I haven't known just what to write or had the time to write it, so tonight, I thought I'd make an effort. Easter has come and gone, and I remembered all I've learned about Easter in the last year. If I didn't remember it, I didn't learn it, right? So, that fact that 3 days means 3 days (it doesn't sound like a new concept, but keep with me) came back to me on the 8th as I was thinking about the cross and the suffering that happened before that. That happened on Wednesday--if you go backwards, it's the first day of the week when the resurrection occurred, so that's Saturday night/Sunday AM. SO, you've got 1)Friday night; 2) Thursday; 3)Wednesday. Tradition seems to have changed that a bit by not using the Jewish time: "there was evening and morning, the first day". We Gentiles just think a bit different in this century, but we can adjust.
So, there's Wed, as I work, thinking of Christ's suffering for me on the cross so that I don't have to pay for those things I do and don't do (when I should be not doing and doing). I know, even today, I messed that up, and that payment still is on my account. What an amazing thought. My light bill keeps coming every month, to my great disappointment, but yet the bill for my sin continues to be paid--from that day over 2000 years ago. Wow.
I've also learned about the feasts around this time. It makes sense once you hear it. The day Christ died was the preparation day for Passover. That was the day that the perfect lamb was sacrificed (hey, could that be the Lamb of God that just died at the same hour that we were to slit the throat of the Passover lamb?) Then, Passover was Wed night/Thurs day. The feast of Unleaven bread was next, as Jesus was in the tomb, broken for us, with stripes, and annointed, just as the Passover unleaven bread that is hidden before the meal in a sack.
Well, the amazing things don't stop then. The feast of first fruits is next, the early wheat harvest. By gum, Jesus was the first fruits of those who have died. Now, if I got any of this wrong, look in the comments as I bet there will be some corrections!
So that's my excitement about Easter and what I've learned. Sometimes, I wish I'd been closer to Jewish people to learn these festivals as I grew up, but since I'm still a kid at heart, I suppose it's not too late.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Life and death
This past week, one of my little snippets on a calandar said "if someone tells you life is hard, ask them 'compared to what?'" I am still contemplating that one.
But the more bothersome part of the week was yesterday. I decided to go in late for rounds, like the slightly tired person I am on the weekends after a busy week, and the 2nd person I saw, had the whole family (or many of them) all around the bed. My dear friend was sitting in a wheelchair by his wife's side, looking very distressed. Now, this is a very misunderstood man who most would say was an unpleasant sort of fellow, but to be honest, I've grown very fond of him over the past 2 years. I understand where he's coming from. He's been married to the same woman for 70 years at least (which blows my mind after only 5.5 years of marriage--if I'd only met Dan younger...). I had to stuff some of the feelings today to get through the rest of rounds, but tonight, I decided to try to let them out. Dan says this is what makes me a good doc--I feel their pain tonight and have been praying for them as I had promised. I fear her husband will give up on life as he has his own medical problems that could kill him. I, like him, ask if there was anything else I could have done? I've come to the conclusion that really, I couldn't have done anything else, and I need to express that to him as well when I visit him on Tuesday. There's nothing that he did or didn't do that caused this. At 91, the body is not able to do the same things it did at 21, and that makes any disease more serious. As I've thought about the past 2 days, I don't think he or I could have done anything to change the outcome. God, on the other hand, had full power, and was in full control of the situation, so I need not fear my humanity one little bit. I hope I have the wisdom to express that in a way he understands on Tuesday or at visitation if he's not around that day. He's like a member of my family.
Death is part of life, but I was wondering on the way home, do we fight it so much because we know we were not meant to die? We were created to live forever in the garden, in the presence of God. I have contributed to the fall on my own, but all were doomed by 1 disobedience that to us humans, seems so small. But all sin is just that--disobedience. Doesn't matter how we measure it on earth, it's the same in heaven. As the prodigal son said, "I have sinned against heaven". Doesn't matter what the sin is, it's sin and separates us from God. I believe this woman knew that Christ died for that sin and was raised from the dead so that death is not having the victory because she accepted that payment to her account of sin. I hope that makes the separation easier for my friend, knowing that he will see her again, whole, beautiful, and well. I look forward to it myself.
