possible!

I know most of you have thought...are they totally crazy?...the answer is a definite yes! But I'm convinced the Lord led us here...and the time is here...almost...today is the day for surgery. We've called all the fam...showered...dressed...Kim says I'm waiting on breakfast...taken her temp & BP...all that's left is the surgery. It's about an hour till they come to get her and we're both a little crazy...yeah, I know...I can see you nodding your head in agreement. We read some of her favorite scriptures, prayed together, watched the sun come up, and now she's listening to the STB cd. Ouch!

As I sat by her bed this am she said she could feel the hands of those who prayed over us at church Sunday a week ago. What a comfort. We've got the only God, our family, our church friends and so many others praying. Thanks is just not enough to say how much it means to know the power of God brought to bear on Kim's behalf. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Not bad for 3 old guys and teenager!

One surgery is over. All in all from the time I left her until I saw the Dr it was about 5 hours. When I saw Dr Malhan, already out of his scrubs, he smiled and said everything went very well and he'd be up to see her later. I'm back in the room as she will be in recovery for awhile. Praise God for all He has done and for answers to many prayers. More later as if you didn't know.

Thank ya Jesus! de

Our Day is Done

We had a quiet day here in Mumbai. We stayed in the hospital room for the most part, had our own worship, and let Kim rest. The physical therapist came by to let her no what the plan would be following surgery. The gas passer, couldn't spell anestheseiologist right, to discuss what they would give her. They prefer a spinal epidural but with her back surgery they opted for the more traditional method. Long as it works.

Surgery is set for 8:30 in the morning but to be honest they don't work by the clock like we've come to expect. Sometime around there I'd expect. That's about it. Our day is done. Kim's in bed trying to sleep. I'm trying to keep up with the Texans game on the net. Not their day so far. Probably looks worse when you're really watching it. 11:40 or so here. Guess I should go to bed...not sure. Will blog as early as I know something tomorrow. From somewhere in Mumbai, India.

de

Where Two Are!

It is likely that in our comfort and repetition that we take even the most simple things for granted, especially in America, maybe more often in the church. We know bible verses so well we sometimes take their truth for granted. And given our Christian familiarity with each other, we forget just how much of a blessing it is that we meet together to pray, sing, and celebrate God's love for us.

Today, in Mumbai, I'm certain there were more Christians in the city worshipping, but the number is surely small. Given the length of our trip and that Kim's surgery is tomorrow morning, we stayed in the hospital room today just resting from the trip and trying to stay relaxed for tomorrow. We gathered for worship, just the two of us. We sang together, a duet of melody and harmony. We read scripture from the Psalms and prayed together. We ate Indian flat bread and sipped real wine (one cup today:). The elements were certainly makeshift on our part. But where two are gathered...I'll remember it for the rest of my life. We were mindful of when Jesus gathered with his disciples and ate and drank and gave thanks. We gave rich thanks too. We were mindful of all of you that we love in so many different places who will gather with those of like faith, remember, eat, and give thanks. Thanks for remembering us but more importantly, thanks for remembering Him with us, no matter where the two are.

God bless your day,
de & ke

Blog you to death!

One thing that's terribly obvious already...I'm going to be spending lots of time on the computer. We have a nice room...nice folks here...everything's going just as we had hoped and prayed and prayed and prayed. I know so many of you have been too and the Lord must be tired of hearing our name but we know its his doing. Words just can't express how much we appreciate each and every prayer, word of encouragment, card, hug, tear, gift, and so much more that you have done.

Right now its 1:35 am, Sunday morning, I think. Just got off the phone with Nene who called to tell me the OU score. Thanks but I already knew cause Big J called 20 minutes before that. That was a close one, I guess. Truth is, I was already up watching on mom's blackberry, Yahoo.com, espn.com, and finally Iowa state's gametime ended up being the best source for quick refreshing stats. Go Sooners! Haven't gotten the laptop up and running yet so skype is not available. Mom's blackberry works just like at home tho, internet, uhh...phone calls...yeah...anytime day or night...so its a real blessing to hear from you...and excellent quality.

All that said...all this time here with mom means I may be blogging you to death...got not much else to do. Can't really go anywhere or look to do much for the first week or 10 days at least.

We met yesterday with Dr Malhan, a cardiologist, physical therapist, had x-rays, ekg, sonogram on her heart, blood tests for the surgery...there must've been more...needless to say I think all that would've taken days at home and we did it all between noon and about 8 pm last night.

All tests say, we're good to go. Wish I could sleep. Leave a note. I love to hear from you. Sorry about blogging you to death. I gotta remember to tell you about the Baptist pastor who was across the hall, having had the surgery 12 days ago and was going home. More about that some other time.

love you all for reading and praying,

de

Dr Malhan By

Here's Kim new hip device.

