BOOSTER JETS
Reports of Steve's series of tests that he had at MD Anderson in Houston after the final cycle of chemotherapy thrilled the medical personnel. Documentation from the blood work, chest x-rays, CT scan and full cardio workup that were sent to the oncologists, his nurse practitioner and his oncology nurse made them almost giddy. The final reports said there was no evidence of any cancer anyplace in Steve's body. Also, the radiologist's report said that the blood clot in his lung was COMPLETELY RESOLVED. Praise God!
The nurse, with whom Steve first met, kept remarking that lots of their 30 year old patients do not endure the strong, strong chemo as good as Steve did, and she said that many of them do not have such good results. She was all smiles and laughs and praises for Steve.
Kavin, the nurse practitioner, entered the exam room with a big smile, too, and told Steve that he sure looks great for having the extremely strong chemo for so long. He said, "Put some hair on your head and nobody could tell that you've had all that chemo." Then he read all the results of the tests to us, rejoicing with every positive result. He was particularly pleased that the blood clot has "completely resolved" like the report said. He said they didn't expect that quick and that good a result.
Dr. Ludwig came in with dancing eyes, quickly telling Steve with a big grin, "Now, let's see, you're 55; aren't you?" Then he said, "We didn't expect the chemo to work that good on a man your age. " Steve told him his correct age number is 74. The doctor said he really knew that, but it's hard to believe it. Then he reiterated that 30 year old people don't tolerate the strong chemo as good as Steve did, nor do they get such fast results. He had told us before, at another appointment, that even children, who heal quickly from any wound, almost always have to have a year of chemo for the same rhabdomyosarcoma. The doctor kept calling Steve amazing. He told us that the reports were the bright spot of his day, week and month, because they don't hear miraculous results that often.
We all know why Steve was able to endure the chemo and get such great results. It's God's intervention in the situation, His powerful and wonderful anointing on the meds, the doctors and on Steve. It was also God's wisdom that was given to the Muskogee doctors to remove all the numerous visible tumors when they operated, leaving only some small tumors and invisible ones. Without their wisdom, he would have had a harder time with the chemo. The chemotherapy regimen was tough on him, but there were certainly huge doses of supernatural strength for him.
Also, all of the prayers of the community of saints multiplied mightily in sending God's special anointing on the chemical cocktail so that it had speedy results. Of course it would, with God's power in it and behind it. God's power was the Booster Jet that allowed His revelation of just the right chemical combo to do its work. The Booster Jet was the key to the good results, and that was from the fervent prayers of relatives and friends.
The word "fervent" in the scripture that says, "The fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much," means in the Greek "explosive fire power." So that was the reason for the dramatic results that left the doctors giddy and excited.
The same Booster Jet also was behind the speedy results of the blood thinner shots. The doctor originally said that Steve might have to be on the shots for the rest of his life. They don't know about God's Booster Jets. They were amazed at the fast results.
So the final chemo report that Steve got in Houston was a thrill to hear, but it was also heart warming to see the doctors excited about Steve's results. We know that they don't see those dramatic results very often, like they all said. They have a tough job, dealing with all the people who are in the beginning, middle and end of devastating illnesses. Knowing that they gave the right prognosis and treatment in just one case gives them the impetus to continue with their jobs of ministering to the ill people in body, mind and spirit. I bless them in their difficult jobs.
How blessed we are to have friends and relatives who pray Booster Jet prayers, and we were fortunate to have brilliant doctors who knew the right procedures and the right chemicals to combine to facilitate God's healing in a person's body. God gives them wisdom and insight because they are extensions of His loving care. Bless them, bless them, bless them for their part in the miracles.
For the prayers of the saints, we are eternally grateful.
To Our Loving Heavenly Father, to Him be the glory for His wonderful orchestrations from beginning to end. Great things He has done.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
THINGS AIN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM
THINGS AIN’T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM
The final stages of my husband’s chemo cycles went relatively smoothly. Looking for the end of the treatments gave us joy, knowing there would be no more chemo cocktails for him, no more nausea, no more aches and pains in his bones and joints, no more bowel problems, no more weakness. Yes, it looked better every day.
We were overjoyed with the results of the chemo which resulted in the thrill of knowing that he is cancer free. The right combination of chemicals in the right dosage was given. God did His wonderful part in presenting miracles during the long adventure, so it has been exciting.
The last phase of any adventure is sometimes the hardest to go through, and we’ve found that what is visible to the natural eye is not always what is happening.
