Friday, April 29, 2011 "Easter and Other Blessings"
by Jenny
Our family celebrated a wonderful Easter weekend together, and we hope you did as well. Last Sunday was full of good food and wonderful memory-making moments. But as many of you know, late Sunday night and early into Monday morning, my dad had another episode of flash pulmonary edema (where the fluid fills his lungs).
He was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where they drained almost 13 pounds of fluid from his body. After consultations with both his cardiologist and nephrologist, he was released to go home Tuesday afternoon. There have been many conversations with his specialists about how (and if) another episode can be prevented. Perhaps they'll look into adding a weekend day for dialysis. His medications are also being reviewed.
In the meantime, we are all just grateful for the days he doesn't have to be in a hospital bed. We're grateful for all the time we get to spend together, too. From Easter celebrations to special visits from friends, this has been a week of blessings.
(Dad with his high school buddies, Thom & Chobee, on Thursday)
Speaking of blessings, I must share one story from this week's hospitalization. As my dad was driven away by ambulance, my mom called me to let me know what was going on. During our brief conversation in the wee hours of the morning, she asked me to pray for something very specific... a private hospital room on one particular floor of the hospital. I remember mumbling that I'd pray for whatever she wanted, and I sort of smiled at the request. My parents are getting to be old pros, and I was sure my mom had good reasons for her requests. So, as I laid my head back on the pillow, I fell asleep praying for that solitary room on that specified floor.
Hours later, I awoke with my alarm clock and called to check on what had transpired with Dad throughout the night. After assuring me that he was o.k. and in dialysis (to drain the fluids from his lungs), she eagerly relayed that their room was on the floor we prayed for! I laughed. She reminded me to keep praying, though. After all, the request was for a "private" room as well.
Needless to say, several hours later, I heard from my parents as they settled into their private room with a view overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. And apparently the sunset Monday night was spectacular.
I'm reading a book right now ("Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow) and the author recounts, "I had to trust God for what I didn't understand, what didn't make sense to me. I had to walk in the dark with God, holding on to His hand."
There are a lot of things we don't understand about why my dad's suffering the way he is. Or why no treatments have worked to this point to stop the progression of the amyloidosis. We may never get our answers either.
But as we "walk in the dark" with God, He gives us glimpses of light. And whether it's the answer to a specific prayer or a majestic sunset show, those glimpses reveal that we can trust the One we're holding onto.
by Jenny
Our family celebrated a wonderful Easter weekend together, and we hope you did as well. Last Sunday was full of good food and wonderful memory-making moments. But as many of you know, late Sunday night and early into Monday morning, my dad had another episode of flash pulmonary edema (where the fluid fills his lungs).
He was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where they drained almost 13 pounds of fluid from his body. After consultations with both his cardiologist and nephrologist, he was released to go home Tuesday afternoon. There have been many conversations with his specialists about how (and if) another episode can be prevented. Perhaps they'll look into adding a weekend day for dialysis. His medications are also being reviewed.
In the meantime, we are all just grateful for the days he doesn't have to be in a hospital bed. We're grateful for all the time we get to spend together, too. From Easter celebrations to special visits from friends, this has been a week of blessings.
(Dad with his high school buddies, Thom & Chobee, on Thursday)
Speaking of blessings, I must share one story from this week's hospitalization. As my dad was driven away by ambulance, my mom called me to let me know what was going on. During our brief conversation in the wee hours of the morning, she asked me to pray for something very specific... a private hospital room on one particular floor of the hospital. I remember mumbling that I'd pray for whatever she wanted, and I sort of smiled at the request. My parents are getting to be old pros, and I was sure my mom had good reasons for her requests. So, as I laid my head back on the pillow, I fell asleep praying for that solitary room on that specified floor.
Hours later, I awoke with my alarm clock and called to check on what had transpired with Dad throughout the night. After assuring me that he was o.k. and in dialysis (to drain the fluids from his lungs), she eagerly relayed that their room was on the floor we prayed for! I laughed. She reminded me to keep praying, though. After all, the request was for a "private" room as well.
Needless to say, several hours later, I heard from my parents as they settled into their private room with a view overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. And apparently the sunset Monday night was spectacular.
I'm reading a book right now ("Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow) and the author recounts, "I had to trust God for what I didn't understand, what didn't make sense to me. I had to walk in the dark with God, holding on to His hand."
There are a lot of things we don't understand about why my dad's suffering the way he is. Or why no treatments have worked to this point to stop the progression of the amyloidosis. We may never get our answers either.
But as we "walk in the dark" with God, He gives us glimpses of light. And whether it's the answer to a specific prayer or a majestic sunset show, those glimpses reveal that we can trust the One we're holding onto.
Comments
We feel for your family each time your Dad is taken to the hospital for the complications of this "nasty little disease" that isn't really "little". We pray for comfort and peace as the process continues and still pray that miracles occur. Yes, God reminds us sometimes that we need to take the time to enjoy the magnificent sunsets, even if it from a hospital bed. We pray for knowledge for the doctors to know what to do. I can't imagine 13 pounds of fluid being removed.
Take care all of you!
in His love
Ted & Carol W
While you all have been busy with your wonderful Dad caring for his needs, we here in TN have been witnessing devastation of tornados all around us. Our son just missed having his home destoryed as the tornado took homes a street behind them. I have heard many families say, "It is just stuff that can be replaced".
Walking with your family through all the tall weeds these last months make the reality of"It's just stuff" ring very ture indeed.
We continue to Pray and Praise for the Buggs and to love you all.
God willing, we will see you later in May.
Lex and Linda
We anxiously await the weekly posts from the Bugg household each Friday to see how God has been at work and what to pray for in the days ahead. You are all in our regular prayers, and then for the specific needs you may have along the way.
This week we have been claiming Matthew 6 and Psalm 23 as a place for our hearts to camp out. What a precious thing to KNOW the Lord is MY Shepherd...and that everything we have need of, He has power over. Right down to a particular floor and a private room.
With prayers and thankfulness for His continued strength in your lives. Ritchie and Sheldon Hale
Please give your mom and dad a hug from this Coral Park friend (wish i could give it in person),
Linda (Word) Hyde