Alot is going on right now in our home. A number of things have been happening here that have taken a toll. Three actually.
The worst (and latest) is the state of my father's health. It was two and one half years ago in April of 2004 that he got a hip replacement. Boy were we excited! It was published in the paper as the "first LDMOM (large diameter metal on metal) hip replacement" in our area (or the country? I don't remember).
Anyway, since then it's been one complication after another. And by my figuring he's been in the hospital far more than out. This last time he was out barely over a week.
He's 89. He just turned 89 this past August 17th. He is what is referred to as a "rennaisance man"...there is very little he can't do. At one time, he managed a local cemetary (which included selling cemetery lots door to door...and on pure commission), was a real estate broker (GRI, CRS, CRB) and operated an office for Shelter Insurance. At the same time.
When we moved to this town in 1956, he had a wife and three kids and went to the local bank to borrow money for the first months rent. Now, I'm not into "worldly success" for the sake of it, but it was just this past year or so that he divested his real estate holdings. He had done exceedingly well. And he had done it ethically, all the way. I'm so very proud of him. I have been my whole life, even though he wasn't available (emotionally or otherwise) as we were growing up. He was just too busy.
The hard issue is that he has congestive heart failure (25% function) and his kidneys are failing (30%). He has an aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aorta) which restricts blood flow, a blockage and two bad valves, one is the mitral valve (which causes blood to reflux when it is pushed into his heart). He goes into the hospital gets healthy, then goes home and his lungs begin to fill up. Oh, I forgot to mention he's a type II diabetic (as am I). And on his birthday just passed, he was informed that he has 6 months to a year if he doesn't have surgery. And in his condition, the doctors won't do it. Of course he could improve. We pray that he does.
Yesterday was a very tough day. His BP was down to 60/30. They put him on Debutamine (I believe that is the correct spelling) to stimulate his blood preasure. Last night it was up to 113/60. Praise God. I asked the RN there what to expect if he goes off the medication.
The short of it is that he could be fine after weaning him off it...it's not something that just keeps his bp up. A glimmer of hope.
And as of this morning, he's still doing ok.
The Big Question is dad converted? He professes to be. There are many who believe he is. What confuses things is that he has always been a member of a liberal Methodist church. I grew up in that church. Over recent years it's taken on more of an "evangelical" look. But the main thing is that he hasn't been really "public" about his faith. We're seeing more evidence now, as he asks everyone in the hospital "do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?".
As I mentioned earlier, many things have been going on. I will mention one other. Just before this last hospital visit, we lost our beloved "Princess", a Pekinese that the Lord lent us for 10 years. She was just short of 14 when she died this past August 20th. Those little buggars really bury themselves under your skin.
The other things I won't go into here, but suffice it to say it involved semi "long-lost" family.
But whatever the Lord allows into our lives, my trust is in the Lord. As the disciples told Jesus, "Where else shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life". Nothing will touch us that isn't first allowed by the sovereign will of God.
From Habakkuk 3:
"17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights."
3 comments:
One more verse....
Psalm 11:3-4 If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do? 4 The LORD is in HIS holy temple; the LORD's throne in in heaven; His eyes see, His eylides test the children of man.
It is clear that you already know this. Even if the very worst of worst happens, the foundations are destroyed, God is on HIS throne and HE sees. He has HIS purposes and HIS purposes are always good and HIS purposes are for your good.
HE will keep you. And we, your family in Christ will pray.
In Christ,
Kim T
ps. a favourite Paul Washer quote: "There's not a maverick molecule in the universe."
Thanks, Kim.
Actually my mother called a short bit ago and his BP is improving. I think she said 121/60. Ideal is 120/80.
They DID walk him today. That's great!
The tough part is that it's a roller coaster. You are used to someone being sick, then getting out and staying out. That's not what is happening. Adjusting now means getting used to the hospital visits and learning not to interpret "he's home" as if "he's staying there".
Blessings to you Kim. That last line in your comment about "family" warms my heart. I mean it.
Tim,
Keep looking exclusively to our glorious God and perfect Father for your peace and comfort. Rest in HIM alone.
I pray 17 ... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:17-19)
And because of being filled with all the fullness of God, that 7 ...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)
Your sister in the LORD,
Kim
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