An Old Hymn, A New Perspective

(from Jenny)

My parents called a few days ago, asking if I would update my dad's blog on his behalf again.

Unfortunately, this means that he is feeling pretty terrible. At this point, he remains orthostatic (blood pressure drops so low when he stands up that he's always in danger of passing out) almost all the time, and it has been extremely difficult to find the balance between dehydration (treatment: more fluids) and major swelling (treatment: back off on the fluids).

Because his body is showing so much strain from the chemo treatments, his doctor ordered a slight reduction in the amount of Velcade he received yesterday (Thursday). We all hope that this gives him a little reprieve from all the nausea, dizziness, swelling and dehydration.

When they asked me to write this week's update, my parents' number one request was that I fill you in a bit on my son Andrew's upcoming surgery. It is now rescheduled for Tuesday, October 12th (just one day later than originally scheduled)around 9:00 a.m. We'll be in the finest care at All Children's Hospital in St. Pete. We expect that Andrew will have to stay 3-4 days in the hospital. After that, he'll be home from school about 2 weeks. He'll return to school (with limited activities) for 5-6 weeks, then he should be back to normal!

A few weeks ago, during our visit with the neurosurgeon, we were informed that parents often describe their child as having a light "turned on" post-operatively. For most, they weren't even aware that their little one was just a dim version of their full potential until they saw how the child became brighter after this malformation was fixed.

Upon hearing this information, I just stood in the hallway for a moment, collecting my thoughts...

"You mean, he'll be MORE active than..."

"I know," the doctor interrupted. "Sometimes, it is not really a good thing!!"

Those who have seen him in action will attest to the fact that Andrew is a very active boy. If his normal personality is on a dimmer switch right now, I think I need to start taking my vitamins!

Speaking of the dimmer switch...

I've had an old hymn stuck in my head all week. This is not unusual. I've inherited my dad's love for the old hymns, and I recall their words often.

When I was in 2nd grade, my children's choir had a contest where we were challenged to see how many songs we could memorize out of the hymnal (we had to know ALL the verses of each song for it to count).

There are days when I can't recall where my car is in the mall parking lot, but I can still sing you the 4th stanza of "Just As I Am".

Anyway... the song that has been in my head all week is called "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus". And the only part that keeps coming to my mind is the simple yet mighty chorus that says,

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim...
in the light of His glory and grace"

Focusing on the light of the hope of Jesus... that puts all these temporary troubles & worries into their proper light, too.

Thank you for your prayers on Tuesday (and those you've already been praying for all of us!). I look forward to telling the neurosurgeon that he has many, many people praying for his hands and my boy's head!

Here's a quick video link to the song, if you're interested or have it stuck in your head now, too!:


Jenny

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thanks Jenny for the update. We continue to lift your entire family in prayer, especially this Tuesday, my birthday so that will be an extra special day knowing I have your Andrew in my thoughts that day. Of course, we understand the effects of chemo and continue to pray for continued strengthening of the physical body and that the dehyrdation and blood pressure problems are relieved. Thanks for the important words of "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" we all need to be reminded of where we need to put our focus. That is a very appropriate song. Take care all and take your vitamins!

Ted & Carol W
Anonymous said…
Jenny,
Thanks for sharing your heart with us today.
We continue to pray for your dad and the entire family. Your mom is such a strength to him, and we pray for her especially as she ministers to him on a minute to minute basis.
Little Andrew has been on our prayer list ever since we learned of the up coming surgery. Be assured that we are praying for him. Tell him that his special treat will be waiting when it is time for him to eat after the surgery.
Again let me say that Bob2 did an excellent job.
Thanks for the music; we all needed that today.
Love to the Buggs,
Lex and Linda
I read Jenny's post and I'm thinking (regarding Andrew) AH HA! So this is why he wasn't 100% a clone of daddy and only 99%. The chiari malformation was slowing him down a bit? Oh, Jenny you are SO in for it...why i could tell you stories about daddy at this age...never mind I'll behave.

Patra and Bob you are two of the strongest people I know. We are praying diligently for you.

And finally...it's a good thing I proof read this post as my spell check changed "strongest" to "strangest." Now that would be very, very embarrassing...