We just got thru meeting Dr. Malhan. Truth is we've been meeting people since we arrived about noon. The floor we are on is just for International patients. The building is obviously not new but it has been refurbished with everything new and up to date. There's marble floors, flourescent light bulbs in place of the regular kind, color tv & dvd player, computer with hs internet, (i'm blogging from), mini-fridge, tea/coffee/juice, bottled water, and construction going on right outside. What else could you ask for? Wockhardt is building a brand new wing right next door, kinda like at home, and we're gonna make a contribution!

I digress, Dr Malhan came by for his first visit. Very personable we both thought. He answered all our questions plus a few more. He's ready to go ahead with the first surgery on Monday and the plan is to do the other 5-7 days later. The good news is that he feels good about resurfacing both hips. We were concerned that she might not be a candidate for the resurfacing but that's the plan. We are certainly thankful for that. He also has opted for the Durom hip instead of the Birmingham device. He explained it all to us and its complicated but he thinks its a better solution for Kim. It also has a longer record of study over the Birmingham. Hope that means its better all the way around. God is just making a way in all this. For our church family, we'll miss being with you on Sunday. We'll probably just stay in the hospital here, rest, and get ready for Monday. We're excited, relieved, and just about to meet a guy from the States that's going home today. He had one hip replaced just a few days ago. Oh, I think that's him at the door! Gotta go. Go Sooners & Ganders & Texans!

de

If you wanna see her new hip sockets go here: http://www.durom.info/ select india

Home Away from Home!

Sorry for rambling last post...blame it on jet lag I guess. What an experience our trip into Mumbai turned out to be. I think there's a reason that so many of the planes come in late at night. I think its because they may not want you to see everything there is to see. We saw plenty. The airport was crowded beyond belief. It was very much a 3rd world kind of airport. Been there done that my first few times in Romania but its still not what you've come to expect. People, people, and more, you get the idea. Then there's customs and immigration of which I know none of the customs of India. Again, being with a HC person does have its advantages. Some of the time they whisk you right thru to the front of the line, which is not very customary. We managed to come out with all three of our bags, hallelujah! My big jar of Jif peanut butter made it. Life will be good.

Getting out of the ap was bonkers, people and more...sorry. Finally we spot the guy with Kim's name written on a piece of paper. Computer printed no less, good sign. And the car had the hotel insignia on it...another good sign. Right next to the airport as we depart were the slums. There's not much middle class here in Mumbai, as I understand. We saw plenty of the underclass and their living conditions. Night made it maybe not so visible. Glad I wasn't driving. Driving was beyond bonkers...on the left...no lanes...everybody's honking and cutting in on one another...autorickshaws everywhere. As we left the airport the driver turned and handed each of us a cold bottle of aquafina water. Good stuff...except I hadn't visited the facilities since before we landed...

We arrived at the hotel compound a little after midnight. After climbing the hill where we left the masses we approached the fortress which was the Renaissance hotel Mumbai...huge gate...10 guards with automatice weapons...check the car for explosives I guess...and we pass. Up to the room...try to get online and call home which we finally were able to do...shower and sleep about 5 hours.

Another exciting trip through Mumbai traffic and now we're finally at our home away from home..l.wockhardt hospital in Mumbai. Gotta go now to finish our moving in...get some lunch...meet the entire staff of the international portion of the hospital...and hopefully a visit from someone from the US who's checking out today after having hip resurfacing. Maybe they'll be time for nap. Did I mention it was a long trip?

later. de

This Sure Ain’t Texas

Praise God, we finally arrived in Mumbai, India some 25 hours or so after leaving our hacienda on the bay. The trip to the airport was uneventful, the next 12 hours, not so uneventful. Brutal might be the better adjective probably made worse by our own anxieties about everything that we have embarked upon. We arrived at IAH a full two hours prior to our flight hoping to check in quickly and head up to the Presidents club for some refreshment and a paper. Not to be as our ticket was confirmed business class but issued economy class, all on points. Really, we were only supposed to be in business class from Paris to Mumbai but that wasn’t the case when we tried to check in. By the time we got it all worked out the way it was supposed to be and that in question the whole time because we flew Air France to Mumbai on Continental points, the check in gate was officially closed. We made our way through security, right up to the gate and boarded the plane. Whew, that was close, no OJ imitations or anything but no time to spare.

Economy was not quite full which is always exciting when you fly over the big pond. Extra seats means there’s room to spread out maybe. I asked the flight attendant who said, “not yet,” I’ll tell you. Well, he never did and as we were about to take off, several people jumped seats ahead of us and so, no extra room. There was even one lady right in front with 3 seats to herself. When we suggested to the guy sitting in our 3-seat section he might move up, he tried, and she told him no, she wanted to lay down. She did too and made use of all three seats. Kim really struggled on the first segment. It was cramped and hard for her to get up and down. We did have an aisle seat which made it some better. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity with 3 movies scattered in and two meals, we arrived in Paris. Oh yeah, with 15 minutes left on the flight, our guy finally moves up and sits on the row in front leaving the 2 of us 3 seats. It was sweet!

