Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Letter to mom today:
This one is to mom:
Hey Momma!!
How are you doing. By the sounds of all the emails that I got worried off your butt. But please dont worry. Everything went fine with the surgery. I actually owe president **** my life. The surgeon said that if I would have left that cast on for more than even a week than I would have lost all function of my arm. But the surgery went great and now I am working with a personal Physical theropist and she says that I should have all function of my arm back in no time. In fact I can even type now with both hands. That is how well things are going and the surgery was only last week. Also I am not in very much pain. My side hurts only when I laugh hard which consequently is alot. But I only took the pain killers for two days and then I have not even needed them since. They placed a plateon my bone and so I can go without a cast, but they gave me one that I can take on and off just incase I bump it or trip. But the surgeon even says that I can work with it, as long as I stay away from bikes. So I have been teaching with the Elders here in Joberg. It has been awesome. I must say. Joberg is HUGE. It is like New york. It is crazy big. I love it, but my heart is still in Madagascar. I am excited Friday I get to go home to good old Mada. Only 3 more days!!!! So the Lord is definately watching over me. I feel very spoiled. Simba in Malagasy by the way. He is giving me awesome resume builders for med school, and also showed me the profession that I think I would like to persue. Orthopedic Surgery. Also I got to check of a thing from my buket list. I went on an African Safari, and I also got to play with a Lion!!! It is so cool. I sent dad some pics and am sending you some different ones so you will have to compare. Also tell that family in the ward that I actually lived with Elder ***** for my first month. He is the nicest man I have met. He is also the best at the language in the whole mission. He is super smart. I still havent been able to go into the temple, but I got to see it. I loved it. Also my old branch president from Antsirabe is here going through the temple with his family. I am so excited for him. I actually met his son who is serving here right now. Will you tell *** that I said thankyou so much for the letter and tha I will write him soon. Also ask him if he got my last letter. So I am very excited to get back to Mada. I am meeting with the doctor today. I will ask him if he will send a pic of the xray and some more info. But looks like everything will be perfect.
Well love you tons and CONGRATS on the test. Look at you a teacher now. And oh man TJ and the puppy are so cute now. I love the pics. TJ is kinda fat he needs to do some more sit ups.
Love you,
Elder Madsen
Hey Momma!!
How are you doing. By the sounds of all the emails that I got worried off your butt. But please dont worry. Everything went fine with the surgery. I actually owe president **** my life. The surgeon said that if I would have left that cast on for more than even a week than I would have lost all function of my arm. But the surgery went great and now I am working with a personal Physical theropist and she says that I should have all function of my arm back in no time. In fact I can even type now with both hands. That is how well things are going and the surgery was only last week. Also I am not in very much pain. My side hurts only when I laugh hard which consequently is alot. But I only took the pain killers for two days and then I have not even needed them since. They placed a plateon my bone and so I can go without a cast, but they gave me one that I can take on and off just incase I bump it or trip. But the surgeon even says that I can work with it, as long as I stay away from bikes. So I have been teaching with the Elders here in Joberg. It has been awesome. I must say. Joberg is HUGE. It is like New york. It is crazy big. I love it, but my heart is still in Madagascar. I am excited Friday I get to go home to good old Mada. Only 3 more days!!!! So the Lord is definately watching over me. I feel very spoiled. Simba in Malagasy by the way. He is giving me awesome resume builders for med school, and also showed me the profession that I think I would like to persue. Orthopedic Surgery. Also I got to check of a thing from my buket list. I went on an African Safari, and I also got to play with a Lion!!! It is so cool. I sent dad some pics and am sending you some different ones so you will have to compare. Also tell that family in the ward that I actually lived with Elder ***** for my first month. He is the nicest man I have met. He is also the best at the language in the whole mission. He is super smart. I still havent been able to go into the temple, but I got to see it. I loved it. Also my old branch president from Antsirabe is here going through the temple with his family. I am so excited for him. I actually met his son who is serving here right now. Will you tell *** that I said thankyou so much for the letter and tha I will write him soon. Also ask him if he got my last letter. So I am very excited to get back to Mada. I am meeting with the doctor today. I will ask him if he will send a pic of the xray and some more info. But looks like everything will be perfect.
Well love you tons and CONGRATS on the test. Look at you a teacher now. And oh man TJ and the puppy are so cute now. I love the pics. TJ is kinda fat he needs to do some more sit ups.
Love you,
Elder Madsen
Letters home today!!
