Burk Family Blog

The heat index in Houston has exceeded 100 degrees for almost two weeks now. Blast it! It is not suppose to get this hot for another couple of months. We’ve had a high-pressure system over us for too long. This high-pressure system is also causing turmoil for other parts of the country in the form of rain, which we’ve had very little of. Just think, six months ago, it snowed in Houston.

In other news, for the past couple of months, I have had paresthesias in my ring and little fingers of the right hand. I became very alarmed at first and when the symptoms didn’t go away, I went to my doctor. Prior to doing so, I tapped into the knowlege surround me at work (I work in a hospital.) One Sports Medicine physician suggested ulnar nerve entrapment or cubital tunnel syndrome. I looked it up and it described my symptoms pretty well.

I went to my doctor who agreed and suggested that I wear a night splint until the problem could be corrected. She referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon who became very concerned after looking at my hands running me through a few strength tests. You would think that my right hand (being my primary) would be stronger than my left; however, my right hand has only half the strength as my left. The surgeon referred me to a Physical Medicine physician who performed an EMG.

The EMG involved electrical shocks to my muscles and nerves as well as needles. Wasn’t fun but very interesting. The test concluded that I did have cubital tunnel syndrome but only a mild to moderate case of it. This by itself was good news. The bad news was that the EMG revealed a significant conduction block. In a nutshell, because of the cubital tunnel syndrome, my muscles weren’t firing properly. The extrinsic muscles were normal but the intrinsic muscles weren’t responding at all. This has caused early denervation in the ulnar intrinsic muscles of the right hand with some mild axonal loss in one of the intrinsic muscles.

Back to the surgeon. Having paresthesias is not too big of a concern for him. Since the cubital tunnel syndrome is mild to moderate, he would typically recommend that I learn to live with it. But because of the conduction block and the denervation, he is very concerned.

His words… “If it were me, I’d be running to the O.R. In your case, since you caught this early, you can trot.”

If left untreated, my hand could be paralyzed within a year. There would be little that could be done at that time to fix it.

I am now waiting for the doctor’s office to call with the surgery date. It looks as though it might be on June 10th at Methodist Hospital. During the surgery, I will be awake and my arm will be put to sleep. The nurse promises that I won’t care at all. I’ll ask if I can listen to my Zune while he is cutting away on me. I’ve already picked my music… Kari Jobe is gonna sing while I have a 2-inch cut to release the ulnar nerve.

Afterwards, I get to wear a sling for two to three weeks. I was told that I need to be prepared to have only one hand for a while. My plan so far…
Wear my glasses unstead of contacts. Spray deodarant. Button up oversized short sleeve shirts to wear over the sling. No scooter riding (duh). Wave with only one hand. Get a very short haircut so I dont have to mess with it too much.
Things I wont be able to do… tie my shoes… hmm. Sleep on my stomach… hmm. Play video games… darn.

I’ll take off a week from work. That will give me time to get off whatever pain meds I’m on… plus I can practice doing things with one hand. I’m already practicing. Going back to work will be the biggest challenge for at least a couple of weeks. Once I have the sling off and the stitches out then I can go back to doing things normally (per the doctor).

Scott

No. You may not have a pet alligator.

I don’t do it often but seeing that I haven’t posted on my blog in a long time, I figure I would give an update. I’m using a small qwerty keyboard on my phone while sitting on the bus so bare with me. It is a bumpy ride.

Been spending time on Facebook and Twitter. That’s where you can find me most days. On facebook, search for me by using my email address sab001@gmail.com. on Twitter, follow Scottburk (all one word.)

Family is well. Daughter is 9 now and struggles with controlling her frustration and anger. Son is 5 and pushes her buttons with every opportunity that comes his way. Wife is being strong. Pray for her.

Looking around. Driver taking the scenic route through the wards. Lovely.

I just finished another course towards my mba. I did well and will have either an a or an a-. Yay! 7 or 8 classes to go.

Work is hectic. Right now, I’m analyzing data in order to budget patient volume for next year. All this while managing staff, interviewing potential staff, measuring performance, and ensuring that the patient comes first. Lots to do but I have a good team and my support is nothing less than strong and determined.

On HOV lane now. Back on track.

