We have a surgery date..
Today went very well with Dr Barrow. We were very impressed with not only Dr Barrow but his whole practice. He sat down and explained things to us thoroughly and gave his recommendation of what needed to be done. He said that I will need surgery and it will be the traditional brain surgery…well I hesitate to say traditional because technology has come so far even just in the last few years but basically I mean that they will have to make an incision on the head instead of going up through a vein in the neck or other part of the body. One encouraging part of news that made me feel very good is that I won’t have to shave my head completely, only the part where they make the incision….it may seem somewhat silly but that was a big worry of mine, and I’m thankful that God cares about even the small things and He took care of that for me!
The surgery is this coming Tuesday, May 6. I can’t believe it was just this past Monday that I felt nothing was happening and I thought the surgery was weeks if not months away and now just two days later we are looking at my surgery that is less then a week…..only God can do something like that! He definitely makes the impossible happen!! Eddie and I will go to Atlanta on Monday for pre-op stuff and then we report to the hospital at 6AM on Tuesday morning. Dr Barrow said that if all goes well with no complications then my schedule of recovery looks like the following: the night after surgery will be spent in ICU, then moved to a private room for 2-3 more nights, and then go home and have 6 weeks recovery. That is the best case scenario which of course we are praying for!!!
Wow….God is amazing….I can’t tell you how many recommendations we have had of Dr Barrow in just the last two days….it’s like after Monday everything came together including God showing us in a very obvious way that Dr Barrow was the one for us! He doesn’t miss a step does He?! Of course I now question why I ever doubted in the first place….I mean God has never, not once, ever let me down but I continually doubt!!! That frustrates me so much!!! I can somewhat put myself in Thomas’s place when he asked to see Jesus’ nail prints….I’m really no better. Thank goodness God is so patient with His children….we are always a work in progress!!!
Ok prayer warriors….you are needed in a big way on this one….let’s just say I’m a little scared :) I know God’s going to be there with me through this, but I’m still nervous…..I think the time that I’m the most nervous is right before they put me to sleep….not knowing exactly what things are going to be like when I wake up….and not knowing how the surgery is going to proceed, BUT that’s where faith comes in….believing that everything will go really well with no complications! Thanks for ALL your thoughts and prayers…honestly every single one has been a gift to us and we can’t thank you all enough for your love! Please pray for Eddie and the rest of our family through this because while I get to sleep through the surgery they have to sit and wait! I think I have the easier job! 
April 30th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
We are so glad this has worked out for you to have the surgery so soon. God is Good! We will continue to pray for you and Eddie and all your family! We love you! Fielding, Alta, Danielle & Andrew
April 30th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
God is so good. We can’t begin to imagine His plan but we can always rest assured - HE HAS ONE!
I’ll be praying for you & I’ve added you to our prayer list at church.
Love ya girl - can’t wait to hear great reports from Eddie.
Much love to you & all of yours
Cyndi
April 30th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I am elated to hear that you were able to get a surgery date so quickly………God is good! I continue to pray for you daily.
Love and Prayers, TH
April 30th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Dear Friends, We have been and will be praying for you and clicking on this site often to hear how you are. Bless your hearts.
April 30th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
AWESOME!!! I am going to work on the meal schedule in the morning. I know there are tons of people who want to help you out!
~Sarah
May 1st, 2008 at 5:11 am
You know I am praying for you and Eddie and the little guys too. God is amazing and has proven so much through this whole thing. He is faithful and He loves you more than you can imagine. Love you all, Janet
May 1st, 2008 at 9:06 am
Noelle and I are praying for God’s glory to be revealed in magnificent ways: Martha-Marie - for you to be rested and at peace through His Spirit, Eddie - as a husband, I will join with you as you cling to the LORD in ways only known to a husband when his wife in completely in God’s hands and all control is relinquished, Selah - for you to feel God’s love upon you and to grow deeply in your faith as you grow up with amazing parents, for Dr. Barrow - that the LORD would guide his hands and give him plenty of rest, and for the hospital staff and everyone else you meet that is not a follower of the King; that because of you faithfulness and love for Jesus, they would accept Christ as their Savior and Healer through your spoken and lived-out testimony of His unconditional grace and mercy.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:07 am
You are & continue to be such an inspiration. Though you were frustrated & had doubts, you still believe in an all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful GOD!! You will continue to be on our daily prayer list. Looking forward to hearing of God’s amazing end to this crazy journey you’ve been travelling on. Be well, Marta-rie!
