Saturday, March 29, 2014

The Wonderful Beauty of "Normal!"

    Everything in life is relative....... So much we often consider as hum drum or perhaps even boring or burdensome.

Jon's visit to the surgeon on Thursday was really so much more than one might imagine. The green light to return to "normal" was like a release from a cage! What a shot of optimism it was!

For weeks now Jon has been restricted to "no bending, no twisting, no lifting, no no no no no no!!!" One never really thinks how very often bending is necessary. So Jon has felt like a "statue/robot" in many ways. It's also been very difficult on his ego. The day I struggled in and out of the home health store with oxygen tanks, as he sat in the car and watched, was almost unbearable for him!

Yesterday, Amy took me to deal with some of our medical bills. While I was out I got a call from Hubs, "Honey!!! I started the laundry!" There was such a lilt of excitement in his voice. Now, don't take me wrong, in the past laundry would have been a chore that Hubs would have willingly helped me with. But I don't think most of us would consider doing laundry a tremendous blessing.

This morning, Jon brought me my second cup of coffee....... I was just overwhelmed by such a little thing. I split my face grinning!!!!! Hey, THIS IS NORMAL!!!!!!!!!

As I listen to him puttering around in the kitchen getting some breakfast, I'm blessed beyond myself at NORMAL!! He's finding so much delight in the NORMAL!!!

I'm having a little trouble holding him back............the doctor said gradually, remember? Now he's trying to figure out a way that he(with his oxygen tank attached) might eventually ride his mower!

So today, if you face a boring NORMAL task, just think about life without all the NORMAL joys that make it up! Think about the blessing of being able to stoop, twist, reach, walk...........

So much I've taken for granted! I hope I'll never be the same! Thank you, God, today for NORMAL!

For God So Loved the World!!

I read aloud the beautiful third chapter of St. John. When I got to the probably most quoted verse of the entire Bible, I was just "slammed" all over again at our awesome God, and perfect Savior!!

For God SO LOVED the world. My mind instantly went to my Google Earth app. Where with just the touch of a finger I can zero into any location. I can see where my children live, where you live, etc.
With the touch of a finger I can back off into space and get a satellite picture of our world....God's World. The World teeming with the masses. The hurt, the suffering, the lost ones, His children..............

But God loved!!!! How much?That He gave!!! Sometimes it cost to give!! Sometimes it cost greatly!! I only have one Son. I think he's pretty awesome, but he's not divine. I cannot imagine giving him for another! But God GAVE!!! His ONLY Son!!! Everything!!

Why? That I might not PERISH!!!! I was overwhelmed as I again looked at the World from space. God sees not only the present population, but His Omniscience beholds all people....those who HAVE/ARE/Will live!

When Christ was on the cross...........I was on His mind!!!

That's WHY God Gave!! That's WHY Christ died!!!

For God so loved the World that He gave His ONLY begotten Son, that W

Friday, March 28, 2014

A Day to Celebrate!


Today Jon finally had his post op visit with his surgeon. The doctor was extremely pleased with Jon's progress. He said that is the very best possible outcome that he could have hoped for!!!

Jon will go back for a follow up MRI in November and see the surgeon. Ependymoma can grow back, but that is really rare. Jon will continue having a yearly MRI.

Praise God for all he has done for us!!!!

Thanks to our dear Amy for taking us the long trip!!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Journey to Gethsemane

Today Jon and I took a journey........ I continued reading aloud through Luke.

Today, Jon and I visited Gethsemane......... The Word took on a fresh new glow of Glory for us. We had to pause as we contemplated The Man-God wrestling with the knowledge of His coming suffering and death. As He sweat drops of blood.......... As in Total Victory rang out loud and clear as the God-Man bowed His head to His Father with "Not MY will, but THINE be done!"

We wept! We were overwhelmed!! We were keenly reminded of our sinfulness that brought Christ to this moment! I couldn't read on..........there was just too much here to absorb.....

When we went to prayer.............His Presence blanketed us in a way so real, so humbling, so magnificent, that the moment felt so hallowed.....

The knowledge that we, humanity, were being ushered into The Holy of Holies..............through no merit of our own........that the veil of The Temple had been rent in twain...
That we, mortal man, could come into His Presence.......
It was a moment, a memory...............we shall never be the same!

How I love Him! How I adore Him! My breath. My Sunshine. My all in all.
The great Creator became my Savior And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him!!

Lead Me to Calvary..........by J. E. Hussey

King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Refrain

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.

Refrain

Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.

Refrain

May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Our Amazing Journey

Today I looked back. Today Jon reached a milestone. Jon has now been home for two weeks!!!!  Yes, he is still recuperating and it has seemed painfully slow at times.  But today God had to remind me of just how very far we have come. Today I wept as I remembered.......