Riding the scooter has been a blast. I’m at above 1,400 km. Most drivers around me give me plenty of space. Good thing!

I’m probably returning to karate next month. Since my accident during training, my leg and foot have hurt. Id love to get gear but not sure if I can swing it right now. The guy I fought is out and won’t be returning. His injuries required surgery. He is blessed that he can still walk.

Guy behind me on bus has funky ring tone. Heh.

Prayer list smaller this week and praise reports keep coming in. Pam is out of icu. Sam is breathing on his own. I passed my exam. What else? What can I pray for you today. I can’t fix it but I can take it to the one that can.

Writing a bible study on crazylovebook. Halfway finished. Who wants to participate in this study? I promise, it will be WAY different than what you are use to.

At monroe park and ride. My stop is 10 minutes away. Weather is nice. Gonna be a good ride.

I see tons of text pages coming in now. Ilm gonna go check those out. In the meantime, drop me a note and let me know you stopped by.

Love you! Today, forever, and always!
Scott

Already paid for and yet…still rejected
by Sarah Jones on February 23, 2009

So, this past weekend God allowed me to be apart of something called “Journey.” This is a weekend for 7th-12th grade students to come together, spend the weekend worshiping God, dig into and study God’s word, and build good godly friendships at the same time. I led an 8th grade girls group and it was an amazing experience that I am blessed to have had the opportunity. I know God taught the students a lot of awesome things over this weekend, but He also taught me many things as well. I’ve been really thinking a lot about what I learned over the whole weekend and just what God has taught me. Some things were new and others I was reminded of how important they were as they were put in the front of my mind again. We talked about the story of Hosea, really focusing on the first 3 chapters. God told Hosea to go marry this woman who would be unfaithful to Him and would betray Him. Hosea married her and loved her with all of his heart, even when she turns her back on him and betrays Him for other lovers. Hosea pursued her and decided that he was going to win her back. He loved her when she didn’t love him back. He made the decision that he wasn’t going to leave her, even though she deserved it..but instead that He would “woo” her back. These are some of the things that are filling my thoughts and really stirring in my soul, digging deeper and deeper into my heart, and are really going to make an imprint and difference into my thoughts and the way I live this life God has given me.

- God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we do, or how bad we think we are, he will always love us. We will be unfaithful, reject, betray God and at times want to have nothing to do with God at all…but He will still chase after you and “woo” you back. We could tell God that we do not love Him, but yet He would love us even more back. He would and does pursue us and will never stop pursuing us. He desires to have a relationship with us, and He is not going to let anything get in the way of that. He will never fail and He will never change. He will be faithful and true to us no matter what. He will win us back !

- He died on the cross for us, and for everyone in the entire world…while knowing that people would reject Him, spit on Him, persecute Him, crucify Him on a cross. Yet, even with knowing all of that, He still loved us sooo much that He did it anyway – and He didn’t ask us if we wanted him to do it…He just did it. and yet…even though it has already been done and paid for people still choose to reject the free gift….it’s already been given, already been done, but yet they think that if they don’t accept the gift then, He wouldn’t have died on the cross or what ? I mean…this just blows my mind. Even if there was 1 person on this earth….1 person….and God knew that that person was going to reject Him and not accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior…He still would have died. He still would have done it. He didn’t ask us….Hey, can I please die on the cross for you, so you can spend eternity with me in Heaven ? – because of course we would have said no. But instead….He did it anyways….It blows my mind, how people can reject something that is already been given. Whether or not you accept the gift doesn’t mean it will or won’t be done.

- It’s like what my group did on Saturday afternoon for our “free time” – community service outreach…..We went to a gas station, and the girls paired up and would walk up to people and ask, “Can we please give you $10.00 to help pay for your gas ?” and some people were very grateful and said yes and took the money, while other people said no and didn’t take the money, some even laughed hysterically at us, that we would even offer to do that. Then we went to Starbucks and again…the girls offered to pay for people’s coffee….and yet again…the majority of the people said no, and didn’t take the money. So…what we did was, we gave the Starbucks lady at the register $25.00 to pay for the next $25.00 worth of coffee. So….we stepped back a little bit, and just watched as people went through the line buying coffee. Again…people still rejected the free gift offer that their coffee had already been paid for. They would order their coffee, and then the lady would tell them, your total is $8.63 or whatever….and then she said, but a church group has left $25.00 to pay for the next 25 dollars worth of coffee, so you can use the money and then your total would be free if you would like….so although, the money had already been given, she still gave them the decision as to whether or not they wanted to take and use the money for their coffee or just pay for it themself. Some people chose to take the money, and you could tell they felt very uncomfortable for doing it, and very unsure about it, while others decided to just pay for it themselves and not take the gift that was already given.

