Friday, December 12, 2008

Thank God for His Healing Hands

Liquid HealingHello friends,

It's been a whirlwind couple of days and by looking at the picture you can probably figure out that the medical field is involved. In this picture you can see a few of the 10 bags of liquid healing that are being pumped into my mom in the ICU at Cabrini. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

My mom had been experiencing some chest pains off and on for some time. Finally she was referred for a stress test and then a heart cath, which showed 5 blockages. She was scheduled for bypass surgery the very next day.

While this was sudden news, we were filled with God's peace. Mom was glad to know it wasn't all in her head and that it was treatable. It was reassuring to know that her surgeon, Dr. Jones, had previously been tasked with providing care for Nelson Mandela some time back and President George W. Bush on his recent visit - so mom was definitely in good hands.

The morning dawned with many visitors, phone calls, texts, emails, etc - all expressing thoughts of prayer, support and encouragement. They finally took mom back and we migrated to the surgery waiting where we received frequent updates on her progress. Finally they were through and the doctor came out to inform us of her excellent progress - they had done 3 grafts, bypassing the 5 blockages, and he was very pleased with how well it had gone. They had not needed to give her any blood and there was no heart damage. A home run!

They brought her up to the ICU and eventually we got to go see her. Her color looked great! She wouldn't have approved of me snapping a photo of her, so I took a picture of the bags of healing. (Sorry for violating the "no cameras" rule, Cabrini!) Later tonight they actually took out the breathing tube and she's doing GREAT!

When I look at that picture, I think of how the Lord has sustained us with His peace and provided everything we needed throughout this entire journey. God is the Great Physician, and He extends His healing hands, sometimes through people. Thank You, Lord, for being our Shepherd, providing EVERYTHING we need. And thank YOU, friends and family, for being there for us. You overwhelm us with your love! Truly we are blessed to feel God's loving and healing hands through you.

Blessings,
Nathan
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Sent from my Treo 700p cellphone - Sorry for any tyops!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Nathan,
Thanks for the updates about Betty. I am so thankful that the Lord was there for all of you.
Jenni Y.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your mother's medical problems!

Thank God that you were able to get to treatment in time before she could have had a myocardial infarction.

Praise God for the skills the medical personnel have and for Betty's wonderful response to the surgery and anesthesia.

"Have no anxiety about anything. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

May the loving Great Physician's peace rule in your hearts!