The second week of each chemo cycle was always the worse part of each three week treatment. Chemicals were working, performing both positive and negative results in the body. Steve had been a champion throughout the 18 week process, just like he was during the two surgeries, the small one and the extensive one. He had stayed positive most of the time throughout the nine month ordeal.
The last cycle, the sixth one, was going along reasonably well with only mild discomfort. Of course, having been through five cycles already has helped both of us know what to expect.
The second week of the last cycle had added some different symptoms, results from the effects of the chemicals in his body. He had been dizzy upon suddenly getting out of chairs. The dizziness went away in a few minutes, but it was alarming to him and to me as his caregiver.
It occurred to me that maybe his blood pressure was so low that it was causing him to be dizzy, so late one night he decided that he would take his blood pressure to see if that could possibly be causing the problem. He hooked up the digital blood pressure machine we’ve had for years and it quickly registered his blood pressure at 97 over 57 with a pulse rate of 97. We were both alarmed since his normal blood pressure is 135 over 72 with a pulse rate of 60. Of course, we surmised, the dizziness must be caused by low blood pressure.
Neither of us panicked but we discussed the fact that if it registered the same low numbers the next morning that we would go to the doctor's office or maybe to the hospital.
We both had restless nights, needless to say; but in the early morning hours the thought came to me that the digital blood pressure machine might need to have the batteries changed since they had never been replaced. I didn’t get an opportunity to tell Steve about that persistent thought, but when he took his blood pressure after breakfast the machine noted that it needed new batteries.
Sure enough, after the batteries were changed the machine registered his blood pressure as being back to normal, 130 over 70 with a pulse rate of 60. We were elated with the new numbers since they assured us that a trip to the doctor’s office or the hospital would not be required.
I began to relate the situation to some of life’s lessons, that things are not always as they seem. Sometimes negative outward circumstances are only indications of things going on in the spiritual dimension in answer to our prayers. Sometimes the alarming things are not really negatives but they are human reactions to God’s orchestrations in the situations. Sometimes when we interpret situations as negative, like Steve’s low blood pressure numbers, maybe we need our faith batteries charged, or maybe we need new batteries inserted into our minds in the form of a gift of faith.
Maybe we need to charge our faith batteries by quoting God’s promises relating to the situation. Maybe we need to build up ourselves on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit like is instructed in verse 20 of the book of Jude in the Bible.
When faith is high and we are tuned in to God’s promises, we are solid in expecting good things to eventually happen because our spiritual houses are built on the Rock, not on sand.
It turned out that the dizziness was the result of one of the chemo medications in combination with the shot to boost his immune system. It was just a new indication that they were doing their jobs. That symptom lessened quickly as the cycle progressed.
I don’t use the word “ain’t” in conversation. I just used it in the title of this story to get your attention. Maybe the next time things look bad and you begin to panic, maybe the words, “Things ain’t always what they seem,” will come to your mind and you will recall this story and realize that you need to switch the batteries of your mind from fear to faith, or from panic to calmness, by realizing that God is busy working his orchestrations in order to answer your prayers.
Maybe you need to find a scripture that is one of God’s promises that relates to the situation and keep that promise foremost in your mind so that when outward circumstances are alarming, then you can declare that promise to your doubting mind.
Maybe all you need is a battery change from unbelief to belief.
The final stages of my husband’s chemo cycles went relatively smoothly. Looking for the end of the treatments gave us joy, knowing there would be no more chemo cocktails for him, no more nausea, no more aches and pains in his bones and joints, no more bowel problems, no more weakness. Yes, it looked better every day.
We were overjoyed with the results of the chemo which resulted in the thrill of knowing that he is cancer free. The right combination of chemicals in the right dosage was given. God did His wonderful part in presenting miracles during the long adventure, so it has been exciting.
The last phase of any adventure is sometimes the hardest to go through, and we’ve found that what is visible to the natural eye is not always what is happening.
The second week of each chemo cycle was always the worse part of each three week treatment. Chemicals were working, performing both positive and negative results in the body. Steve had been a champion throughout the 18 week process, just like he was during the two surgeries, the small one and the extensive one. He had stayed positive most of the time throughout the nine month ordeal.
The last cycle, the sixth one, was going along reasonably well with only mild discomfort. Of course, having been through five cycles already has helped both of us know what to expect.