- That is like a parallel kinda to what Christ did for us. Obviously not as drastic, but still – He didn’t ask us if He could die on the cross, because of course we would have said no…but He just did it. and yet, even though it has already been done, people still choose to not accept it. Even though the money had already been given, and their coffee was already paid for, they still chose not to accept the gift. idk…It just blows my mind.

I am part of a Lost Generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
I realize this may be a shock, but
“Happiness comes from within”
is a lie and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life.
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
once upon a time
families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era.
this is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce.
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
my peers and I care about this Earth
It will be evident that
my generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

There is hope.
It is foolish to presume that
my generation is apathetic and lethargic
It will be evident that
my peers and I care about this Earth
No longer can it be said that
environmental destruction will be the norm
In the future
I will live in a country of my own making
I do not concede that
30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce.
Experts tell me
this is a quick fix society
but this will not be true in my era.
families stayed together
once upon a time
I tell you this
family
is more important than
work
I have my priorities straight because
My employer will know that
they are not the most important thing in my life.
So in 30 years I will tell my children
“Money will make me happy.”
is a lie and
“Happiness comes from within”
I realize this may be a shock, but
I can change the world.
and I refuse to believe that
I am part of a Lost Generation

Rachel found me a new coat. It is from Land’s End. And the best part… it is on sale! $50!

If you’re looking for a good deal, try Lands End at http://www.landsend.com/

I almost spent $150 at Kohl’s for a jacket. I sent an email to Kohl’s about their less than satisfactory actions but their response was… “sorry, we will let the store manager know.” I didn’t hear anything after that. I predict that Kohl’s will be out of business within a year if they don’t turn things around quickly. I like Kohl’s but if they are going to be just as bad as the others, they will lose their loyal customers.

In an economy where retailers are struggling, I was surprised when a Kohl’s associate ( Kohl’s on Fairmont in Pasadena, TX ), told me I couldn’t use my 20% coupon I received in the mail.

I didn’t read the fine print. The coupon can’t be used until tomorrow.

In my possession, I had a leather jacket. Something to keep me warm, since everything I have is over 10 years and too small. For Kohl’s, they would have made $150 easy.

Sorry. You can’t use that until tomorrow. I thought for a second and responded. “Then I’m not buying it.” I laid it down and started for the exit.

They called out. “Do you want me to put it on hold so you can buy it tomorrow?”

“No. I’ll spend my money elsewhere.”

What they should have done… “Mr. Burk, we can apply that discount to your purchase now. Let me just get a manager to take care of that for you.”

The customer is not always right. I brought in an invalid coupon. My mistake. But the customer should always come first. After all… thats what keeps retailers like Kohl’s in business. The customer. At the end of the day… Kohl’s will still be in possession of the jacket. I will get my coat elsewhere.

I’m glad I don’t have stock in Kohl’s.

Scott

*** Adding these comments that were left on my Facebook or my LiveJournal ***

“Adriana G. commented on your status:
“kohl’s sucks, i used to work there. but i work retail, so the customer is not always right. we get all kinds of people now at my store angry, disgustingly rude, throw their cards, dump their items all because they didn’t read. but yours wasn’t expired so they should have just taken it anyway. our store pretty much does everything for the customer which annoys me because they get away with being rude and underhanded and managers allow it. kohl’s is an awful company, after i quit i never went back and I never shopped there even when i worked there. Try Macy’s. I got my coat there last year and for a great price.”

Mark C. commented on your status:
“I would send that story to upper management and see what takes place. WOW… What ever happened to good old fashioned customer service. Honest mistake and all they should have done as you suggested. Thier loss… Hope you find something to keep you warm the next few days as you are going to need it. OUCH!!! Friday high only low 40’s.”