But the more bothersome part of the week was yesterday. I decided to go in late for rounds, like the slightly tired person I am on the weekends after a busy week, and the 2nd person I saw, had the whole family (or many of them) all around the bed. My dear friend was sitting in a wheelchair by his wife's side, looking very distressed. Now, this is a very misunderstood man who most would say was an unpleasant sort of fellow, but to be honest, I've grown very fond of him over the past 2 years. I understand where he's coming from. He's been married to the same woman for 70 years at least (which blows my mind after only 5.5 years of marriage--if I'd only met Dan younger...). I had to stuff some of the feelings today to get through the rest of rounds, but tonight, I decided to try to let them out. Dan says this is what makes me a good doc--I feel their pain tonight and have been praying for them as I had promised. I fear her husband will give up on life as he has his own medical problems that could kill him. I, like him, ask if there was anything else I could have done? I've come to the conclusion that really, I couldn't have done anything else, and I need to express that to him as well when I visit him on Tuesday. There's nothing that he did or didn't do that caused this. At 91, the body is not able to do the same things it did at 21, and that makes any disease more serious. As I've thought about the past 2 days, I don't think he or I could have done anything to change the outcome. God, on the other hand, had full power, and was in full control of the situation, so I need not fear my humanity one little bit. I hope I have the wisdom to express that in a way he understands on Tuesday or at visitation if he's not around that day. He's like a member of my family.
Death is part of life, but I was wondering on the way home, do we fight it so much because we know we were not meant to die? We were created to live forever in the garden, in the presence of God. I have contributed to the fall on my own, but all were doomed by 1 disobedience that to us humans, seems so small. But all sin is just that--disobedience. Doesn't matter how we measure it on earth, it's the same in heaven. As the prodigal son said, "I have sinned against heaven". Doesn't matter what the sin is, it's sin and separates us from God. I believe this woman knew that Christ died for that sin and was raised from the dead so that death is not having the victory because she accepted that payment to her account of sin. I hope that makes the separation easier for my friend, knowing that he will see her again, whole, beautiful, and well. I look forward to it myself.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Internet radio and cats
Ok, I've been off work for a while, so my brain is a bit mushy (not due to Hulu). I just found out about a new site on the web that will let me listen to my favorite albums (that got warped in the attic) without buying them. It's one more way to help with my cluttered life. It's pandora.com (thanks Allison for noting it in your blog). I thought I'd try it, and so far they have picked every song that I have loved from the 80's artists that I enjoyed. I have also found Christian artists like Bill Gaither. It's fascinating to be able to create my own station from songs I like and a type of music I like. For now, anyway, it's entertaining.
Dan is doing well, but thinks he should be back to normal already. I try to tell him he's had major surgery and it's only been 3 weeks. So, I have the job of reminding him that he's doing well and to slow down. He tried to chase the stray cat away today--he found that being a mistake. What's one more mouth to fee when the mama cat has been lost? Yes, he's ugly and he's bossy to the others, but he's not a coon or a possum, so I'm ok with him eating.
Yes, I'm staying up way too late for having to start back to work Wed, but I'll get the hang of it again.
Dan is doing well, but thinks he should be back to normal already. I try to tell him he's had major surgery and it's only been 3 weeks. So, I have the job of reminding him that he's doing well and to slow down. He tried to chase the stray cat away today--he found that being a mistake. What's one more mouth to fee when the mama cat has been lost? Yes, he's ugly and he's bossy to the others, but he's not a coon or a possum, so I'm ok with him eating.
Yes, I'm staying up way too late for having to start back to work Wed, but I'll get the hang of it again.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Recovery and Healing
As I listen to my husband snooze next to me tonight, I figured I better write some more since there's not been an update since post-op day 2. He's has survived the trial of not being able to drink much for 6 days, pain when walking, not caring if he shaved, and has a new appreciation for showers and water. This is not a man who has been a big fan of water before, but to say this experience has changed him is an understatement. He's drinking more water than soda or non-carbonated soft drinks. This is good to see as I know it's healthier for him. He is recovering well from the major surgery he had, and we do appreciate everyone prayers--they have created a healing that I didn't think 3 weeks ago would have been possible. He's moving well, awake most of the day, and is eating better now (it really had ruined his appetite the first 2 weeks). He ate an entire TV dinner 2 nights ago, and ate pretty well tonight from our left-overs (thanks--it was SO good, Martin!) I may not be looking forward to going back to work on the 11th, but I know he's doing well enough I don't have to worry about him much. He's frustrated that he's still not having a whole lot of energy, but I know that will come back.
I'm also finding out that pain control is important, especially at night. He is trying tonight to us only Ibuprofen, and we'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work, they will give him some other pain meds that aren't quite a strong as what he had right out of surgery, but he doesn't need as much anymore anyway. So far, the ibuprofen seems to be doing the trip if his breathing is any indication. It's good to see God heal quickly and so completely. It's something I sometimes take for granted, and shouldn't. It's been a tough lesson to learn, but it's been incredible to watch.
