Rome, GA!!! You sure do know how to make a girl feel loved! You heard my pleas, formed the strongest army ever for me and helped me crush this surgery. Most of you know the story of losing our dear friend, Shane Richardson to cancer 10 years ago. His life was amazing, but what I witnessed in his death was the most influential thing I’ve ever experienced. I always wondered why the Lord picked me to be included during that time-DeAnn his wife is a prolific writer blogger and her words ooze with His Spirit, my husband has the ability to speak to a person and leave them feeling loved from head to toe. So, I knew why everyone else was involved but not sure why I was. I'm just a “behind the scenes girl,” but I promised Him I would use it however He wanted me to.
Now, I find myself feeling that same familiar feeling. Why does He want to use me, Laura Getchell, in this capacity? It’s obvious He does and I’m okay with that! I am not angry but feel a little inadequate to do this mighty job! Again, not angry but oh so willing to be obedient in how He wants to use this and me. I have lots of words and want to be positive that those are HIS not mine!!!! So, as our good friend Bill has said- we are letting God have the pen to allow Him to write this story. Thankfully He is the author and He knows the beginning, middle and end. Letting you all have a glimpse of this chapter as He continues to write.
So, I arrived at my surgery at Redmond on Wednesday morning to be greeted by a host of friends and pastors. There was a tent which really made me laugh! ET evidently knows how to throw a cool tailgate party, even during brain surgery! I was treated a little bit like a celebrity haha, apparently brain surgery allows you this, Rome Fire Department even showed up with a big engine and left with sirens blaring (I’d like to say the siren was for me but they actually had a call but I am saying it was definitely for me-insert smiley emoji.) I can hardly explain how entering the hospital felt that day. I have to describe it as God rolling out the red carpet for me and feeling like He was telling me “Come in , my Princess.” From walking into the lobby and being greeted by a dear church friend and her big smile that I have not seen in years, to a welcomed fierce hug for this ole porcupine from a student’s mom. It seems that in His sweet fashion He had prepared for me with each smiling familiar face, down to the smallest of details. He was there!!!! He was not only there inside the hospital but He was there on the outside too. I love seeing the pictures of my army rising up in their uniforms of “stronger together” and “Waymaker, Raise a Hallelujah” t-shirts. To know that those I love and care for were holding vigil outside on my behalf gave me an indescribable courage and strength. Every text and email that was sent was taken to heart and gave me a strength that I know was directly from God. Knowing full-well He put on the hearts of so many the needs and desires for that day. To know my people were loving on the people who love me warmed my heart and was such a sweet testament that the Lord had no boundaries.
And then to know that each of you were encouraging each other when a 3 hour surgery turned into a 7 hour surgery, during storms, that made for a very long day. Thank you all so much!!!
So the 7 hour surgery was due to a large vessel that was right over the tumor. Thankful for Dr. Webb’s patience and expertise of meticulously removing the tumor while salvaging the vein, preventing seizures, and keeping all things “stroke related” away. Thankful that he wasn't worried about time and thankful for his attention to every single detail. I think the best part of the day was when I woke up from anesthesia and was actually laughing! Oh, how I praised the Lord that He had left my sense of humor intact!! This girl needs her sense of humor!!! AND, on top of that, Jesus put me in the sweetest spot ever and I was awakened by allowing Kari Jobe to serenade me with “You Are Not alone!” over me all night long. I literally felt angels singing over me.
I have been totally humbled by 2 of the most selfless gentlemen that are still dealing with their own grief, hurt, PTSD fresh around them. Somehow they managed to put on their armor, find my husband, drag him through battle with fresh hurt still on their minds but all the while with such a sweet smile of contentment that they were more than willing to offer. They literally stand in the gap. There’s just something about seeing a genuine smile from a survivor. Not a promise that it’ll turn out the way I want it or that it will be easy. Just a little nudge that Jesus will show me the way.
So that leads me to where we are now. The Lord gives me “themes” for seasons I go through. With Shane’s diagnosis, I asked Him how I was supposed to do it and He simply said, “Do this with Me.” Last Sunday when my left arm wouldn’t cooperate to set Wil’s apartment up, I asked Him how I was supposed to do it, and He simply said “Do what you can.” I put my praise music on, ripped some things open, and bathed my son’s new room in prayer. It’s all I could do but somehow felt so meaningful for the time. Since Covid, I’ve held onto a devotion I was given. I really thought it as for me to share with my friend. It says that the Lord doesn’t promise you to give you all that you need at one time but just what you need exactly when you need it. This I know is My devotion. This is all very heavy and I understand that I may feel crushed by the enormity of it all if I was allowed to experience it all at once. I had to get through the surgery first and now tomorrow, I Will be handed a new box. I am aware of the possibilities. It has torn my heart apart watching Glenn ask the doctor questions, quietly begging to hear the word “benign” but with no reassurance. Oh, I’m not saying that isn’t our prayer or a possibility or that the dr should offer false hope. I just appreciate honesty and I like dealing with the facts. So...tomorrow we will have facts. Not a plan yet I’m told, but a name. The name is what I’m dealing with.I think about what I’ve called this thing since 8/14/20. I called it a “spot” on my head to my parents to “break it down into something they could manage- My kids aren’t very happy with me for that one b/c I made it sound like a mole removal-haha! I called it Goliah when I was told the size, it’s been a mass, a tumor, and now it sits in a lab with a well-trained pathologist and name-giver. I think about how much goes into naming our children, why we choose their names, how their names define them. It gives them their personality. The name I find out tomorrow may very well dictate the direction of my life and family’s upcoming months. I ask that you help me not dwell on the name or give power to it. Remind me to focus on the POWER of JESUS’ name!!! Send me scriptures attesting to how powerful HIS name is! Lastly, I ask you to pray for Glenn. He is a natural born leader and is trying his hardest to lead this battle. I understand. He wants to protect me, but He needs some encouragement letting the Lord lead this one instead of him. I love to follow that man, but pray that he can release this duty over to the One Who has never lost a battle.