The second week of the last cycle had added some different symptoms, results from the effects of the chemicals in his body. He had been dizzy upon suddenly getting out of chairs. The dizziness went away in a few minutes, but it was alarming to him and to me as his caregiver.
It occurred to me that maybe his blood pressure was so low that it was causing him to be dizzy, so late one night he decided that he would take his blood pressure to see if that could possibly be causing the problem. He hooked up the digital blood pressure machine we’ve had for years and it quickly registered his blood pressure at 97 over 57 with a pulse rate of 97. We were both alarmed since his normal blood pressure is 135 over 72 with a pulse rate of 60. Of course, we surmised, the dizziness must be caused by low blood pressure.
Neither of us panicked but we discussed the fact that if it registered the same low numbers the next morning that we would go to the doctor's office or maybe to the hospital.
We both had restless nights, needless to say; but in the early morning hours the thought came to me that the digital blood pressure machine might need to have the batteries changed since they had never been replaced. I didn’t get an opportunity to tell Steve about that persistent thought, but when he took his blood pressure after breakfast the machine noted that it needed new batteries.
Sure enough, after the batteries were changed the machine registered his blood pressure as being back to normal, 130 over 70 with a pulse rate of 60. We were elated with the new numbers since they assured us that a trip to the doctor’s office or the hospital would not be required.
I began to relate the situation to some of life’s lessons, that things are not always as they seem. Sometimes negative outward circumstances are only indications of things going on in the spiritual dimension in answer to our prayers. Sometimes the alarming things are not really negatives but they are human reactions to God’s orchestrations in the situations. Sometimes when we interpret situations as negative, like Steve’s low blood pressure numbers, maybe we need our faith batteries charged, or maybe we need new batteries inserted into our minds in the form of a gift of faith.
Maybe we need to charge our faith batteries by quoting God’s promises relating to the situation. Maybe we need to build up ourselves on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit like is instructed in verse 20 of the book of Jude in the Bible.
When faith is high and we are tuned in to God’s promises, we are solid in expecting good things to eventually happen because our spiritual houses are built on the Rock, not on sand.
It turned out that the dizziness was the result of one of the chemo medications in combination with the shot to boost his immune system. It was just a new indication that they were doing their jobs. That symptom lessened quickly as the cycle progressed.
I don’t use the word “ain’t” in conversation. I just used it in the title of this story to get your attention. Maybe the next time things look bad and you begin to panic, maybe the words, “Things ain’t always what they seem,” will come to your mind and you will recall this story and realize that you need to switch the batteries of your mind from fear to faith, or from panic to calmness, by realizing that God is busy working his orchestrations in order to answer your prayers.
Maybe you need to find a scripture that is one of God’s promises that relates to the situation and keep that promise foremost in your mind so that when outward circumstances are alarming, then you can declare that promise to your doubting mind.
Maybe all you need is a battery change from unbelief to belief.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
GOD THE NEGOTIATOR
GOD, THE NEGOTIATOR
Since the small boutique hospital where my husband Steve had his two surgeries to remove numerous cancers was not a Blue Cross/Blue Shield provider, Steve had two large hospital bills.
Medicare paid the twelve day hospital stay, but they didn't pay for the surgery to implant the chemo port (two hour surgery) since it was outpatient. Neither did they pay anything for the emergency room visit after the first surgery for the locked bowels. Blue Cross/Blue Shield was the only one who possibly could pay, but they were not providers at the time of the outpatient surgery and the emergency room visit; so they wouldn't pay.
The hospital bill was $3,300 for the outpatient surgery and $1,000 for the emergency room visit.
Steve kept telling me that he would take care of it, that he was going to negotiate with the hospital and try to get them to settle for half of both bills.
He called the CEO of the hospital, with whom he got to be real friendly while a patient, and told the CEO that he wanted to try to negotiate the bill. The CEO told Steve that that wasn't his area of expertise, that he would have the business manager call Steve.
During Bible study one Tuesday at our house, the phone rang and Steve was waking from his nap so he answered it. It was the hospital business manager. She said that they would cut the outpatient surgery bill from $3,300 down to $475 and completely wipe out the emergency room cost of $1,000, settling for the $330 Steve had already paid on it.
Steve asked how much he was going to owe on the 10 day surgery stay. She said about $42.
Hallelujah! Steve said he would have settled for half so this was a Christmas gift from God!
This was wonderful news since the MD Anderson bills add up, even though we're current with those, plus the motel and plane flights.
