Two Covid Journeys — Miles Apart

My oncologist encouraged me to write my covid journey. "People need to read what happened from the  point of view of someone who had and survived severe covid. It's history that needs to be told" he said. 

I've been unable to write a book of my experience. The closeness of God too precious and the pain of this disease to raw to find words. 

Penelope Childers wrote the book my doctor hoped to read: A Window of Hope: How We Survived COVID-19. 

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Hope-How-Survived-COVID-19/dp/B0BFV9G4LM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OJM4QTW6322D&keywords=A+Window+of+Hope&qid=1682599894&s=books&sprefix=a+window+of+hope%2Cstripbooks%2C110&sr=1-1

Here's my amazon review of A Window of Hope: 

"The history, the heartbreak, the hope of a global pandemic that brought both unity and division. Penelope Childers takes us into her heart of peace as she determines to survive covid-19 from her ICU hospital room. Her daughter, Megan Pascual, writes of the frustration and horror in the hearts of family shut off on the other side of the hospital walls. A Window of Hope is a brilliant account of the facts and the feelings of life during the covid-19 pandemic."

Penelope's story and mine are similar, but different. We are close to the same age and suffered with covid at the same time. She was in ICU in a big-city California hospital. My ICU bed was in a small hospital (some would call rural) upstate New York. I was in a pleasant isolation room on the covid floor where I watched the sun come up every morning. Penny began her hospital journey in a curtained cubicle with other covid patients nearby. I brushed my teeth daily. Health care workers washed my hair and provided water and soap and lotion for me to take care of my daily needs. Penelope's teeth were not brushed for weeks. Nor was she able to bathe. Yikes!  Penny's husband and daughter were present through a window. Three stories up and unable to walk, I communicated with my family through facebook. Penny suffered severe constipation. I did not. Penny went to rehab. I went home. 

Hospitals treated covid patients differently, but always with great care and comfort. Dear healthcare workers did their best with this mystery disease, as they tried to sort the mess of covid attacking each patient in a variety of symptoms, side effects, and sicknesses. covid survivors live with heart, lung, and brain damage, while others do not.   

 Although separated by miles and different symptoms, 

One truth was sure.

Penny and I both experienced the overwhelming presence and peace of our loving Jesus. 

God consumed us as He healed us. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever"

Hebrews 13:8

May His presence bring you a splash of serenity every moment of your life,

My Silly Birthday Poem — Whoopee! I'm 73!

I never knew that age 72

would hit me hard with covid flu.

Yikes! I ended up in ICU!

But God laughed and said with glee!

I've got more days for Elainey!

He knew all along, I'd celebrate No. 73!

Thanks to all who bent their knee

Spending hours in prayer for me. 

Prayer isn't like barking up a tree.

No. Prayer sets the covid captive free!

Imprisoned in hospital, I wanted to flee.

In isolation someone threw away the key!

But God had some work there for me.

I prayed for each nurse bringing my tea.

There were those with needles I didn't want to see.

And the sweet servant ladies who took me to pee.

All received prayer to God for thee.

We cried and we laughed as three.

God, health workers, and me.

As I approach year 73,

I remember all my husband, family, friends have done for me.

I was blessed to feel their love without any fee.

Just love from them to little old me. 

And so I say Toodle-oo

to the year I celebrated age 72.

Golly gee!

Bring it on age 73!

God chose life and still has plans for me

until that day when He calls me to flee

my earthly body and come Heavenly.

What a grand day that will be

When I'll sit with God and we'll pray for thee.

With thanks to God for this wonderful life here and in eternity!

Happy Birthday to me!

"All the days ordained for me 

were written in your book 

before one of them came to be" 

Psalm 139:16

Thank you, dear friends for your love, encouragement, and support during a year I never expected. A year of suffering and pain and amazing blessings and service and love. I wouldn't miss this adventure for all the health in the world. God has a plan and God's plans for our days are always good. I love you all! You are may splash of serenity today!

Thumbs Up to a New Year. Thankful — My Word for 2021

Let's change the world in 2021. We can if we just obey the simplest of commands and my verse for 2021:

 "Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

 Let's resolve to live a life of thankfulness. Social media reveals our unthankful hearts. We complain about everything. The weather rarely suits us, our spouses can annoy us, our children misbehave. . .  Life is difficult.  

 Even so, God says, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you . . . " I learned and I am still learning the value of this command when covid-19 hit my body and continues to affect my life.

 At the moment I am tethered to a 50 foot breathing tube connecting my nose with a machine keeping me breathing and alive. Now, I know what dogs feel like when leashed. I've also compared myself to a leper as I avoid all people in hopes my disease won't afflict them. For over three weeks I remained isolated in the hospital not sure if I would live or die. Surely, Lord, I have reason to complain. My life has been disrupted. I doubt I will again ride the bicycle Dan bought me for my 72nd birthday in October. Will Dan and I ever golf again? Swimming in the middle of Lake Pleasant off of our boat is a joy of my past. If I let it, sadness can overtake me.

But God says this is God's will for me and I am to be thankful. Be thankful or be miserable? Pretty easy choice. What good does our complaining do? None. Our circumstances don't change. We just slump deeper into our pathetic, poor-me pit. 

So, in 2021, I choose to be thankful. We have so much to be thankful for. Dwell on all that lifts us up and let go of all that drags us down. Remember, you are a representative of the Lord Jesus. Trust Him and be thankful.

"And whatever you do or say,

 do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks through him to God the Father." 

Colossians 3:17

Remember,

". . . you are called to live in peace.

 And always be thankful." 

Colossians 3:15

Being thankful in all circumstances and for all things is a huge step towards a splashes of serenity year.

Happy New Year!