Despite our adaptability as humans, we still struggle with changes. These struggles are especially hard when they hit you personally and dramatically.
Last month my Mom was diagnosed (as much as they can) with Alzheimer's Disease. The month before we found out she had diabetes. It's getting hard to remember what life was like before August.
Somehow it is easy to forget that things really never stay the same. Or at least that the future will have a predictability based on the past. Such is never the case of course...although we often think it is.
The only thing that stays the same is God. He never changes. His promises are always reliable. When the storms of life pound around me, I have a solid rock on which I can stand. I feel sorry for all the people in the world who cannot say that.
Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Uncle Larry's Memorial Service
Last weekend was a busy one for me and many of our family members as we reflected on the life of our dear Uncle Larry. It was quite a shock to me when I heard that he had gone home to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on October 17.
Uncle Larry spent his life serving God and encouraging others to do the same. He had a passion for helping people, young and old, develop and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Last Saturday I attended a Memorial Service for Uncle Larry, along with my aunt's surviving brothers (3) and sisters (3). Also in attendance was Uncle Larry's siblings (3) along with a number of relatives and friends. I counted around 47 relatives (although I probably missed a few).
It was good to see so many people, but sad that it was for such an occasion as a Memorial Service. We had 2-6 people staying at our house (depending on which night) and it was fun to have a house full of guests.
Most everyone has headed back home now. This is when I will be praying for my Aunt and her two children more than ever. It is never easy to adjust to such a dramatic change in one's life. But it is very comforting to be able to lean on the everlasting arms to take care-of you no matter what.
Uncle Larry spent his life serving God and encouraging others to do the same. He had a passion for helping people, young and old, develop and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Last Saturday I attended a Memorial Service for Uncle Larry, along with my aunt's surviving brothers (3) and sisters (3). Also in attendance was Uncle Larry's siblings (3) along with a number of relatives and friends. I counted around 47 relatives (although I probably missed a few).
It was good to see so many people, but sad that it was for such an occasion as a Memorial Service. We had 2-6 people staying at our house (depending on which night) and it was fun to have a house full of guests.
Most everyone has headed back home now. This is when I will be praying for my Aunt and her two children more than ever. It is never easy to adjust to such a dramatic change in one's life. But it is very comforting to be able to lean on the everlasting arms to take care-of you no matter what.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Hospitals and Some Reflections on My Week
My week has not been uneventful. My week has been full of surprises. For once, I feel like I really do have something interesting to blog about.
Monday evening I had a meeting out-of-town. When I arrived home I went through my normal bedtime routine and settled down to sleep in my trailer.
At approx. 12:15 a.m. I heard a knock on my door. It was the lady I stay with (who is living in the other trailer). When I opened the door I found her bent nearly double with pain. After a short conversation and a call to the 24 hour nurse hotline, I quickly threw on some clothes and drove her to the hospital's emergency room.
Emergency rooms are interesting places. At first, when you sign in, you are "evaluated" by a nurse. Then you wait for an emergency treatment room to become available (unless, I presume, you are experiencing an immediately life-threatening condition). Extreme abdominal pain and nausea (dry heaves) do not count as an immediately life-threatening condition.
We waited for an eternity (~30 minutes) to be taken to a treatment room. There my friend put on the obligatory hospital gown and had an IV installed in her arm. The nurse did give her some anti-nausea medication, but said that he had to wait to giver her pain medication until the doctor could see her.
Next we waited for another eternity (~45 minutes) until the doctor arrived. After his evaluation he ordered an ultrasound to try to see what was going on and also pain medication (which thankfully took effect very quickly after it was injected).
We waited ~30 minutes to be taken to get the ultrasound, and another hour for the results, which were negative. The doctor then ordered a CAT scan. By now it was 4:30 a.m. My friend began the CAT scan prep which includes drinking three "shakes" (yucky of course) over the course of 2 hours (enough time for it to "highlight" your entire system). Just over 2 hours later (after a few cat-naps between trying to drink the "shakes") she was taken in for her scan.
Sometime around 7:30 a.m. the doctor came in and announced, "The good news is, we know what your problem is." Then he proceeded to explain she had a bowel obstruction (a twist in her small intestine had blocked it). The treatment included no food or water along with a tube down the nose into the stomach to suction the digestive system contents back out and relieve the pressure which was causing the pain (and thus allowing the intestine to untwist itself). This was combined with hydration through the IV and antibiotics to prevent infections.
Happily, the treatment worked. Two and a half days later she walked out of the hospital feeling drained from her experience, but in apparent good health.