Steve's healing from cancer was the primary blessing and we are overjoyed that he is cancer free, but this news is also wonderful!
He came home from the hospital with a bill that has a zero balance on it. God is a fantastic negotiator! His grace covers everything. Praise Him forever!
The adventure continues with God's hand prints and footprints visible at every turn.
Since the small boutique hospital where my husband Steve had his two surgeries to remove numerous cancers was not a Blue Cross/Blue Shield provider, Steve had two large hospital bills.
Medicare paid the twelve day hospital stay, but they didn't pay for the surgery to implant the chemo port (two hour surgery) since it was outpatient. Neither did they pay anything for the emergency room visit after the first surgery for the locked bowels. Blue Cross/Blue Shield was the only one who possibly could pay, but they were not providers at the time of the outpatient surgery and the emergency room visit; so they wouldn't pay.
The hospital bill was $3,300 for the outpatient surgery and $1,000 for the emergency room visit.
Steve kept telling me that he would take care of it, that he was going to negotiate with the hospital and try to get them to settle for half of both bills.
He called the CEO of the hospital, with whom he got to be real friendly while a patient, and told the CEO that he wanted to try to negotiate the bill. The CEO told Steve that that wasn't his area of expertise, that he would have the business manager call Steve.
During Bible study one Tuesday at our house, the phone rang and Steve was waking from his nap so he answered it. It was the hospital business manager. She said that they would cut the outpatient surgery bill from $3,300 down to $475 and completely wipe out the emergency room cost of $1,000, settling for the $330 Steve had already paid on it.
Steve asked how much he was going to owe on the 10 day surgery stay. She said about $42.
Hallelujah! Steve said he would have settled for half so this was a Christmas gift from God!
This was wonderful news since the MD Anderson bills add up, even though we're current with those, plus the motel and plane flights.
Steve's healing from cancer was the primary blessing and we are overjoyed that he is cancer free, but this news is also wonderful!
He came home from the hospital with a bill that has a zero balance on it. God is a fantastic negotiator! His grace covers everything. Praise Him forever!
The adventure continues with God's hand prints and footprints visible at every turn.
Friday, December 10, 2010
A VARIETY OF WARS
A VARIETY OF WARS
One night on the flight home from Houston where my husband Steve had tests at MD Anderson, we were privileged to be on the airplane with the body of an American soldier. The color guard was on the plane with us also.
Upon landing in Tulsa, everyone on the plane sat in silence as the color guards exited the plane, removed the casket from the cargo, marched in silence and respect as they ushered the heroic body into the presence of the waiting family sitting in cars who were accompanied by police cars with flashing lights, an ambulance with flashing lights, and a hearse.
After the awesome happening took place, the passengers on the plane exited the plane in silence and respect. All of this happened in the dark of night with only the flashing lights of the vehicles and the lights of the plane. What a wonderful experience to be a part of. However, it reaffirmed to me the horrors of war, that death is always a result of it, and families on both sides of the battle are changed forever.
Steve had a melancholy reaction because it brought back to him all remembrances of the death of his brother Morris during World War II. His mother never got over it because Morris' body was buried in France. His mother never forgave the Germans for killing her son. When Steve sees visual events like this, he still hears the deep, gut wrenching wails of his mother from her room for days and days after receiving the news that Morris had been killed. Yes, he gave his life for his country so that others might be free, but his mother was never free of the grief.
Then I realized that all the people we saw in Houston at MD Anderson are fighting their own wars, battles against cancer. They have loved ones and friends who are standing by them in support and prayers, just like the soldier did. Some of them will eventually succumb to the demon of cancer just like the soldier had to yield to death by the demon of war.
They are all heroes in my eyes, the soldier in uniform in the casket and the brave soldiers fighting cancer evidenced by their bald heads, oxygen tanks, masked mouths and noses, gloved hands, wheel chairs, chemo poles and frail bodies. They are all heroes to me.
GOD, PLEASE FREE US FROM THE EFFECTS OF ALL WARS, the wars for power by countries and the wars instigated by all diseases.
HEY, HE DID. AND THAT'S THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTIANITY, THAT HE SENT HIS SON INTO THE EARTH SO THAT HE MIGHT THEN SEND HIS POWER INTO THE EARTH IN THE PERSON OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT to heal diseases, to bring peace to all men, to comfort the broken hearted and to set the captives of addictions free. If we would only yield ourselves to His power we would end all the devastation.
