It all started with hiccups.

For the better part of the last month, a sharp cramping pain has dominated my life…actually, more specifically, my diaphragm muscle just under my rib cage on the left side of my abdomen.

The pain quickly escalated to a persistent, sharp stabbing sensation that erupted into torture anytime I took too deep a breath, uncontrolled cough, full-bellied yawn, or ,you guessed it, simple hiccups.

I quickly met with my surgical team; but they dismissed the issue as straightforward spasms to be treated with muscle relaxers…which initially helped.

However, while devouring my Turkey-day “sampler plate”, my abdomen felt like it rebelled against me.

The stomach pain (my daughter says I can’t say stomach or tummy pain anymore because I don’t have one…I’ll have to improvise an alternative descriptor) eventually became overwhelming enough that I had my wife take me to the emergency room at Walter Reed Bethesda.

Shortly after arriving at the ER and a morphine shot or two later, the pain was relatively under control. Just as quickly, I endured a CT scan and a couple of x-rays that revealed I was eating more than turkey on Thanksgiving day!

Needless to say, my stents have “migrated”. Taken a vacation. Gone on strike. Malfunctioned. No worky no mo’.

So, starting on Monday – when the medical A Team arrives – we will work with the doctors to determine the best way forward.

I am so grateful for the immediate outpouring of love, prayers, fasts, and support as me and my family deal with this latest setback.

In fact, within hours of getting to the hospital, two of my best friends drove all the way into DC just give me a Priesthood Blessing of healing and recovery. So much love; so much support!

Also, many friends and family fasted on my behalf to give me, my family, and the doctors added strength and guidance to do the right thing for my health moving forward.

My heart is full from all the love and appreciation poured out towards me today.

I am especially appreciative for one of my daughter’s best friends, who during Church today, stood up in front of her congregation (a couple hundred people) and shared her testimony of Jesus Christ and the power of the fast…and that she was fasting for me!

I was overwhelmed with emotion to know that this beautiful, eight-year-old little angle did all that for me. I am moved to tears of joy every time I think of her sweet action. This memory remains imprinted onto my soul and I will be eternally grateful to her and her parents.

Though unplanned and unwanted, this latest hospital stay will not stop me. I know I have the support of so many to see me through to a full and healthy recovery.