Surgery in Process

Yesterday morning, Nathan and I walked around Centennial Park in Nashville as he talked about the importance of and how to hire “empathic people.” Last night, as we talked and ate snacks around a hotel lobby table, Nathan got emotional. He has only teared up a few times since all this madness began.

With his son Jack sitting on his lap, he explained his emotion was triggered because he was concerned for all of us, particularly what it must be like to be me with a son about to go into brain surgery. Imagine that. You are about to go into brain surgery and you are getting upset thinking how your family must feel right now. Who does that? Nathan, our Nathan, the Nathan that so many of you know and have rallied behind in so many different ways. A truly compassionate, caring, sensitive, guy that just “gets it” when, frankly, most of us would understandably only be thinking about ourselves a few hours away from having a window cut into our cranium.

Nathan slept well last night. Thank you Lord. This morning, we all met in the lobby at 6:00 am and took Nathan to the hospital, just a few minutes away. After being admitted, we all hugged him and he and Elizabeth went into the prep area until it was time to take him into surgery. Once the “Happy Juice” began to flow, Elizabeth did send us a video of Nathan grinning and referring to his surgery hair net has his “Party Hat.” A needed light moment in a land of lead here at the hospital.

So, now we wait.  We have a large group of mostly family and a few friends that are all gathered in the on the 6^th Floor Neuro ICU Waiting area, many on their cell phones, laptops and tablets. It is the modern era.

To me, the minutes feel like hours and the hours feel like days. Time is flowing like thick molasses on a cold day.

Later today, Dr. Thompson will come and meet with us to tell us how the surgery both went and perhaps suggest a preliminary idea of the identity of the tumor. Brain tumors are labeled by both cell type and aggressiveness (1-4).  Unfortunately, they can’t get it all through surgery. There are always unseen malevolent cells that remain concealed and are left behind. Lord, please give wisdom and bless the treatment that will follow this surgery today. Empower it to destroy all remnants of these tiny terrorists and heal my boy, my only son. Please Lord… Please Lord.  

We all could not be more thankful for your persistent prayers, your incredibly generous donations and the many expressions of love and care toward my son and those of us that hurt when he hurts. What a caring community that has surrounded him! I just keep hearing the words of Jesus, “As you have done to the least of these, so you did it to me.” And you have…. done it to Jesus with each prayer, text, email, donation and words of love out of your concern for Nathan. THANK YOU!!

Would indulge me for a moment for the private reflection of a malfunctioning minister? We all have our private relationship with the Lord, and that is a good thing. But make no mistake; there will come a day when you will need more than you can produce alone – you will need the prayers and support of God’s people. Yes, of course, we need the Lord, but we also need his redeemed people beside us. We simply are not complete alone. Even in Paradise, being alone was the only thing that was “not good.” That is why the God-Figure in Luke 15 rejoiced when the lone sheep, the lost coin and the isolated son were finally back with the others where they belonged. Even heaven itself is a coming home to be together forever. Whether we realize it or not, we need the Body of Christ. Sadly, life’s harsh hand has a way of teaching you that lesson at some point or another. If I missed it before, I do no longer. The door to God’s most intensive classroom is always locked from outside. There is no way out but in patiently trusting Him and learning the lesson that we would miss, if given an open door from which to escape. From the lips of a terrible receiver, I have so needed you. Thank you.

God Bless you and from the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

Buddy Sexton