Elder Rodabough's email from this week is below. Just some information so you understand this email--Elder Rodabough appears to have another cyst in his jaw. He has had two previous cysts in this same location one that was removed when he was 12 and again when he was 14. We received a phone call from a dentist in Georgia last Wednesday letting us know that he had seen Bryce, done a panoramic x-ray and that the cyst is there in all of it's glory. Elder Rodabough is having a biopsy completed this Thursday June 12th and then we will know better what will be the next step. What is certain is that Elder Rodabough will have to have surgery to remove the cyst. At this point we do not know if he can have surgery in Atlanta area and remain in the mission field to recover or if he will have to come home to have surgery and recover. If he does need to come home, he would be home for about 1 transfer which is 6 weeks. As you will read in the email, Elder Rodabough does not want to come home. We understand his feelings, but also want to make sure he is able to recover appropriately. To say the least we are very, very worried about Elder Rodabough and are praying for him and the oral surgeon who is treating him.
Dear Family,
I bet you've been waiting for this email huh?
Ok I'm not in any pain. The exam was painful because the dentist was shoving an instrument into my mouth, which is always uncomfortable. I'm still up and working, running every morning, and actually getting some muscle from benching every Monday and Friday But! About this past week.
Towards the beginning of the transfer Elder Hamer and I were ripping out a floor and I noticed that I kept having a really bad taste in my mouth coming from my jaw area. It was just a nasty taste that came into my mouth when I was physically active. I just shrugged it off though and kept going. A few weeks later I noticed that the taste was coming into my mouth just as we were walking around. I called a dentist office that the mission told me to call. This dentist office has dentists and an oral surgeon who are members of the church and are all in the same ward here in the Sugar Hill Stake. Elder Hamer and I went in for an appointment on Wednesday afternoon. I explained everything that has gone on with my jaw in the past and what I'm feeling now. They did an panoramic x-ray and I did see the big black blob--"Hello Cyst". Then the dentist went in with some instruments and found that I have a big pocket in my gums that he said is about 10 millimeters deep. He was a little surprised at how deep it was and has the idea that some food has gotten back in there and has been rotting, because lately my breath has been pretty bad as well (or so my companion tells me). So he gave me some medicated minty mouthwash, that I've now had to use 4 times now and which I use every night.
The dentist, Dr. Schwindermin called President Wolfert and explained the situation. It sounds like he called you too. I have an appointment on Thursday June 12th with the oral surgeon to determine what he wants to do. The oral surgeon told Dr. Schwindemin that before action is taken he would like to do a biopsy to see what it really is back there. They don't think it is a Dentegerious Cyst like it was before. It is probably another type of cyst that is called an OKC Cyst which stands for something I don't even know how to spell. President Wolfert says that if I'm only going to be down for a week or so that I could stay in the mission home with Sister Wolfert (who's so sweet and caring that it's like the Mother Mary reincarnated) and be ok. We had mission leadership meeting this past Friday and he asked me how I was feeling and reassured me that all would be ok and taken care of. He told me not to worry and I am going to relay that same message to you. Do. Not. Worry.
Now, I want to clarify one more thing. I DON'T WANT TO COME HOME. I don't care what anyone thinks--I do not plan on coming home. I'm not ignorant or unrealistic I'm just explaining that coming home is not a part of my plans. I've had the most intense and difficult 3 weeks of my entire mission because what's been happening is spiritual change. I feel as though I am now being changed by the Gospel, changed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am opening my heart and allowing the spirit in. It's a work in progress and I do not want it to be hindered by coming home even if just for a short period of time. But what's really more important is that the Zone here is doing amazing things. The work amongst the missionaries here is exploding. This past week was record high numbers for the Zone. Total lessons that were taught were 408. The usual ranges anywhere between 300-330. The Lord is hastening his work, and lately Elder Hamer and I haven't been able to hasten ours as fast as we would like to, but we are getting so close with so little time left. Elder Hamer will finish his mission at the end of this transfer and I will be training a new Zone Leader so I can't leave now. The Zone shouldn't have to deal with that.
I need everyone to realize that everything is going to be ok. It doesn't matter what happens because we are living the Gospel. We need to simply invite the spirit to come into our lives, study the scriptures for answers, and pray for guidance and clarity. By doing so we cannot fail. We can be tried and tested, but we cannot fail. The Lord will not allow it. What I've started to come to realize is that the Lord, while he wants us to plan, he wants us more to pray. While he wants us to try, he wants us more to trust. And while we might feel we know how to handle a situation, he really knows what's best. I trust in the Lord. I will accept whatever does happen, just know that I'm not so happy if they decide to send me home. For now I'm just going to keep working hard. My appointment is this Thursday so I'm sure you'll be receiving a phone call from the oral surgeon. The people in the dentist office are so understanding and loving towards missionaries. They're such cool guys. We walked in and immediately I noticed an Ensign on the coffee table amongst all the other magazines haha subtle missionary work.
I love you all so much and appreciate your prayers. I also testify of the power of prayer and the spirit. Love you all!
Elder Rodabough the second
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| You can see the cyst on the bottom left of this x-ray. It is shaped much like an egg or a jelly bean. |
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