Brad has been great about keeping in touch with everyone but I wanted to write myself. You know even if I can’t talk, I will find a way to “speak”

I think you all know I had thyroid surgery the middle of March. I had a nodule they were watching and it was having too many signs of cancer so they removed the left side of my thyroid along with the spot to make sure it wasn’t cancer. Praise God…it was not, but due to complications, I have been back in the hospital and have had extensive tests to see what is going on.

As long as all I do is sit, I do well. Since all I was doing after surgery was sitting, we didn’t realize there was any problems going on. When I started feeling like moving again I still thought it was just my MS taking a toll and everything would adjust. We knew going into surgery there were risks so we have not been “caught unaware”

My left vocal cord is paralyzed and is causing problems breathing, speaking and with some swallowing. As I said, as long as all I do is sit, I am fine. Not easy to do after awhile… but I am trying. If I do too much, it is like breathing through a straw and of course that wears me out! Then my MS kicks in. what fun~!

After three doctors and lots of tests, they pumped me full of steroids and I still am taking some here at home for a couple of weeks. The hope is that this will cause the swelling to go down and the vocal cords will go back to normal. It will take at least a couple of weeks to see if it is working. It could take up to 18 months to know if this is permanent or not. After18 months it will be what it is. Whatever damage will be there the rest of my life. Personally, I am going for the two weeks but God makes no mistakes and I know my future is in HIS hands.

Psalms 100 says “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands, Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.” Even if I never sing again, I will be thankful to God for all he had done for me. I have a great family, wonderful friends, I am surrounded by caring people and my heavenly Father has me wrapped in His arms where I have a peace the passeth all understanding. There are times I think “I should really be upset and crying my eyes out that I might never sing again” but instead I really do have a peace that everything will work out to God’s glory.

Keep in touch. I can’t talk right now but as you can see, I can type!!!! Hope your day is going well and in some way maybe I have been an encouragement to you. Take care

Love to all

Sharon

Sharon is back in the hospital tonight. She was released on the 15th, two days after having thyroid surgery. Over the last couple of weeks, she has had trouble breathing. At a follow-up appointment yesterday, the doctor was not pleased with the breathing difficulties.

After an appointment today, she was readmitted into the hospital and put on I.V.’s to help relax her neck. As things stand now, there seems to be a blockage in her throat, could be a piece of scar tissue. However, her windpipe is also closed fairly tight. So tight that tonight, it cannot be probed without completely blocking her air passage.

Tomorrow she could be facing an emergency surgery. Thoughts and prayers are appreciated as the situation develops.

We are thankful to be able to report that all indications are that everything went wonderfully well. While the lump was a little bit larger than the doctors had expected, they only had to remove part of the thyroid as the lump turned out to be benign. To relieve another concern, all of Sharon’s nerves, vocal cords, etc., were isolated and with no indication of damage.

Plans were for Sharon to be discharged today, but she is having some difficulty breathing, so Brad is having them keep her tonight as well.

Blogging along,
Scott the Kid

I figured there had to be one, but like so many other awareness periods, you don’t hear about it until the time to be aware of whatever it is. Granted some things seem to be obscure and you wonder why we have to be aware of Issue X on this particular day, week or month, and who chooses when we get to be aware of said issue and not another issue that may be just as worthy of our attention?

At any rate, while the Fill-in-blank- Awareness Time Frame may be a little overrated at times, there are some that hit close to home and you appreciate them. As one of my favorite college professors put it, there are real people with real needs.

Many of you know Sharon, my mom, has had Multiple Sclerosis for the past twenty-some-odd years. It took time for us to understand what it would and/or could mean. Thankfully, she has not had to use a wheelchair as her primary means of getting around. Yes, at times, she will use one if she knows she has a lot of walking to do that day (for instance, a festival). While at most shows she is able to stand on the stage, every once in a while she is better off sitting.

Dad and Kate have done well at learning to see when Mom isn’t doing so great, and they do well at making sure she doesn’t over work herself (even when she insists that she’s fine). Friends that The Circuit Riders have made in the world of western and bluegrass music now have a knowledge of M.S. They know that when she leaves from a jam session early, she’s just getting herself recharged, and she’ll be back for the festivities the next day.

While the Circuit Riders have always been public about their faith, Mom’s M.S. has given her a unique aspect of her faith and testimony.

In the years that she has learned to deal with what is often an unpredictable disability, she has learned to do so not relying on her own strength and will. With M.S., your own strength can only get you so far, no matter how much will-power you have. Just the same, there are a number of people with Multiple Sclerosis that refuse to be held back from doing what they enjoy because of their disability. In doing what they enjoy, they spread the word about how M.S. has impacted their lives and how you can go on living your life.

For Mom, she has done this, not on her own. She has had support of her family and friends. Ultimately, she has carried on through Christ who strengthens her.

Just the other day I read that the Fox News weather lady, Janice Dean,  has been diagnosed with M.S. Those of you that have seen her on Fox News Channel know that she has a very bubbly, upbeat, outgoing kind of personality. As I read her story, I could not help but think of Mom:

“I think with every MS sufferer you have that light bulb moment that something’s not right,” Dean said. “I remember it was during the 2005 hurricane season because it was such an active year, and I just felt really rundown, which isn’t like me. I’m a workaholic. I’m used to working long hours. And I remember thinking that I needed to make sure I took some time off because I was just so exhausted.”

It was in Canada where Dean awoke one morning and felt numbness on the bottoms of both feet and in her thighs.

