Showing posts with label covid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label covid. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

My covid Journey — It's a Long, Long Road


 The past weeks of covid Recovery have been hard. 
Shame on me for not coming to you for prayer.
 I was hiding behind the lilac bush
 (which I can not smell, btw), 
too disappointed, 
too sad, 
too tired 
to share the latest test results. 

Forgive me.
 I will hide no more. 
Your prayers lift me up, 
fill me, 
encourage me, and
keep satan from winning the war for my health 
(spiritual and physical). 

Test Result No. 1:
I have no antibodies to protect me from contracting covid again.

A few weeks ago I was so excited I couldn't sleep.
 Free, at last!
 Two weeks after my second vaccine shot, 
 I was released into my wonderful world of 
family, 
friends, 
church, 
speaking events! 
Woo Hoo!!!

Before I could get out the door, 
the e-mail came.
 Research found that people with cll
 (chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which is cancer of the immune system)
 may not be protected by any of the vaccines. 
What? 
I cried. 
I stayed home.

My doctor scheduled a blood test to determine if I did indeed have antibodies.
 Nope! 
Negative!
 Nada!
 Nil! 
Not a one!!!
 No antibodies found after having severe covid, 
receiving convalescent, 
and the vaccine. 

Crushed. 
My heart couldn't hold the tears spilling over my cheeks. 
My dear doctor assured me this test was not conclusive.
 But there is no sure test at this time for cll patients. 

So, I wait.
Travelling down a long, long road.
Each day I walk, read, pray, 
and breathe.

Thankful that 
the God of Hope does indeed fill me with 
all joy and peace as 
I trust in Him.
(Romans 15:13)

Good news!
Researchers are hopeful a booster shot will be available soon for people with immune deficiencies.
 
Please note: The lack of vaccine efficacy applies only to cll patients and those with immune deficiencies. Please contact your doctor regarding your own vaccine effectiveness. 



Test Result No. 2:
I still need supplemental oxygen.

Forty percent of my lungs are damaged from covid.
 Miraculous, but 
 I have not needed supplemental oxygen during the day for many months.
You are all good prayers!!!
We have a God Who heals and He heals me!

I've walked from London to Paris (according to my step tracker),
I mow an acre of grass every week.
Two hour bike rides are the norm.
Life is great!
I abound with energy and enthusiasm.

But, while sleeping 
my oxygen level falls to 76
(normal O2 is 88 while sleeping, 94 while awake).
 Bummer. 
In the hospital I named my oxygen tube "Husband." 
The oxygen tube was warm and cozy and had to stay next to me
 — just like a husband. 

Well, phooey!
My real husband warms me much better, so
please pray I can breathe at night and
rid our marriage bed and my lungs of this incumbrance.

Always thanking God for your prayers for me.
God sent forth an army to restore life.
Thank you.
Thanking God that He breathed into my nostrils the breath of life!
Hallelujah!
I will forever praise Him!

"God formed man of dust from the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life"
(Genesis 2:7)




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Monday, March 29, 2021

Our covid Journey — In Sickness and in Health

"In sickness and in health."
Those words slide over our tongues 
faster than we realize what we are promising.

 We commit to a lot on our wedding day.
With God's help, 
we deliver on those vows  
whether plagued with a pandemic or a silly old sniffle.
 
What can I say about my husband and his response to my severe covid?

Never have I felt 
so loved, 
treasured, 
cherished, 
cared for.

He devoted himself to my well being.
To making me 
comfortable, 
safe, 
healthy.

And always, 
to know his love.
 
When vows were made with dreamy eyes,
we didn't envision 
the potty chair, 
the mess, 
the work,
the pain,
the exhaustion.
 
Never a complaint.
Always joy.
Forever a smile, 
A joke,
 a laugh, and
  always 
love.

A happy home is a healing home.

Not knowing how to cook, he taught himself how.
Making me amazing gourmet meals.

When he asked what I wanted for dessert,
I said, "pineapple upside down cake."
I was kidding.
How in the world do you turn a cake upside down?
I had never ventured it.
But there it was.
What Elaine wanted, 
Dan gave.


The house clean.
Kitchen spotless.
Laundry done.
Kisses given.
Prayers prayed.
Love.

I am blessed by a man who has the gift of mercy.
 Caring for me was 
his desire,
his calling,
his devotion 
to the wife of his youth.

 "May your fountain be blessed, 
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." 
Proverbs 5:18

I am the wife of Dan's youth.
We rejoice in our love.
The love God gave us for each other.
The love we share for Him.
The love that endures forever.
The Love that strengthens us when we are weak.
the Love that heals.

The Love that says

 "Love is patient, 
love is kind . . . . 
 it is not self-seeking, 
it is not easily angered . . . . 
 
Love 
 always protects,
 always trusts, 
always hopes, 
always perseveres. " 
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

My husband.
Overflowing with love
just like
Jesus.


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