What to do?

Dr. Boyce's office called yesterday to say that someone had cancelled their surgery and that they could bump me up to March 13.

Actually they left that message on my machine and my daughter forgot to tell me after she checked the messages.

So, I called them back today and told them that I really wanted to go ahead on the 13th. However, there was a caveat. I would need Dr. Boyce to release me to travel to Mississippi the following Saturday, the 18th. I am leading, along with two other adults, a group of 95 people to Biloxi over spring break to work on homes ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. I have already been twice, and our church has been going once a month since October.

Well Dr. Boyce wouldn't release me that soon, and I understand that completely. Then I had to decide whether I would bail on the trip and opt for the earlier surgery, or wait for the later date. I called my wife, a few friends, and my trip co-leaders. It became clear to me that I need to go on the trip. It was a tough decision, but I believe the right one.

So, after working for the better part of a week hanging sheet rock, I'll come home and have just a few days to prepare for surgery. I feel good about it.