Home!

I can honestly tell you that there is little worse than being stuck for days in a room, ill with what seems to be an infection, away from your family, helpless to care for your family when trouble arises, and just passively wait for things to get better. There are certainly worse things, but considering that my wife and kids are a great part of my joy, it is truly difficult to be apart from them.

What is truly disconcerting about all this is that the doctors could not precsely nail down what it was that was the problem. The fact that I responded to antibiotics and seem to be on the mend gives them reason to believe that it was an infection of some type, but they could not fully discern the problem.

On another note, I am grateful that my family jumped in to help Shannon and the kids while I was held up. I am grateful that Shannon's mother came up from Yuma to help Shannon with the kids when it was thought I would be here through the weekend.

So, what is it like to spend 6 days in the hospital? Well, I determined that I could be scared, concerned, impatient, frustrated, and an overall nasty patient. What I chose to be was a pleasant, friendly, appreciative patient who made it clear he appreciated the diligence and professionalism of all who cared for me.

Almost unanimously, I was considered the favorite patient to the degree that nurses were glad that they were assigned to my care.

Don't get me wrong, I was every bit as scared and impatient since there remains so much that is uncertain about my condition. However, I chose to conquer such feelings with faith in God to deliver me, or to be glorified in whatever happened to me. I chose to honor God by beeing a cheerful patient and to make the nurses and aides laugh and feel appreciated. They have such a hard job to do and they do it sometimes 12 hours a day. Sometimes 16 hours a day.

All I have to do is lie there and heal.

A man can have his dignity removed by being poked and prodded, having to rely utterly upon another for his health, and others for the care of his family. A man can feel undignified by all the tests and the less than manly robes. But the greater sign of dignity can make whatever condition he is in a place of joy and and happiness regardless of the situation.

I had the nurses, aides, and doctors busting a gut when they came to visit. I made sure that they understood that they were appreciated. And, they frequently went above and beyond their normal responsibilities to make sure I had answers, comfort, and returned respect.

I occasionally told all the nurses to come to my room at 6 so we could have a poker game, or to decorate the floor with a marathon theme and that I would challenge any other patient to a foot race.

One aide asked how I could be so joyful. I told her that I think it bad policy to anger anyone who might come at me with sharp needles and stuff. Just then, my wife and kids came in and I said, "That's how!"

I spoke with fellow believers and sought to encourage them. I even asked permission to visit with other patients if I was to be here through the weekend considering that many patients had no friends or family visiting them and here I was getting "Daaaaaadaaa!" from ALexa and "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" from my son. Or, some nights, my folks would watch the kids and Shannon would watch a movie with me.

I was tempted to return today and visit some of those people today, but I consider myself still in recovery.

I serve a merciful and gracious God who has blessed me with a great family. I am a blessed man despite physical ailments and I have much to be grateful for.

I must say, on a final note, that one of my best friends is a woman whom I have seen only once. She is a Canadian (don't hold that against her) who checked our blog, saw what was happening to me, and did some massive internet detective work to track down my phone number, call Shannon and finally get ahold of me. I felt appreciated more than words can say for that kind of effort. Thanks Nads!

I should be back at work on Monday if all goes well.

Mike

When it rains it pours

Ok well as I have been reminded... (heheh thanks Rusty!) it has been almost a month since I last posted.
This one will be short, for as I sit here, it is 100 degrees in our house, as our air conditioning went out this passed weekend. So right now things are pretty miserable here.
On top of that, for those who do not know, Mike went to the ER this passed Saturday, and was admitted with kidney and blood pressure problems. He is still there and they are running tons of tests to figure out what is going on.
As I stated... When it rains it pours...
But yet, in the rain comes some refreshment also. God has granted Mike and I a wonderful family, who has taken myself, and the kids, in during this time. They have really stepped up, so I can spend time with Mike, and take care of the house. For that I am EXTREMELY grateful!
The kids have been troopers though this all as well. They love being at Grandma, Grandpa's and Uncle Jim's. To them it's been one huge party. They have lots of people to play with, and the rules tend to bend a little more at grandma and grandpa's...LOL So the kids are having a blast. They do miss daddy though... Especially at night, since Mike is always the one that reads to them before they go to bed.

Anyway, I will try and get another post in once we are all home and cool. (Hopefully both will be very soon!)
Thanks!