Good thing mom’s handicapped. I’m pretty sure there’s no way we would have made our connection. I had all worked out, schedules said we’d arrive and depart in the same terminal. Not! Because they asked mom in Houston if she needed wheelchair assistance in Paris there was a guy right there waiting for us, who took us to a special bus for HC folks and took us right from B to Terminal E. Everybody else had to find the regular busses. We had a little over 2 hours but again went direct from one to the other, through security again, and promptly boarded the next flight to Mumbai.

Business class to Mumbai. It sure was expensive in airmiles but worth every penny! If ya gotta go and can it’s the way to go. But one things for sure folks, this sure ain’t Texas. Our final meal on the Mumbai flight was leeks, eggplant, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Where’s the Beef? Sorry to ramble. Its been a long day. More later.

de

God is So Good!

It's Sunday afternoon and I just dropped Kim at the airport for her trip to Denver. She's continued to work in prior to our trip. Today was a very emotional day in our worship services. At the close of the service our elders and their wives came forward to surround us and pray. The rest of the folks joined with them and us and the front of the auditorium for a beautiful time of prayer. As many as were able put their hands on us to bless and to pray for us. It was just an awesome thing. Our community of faith continue to surround us with blessings of all kinds, cards, calls, emails, and gifts to help us on our journey. This is what I imagine Christ's body to be and to do, support and love those who are hurting. And they are doing just that. Praise be to His name and to His glory! Keep us the prayers for us as the time grows closer. In the meantime I'll share a link with you that is pretty cool.

There is a really cool educational site that lets you do the hip resurfacing just like the one Kim will have. Along with that there are some pretty graphic photos of the real deal. Not for the faint of heart. Pretty cool though. Kim did the procedure twice last night to get familiar with what will happen. Thanks again for all you have done for us. We love each and every one of you.

Dave & Kim

Check this link out to learn more! http://www.edheads.org/activities/hip2/

Oh yeah, Go Sooners! Nice win over Missou!

Pardon the Interruption

Trying to keep my mind busy and began playing with Windows Movie Maker over the past 2 days. Here's a blast from the past for my family. It's from Christmas, 2001. A 12 second video of the Ellis crew at that time. As you will see I had no idea what I was doing! Enjoy!

Big Deal This Is!

Whew! I thought signing for the bayhouse was a big deal. The biggest thing we've ever signed for in our married lives. Didn't ever think we'd be doing that but it all happened so fast. There I was one Monday evening jogging down Burnet Dr along the bay, which was my first time to jog that way only because the nature center was closed for some construction.

I was nearing the end of my jog and had just stopped to walk and catch my breath when our house appeared. It appeared empty I thought. Seems like it was empty one time before, so in my current state of sweatiness and curiosity I stopped to look around. Sure enough it was empty so I knocked on the house next door to ask what they might know. She shared what she knew and I jogged home to call the realtor who showed me the house the next day. Kim was out of town for the entire week so I took some pics and emailed them to her. Long story short, it was in foreclosure and we closed on the house Friday two weeks later. It was just supposed to happen and the Lord somehow made the way.

This going to India for Kim to have one of the top surgeons in the world has happened much the same way. I know it sounds completely crazy and it is. I got the determination about costs here and our insurance on Oct 2. This morning, 8 days later, I wired $16K to the hospital bank in India. It's a big deal, the biggest. But the Lord just cleared a path like he has done for us before. Keep praying for us. The biggest part it yet to come but thankfully, my beautiful bride won't have to wait much longer for relief from her pain of the past 4-5 years. Praise the Lord.

I know it may be more blah, blah, blah than you really want but it gives me a place to share and hopefully to testify to the greatness and glory of the One who loves us like no other. Thanks for commenting.

c ya, de

Just So I Know

Not too much to update at this point but I do ask a favor. If you're reading this, just leave me a comment so I know someone is checking in. By all the emails I received back so far, I do know that many, many, many people are praying for us and we can't thank you enough for that. It's by far the most important part. However, there are some details left, not too many. As I said before, the plane tickets are done, passports & visas done, being away from home details getting there. We've got a house sitter for our dog, Frazier, very important stuff. Our good friend Paul from church will stay the whole time there.

Kim's blackberry is a worldphone. We got a simcard and the plan changed to where she'll get voice calls, data, and the net on her BB as normal. The hospital says there's hs internet in our room. We're taking the laptop and hopefully will have skype up and running to be able to use it freely and with a webcam for those who have it. If you don't have skype yet, why the heck not? It's free video phone calls between skype users anywhere in the world. Just let me know and I'll give you my skype name and well, the rest is easy.

