Yesterday, my dad had a check-up with his retina specialist. Sounds like another buckle surgery may be lurking in the future of his left eye; but, those of you who know my dad already know his response -- we'll cross that bridge when it gets here. We're hoping it's years away. :)
While he was in the waiting room, his family doctor called. Unfortunately, it wasn't to discuss mechanical issues with a church bus or a tractor. It was to inform Dad that he has a consultation appointment with a hypertension specialist. Apparently, his blood pressure remains out of control, despite the fact that he is on 5 different medications for it. I guess this prompts concern of the kidneys. I know none of this sounds like a big deal -- at least if you aren't the one having to go through it. But please keep my dad in your prayers. I foresee some serious dieting/lifestyle changes in the very near future for the Victory/Shaffer households. A good thing? Absolutely. An easy thing? Not so much. At least we're all in it together, right? ;) And then I think about...
As I just attended a holiday luncheon, and I am preparing for a Women's Ministry Christmas party tonight, there is a sweet baby girl sitting in a Kansas City hospital room preparing to undergo a bone marrow transplant. I have heard it will "take place" somewhere around 8:30 tonight. Sitting next to her are her mama & daddy, who are preparing to take care of their baby girl as they watch the process unfold. A scary, sad, nerve-wracking, sickening, painful place to be in life. I've been there -- but it wasn't with my sweet baby. Please cover this family -- Paxten, Blake, & Libby -- with prayers, obviously today, but also in the days, weeks, & months ahead. Leave them comments of your love & support. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paxtenpearson/journal
Today I'm thankful for the gift of health. I'm thankful that I've never spent a holiday in the hospital with my babies. I'm thankful that I've never spent any day in the hospital with them since the time they were born. I have been feeling a little yucky the past couple of days, and I'm praying my monkeys aren't confined to the house this year for Christmas. Last year was no fun. However, that bears no weight at all when my mind catches glimpses of the Christmas I spent in the hospital with Uzzie. I'm thankful that the one Christmas I DID spend in the hospital led to me witnessing a miracle. Talk about learning the true meaning of Christmas? Yep, that did it. And yet THAT bears no weight when I think of the Pearson family -- and the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, & friends who are so desperately praying that the transplant works the way it is supposed to.
I'm thankful for hope. We can all have hope that Paxten's body will accept the transplant. We have something to hang on to. Sadly, another family's hope has been crushed. They have heard the words, "There is nothing left to do. We will get Hospice set up." There is nothing left to "try." There is no more treatment. The fight is over. And that's when we're thankful for faith...and for miracles.
And as if that isn't the bottom of the barrel, there is yet another family grieving through their first Christmas without that special loved one's presence. Agape'Care Cradle had its annual Remembrance Service last week. Mamas and daddies who never had a chance to see a "first smile" or hear a "first word."
I'm thankful: the gift of health, the gift of hope, the gift of faith, the gift of life.
What are you thankful for, today?
xoxo,
Sarah
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