Linda O. M. commented on your status:
“that sucks. I know that some of the Kohls I’ve been to would have easily honored the coupon.”

Brandi S. commented on your status:
“wow…that stinks! i hope you find a better jacket at a much better price elsewhere!”

Phillip W. commented on your status:
“Did you ask to speak with a manager? Usually, if you talk to a manager, they’ll approve it. Sometimes a cashier doesn’t have authority to honor a coupon early unless a manager okays it. Just a thought.

With that said, unless they’re not allowed to offer to ask a manager for you, that was pretty bad customer service on their part. Honestly, I would have offered anyway… that way, it’s on the manager’s head, not mine, if we still couldn’t honor the coupon.”

“Adriana G. commented on your status:
What fettman said definitely. A lot of times I am not authorized to do something so I say I cannot do that, if they ask for a manager, they’ll probably get what they want.

Gregg W. commented on your status:
“[Go to] Burlington Coat Factory…..but only if you have a conceal carry license too!”

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5

The Christian life would be easy if the space in time was small between when you first believe God’s promises and when you receive what He promised. If you could read about it one day and get it the next, Wow – wouldn’t that be great!?

But life’s not like that.

The hard part is in the waiting between God’s promise and His answer; and even harder, when the waiting comes with uncertainties.

Where’s this going? Where am I going to end up? What’s my future look like?

The reality is, we just don’t know how circumstances will play out and it’s this not-knowing that crushes us. We doubt because we don’t know. We worry and despair because we don’t know. We falter and sometimes fail – all because we don’t know. If only we knew how this trial was going to end, we would be okay. But we don’t.

We all have areas of uncertainty where we need to hold tightly onto what God has said while we wait for Him to work. I couldn’t go forward another day if I didn’t believe what He told me. So here’s what we each must do: We must review His promises all the time. We must remind ourselves that our faith is in God and not in what He does for us. He knows what He has promised, He can’t lie, and He can’t forget. He will deliver on time, all the time. Who else can make promises like that?

God knows that it’s hard for us to walk by faith. So He assures us, I’m not going to leave you wondering what I’m going to do. I don’t want you to be overcome by fear. So I’m going to make some promises to you so that you can get through the difficult days. You don’t have to take your view of life only from what you can see happening right in front of you. You’re not imprisoned by the crazy talk someone is putting into your head that you know isn’t true. Hang onto the things that I told you.

And while we wait, God builds our faith.

James MacDonald
http://www.walkintheword.com
01/05/2009

My friend Courtney asked that I pray for her family. Her cousin’s house was destroyed by fire yesterday, 12/31/08 and a toddler was killed. Here is the story…

“APPALACHIA, Va. – A 3-year-old girl died Wednesday following an afternoon fire in Wise County’s Andover community.

Fire Chief Robert Anderson Jr., with the Appalachia Volunteer Fire Department, said his officers received a call at 3:30 p.m. about a fire that was taking place at a house on the 4200 block of Nicholas Road.

Firefighters found the front of the house in flames, Anderson said, and heard reports from neighbors that the girl and her 27-year-old father were trapped inside.

Anderson said firefighters were able to save both the girl and her father. The two were taken to the Lonesome Pine Medical Center in Big Stone Gap, Va. But, Anderson said, the toddler was pronounced dead when she arrived at Lonesome Pine.

The father was taken to the Bristol Regional Medical Center, Anderson said, and is now in critical condition.”

12/20/08 – Sewer backed up in AM. Called plumber. Fixed.
12/25/08 – Christmas night. Sewer backed up into house. Moved to LaQuinta.
12/26/08 – Plumber came back out. Fixed. Pointed finger at city. I cleaned house and called Mayor’s office. City works responded late at night while we weren’t there.
12/27/08 – Family moved back in to house.
12/29/08 – City works showed at 7am. Since Rachel was asleep and didn’t answer the door, they left. Rachel called Mayor’s office.
12/30/08 – Called Mayor’s office again. City responded and checked the line. They also told us that next time we should just call the city and there won’t be a charge. They ran a water hose to make sure there wasn’t another blockage. Councilwoman called me early evening to apologize that it took so long for her to get my message.

So, we should be good.