Melvine needs me to care for her. This is the first time I have had to dress a wound behind Melvine's right ear where the surgeon removed skin to graft it on her nose to cover the gaping hole the removal of surgery left.
Her surgeon called to check on Melvine on Friday after the traumatic surgery on Thursday. He has given me his cell telephone number if I need to call him.
I must protect Melvine from any trauma to her nose.
I have removed the original bandage and soaked a clean gauze soaked in a mixture of white vinegar and water for 15 minutes. I replace it with a clean gauge and spread Polysporin ointment on it and covered the wound, and used a cloth tape to hold the bandage in place.
Because I felt that Bonnie Patch Bender, a retired LPN, should come to inspect what I had done, look at the wound, and give me expert instructions so I could do a better job. She showed me how to make the gauze smaller by doubling it, and spreading the Polysporin ointment better. Her assessment of the wound was that it looked good, it was not crusted or oozing. She was so assuring and helpful. I don't know what I would do without Bonnie.
We have decided that Greg will go to Sunday school and morning worship at our church in Athens, Christian Life Worship Center. I will stay home to minister to Melvine and look out after her.
It is our prayer that God will cause the skin graft to take and heal nicely. Melvine will have to keep the large bandage on her nose for one week. We have an appointment to take it off next Thursday, as well as the stitches. We know God does the healing. We are grateful for the surgeon and his staff who assisted him. Most of all, we are looking to the Great Physician, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Who heals today and in every age.
We love you all, and we want to express our sincere thanks for praying for Melvine and me, as well as our son, Greg.
I hope you have a blessed day on Sunday, and a wonderful day on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
In closing, let me mention that Clemson won over Notre Dame, 30 to 3; Alabama won over Oklahoma in a fantastic, hard fought game, 45 to 34. I am confident that Clemson will be a challenge for the Crimson Tide of Alabama for the National Football Championship.
For those of you whose team lost, we know the feeling. For those who won, may God help us to be humble and kind to those who lost. Remember it is a game.