We've dropped the ball; God hasn't.
One night on the flight home from Houston where my husband Steve had tests at MD Anderson, we were privileged to be on the airplane with the body of an American soldier. The color guard was on the plane with us also.
Upon landing in Tulsa, everyone on the plane sat in silence as the color guards exited the plane, removed the casket from the cargo, marched in silence and respect as they ushered the heroic body into the presence of the waiting family sitting in cars who were accompanied by police cars with flashing lights, an ambulance with flashing lights, and a hearse.
After the awesome happening took place, the passengers on the plane exited the plane in silence and respect. All of this happened in the dark of night with only the flashing lights of the vehicles and the lights of the plane. What a wonderful experience to be a part of. However, it reaffirmed to me the horrors of war, that death is always a result of it, and families on both sides of the battle are changed forever.
Steve had a melancholy reaction because it brought back to him all remembrances of the death of his brother Morris during World War II. His mother never got over it because Morris' body was buried in France. His mother never forgave the Germans for killing her son. When Steve sees visual events like this, he still hears the deep, gut wrenching wails of his mother from her room for days and days after receiving the news that Morris had been killed. Yes, he gave his life for his country so that others might be free, but his mother was never free of the grief.
Then I realized that all the people we saw in Houston at MD Anderson are fighting their own wars, battles against cancer. They have loved ones and friends who are standing by them in support and prayers, just like the soldier did. Some of them will eventually succumb to the demon of cancer just like the soldier had to yield to death by the demon of war.
They are all heroes in my eyes, the soldier in uniform in the casket and the brave soldiers fighting cancer evidenced by their bald heads, oxygen tanks, masked mouths and noses, gloved hands, wheel chairs, chemo poles and frail bodies. They are all heroes to me.
GOD, PLEASE FREE US FROM THE EFFECTS OF ALL WARS, the wars for power by countries and the wars instigated by all diseases.
HEY, HE DID. AND THAT'S THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTIANITY, THAT HE SENT HIS SON INTO THE EARTH SO THAT HE MIGHT THEN SEND HIS POWER INTO THE EARTH IN THE PERSON OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT to heal diseases, to bring peace to all men, to comfort the broken hearted and to set the captives of addictions free. If we would only yield ourselves to His power we would end all the devastation.
We've dropped the ball; God hasn't.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
THE PERFECT MAESTRO
THE PERFECT MAESTRO
"Strike up the orchestra," I can almost hear God say during certain situations. I can imagine Him tuning up certain species of angels, calling them to do their specific duties in order for a situation to be perfected as prayers are answered.
My husband Steve and I experienced the divine orchestration by God as He arranged and rearranged a tense situation for us.
We had an appointment at MD Anderson with Steve's oncologist at 2:30 on Wednesday after my husband had completed his blood test, his chest x-ray and his CT scan the night before.
After the scheduled appointment with the oncology doctor, we had allotted almost five hours leeway before our scheduled airplane flight took off for our trip home. However, our appointment with the doctor was delayed and he didn't even enter the exam room until 3:30. Things seemed to be getting complicated. We knew we still had time for the scheduled flight, but it would be close.
Then the oncologist gave us some shocking news, that my husband had a blood clot in his left lung caused by the tumors but that it would be easily taken care of with daily subcutaneous shots in his stomach.
The next statement of the doctor dropped a bombshell into our plans to make the plane flight. He said that we should go to the pharmacy at the Main Building on the 10th floor, get the shots, then come back to his exam room where Angie, his primary oncology nurse, would show us how to administer the shots. We surmised there would be no problem, that we could still make the plane flight.
Enter the problem. The technician at the pharmacy said it would be an hour before the shots would be ready, making it impossible to make the flight.
We caught the elevator, ran from the elevator to the doctor's office, waited to see Angie, the primary nurse, where we told her our dilemma.
Angie, smiling at us like she had been doing during the long afternoon, disappeared for a few minutes, came back and said, "Go back to the pharmacy and the shots will be ready for you." This was impossible because of the backlog of prescriptions.
Running back to the elevator, then running down the hall to the pharmacy, we began thanking God for his supernatural orchestration for us, using Angie to intervene with the pharmacy in getting Steve's prescription bumped up ahead of the many, many other patients waiting for their own meds. Some of the patients were in wheel chairs, others on gurneys, others pushing chemo poles, others waiting patiently for their meds that would relieve their pain, heal their cancers, etc.
