Good Morning! And a beautiful morning it is as I write. That makes me happy!


I left you last time after probably the scariest thing I've ever gone through. I would like to reassure you that from here on in the reading becomes easier!


The next morning I was in a bit of a daze, just trying to get my head round what was going on. Owen's mum was here and Quinn went and sat with her to watch Finding Nemo. A good friend came really early to do whatever she could to help. She had arrived at the house at 6.30am in case Quinn and Jonah woke up early but then went to walk her dog when we weren't up yet. She came back when everyone was awake and did washing up, got breakfast for us and made drinks. She took Quinn out for a walk and got her a comic. Such a huge blessing, just thinking about it makes me so grateful and a bit emotional. An amazing servant.


I still felt very on edge and nervous about going back to the hospital. I didn't know how Owen would be, whether he would be feeling more normal again or whether he would still be out of it and sick. I didn't know if he would know about the tumour.


I rang the hospital a few times, trying to find out how he was and which ward he had been moved to. The doctor I needed to speak to was on her rounds and so every time I rang I wasn't able to speak to her. I got a shock when the house phone rang and it was Owen! What a relief to know he remembered me! To know he remembered he was married and our phone number!! I didn't say anything about the tumour on the phone because I didn't know what he had been told by the doctor. He knew he was having an MRI scan that morning and he knew he had had seizures and been sick the night before, but that's all we talked about. I said we would get to the hospital as soon as we could.


It took longer than expected to get ready! Partly because I just couldn't think what I needed to do, partly because of the children and partly because I was answering messages and phone calls of encouragement and promises of prayers and practical help all morning. The church family is such an amazing thing. I can't stress this enough! The support and prayers we have received throughout  has been mind-blowing. If you ever wonder about the relevance and purpose of the church let me tell you that the power of prayer, of churches across the country and the world even, all praying for the same thing at the same time is immense. We have been upheld by those prayers. Felt the enormous power of them in a situation that should have us falling apart.


Owen's sister came to look after Quinn and to take her to a birthday party she had been looking forward to. Thanks Gemma, that made the day so much easier! And of course she loved spending time with one of her aunties.
Myself and Owen's parents were then able to go to Reading hospital. I felt sick all over again. But as we arrived on his ward we saw him sitting up in a wheelchair being wheeled back from his MRI scan. He was almost himself, obviously tired, but chatting and doing well.
Though he had no real memories of what had happened the night before, or even of what we had done the previous afternoon.
Owen's parents gave us some time to ourselves and took Jonah for a walk. We hugged, cried a bit, talked about what had happened, and my heart swelled with a huge love for husband knowing that I would be lost without him.


While we were eating some lunch the doctor came with the MRI results. They were fairly certain that there was a 2-3cm tumour at the front of his brain. An operable position. The scans would be sent to John Radcliffe in Oxford to be looked at by the specialists to determine the next step. This could be a biopsy or complete removal straight away. Brain surgery! Hmm!
He said that the seizures had almost certainly occurred as a result of the presence of the tumour but possibly combined with exhaustion. The combination caused an electric shock to shoot across his brain causing the seizures. He was very positive that as tumours go this was the best case scenario.
Owen would need to take epilepsy medication for the foreseeable future to prevent any further seizures. In that moment that was one of my biggest prayers, please no more seizures.


Owen was discharged by 3pm! Praise the Lord! Such a relief! So we were home by 4pm and Quinn didn't even get chance to miss him. Another answered prayer.
Owen's parents picked up his prescription. Gemma stayed and helped with tea time and bath time. Her husband joining us as well. It was all a blur. We were physically and emotionally exhausted. I fell asleep feeding Jonah, Owen fell asleep on the sofa. Friends dropped in and left a whole load of sneaky food and yummy snacks. Gemma and Ed let themselves out! What a day!


Even with all that was happening and the news we were being given, God's hand at work was so apparent. We did not feel overwhelmed. We were not crushed by the weight of it. And even at this stage I was beginning to be strengthened by the Joy of the Lord.


Hmmm, another emotional post to write. More deep breathes needed!


Thank you for reading.


Huge Blessings.


Much Love


Rachael xx