And now, the moment you've all been dreading...
before....
and after...
My vocal cords. Sorry, but, hey- how often do you get to see people's vocal cords?
All the fuss was over those little white bumps in the top photo. Whether they will turn out to have a significance larger than their apparent size remains to be seen.
For now, I still have my front teeth (not a given after this kind of operation, I'm told). The little bumps are gone (neat and clean, the doctor tells me). And the most painful part (aside from bringing up my toenails when the anesthesia wore off) was when the nurse tore off the tape that was holding my IV in.
What have I learned?
1. Always take your own slippers, teacup, chopsticks and tissue when checking in to a Japanese hospital.
2.People's greatest fear of anasthesia is that a) it will wear off too soon, or b) that it won't wear off at all (gleaned from the informative pre-op video).
3. Japanese EMT's learn how to insert oxygen tubes on.. guess who? (with permission, of course). I was attended to by a fireman, Mr. Mikami.
I also learned the meaning of "dry heaves". I could have done without that one.
I think, though, that I have thought most about God's gifts. I couldn't do public speaking until after my conversion, and some considerable arm-twisting on the part of one of my profs (thanks, Mr. Magnus). Teaching seems to be the main part of my ministry. I really enjoy it, but, oh how easily it could slip away from me! Those two ugly bits of tissue there are all that hooks my mind up with the audience.
It has been good for me to reflect on how fragile this link is, and how easily God could take it away. He would do so only if it were best for me, and those I speak to. Having the possibility thrust before me in this way has been the occasion for some helpful reflection.
"My times are in your hands" (Psalm 31:15). There is no better place.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you who prayed for me.
and after...
My vocal cords. Sorry, but, hey- how often do you get to see people's vocal cords?
All the fuss was over those little white bumps in the top photo. Whether they will turn out to have a significance larger than their apparent size remains to be seen.
For now, I still have my front teeth (not a given after this kind of operation, I'm told). The little bumps are gone (neat and clean, the doctor tells me). And the most painful part (aside from bringing up my toenails when the anesthesia wore off) was when the nurse tore off the tape that was holding my IV in.
What have I learned?
1. Always take your own slippers, teacup, chopsticks and tissue when checking in to a Japanese hospital.
2.People's greatest fear of anasthesia is that a) it will wear off too soon, or b) that it won't wear off at all (gleaned from the informative pre-op video).
3. Japanese EMT's learn how to insert oxygen tubes on.. guess who? (with permission, of course). I was attended to by a fireman, Mr. Mikami.
I also learned the meaning of "dry heaves". I could have done without that one.
I think, though, that I have thought most about God's gifts. I couldn't do public speaking until after my conversion, and some considerable arm-twisting on the part of one of my profs (thanks, Mr. Magnus). Teaching seems to be the main part of my ministry. I really enjoy it, but, oh how easily it could slip away from me! Those two ugly bits of tissue there are all that hooks my mind up with the audience.
It has been good for me to reflect on how fragile this link is, and how easily God could take it away. He would do so only if it were best for me, and those I speak to. Having the possibility thrust before me in this way has been the occasion for some helpful reflection.
"My times are in your hands" (Psalm 31:15). There is no better place.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you who prayed for me.
posted by John Elliot | 8:03 PM
1 Comments:
Ewww. Vocal chords are kind of gross, but the kind of gross that makes you copy and enlarge the picture to see better detail. Glad to see that you're on the road to recovery. although I'm happy you'll have your voice to teach with, I'm sure you would have found a way to teach without words. :) Many blessing in the recovery. --Jacob W.
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