New Developments in Our Lives

I realized today in looking at my blog that I had not posted for a while, so I am posting now, though there is not much to report on. I am still in search of a new neurosurgeon. The new medication I am taking for my head seems to be working, but it makes me super tired, so I've been sleeping a lot. I finally was able to read Chris Heimerdinger's great new book "Drums of Desolation." Another rip-roaring success, but it left so many questions unanswered. Chris has stated he will try to wrap up the current adventure (and possibly the series) in the next book, "Thorns of Glory," which he hopes to have out by next year. I will be anxious to see if that will happen.

I had a wonderful visit with Brandon Sanderson on Sunday. He and I talked about major life events that had happened since we last got together. He then helped me set up the "Store" section of this blog (see the preceding post) and helped me add page numbers to my book. My task before we meet again next month is to try and finish the book. I haven't made any progress there yet, but I did take the opportunity to "map out" the remaining scenes. Now it's just a matter of making them work. But that wasn't the most impressive thing about Brandon's visit. He told me that he thought that my taking one computer class online per school semester would quickly enough allow me to be certified in something that would help improve my job prospects, whether I am able to find work in the meantime or not. When I told him money was a bit of a problem, he said it wasn't for him. He mentioned that he had a foundation that awards scholarships to those the foundation overseers see as needing them and that he, as the head of the foundation wouldn't have a problem with awarding me a scholarship for the purpose of taking some online classes that would allow me to get certified in something computer-related and improve my job prospects, now and in the future. I was overwhelmed by this generous offer. When I was awarded a scholarship at BYU, I took my education very seriously, knowing that it was someone else's money that was making furthering my education possible. And so, with Amy and Brandon's encouragement, I will be taking one class online per semester until I am certified. I won't take this opportunity lightly. I just hope I have the stamina to do work and one class per semester. I'm sure it will work out. As soon as Brandon mentioned the scholarship, I felt like this was the Lord providing an answer to some of our prayers. While it doesn't solve the immediate problem of needing a job, it will help me increase my prospects for the future. I'm glad about that.

Amy's dad recently also gave us a very generous offer. He said if we could find a reasonably priced house in an area we'd like to live, he'd pay for it in our behalf. I had administered to Amy in the past and told her that the Lord would open the way for us to move from this place to a house of our own, but neither of us knew how it would be possible. With this very generous offer, we are looking for a place within the American Fork East Stake. We will see what we can find.

I noticed last week that there was a mistake in the prescribed dosage for one of my medications that I need to get filled tomorrow, so we will be making a trip up to Salt Lake at some point tomorrow to pick up the amended prescription. It's a bit of a hassle, but what can you do? I'm just grateful the problem can be fixed so easily.

My current neurosurgeon (Richard Schmidt, the one I won't go back to) recently e-mailed me with a survey, asking me to describe my latest experience in his clinic. And so I did. I was as honest as the day is long, sometimes brutally so, but he did ask for honesty. I submitted the survey anonymously after commenting on my negative experience with his office and saying that I wouldn't be coming back to his clinic as a result of his staff's lack of serious concern for my concerns. It has been said by some that I've never been known to say anything bad about anyone. Those who know me best will no doubt contradict that statement. I am only human, after all. I can only hope that my anonymous honest criticism of his and his staff's treatment of me will give him pause the next time he thinks to disregard a patient or not take their concerns seriously. But based on his attitude during our last visit, I hold out little hope for an improvement in his bedside manner. That's why I won't be going back there and will instead be taking my neurosurgery needs elsewhere. So, if you know of any good ones closer to American Fork, I'm open to recommendations.

That, in a nutshell, is what has been going on with us. Amy was sick yesterday and missed Church. I went to fulfill my obligations as Media Specialist, and, at her insistence, stayed for the whole block. I was glad to be there, but grateful to return home and take care of Amy. We have been doing a lot of reading lately and watching things on Amazon Instant Video (I signed up for a one-month free trial). While life could be better, I know it could also be a lot worse, and I am grateful for the blessings in my life, most especially my sweetheart Amy. I don't know what I'd do without her. I hope I never have to find out. I long for the day when we will have children join our family. Yet I know that I don't understand the purposes and timing of the Lord, so I do my best to trust Him and leave the rest in His hands. I hope you all are doing well. I wish you all the best until I write again.