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.

Store

Visitors to my blog will notice a new section to the right entitled "Store." It is a section I am just barely getting up and running. In the store, I will advertise products from Amazon. When anyone buys any products from the store, I will get a certain percentage. Brandon Sanderson suggested this as a way to make some money while I yet remain jobless. So that's what purpose the store section will serve.

General Conference Talk Transcripts/My take on the Supreme Court's Decision/Latest Health Developments

Hello, all! I am posting again today for a couple of reasons. First of all, the transcripts of the General Conference talks are now available online. It's so thrilling that nowadays the Church gets them online within two days of General Conference ending. I remember in the past having to wait until the Thursday after Conference (sometimes longer) to get those. I post a link for all who are interested:

General Conference Talk Transcripts

I encourage all of us to review these talks often. We have been told in scripture that, as lds.org observes, "When holy men of God write or speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words 'shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation' (D&C 68:4)." and that "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38) General conference was wonderful. I hope we won't let the messages we heard die, but that they will become a part of who we are and how and why we do things.

In general conference, Elder Oaks reiterated the Church's stance on the issue of same-sex marriage, that the Church favors traditional marriage. He said, "Prominent among these today is the strong tide that is legalizing same-sex marriage in many states and provinces in the United States and Canada and many other countries in the world . . . we should teach the truth and the commandments plainly and thoroughly as we understand them . . .On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence. In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion . . .When our positions do not prevail, we should accept unfavorable results graciously and practice civility with our adversaries. In any event, we should be persons of goodwill toward all, rejecting persecution of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief or nonbelief, and differences in sexual orientation."

His words were prophetic in a way in light of the Supreme Court's refusal on Monday to hear any cases about the legality of same sex marriage, effectively making such marriages legal in 30 states. Having appealed to "the court of last resort" and come away empty handed, those who favor traditional marriage, like me, were no doubt disappointed. I was very pleased to see the Church's official statement on the matter. I post a link to it below.

Church Statement on Supreme Court Announcement

I love belonging to a Church that holds firm on its position on moral issues. I agree with the Church statement wholeheartedly. While the outcome was contrary to what I and many others of my faith desired, we should be respectful towards those whose values differ. As with everything, I believe that diversity even on issues of morality provides for interesting public discourse and discussion. I also firmly believe what Elder Oaks said, that we can disagree without being disagreeable. I am now and always will be in favor only of marriage between a man and a woman, but I understand that not everyone else feels the same way. And since "we believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law" (Twelfth Article of Faith), we recognize that this is the law now, even if we disagree with it for moral and ethical reasons. The Church will continue to hold firm in its position, which I am eternally grateful for.

In other news, I saw my neurosurgeon and neurologist yesterday (Tuesday). My neurosurgeon turned up my shunt setting after seeing that I was over draining, and I hope it helps. But he acted as if I should be honored that he would grace me, a lowly patient, with the honor of seeing him, an exalted neurosurgeon and behaved as if he were God's gift to the neurosurgery field. When I suggested that I should be scheduled for more regular visits if I had to move heaven and earth to get an appointment when I needed one and offered a word of criticism about how I had to get tough with his staff before they would schedule an appointment for me to see him, he abruptly and rudely reminded me that I had been on his nurse's schedule and he was only seeing me himself because she was sick today, and that he had to rearrange his schedule to accommodate a visit with me. He then mentioned that since my blood pressure had been very high the last several times I've had it taken, I should probably get it seen to, and he left. Amy was very angry about his attitude, and it bugged me too, but not to the same level. The result being I am now looking for a new neurosurgeon. I wouldn't go back to that guy if he paid me to do it. So we are checking into who is covered by my plan and what our options might be there. If any of you are aware of any good neurosurgeons not associated with the University of Utah that are covered under Medicaid Healthy U, please let me know.

On a much better note, I also saw my neurologist. She said that as far as my headaches and nausea were concerned, we will have to wait and see what the shunt pressure adjustment does before we adjust any medications. She also gave me the scoop on the new medication she wanted me to start. I was happy to hear that this medication would be a replacement for one of the ones I'm currently using. Ultimately the goal is to see if we can get me taking less medication possibly, but it all depends upon how well I do. She also shared with me some news I hadn't been aware of but Amy had. Apparently now because of federal regulations changing, I will have to get some of my prescriptions month-to-month, a fresh script each month, rather than one script with several refills. That's going to be a bit of a bother, but we can make it work.

Well, I've droned on long enough I've probably put some of you to sleep. That's the latest on us. I will keep you informed on developments as they happen. As always, thanks for reading, friends.