Laura Getchell
Now, I find myself feeling that same familiar feeling. Why does He want to use me, Laura Getchell, in this capacity? It’s obvious He does and I’m okay with that! I am not angry but feel a little inadequate to do this mighty job! Again, not angry but oh so willing to be obedient in how He wants to use this and me. I have lots of words and want to be positive that those are HIS not mine!!!! So, as our good friend Bill has said- we are letting God have the pen to allow Him to write this story. Thankfully He is the author and He knows the beginning, middle and end. Letting you all have a glimpse of this chapter as He continues to write.
So, I arrived at my surgery at Redmond on Wednesday morning to be greeted by a host of friends and pastors. There was a tent which really made me laugh! ET evidently knows how to throw a cool tailgate party, even during brain surgery! I was treated a little bit like a celebrity haha, apparently brain surgery allows you this, Rome Fire Department even showed up with a big engine and left with sirens blaring (I’d like to say the siren was for me but they actually had a call but I am saying it was definitely for me-insert smiley emoji.) I can hardly explain how entering the hospital felt that day. I have to describe it as God rolling out the red carpet for me and feeling like He was telling me “Come in , my Princess.” From walking into the lobby and being greeted by a dear church friend and her big smile that I have not seen in years, to a welcomed fierce hug for this ole porcupine from a student’s mom. It seems that in His sweet fashion He had prepared for me with each smiling familiar face, down to the smallest of details. He was there!!!! He was not only there inside the hospital but He was there on the outside too. I love seeing the pictures of my army rising up in their uniforms of “stronger together” and “Waymaker, Raise a Hallelujah” t-shirts. To know that those I love and care for were holding vigil outside on my behalf gave me an indescribable courage and strength. Every text and email that was sent was taken to heart and gave me a strength that I know was directly from God. Knowing full-well He put on the hearts of so many the needs and desires for that day. To know my people were loving on the people who love me warmed my heart and was such a sweet testament that the Lord had no boundaries.
And then to know that each of you were encouraging each other when a 3 hour surgery turned into a 7 hour surgery, during storms, that made for a very long day. Thank you all so much!!!
So the 7 hour surgery was due to a large vessel that was right over the tumor. Thankful for Dr. Webb’s patience and expertise of meticulously removing the tumor while salvaging the vein, preventing seizures, and keeping all things “stroke related” away. Thankful that he wasn't worried about time and thankful for his attention to every single detail. I think the best part of the day was when I woke up from anesthesia and was actually laughing! Oh, how I praised the Lord that He had left my sense of humor intact!! This girl needs her sense of humor!!! AND, on top of that, Jesus put me in the sweetest spot ever and I was awakened by allowing Kari Jobe to serenade me with “You Are Not alone!” over me all night long. I literally felt angels singing over me.
I have been totally humbled by 2 of the most selfless gentlemen that are still dealing with their own grief, hurt, PTSD fresh around them. Somehow they managed to put on their armor, find my husband, drag him through battle with fresh hurt still on their minds but all the while with such a sweet smile of contentment that they were more than willing to offer. They literally stand in the gap. There’s just something about seeing a genuine smile from a survivor. Not a promise that it’ll turn out the way I want it or that it will be easy. Just a little nudge that Jesus will show me the way.
So that leads me to where we are now. The Lord gives me “themes” for seasons I go through. With Shane’s diagnosis, I asked Him how I was supposed to do it and He simply said, “Do this with Me.” Last Sunday when my left arm wouldn’t cooperate to set Wil’s apartment up, I asked Him how I was supposed to do it, and He simply said “Do what you can.” I put my praise music on, ripped some things open, and bathed my son’s new room in prayer. It’s all I could do but somehow felt so meaningful for the time. Since Covid, I’ve held onto a devotion I was given. I really thought it as for me to share with my friend. It says that the Lord doesn’t promise you to give you all that you need at one time but just what you need exactly when you need it. This I know is My devotion. This is all very heavy and I understand that I may feel crushed by the enormity of it all if I was allowed to experience it all at once. I had to get through the surgery first and now tomorrow, I Will be handed a new box. I am aware of the possibilities. It has torn my heart apart watching Glenn ask the doctor questions, quietly begging to hear the word “benign” but with no reassurance. Oh, I’m not saying that isn’t our prayer or a possibility or that the dr should offer false hope. I just appreciate honesty and I like dealing with the facts. So...tomorrow we will have facts. Not a plan yet I’m told, but a name. The name is what I’m dealing with.I think about what I’ve called this thing since 8/14/20. I called it a “spot” on my head to my parents to “break it down into something they could manage- My kids aren’t very happy with me for that one b/c I made it sound like a mole removal-haha! I called it Goliah when I was told the size, it’s been a mass, a tumor, and now it sits in a lab with a well-trained pathologist and name-giver. I think about how much goes into naming our children, why we choose their names, how their names define them. It gives them their personality. The name I find out tomorrow may very well dictate the direction of my life and family’s upcoming months. I ask that you help me not dwell on the name or give power to it. Remind me to focus on the POWER of JESUS’ name!!! Send me scriptures attesting to how powerful HIS name is! Lastly, I ask you to pray for Glenn. He is a natural born leader and is trying his hardest to lead this battle. I understand. He wants to protect me, but He needs some encouragement letting the Lord lead this one instead of him. I love to follow that man, but pray that he can release this duty over to the One Who has never lost a battle.
Laura Getchell