This one is to his dad:
Hey,
So here is an update on the hand. You are right, if I would have kept that cast on even a week longer the surgeon said that I would have lost pretty much all function of my hand. It has been a week since the surgery and I am now typing with it. That shows how well it is going. I still cant rotate my wrist all of the way, but I have a personal physical theropist that is working with me and she says that I will recover full function, but it will just take time. So the pain in my hand wasnt that bad, either I am way tough or God is watching, because I only took the pain killers for the first two days and havent needed them since. Tell the surgeons there to stop trying to scare you. So I got a sweet scar or two for stories, and there is a bump in the top of my arm where they put in the new bone that may or may not go away. But the arm is great. I will ask the doctor today if he can send you the xray. But I have definately been able to check off some things on my bucket list. God really has spoiled me. I went on a safari for pday. and even played with a lion. It was so cool. I will try to send some pics. I am leaving back for Mada in 3 days on friday. So I am very excited. If people want to send letters have them send them to the Mada address. That is Dingana III Andrainariyo Antananarivo 101 Madagascar. But I am way excited to get back to work. But ya I am actually way humbled by this experience, and I think that I might even look into Orthopedic Surgery when I get back. It is kinda cool. But the arm is great. I got a plate in there, that we will have to get removed when I get home. HAha thanks to Obama that should be free.... doubt that.... but hey we can always pray. Well know that I am more than good. Tell mom to take a valium.
Love you tons,
Elder Madsen
Hey,
So here is an update on the hand. You are right, if I would have kept that cast on even a week longer the surgeon said that I would have lost pretty much all function of my hand. It has been a week since the surgery and I am now typing with it. That shows how well it is going. I still cant rotate my wrist all of the way, but I have a personal physical theropist that is working with me and she says that I will recover full function, but it will just take time. So the pain in my hand wasnt that bad, either I am way tough or God is watching, because I only took the pain killers for the first two days and havent needed them since. Tell the surgeons there to stop trying to scare you. So I got a sweet scar or two for stories, and there is a bump in the top of my arm where they put in the new bone that may or may not go away. But the arm is great. I will ask the doctor today if he can send you the xray. But I have definately been able to check off some things on my bucket list. God really has spoiled me. I went on a safari for pday. and even played with a lion. It was so cool. I will try to send some pics. I am leaving back for Mada in 3 days on friday. So I am very excited. If people want to send letters have them send them to the Mada address. That is Dingana III Andrainariyo Antananarivo 101 Madagascar. But I am way excited to get back to work. But ya I am actually way humbled by this experience, and I think that I might even look into Orthopedic Surgery when I get back. It is kinda cool. But the arm is great. I got a plate in there, that we will have to get removed when I get home. HAha thanks to Obama that should be free.... doubt that.... but hey we can always pray. Well know that I am more than good. Tell mom to take a valium.
Love you tons,
Elder Madsen
Monday, July 19, 2010
Surgery is done..
Bug finally called this morning and I was able to talk to him for about 15 minutes.. I think that was the most relieving sound I have ever heard when he said hey mom!!!
The surgery went great. They did a bone graph from the hip instead of the femur and there is a plate in the arm that he will have to have removed after he is home in a couple of years to help support the graph. He was in good spirits and really enjoyed the weekend with the missionaries and said he got lots of pictures that he will share with us when he can type again.
He was so grateful for all the support and love that everyone has shared and asked me to please tell everyone he is going to be fine and will be back out there in no time. He knows this is where he is supposed to be and looking forward to having a cheeseburger or two while he is in Johanasburg. He is going to load up on a few treats to take back to all the elders in Mada when he goes back and get sick on chocolate for sure!
I don't have an address for him in Africa but, if all goes well then he will be back in Antanarivo on the 30th and according to him he will be there!!! No slowing him down.
He said he was feeling a little guilty today for sleeping all day but, obviously needed it and said it was great to catch up on that.
The doctor came to check on him several times during the day and said that all is looking good so far.
A special thanks to a missionary mom in Vegas for a phone call to me yesterday as you were definately following the spirit. Bug will try to get ahold of Nick through the mission presidents while he is there as well he said.. I am supposed to tell you thank you from him as well.
I will post photos of him as soon as we get more and the ones that we are posting today are of right before he left Mada in his last area.
Again, thank you so much for your continued support and prayers!
Tia Ko Be
mom
Mandrakisay Ny Fianikavianstika
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Gentle
For those of us who are a little bit too hard on ourselves:
Like a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky,
Like a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye,
Like a gentle smile embraces
Empty souls in lonely places,
We can be more gentle with ourselves.
Like the friend who gently builds us up when we're down,
Like a gentle kiss can turn our world all around,
We've been hurt by others often.
and we've forgiven and we have all forgotten.
well,
We can be that gentle with ourselves.
Life can be hard,
But we need not be
So hard on ourselves
If we'll just see.
Like The shepherd leads His flock with gentle commands,
With His gentle voice that only our hearts can understand
One thing we can know for certain
He has born the awful burdens
So we can be gentle with ourselves.
One thing that I know for certain
He will bear my every burden
So I can be gentle with myself
song by Michael McLean, one we all need to hear every once in a while.. wanted to share it for Bug, and some special people who need to hear it.
Tia Ko Be,
Mandrakisay Ny Fianikaviantsika
Like a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky,
Like a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye,
Like a gentle smile embraces
Empty souls in lonely places,
We can be more gentle with ourselves.
Like the friend who gently builds us up when we're down,
Like a gentle kiss can turn our world all around,
We've been hurt by others often.
and we've forgiven and we have all forgotten.
well,
We can be that gentle with ourselves.
Life can be hard,
But we need not be
So hard on ourselves
If we'll just see.