“It was really weird, I could literally touch my thighs and feel nothing,” Dean said. “And I was still really tired.”

That’s pretty much how Mom came to her “light bulb moment” in the late 80′s (with the exception of forecasting weather and lots of hurricanes). Janice Dean also wrote a really neat blog about how she intends to handle her M.S. There’s also some good informative links she has posted. I encourage you to check it out.
Some might be asking what this blog here is for. No, I’m not trying to make Mom the poster cowgirl singer for M.S., and I don’t think she wants to be seen as such. I’m simply adding to the voices; letting people know that yes, M.S. is a tough situation to go through. Don’t go it alone, and don’t try to ignore it. People will notice something’s not right sooner or later. Once they get over the initial shock, it’ll help them be a better friend to you. And also a reminder to those of us with loved ones with M.S., be there for them, and give an extra hug whenever you can.

Following is an e-mail that Sharon sent to friends and family Friday afternoon.

We FINALLY have a date for thyroid surgery. March 13th at 9:30. It will be at West Park Hospital here in Cody. They had to get both surgeons schedules to match. Here is what is involved.

• It is a “delicate” surgery that will last between three and four hours.
• I will have two surgeons because they are working around the carotid artery, the windpipe, vocal cords, and lots of nerve endings that have to be moved to get to the thyroid. Four eyes and two pairs of hands will help not to nick anything or miss something.
• Once they have removed the left side of the thyroid{that is where the nodule is}, it will be taken by a pathologist to test. He will see if cancer is present. After his evaluation, they will either close me up or if cancer is there, remove the rest of the thyroid.
• I will only be in the hospital a day unless something else comes up. I won’t be talking “much” for a week or so, then on to recovery and life.

If they take the whole thyroid, I will be on medicine the rest of my life but not anything we can’t handle. I am praying that if cancer is present they see it without a doubt. Then we can precede with what needs to be done. If they are “unsure”, it will be sent off for further tests. That takes three days or so and then if they find cancer, they have to go back in and take the rest out. I would rather not have two surgeries that close together so… I would like for them to have a definite yes or no. 90% of this kind of surgery has no cancer but if we leave it to continue to change and grow, we will have a higher risk the longer it goes. Since it has already changed significantly in six months and the Endocrinologist {our second opinion} said “there is no doubt, get that little bugger out of there” we feel we should proceed.

There is a song that Kate found this winter called Stand Still and Let God Move. I am not a patient person, I want to run ahead and drag God with me but I am learning to wait behind my Lord and see where HE is leading. Not an easy chore for me. I wanted this surgery to be a lot sooner than March 13 so I could get on with what I need to do. After all, I have medical bills to pay, I need to get Circuit Riders scheduled [which seems to be a part of our life still since we have shows booked] we need to hopefully get a new CD out, I need to be making money so we can get out of CC debt and replace some things in the house that are wearing out! I know God knows all of this because I remind HIM everyday in my prayers

…when you are faced with life’s decisions ,not sure which way to go… stand still and let God move.

We have been having special meetings at church this week and learning the many sides of genuine love. In I Corinthians 13 it says that genuine love suffereth long or is patient. I put a note in mine that says to replace the word love with Jesus. Jesus suffereth long…Jesus is patient. Do you suppose Jesus rolls his eyes every time I ask the same thing over and over? I do that with Brad and Scott.

The Father has a plan though it’s hard to see it now. You feel your walking all alone, but he is there no doubt…stand still and let God move.

The pastor said to practice one of these qualities each week to have more of Christ’s love shining through us. I know it is going to take a lot more than one week for me to learn patience but I am so glad my LORD is long suffering and loves me for who I am.

I am done preaching now! Sorry, this all just came spilling out and I hope in some way what Brad and I are going through will help you know we are learning to trust God no matter what.

…you can rest assured and be secured, God is moving right now…Stand Still and Let God Move.

I will keep in touch and let you know how surgery went and what God has in store for us.

Sharon

1. We now have a new domain name, circuitridersofcodywy.net The dot com expired, and unknown to us, over the process of time was picked up by another company. We have been unable to contact the new owner, so we registered a new domain name. Anyone that’s gone through a domain loss knows how we feel, and we know how you feel.
2. This fall we are looking at a major change to the website overall. Stay tuned for details.
3. Circuit Riders have a Facebook page! If you’re on the popular social networking site, why not become a fan of the Circuit Riders on Facebook?
4. For our praying friends out there, continue to keep Sharon in your prayers. She has recovered well from her surgery last summer, which we praise the Lord for. However, in the days and weeks to come she will have to undergo another surgery to remove a lump from her thyroid.

Current bookings are:

• Sept. 12 Rinn United Methodist Church (Frederick, CO)
• Sept. 16 Faith Baptist Church (Fowler, CO)

To see about adding your event to our schedule, contact Sharon @ 307-587-9714 or on e-mail sb_bothwell [at] juno.com (placing “Booking Request” in the subject line ensures that your e-mail will be given the attention it needs). You can also send a note through the mail to

Circuit Riders
PO Box 2071
Cody, WY 82414

Hope to hear from you soon!

Ridin’ Along,
The Circuit Riders

One item of interest is that the new and improved site features a blog (Along the Trail, formerly a regular page named Printing Press on the old site) and you can subscribe on RSS to follow any updates.

We’ve not officially re-launched yet, but be looking for it in the weeks to come! In the mean time, feel free to look around here (just be careful while we’re under construction)!

Ridin’ along,
Scott the Kid