Today I finally decided to sort through the tubs and tubs of collected items from previous hospital stays.  After that Jon and I sat at the kitchen table and sorted and marked so many caddies of meds.  That was a job.

But as we identified each med by the date and prescribing doctor, we relived our long journey....  Doctors, ER's, change after change of meds....all in the painful search for The Answer.  I relived those moments in time that now seem to hang by the minuscule thread called memory.  But as Jon and I "waded" through them, the past unfolded in what now one can see as God's well planned and directed pathway for us.  No, I would have never never asked God for it, but now it retro-sight, it almost seems like "hallowed ground."  I do not say that presumptuously. But God's amazing grace was there in a way far beyond "what we could have ever dreamt or asked!"

So, today, as we disposed of meds........I was doing "cartwheels in my soul!"

Behold!!!  What great things God hath done!!!

PS: Jon said: "Amen!!"

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A New Perspective....

I hit the ground running this morning around 6:15. Jon had a 10:00 am. follow up apt. with his PCP. I managed to drink two cups of coffee on the run, reheating them about four times.

Trying to get us both ready was a real ordeal. Amy called and said she was coming to help. I assured her I could do it and about an thirty minutes before her arrival realized I desperately needed help.

By the time Jon was ready and sitting in the kitchen chair waiting for her to load up his oxygen, heat the car, etc. his pulse oxy had really dropped and he just looked like a melted puddle.

Amy got our entourage into the doctors office. The PCP pulled all his discharge records and confirmed that Jon had indeed been a very sick man. He mentioned how many folks were dying with pneumonia and mentioned how happy he was that Jon had not ended up on a vent. He reminded up that the recovery takes a while, that pneumonia just sucks your strength.

On our way to Walmart to pick up a Rx the grandkids' school called and said to pick up the kids ahead of the sleet and snow. Okay....... we are already watching Jon's oxygen tank level. We decide we have enough and Amy lets me off at the Walmart door. The line at the pharmacy was a little long, but........I figure we can make it.

The line slowed and just as I'm almost there, the man in front of me decides that he wants to check out his many items at the pharmacy. Okay, I've done that a few times, without much thought.
But now the clock is ticking on Jon's oxygen supply!! I'm sure no one would have understood if I had displayed just how impatient I was really feeling..... That made me think of how often I've judged others, simply by what I "see" or "know." It was thought provoking.... I don't think I'll every check out non medical items at the pharmacy again.

I FINALLY had Jon's Rx and practically ran out of the store, WELL, that is, I "ran/hobbled" out the door on a cane! lol
We headed up the interstate to get the kids, with me nervously watching the dial on the oxy tank.
We arrived home with it almost in the red. Amy and the kids got us in. Poor Jon had just enough time to sit at the table and grab a bite before a nurse showed up to evaluate him.
As you can imagine, he's been through the wringer!!

Such is a day in the Life of the Delamarters!!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Crashed!

Crashed!!!
Folks are asking for an update... Thought we might have worn all our family and friends out with our Saga!!
Amy and I arrived at the hospital around 9:30 a.m. Friday. By the time the CT was done and read, orders written, everything loaded and unloaded, Jon's Rx's picked up it was 3:00 p.m. before we actually got home. Needless to say we were bushed. I truly don't know how I could have done it without Amy!

Yesterday, I think I was just in a "trance." Beyond tired, but so very happy to have Hubs home. We spent a great deal of the day working on his oxygen hose strategy. He needs about 35 feet to maneuver from his chair, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom. I followed him a round as though I had a doggie on a long lease, trying to keep him from tripping over it. We tried several connections, hoses, tie ups, before we finally settled on the safest.

Jon was pretty tired as well. His oxygen drops to 84 if he stirs at all, as it did in the hospital. So we have to raise him to 4 liters of oxygen if he gets up; three at rest.

We were so very blessed to have Erica here until church time this morning. When I lay down last night, I wondered if I'd ever be able to get up again. When I awoke I heard Jon stirring and knew he needed me. But Erica was in the kitchen fixing his breakfast, feeding Susie, etc.
When I finally reawoke at almost nine, I found a cold cup of coffee by my bed, put there by sweet Erica earlier when it was hot.

Amy picked Erica up shortly afterwards for church. Amy brought a meal and came in and put it in our crock pot for us!!
After three cups of coffee, I rallied. We were able to do Jon's shower and are now getting ready to watch church.
We overwhelmed by the love and prayers of so many! Blessed beautiful Sabbath to you all!!

PS: Susie is beyond happy to have the "whole family" back together!!