Hi everyone, well it is now Monday morning where Brad is.  I have not called him yet, he may still be sleeping.  I did talk to him this morning, our time, and he told me about his Sunday, as he was getting ready for bedtime.

He went to church with The Anthony family and the 20 beautiful girls they take care of. He played and sang a song, worshipped and had a blessed time.   They took him back to the hospital later in the day.  He found a guitar in his room;  He later found out that US World News and Report Magazine reporters, had arrived and had bought the guitar for him;  Rashmi, our contact there at the hospital, actually went out and bought it at the reporters request. The reporters are there to view the knee surgery and to have a face to face interview with Brad, and take his picture.

He talked of the nice time he had with the Anthony family.  It was such a gift to have had a time of refreshing, before his next surgery, which will be in about 6 hours, on his right knee.

I sent out a picture a short while ago of him with the girls.  If you wake in the night, say a prayer for Brad, as he will be in the operating room for the 3rd time.  And the last time, God willing. 

Thank you for all your love, your prayers, your cards and gifts, God bless you and your families.

Love Ruth

Brad & Ruth Barnum
421 Third St
Ruidoso, NM 88345
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Thursday,  2-28-08

A Note from Brad:

Hi Everyone,

  I'm feeling stronger every day. They took me from  a walker to crutches today. My last surgery is Monday the 3rd. I don't know what time.

I've been praying specifically for my left hip to strengthen in the bone graft area. They say that often after a hip revision there will be a limp, and/or the need to use a cane. I'm praying neither one will be true. The bone graft needs to become as strong as the original bone.

Wednesday I felt a marked improvement in the stability of my left hip. This encouraged me that God is answering my prayer. Please pray with me.

  My biggest concern  each surgery has been pre op. I have to be awake prior to surgery for all the stuff they insert in me. I won't go into detail because it's gross, but when I think about it I break into a cold sweat. Please, please pray for strength for me, guidance for the anesthesiologist and doctors, and ease and accuracy of getting the epidural etc. inserted prior to surgery.

   After each surgery they put us in ICU for 24hrs. It's terrible. It's difficult to communicate what you need to the nurses. Please pray God will give me the right nurses in ICU, and for no bedsores. By the way I didn't actually get a bedsore last time (I did get a large bruise that almost broke the skin) but it was on the verge, because I couldn't get the nurse to listen to me.

 I'm being allowed to leave the hospital Friday through Sunday. I can not wait. It will be a shot of encouragement and refreshment, not to mention the chance to go to church. I'm staying with my pastor's friends who run an orphanage. The girls, who call me Uncle Brad, are all excited to meet me, and vice versa. They have been some of my prayer warriors.

 I'm having to change my return flight . The physiotherapist wants me here, 15-20 days after my surgery to get me in shape to travel back alone. That puts my return no earlier than the 23rd, which is Easter. I may not be able to return until the first week in April. Please pray for favor with the airlines, that the right flight will be available at no increase in cost except the change fee. Please pray for favor regarding date and money.

  After my last surgery, please pray for supernatural recovery. I would like to avoid having to come to therapy after my leaving the hospital because it's $800/ week to stay at the hotel, $35/ day for the therapist, and $25/day for the taxis. Pray God will work this all out. If therapy is unnecessary, I'll stay with Enoch's family until it's time to return home.

  My love and thanks to all. You have no idea how much your prayers have given me strength. If I never see another hospital it will be too soon!

     Pressin' On in Christ, Brad

Thursday,  2-14-08
From "Harvey T."

I spoke to Ruth Barnum this morning. She had just finished talking to Brad on the telephone. Here's the latest.

Brad had his second hip replacement operation last night He has been in some discomfort, but all went well. The surgery last just over two hours. There was some concern about the sciatic nerve in his right leg. It had to be moved during this operation

Please pray for Brad. He really needs our prayers.

God Bless,

HT

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Thursday, 2-7-08
Hear Brad on Timeless Journey, at 10:00am, on KEDU Radio.

Timeless Journey Interview, 2-07-08: Brad004

Friday, 2-1-08:

Good Morning,

I talked to Brad at 6 am. my time, 6:30 pm. in Bangalore, India.
He sounds better, pretty talkative. He wants me to ask you to pray specifically for his leg, that has been lengthened 2 1/2". The muscles are needing to be stretched. Imagine stretching a rubber band, then letting it go limp. Brad must do exercises similar to this. It is very painful, but must be done. Please pray then for his muscles to co-operate with this process.

He sends his love back to you all. Since he can not get to his computer, he can't write to you and tell you himself.

God bless you for your prayers and love. I feel them and so does he.

Love to you all,
Ruth

From Ruth Barnum....

Hi All,
 I talked to Brad at 5:30 am. It was the first conversation since five hours before his surgery, 28 hours ago.

He is back in his room and doing well. The surgery lasted 6 1/2 hours. His socket needed a lot of bone grafted in. The doctor is pleased with the results. He said he "earned his money on this one."

The next surgery, for the right hip will not happen for two weeks, giving the incision on left hip time to heal. Brad is not allowed to put any weight on this hip for the next two months, due to the bone grafting. The next two surgeries will be less complicated and take less time.

That's it for now. Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

God bless you all,
Love Ruth

Wednesday, 1-30-08:
Brad finally had his first (1 of 3 surgeries) hip replacement surgery last night. He has been in recovery for most of the day, and should be in his room now. The doctors told Ruth Barnum that everything went very well.

If he is feeling well enough, we may have an interview with Brad, Thursday morning, in the 10:00am hour, on Timeless Journey, on KEDU Radio, 102.3 & 94.7FM.

We will keep Brad's web-page updated as information is made available. Thank you for your prayers. HT