(This is a special edition of “You and God” written by my wife, Ellen, who, as many of you know, has recently been in a local ICU hospital unit for a week, and, at one time, was told her condition was of urgent concern, as you will note when you read this. I have asked her to share the testimony of her experience with our “You and God” readers. Ellen is home now, benefiting from several home-healthcare professionals’ visits. She still covets your prayers, and all of us are deeply grateful for your prayerful concerns.)
For over sixty-one years, Romans 8:28 has been our life verse as a couple: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” We have seen many ups and downs in our life together, and God’s promises have never failed.
Since Anthony’s retirement as Senior Pastor seven years ago, we have spent five years going for treatment for his multiple myeloma. This has involved many things such as daily chemotherapy, immunotherapy infusions, drugs to combat the side effects, vitamins and doctor’s visits. Through all of this, he’s still alive and able to minister weekly to several men in a book study, be an interim pastor at two churches, and write his bi-weekly blog. God has been faithful in giving him the strength to do what he enjoys—writing, teaching and preaching.
This past month, I went to see my family physician because I had a cold that had turned into bronchitis. Because I had pneumonia earlier in the year, they suggested I go to the emergency room and get checked out although x-rays didn’t show any pneumonia. While there, they discovered my heart was in A-fib, so they put me in a room to monitor and treat that. In the meantime, my cough was ignored for a few days and I continued to get worse until a nurse observed that my oxygen levels were falling and called in a lung doctor. From there I went to isolation in ICU because they didn’t know what type of infection they were dealing with. I received continual antibiotics through IVs and oxygen, and the x-rays showed a buildup of fluid in my lung which had collapsed. Late Friday afternoon, the doctor on call said I had an internal obstruction and I needed a bronchial wash immediately. He presented it as if the choices were I would probably die if I didn’t have the wash or be on a ventilator if I did have it. Of course, our church was notified right away and asked to pray and the decision to go ahead with the wash was made by my family. When I awoke, I was not on a ventilator. The doctor didn’t talk with the family and left confusing messages in his notes, so no one knew exactly what had happened; therefore, for the weekend I continued on with the prescribed treatment.
After two weeks at home, I am still weak, but I am improving with the help of home health aides with physical therapy and nursing.
Because this has been a crisis in our family, I would like to offer some observations from this experience.
- I am encouraged that God is still growing my faith. In the middle of the darkest night, I could listen to a Christian radio app on my phone and rejoice in the words of old hymns and listen to preachers who reminded me that God never breaks a promise and that he’s a great God.
- I’m thankful for a local church where members are concerned about each other and pray for their needs. I’m thankful that when missionaries around the world read about my condition, they wrote and reassured us they were praying also. God says “the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
- I’m thankful for the many skilled medical personnel who work long hours to administer help to the critically sick.
- I’m thankful for family who pitched in and helped with many things. As soon as our grandson Tim and his wife, Claire, heard I was in the hospital, they went out and bought several items I needed. Theo, our son who lives in Chicago, extended his work trip to help Anthony get to his medical appointments. Theo also provided me with good coffee every morning he was here. Our daughter, Marti, was faithful in visiting and making sure I was as comfortable as possible. Our grandson, Anthony Nye, flew in from Washington, D.C., to add comfort and provide little things for pleasure. Many friends have sent cards, flowers, and cooked meals or gift cards to show their love and concern. Thank you for praying and for each gesture of love you’ve shown.
- This has taught me that each day is still a gift and we’re not promised a tomorrow. : James 4:15 says, “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live, and do this, or that.” I simply went to the doctor’s office for a visit and ended up in ICU.