Like The shepherd leads His flock with gentle commands,
With His gentle voice that only our hearts can understand
One thing we can know for certain
He has born the awful burdens
So we can be gentle with ourselves.
One thing that I know for certain
He will bear my every burden
So I can be gentle with myself
song by Michael McLean, one we all need to hear every once in a while.. wanted to share it for Bug, and some special people who need to hear it.
Tia Ko Be,
Mandrakisay Ny Fianikaviantsika
Friday, July 16, 2010
UPDATE ON BUG AND PRAYERS NEEDED
Soooo.... here is the scoop on Elder Madsen...
A couple of weeks ago he was transferred to Antsiraba (ugh.. think that is the spelling) and his companion and him were on pday headed to a waterfall to check it out, have scripture study and week planning... On the way back, Elder Madsen's bike pedal hit a rock and flipped him.. he fell off a cliff into a rice field and broke his right wrist. They went to the hospital there in town and the doctor put it in a cast.. Elder Madsen wrote home telling us he broke a little bone, was fine and not to worry.. ummm mom doesn't do that very well.. but, she tried.. mom couldn't get out of her mind that something was not quite right and emailed the mission president who drove to see Elder Madsen and took him to lunch asking him to come back to Antananarivo to have the wrist rexrayed.. long story short, after falling and hurting his right wrist, he went reluctantly back and they did another xray.. President Donnelly called us that week and told us that they were sending him to Africa to have a specialist look at it that they were flying in. That surgeon called us this morning at 1 am and said that the bone is shattered, there are fragments damaging th nerve and the big bone in the wrist is unrepairable. it has become a spear to the broken bone and the top half of the bone is speared into the bone marrow of he lower half of the bone causing lasting damage that if not taken care of will cause permanent loss to the arm.
They are doing surgery on Monday, our Sunday, which is a 10 to 12 hour surgery taking a bone piece from the femur (leg) and cutting out the shattered bone of the wrist and rebuilding a new bone out of the leg bone. Elder Madsen will be in Africa for at least 2 weeks to recover enough to travel back to Antanarivo where he will stay at the mission home for another 4 to 6 weeks and then fly back to Africa to see the progress. If progress is okay then he can fly back to Madagascar and continue with his mission..
All of us here at home are going to hold a special fast for him this coming Sunday if anyone would like to join that would be wonderful.
Elder Madsen was allowed to talk to mom and dad for a few minutes this morning and is upbeat and ready for anything as long as the Lord will let him stay there!!!! He is excited that the Lord answered his prayer to be able to have the surgery in Africa and not be sent back to the states for it.. thing is, the states won't allow this type of surgery yet here so he is lucky and blessed to have been where he is for it.
Your family loves you Elder Madsen and is praying for you along with all of your loved ones. We are so proud of you and know that you are there in Africa for an amazing opporunity.. Stay strong!!!!
Remember who you Are,
Tia Ko Be
A couple of weeks ago he was transferred to Antsiraba (ugh.. think that is the spelling) and his companion and him were on pday headed to a waterfall to check it out, have scripture study and week planning... On the way back, Elder Madsen's bike pedal hit a rock and flipped him.. he fell off a cliff into a rice field and broke his right wrist. They went to the hospital there in town and the doctor put it in a cast.. Elder Madsen wrote home telling us he broke a little bone, was fine and not to worry.. ummm mom doesn't do that very well.. but, she tried.. mom couldn't get out of her mind that something was not quite right and emailed the mission president who drove to see Elder Madsen and took him to lunch asking him to come back to Antananarivo to have the wrist rexrayed.. long story short, after falling and hurting his right wrist, he went reluctantly back and they did another xray.. President Donnelly called us that week and told us that they were sending him to Africa to have a specialist look at it that they were flying in. That surgeon called us this morning at 1 am and said that the bone is shattered, there are fragments damaging th nerve and the big bone in the wrist is unrepairable. it has become a spear to the broken bone and the top half of the bone is speared into the bone marrow of he lower half of the bone causing lasting damage that if not taken care of will cause permanent loss to the arm.
They are doing surgery on Monday, our Sunday, which is a 10 to 12 hour surgery taking a bone piece from the femur (leg) and cutting out the shattered bone of the wrist and rebuilding a new bone out of the leg bone. Elder Madsen will be in Africa for at least 2 weeks to recover enough to travel back to Antanarivo where he will stay at the mission home for another 4 to 6 weeks and then fly back to Africa to see the progress. If progress is okay then he can fly back to Madagascar and continue with his mission..
All of us here at home are going to hold a special fast for him this coming Sunday if anyone would like to join that would be wonderful.
Elder Madsen was allowed to talk to mom and dad for a few minutes this morning and is upbeat and ready for anything as long as the Lord will let him stay there!!!! He is excited that the Lord answered his prayer to be able to have the surgery in Africa and not be sent back to the states for it.. thing is, the states won't allow this type of surgery yet here so he is lucky and blessed to have been where he is for it.
Your family loves you Elder Madsen and is praying for you along with all of your loved ones. We are so proud of you and know that you are there in Africa for an amazing opporunity.. Stay strong!!!!
Remember who you Are,
Tia Ko Be
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