Yesterday was a turning point in trying to make decisions about my back. In talking with some friends yesterday, I came to the following conclusions:

1. ) I don’t want to have the surgery here in Hungary – I realized that if there were complications with the surgery, then I don’t want to be in the hospital here. While this is not very likely, if I can choose not to, I should.

2) I don’t want to put my family through another unplanned 3-4 week back “incident.” It is very difficult on Valerie and the kids when I just go out of commission with little or no warning.

3) I want to be pro-active and stop waiting. I’ve been struggling with back problems for 14 years. I’m tired of waiting for things to get better.

4) October is a window of time where I could do something about this. November is much busier and if I have a choice, now is the time.

Therefore, I’m headed to the US on Monday to meet with a doctor in Dallas. It might just be a long distance visit to the doctor, but at least I will get some answers. I might have surgery. I might not. At least, I’m not just waiting.

I’m so thankful to my brother-in-law, Shannon Cooke. He is an orthopedic surgeon in Abilene, Texas and has been helping me get in touch with the doctor in Dallas. He is also going to help me through the process. I couldn’t have got this far without you Shannon. Your wisdom and support have been so encouraging.

Please pray for my family as this is a busy time and they have already been through a lot. We are in agreement that this is the best way to go, but it doesn’t mean it will be easy.

Also, pray that the doctor will have wisdom and that the course of action will be clear.

I’ll try to keep you posted. Keep checking.