Naturally, this all happened at a very busy time for her house remodeling project. I spent my evenings painting and supervising the wonderful group of co-workers and friends who showed-up to help paint. I spent daytimes and nights in the hospital (hospital cots are luxurious when compared to trying to catch some sleep balanced across two emergency room plastic chairs). And last night I got to sleep in my own bed!
Monday evening I had a meeting out-of-town. When I arrived home I went through my normal bedtime routine and settled down to sleep in my trailer.
At approx. 12:15 a.m. I heard a knock on my door. It was the lady I stay with (who is living in the other trailer). When I opened the door I found her bent nearly double with pain. After a short conversation and a call to the 24 hour nurse hotline, I quickly threw on some clothes and drove her to the hospital's emergency room.
Emergency rooms are interesting places. At first, when you sign in, you are "evaluated" by a nurse. Then you wait for an emergency treatment room to become available (unless, I presume, you are experiencing an immediately life-threatening condition). Extreme abdominal pain and nausea (dry heaves) do not count as an immediately life-threatening condition.
We waited for an eternity (~30 minutes) to be taken to a treatment room. There my friend put on the obligatory hospital gown and had an IV installed in her arm. The nurse did give her some anti-nausea medication, but said that he had to wait to giver her pain medication until the doctor could see her.
Next we waited for another eternity (~45 minutes) until the doctor arrived. After his evaluation he ordered an ultrasound to try to see what was going on and also pain medication (which thankfully took effect very quickly after it was injected).
We waited ~30 minutes to be taken to get the ultrasound, and another hour for the results, which were negative. The doctor then ordered a CAT scan. By now it was 4:30 a.m. My friend began the CAT scan prep which includes drinking three "shakes" (yucky of course) over the course of 2 hours (enough time for it to "highlight" your entire system). Just over 2 hours later (after a few cat-naps between trying to drink the "shakes") she was taken in for her scan.
Sometime around 7:30 a.m. the doctor came in and announced, "The good news is, we know what your problem is." Then he proceeded to explain she had a bowel obstruction (a twist in her small intestine had blocked it). The treatment included no food or water along with a tube down the nose into the stomach to suction the digestive system contents back out and relieve the pressure which was causing the pain (and thus allowing the intestine to untwist itself). This was combined with hydration through the IV and antibiotics to prevent infections.
Happily, the treatment worked. Two and a half days later she walked out of the hospital feeling drained from her experience, but in apparent good health.
Naturally, this all happened at a very busy time for her house remodeling project. I spent my evenings painting and supervising the wonderful group of co-workers and friends who showed-up to help paint. I spent daytimes and nights in the hospital (hospital cots are luxurious when compared to trying to catch some sleep balanced across two emergency room plastic chairs). And last night I got to sleep in my own bed!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
Below is a moving tribute to those who have served and given their lives for the freedoms we now enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9hWrddLfPs
And a special thank you from me to all who have served!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9hWrddLfPs
And a special thank you from me to all who have served!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
I Get Older (but stay young at heart)
I am blessed by God with an abundance of great family members, friends, and co-workers. And today they figured that, since it is my birthday, they would celebrate with me.
My house-mate started the day by decorating the kitchen and my place at the table. She gave me a wonderful book on tape that I'm really looking forward to reading.
Then my family called and sang to me; promptly followed by a call from a dear friend who did the same.
My co-workers really outdid themselves this year. My office was decorated to the hilt with signs and streamers. Two of them brought in doughnuts to celebrate. They ALL sang the "Happy Birthday" song to me (even those that abhor public singing). They gave me a very sweet card with lots of nice notes in it. And they gave me a gift card for Coldwater Creek. Then they told stories about me and asked me the traditional "what are you going to do in the next year" question. It was lots of fun!
Thank you everyone who made this day so special! Thank you God for making me!!!
My house-mate started the day by decorating the kitchen and my place at the table. She gave me a wonderful book on tape that I'm really looking forward to reading.
Then my family called and sang to me; promptly followed by a call from a dear friend who did the same.
My co-workers really outdid themselves this year. My office was decorated to the hilt with signs and streamers. Two of them brought in doughnuts to celebrate. They ALL sang the "Happy Birthday" song to me (even those that abhor public singing). They gave me a very sweet card with lots of nice notes in it. And they gave me a gift card for Coldwater Creek. Then they told stories about me and asked me the traditional "what are you going to do in the next year" question. It was lots of fun!
Thank you everyone who made this day so special! Thank you God for making me!!!
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