Love you,
Dana
May 1st, 2008 at 10:46 am
Tuesday is on my calendar as a day of prayer. Praise God for his faithfulness!
May 1st, 2008 at 10:48 am
I love you sweetie. I remember watching the Veggie Tales Video “Where is God When I am Scared” - it was just a fun reminder that no matter how big the monster appears –God is bigger than the Boogie Man - or anything we face in life. Who knows –maybe you will see your guardian angel(s) and even Jesus while you are sleeping during the surgery. We are praying for you and know that God loves you more and cares about you more than any of us can (and boy, that is alot!). Love you. WISSA
May 1st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
You have our prayers and we will lift up Eddie and the rest of your family while they wait. God is so good and He is with you both. Remember Philippians 4:13.
Love,
The Alexander Family
May 1st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
God is good all the time….and all the time God is good!! What a blessing that you are able to not only have surgery, but get a surgery date so quickly! Only our God could do this!! You and Eddie (and Selah) will continue to be in our prayers in the coming days. Love you guys!!
Rob and Allyson Foster
May 1st, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Just wanted to tell you that you have a bunch of people up here in New York and Pennsylvania praying for you now and in the days to come!
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
“Father, prepare them for Tuesday…every moment leading up to and during surgery…and throughout recovery…hold them close. Enable those who are close to help care for their daily needs during these days. Move us all to prayers that are in line with Your perfect will for this beautiful family. Your faithfulness is amazing, Jesus. Bring glory to Yourself in this…and receive our praise, God. You are indescribable.”
May 4th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hi Martha Marie,
It was my privilege to meet you this past Sunday morning at Greenville First Wesleyan.. You have a lovely family and I enjoyed visiting with you. I am so thankful that you have a surgery date. Our family will be praying for you and your family as you approach Tuesday. When I spoke with you on Sunday your outlook was beautiful. That can only be the Lord at a time like this.. Others will no doubt, need to carry you in prayer in the next few weeks and that’s okay. Let them do it, and you just rest in the Lord… Here is a wonderful scripture that has helped me through some incredibly tough times… Proverbs 21: 30-31. “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord..”
May you find peace and rest in His care this week, knowing that he is in control…
Praying,
Kim Collingsworth
May 4th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hey Martha,
At church today (Kannapolis 1st Wesleyan) the pastor requested prayer for you and told a little about what is going on medically for you. I know its been a LONG time since we’ve seen each other, but I want you to know that you will be in my prayers continually throughout each and every day. I am truly a prayer warrior and know that God will bring you through this!! I still live in China Grove NC and my 10 year wedding anniversary will be June 6th–it’s hard to believe! I have a 4 year old daughter, Madison Grace, and I absolutely adore her. Right before Thanksgiving, we received a scare about her health. We discovered a lump on her neck which was initially passed off by her general doctor as an enlarged lymph node. Upon a visit to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor, he wanted it(a “mass” as he called it,) immediately removed. Also he wanted to remove her tonsils and adenoids at the same time. We were quite scared at the prospect of it being cancer. Long story short, she came through the surgery and we found out that the mass was an extremely enlarged lymph node with 2 other “matted” lymph nodes attached to it. We were so relieved. The recovery was about 2 weeks. She did so well. I was in the same boat as you–doubting, yet trying not to. I knew God would take care of her, yet Satan tried to defeat us. Please know that I will continue to pray for healing, strength, and peace for you and your family. I will be checking your site to stay updated on your recovery. With much love, Carla
May 5th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
You have been such an inspiration through this journey. You have handled it with dignity and grace, and I know how pleased God must be with you and Eddie. I am praying prayers of peace and healing for all of you. I can’t imagine being the one to have surgery, nor I can I imagine being Eddie sitting there waiting. I will pray for you all. God is good and He is bigger than anything this world can throw at Him. I can’t wait to hear the news from Eddie that things went well and you are on your way to a full recovery. All my prayers and love are sending your way. Brandi