A few more details. Here's the hospital info. http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/

Wockhardt Hospitals, MumbaiMulund Goregaon Link Road, Mumbai 400078 Tel no: +91-22-67994444 / 25664488

They list an 800 # on the international portion of their website but I'm not sure that's for patient phone calls.

Mumbai is 10 1/2 hours ahead of Houston if that helps. 12 is easier for me to calculate which is close enough. Here's the handiest one I've found to help calculate the time.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

One little blooper this morning was when I logged in to Continental.com and checked our flights our 2nd segment from Paris to Mumbai was suddenly gone, that's right gone. I called them and was on hold for about 20 minute when the kind lady came back on and told me they got it back. Whew! It's a long walk from Paris to Mumbai. The Lord is with us!

What Are You Thinking?

India, here we come! Kim's visa pic!

The main heading is the reaction I've gotten from several close friends when they heard that Kim and I are headed to Mumbai for hip surgery. "What are you thinking?" Here's the thought process so far. Probably not in any order of priority except #1 Kim.

#1 Kim needs both hips redone, sooner than later. Unfortunately no one diagnosed a problem which is now several years advanced. She's been getting worse and worse and we can't wait, if we don't have to.

#2 Our insurance, Mega Life, if you could really call it that, is totally inadequate. This is the problem we had with her back surgery. The hospital called 3 days before that surgery to say, your insurance won't pay enough and the cash price, upfront, is $38,000. Please have that to us by Monday morning or no surgery. We begged borrowed and maxed out to get it done. Same deal this time. Hip replacement (1) here in Houston would be $42-47K, cash price. I called and got the price. She needs both. We did the math. $90K. The wait for an appointment is 1-2 months just to get in to see one of the best.

#3 With lots of research we wanted for her to have what's called "hip resurfacing." Only 1-2 surgeons here in Houston do it and they haven't done very many. The most experienced surgeons still do THR (total hip replacement) The most experienced two surgeons in the world for this procedure are in India. One, Dr Bose in Chennai, has done just over 1000. Dr Malhan, in Mumbai has done over 600. Need I say more?

#4 Maybe you could negotiate a better price here in Houston? Maybe we could but how much better? half? 2 for 1? unlikely not. The cost here is $90K. Its' going to be quite a stretch for us to manage the cost in India. $8K per hip, all inclusive for me and her. That sounds like a vacation instead of a hospital stay. That's why its called Medical tourism and its one of the fastest growing industries around.

#5 Maybe you could go to a teaching hospital? We are going to a teaching hospital. Dr Malhan has presented around the world about the work they are doing in hip resurfacing.

#6 Aren't you concerned about going to India? Yes, but we'd be concerned if we were going to the hospital on Fannin. Yeah, but Indian doctors? Truth is, about half the Drs in Baytown have Indian names, I think.

Well, that's all for now. I'll write more later. Feel free to leave comments.

And mostly, pray! de

Motivation is Everything!

Without a goal, a project, something to report right there in front of me, to be honest, I struggle, especially when when it comes to blogging blogging. I think for about a week I've had left over anethesia from a procedure I had done at the hospital. It's one of those things you're supposed to have done when your 50 so I did. They knock you out and look you up and when you wake up they tell you what they saw down there and show you pictures. Well everything came out good. One benign polyp and no cancer so praise the Lord. I still think I've got drug leftovers.

Enough of that. Back to the blog. Well, now that Kim and I have a great adventure ahead of us, it gives me something to blog about and so that you can keep up. If you didn't know, Kim and I are heading to Mumbai, India on Oct 18 for 24 days. We'll checkin to Wockhardt hospital upon arrival. Lord willing, while there, both of Kim's hips will get a surgery called "hip surfacing." Dr Malhan will do the surgery. Here's some info on him and a link to the hospital.

Dr. Kaushal C. Malhan Orthopaedic SurgeonJoint Replacement and Resurfacing/Sport SurgeryWockhardt Hospitals Ltd. Mulund Goregaon Link Road, Mumbai (formerly Bombay)

Website: http://www.wockhardthospitals.com/index_bone.html

http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/general/abt_surgeon.asp

Anyway, the Dr has done more than 600 hip resurfacing surgeries. I could only find one other surgeon who has done more and he's also india from Chennai where Continental doesn't fly. That was really the difference for us.

Well, I'd tell you more but I'm tired. Spent the day in Houston and came home with both our visas. It's set. Tickets are bought, visa's are got. Now all I got to do is find the $$$. The Lord will provide.

Keep reading and I'll keep blogging, all along the way.

de