I'm also finding out that pain control is important, especially at night. He is trying tonight to us only Ibuprofen, and we'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work, they will give him some other pain meds that aren't quite a strong as what he had right out of surgery, but he doesn't need as much anymore anyway. So far, the ibuprofen seems to be doing the trip if his breathing is any indication. It's good to see God heal quickly and so completely. It's something I sometimes take for granted, and shouldn't. It's been a tough lesson to learn, but it's been incredible to watch.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The long night
There are some things that are taken for granted in my life. Being able to sleep well is one of them that I am learning more about now. Dan had an anxiety attack yesterday evening, so I stayed in the room with him last night. He ended up not having a roommate as the other guy was transferred. He has been misable with pain and says he didn't know it would be this hard. He's wanting something to drink, but he's belching, so it doesn't seem to be going through quite yet. They are allowing him 1 oz every hour. He's been up walking 2x today, but it hurts. They have increased his pain medicine a bit, so that may help with the pain. He's maxed out on what they were giving him and still having problems, so I hope this helps him sleep some. He doesn't even seem to doze at all. I got some quick naps in the night in my recliner chair between the various pumps and bells going off. Why does the IV always run out just as you drift off? It may be a nice musical tune, but it's still annoying. The night nurse really tried to reassure him that he's doing well. He feels like this is so slow and he's going to be here longer than he planned. I told him this is only day 2 after surgery--I see good things happening even when he doesn't, and try to share them as I see them to encourage him. I do remember, however, how slow the time seemed to go and how much I didn't feel like I could do--just getting up to go to the bathroom was a major project. Handicap rails are the most wonderful things in the world post-op. Such ease in ascending, and such difficulty when they aren't there.
They have podiums here to walk with--I think we need one locally. They are like the podiums for preaching or the kneeling rails Catholics have, but they are on wheels so you have something to lean on. I just had my trusty pole, but he's to graduate to pole walking later today.
Even though he's impatient, he is doing well, just struggling psychologically. Pray that we both have patience with th process. It can seem so long. And for good sleep for Dan--if he sleeps well, I'll sleep well.
They have podiums here to walk with--I think we need one locally. They are like the podiums for preaching or the kneeling rails Catholics have, but they are on wheels so you have something to lean on. I just had my trusty pole, but he's to graduate to pole walking later today.
Even though he's impatient, he is doing well, just struggling psychologically. Pray that we both have patience with th process. It can seem so long. And for good sleep for Dan--if he sleeps well, I'll sleep well.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
It's over!
Ok, finally, we have a successful surgery of a grapefruit sized tumor, no cancer in the borders, no lymph nodes, and no sign that there will be any problems in the future with this. We are SO grateful to our Lord for this outcome. As I've listened to some of the other folks around, they have various cancers that need chemo or aren't treatable except with experimental drugs. We feel very blessed that his life has been preserved and that it looks like his health will return. People are talking about the miracle on the Hudson (which I believe is), but I feel like we have our own little miracle right here in Rochester, MN with no water involved. (I think Dan wants some water right now though, but they are working on that with some extra IV fluids tonight.)
The other thing that we are going to remember is the family that we have all over the place. We met some "new friends" at church who prayed with Dan after the evening service, showed real love and concern about us, and made us feel very at home. We've met another brother who is the Southern Baptist chaplain with the Mayo system today. Dan met someone who married a girl from Glennallen, AK, but I haven't met him yet. I'm dying to see who it was and if I know her, whether they know other people we know, etc. Hopefully he'll find us before we leave.
So, from a blessed couple who believes in miracles, we thank you for your prayers and love!
The other thing that we are going to remember is the family that we have all over the place. We met some "new friends" at church who prayed with Dan after the evening service, showed real love and concern about us, and made us feel very at home. We've met another brother who is the Southern Baptist chaplain with the Mayo system today. Dan met someone who married a girl from Glennallen, AK, but I haven't met him yet. I'm dying to see who it was and if I know her, whether they know other people we know, etc. Hopefully he'll find us before we leave.
So, from a blessed couple who believes in miracles, we thank you for your prayers and love!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Drawing closer to THE day
As the day of my hubby's surgery draws near (3 days), I try to relax and remember Who is in control. I have a power that is above all comprehension who is guiding the hands of the doctors in the surgery and the team before and after the procedure. No matter what happens, we can't lose. Knowing that Christ's blood atones for our sin on the cross and that as we have accepted that gift, offered free of charge, we have already obtained the goal of heaven. Death holds no sting as it's the end of this life of suffering, but is the beginning of a new life (and I might add a new body that I look forward to) for eternity with our Lord and Saviour. Wow, the awesomeness of it sometimes overwelms me when I try to comprehend it all. Now, don't get me wrong, I want my hubby to stay around quite a while (or else why do this surgery?), but I also know that he's in good hands all along the path of the next few days. I'll blog as we go between the Christmas cards that are late and the calling of important folks in our lives to let them know how we are. We appreciate them all!
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