As was predicted by Angie, the shots were ready for us. Steve grabbed the sack of shots and signed the proper papers.
We raced again to the elevator, then down the hall to meet Angie who ushered us into the exam room. I commented to Angie that if she would turn around I would like to see her wings, because she was doing supernatural angelic work for us. God tuned the proper angel for this feat, Angie, who was in a fantastic mood for late in the day for an oncology nurse who had seen all kinds of devastating effects of diseases during the day. However, she could speak with the necessary authority needed to influence the pharmacy tech, something we had not been able to do.
Angie hurriedly demonstrated the steps to us for giving the subcutaneous shots. No problem, we could do it efficiently when we got home. We left Angie's presence praising her for being an angel to arrange the impossible feat for us.
Running back down the hall to the elevator, still praising God for His orchestration, Steve called Sam, the hotel shuttle driver whom we call St. Samuel because of his loving and caring ministry to the hotel customers who are in cancer treatment. Steve told Sam about our situation, that we had to make the flight, but our luggage was still at the hotel.
No problem. The orchestration had already been ordered by God. Sam asked what our luggage looked like. Steve told him and Sam went to the storage area, got our luggage, loaded it up in his van, came to the Main Building of MD Anderson Cancer Center and picked us up. We got to the airport in time to make the flight back home.
When Sam unloaded our luggage from the van, Steve quickly told him the good report, that the tumors had shrunk to the place of being almost invisible. St. Samuel gave Steve a strong congratulatory hug.
Sam drove off with a big smile on his face. He had previously told us that if he hears one good report a week that it keeps him dedicated to doing his ministry of transporting patients from the hotel to the treatment center. Steve gave Sam the boost he needed to continue for another week.
Thank God for the eyes to see that He has performed orchestrations for us, using Angel Angie, the nurse at the treatment center, and Saint Samuel, the shuttle driver, to manage to get us to the airport on time.
When we think about the published facts we have learned, that 100,000 patients a day are treated at MD Anderson, we are even more thankful that Angel Angie was able to do her part of the feat in pushing Steve's prescription to the top of the long, long list, and that Saint Samuel was able to do his part in finding our luggage and picking us up in time for the flight.
Listen for God to tune up the orchestra in your behalf in answer to your prayers. It happens trillions and trillions of times a day, and we often call it a coincidence. They really are orchestrations by a Loving Father in our behalf.
Aren't we lucky children to have such a wonderful Maestro for a Father!
"Strike up the orchestra," I can almost hear God say during certain situations. I can imagine Him tuning up certain species of angels, calling them to do their specific duties in order for a situation to be perfected as prayers are answered.
My husband Steve and I experienced the divine orchestration by God as He arranged and rearranged a tense situation for us.
We had an appointment at MD Anderson with Steve's oncologist at 2:30 on Wednesday after my husband had completed his blood test, his chest x-ray and his CT scan the night before.
After the scheduled appointment with the oncology doctor, we had allotted almost five hours leeway before our scheduled airplane flight took off for our trip home. However, our appointment with the doctor was delayed and he didn't even enter the exam room until 3:30. Things seemed to be getting complicated. We knew we still had time for the scheduled flight, but it would be close.
Then the oncologist gave us some shocking news, that my husband had a blood clot in his left lung caused by the tumors but that it would be easily taken care of with daily subcutaneous shots in his stomach.
The next statement of the doctor dropped a bombshell into our plans to make the plane flight. He said that we should go to the pharmacy at the Main Building on the 10th floor, get the shots, then come back to his exam room where Angie, his primary oncology nurse, would show us how to administer the shots. We surmised there would be no problem, that we could still make the plane flight.
Enter the problem. The technician at the pharmacy said it would be an hour before the shots would be ready, making it impossible to make the flight.
We caught the elevator, ran from the elevator to the doctor's office, waited to see Angie, the primary nurse, where we told her our dilemma.
Angie, smiling at us like she had been doing during the long afternoon, disappeared for a few minutes, came back and said, "Go back to the pharmacy and the shots will be ready for you." This was impossible because of the backlog of prescriptions.
Running back to the elevator, then running down the hall to the pharmacy, we began thanking God for his supernatural orchestration for us, using Angie to intervene with the pharmacy in getting Steve's prescription bumped up ahead of the many, many other patients waiting for their own meds. Some of the patients were in wheel chairs, others on gurneys, others pushing chemo poles, others waiting patiently for their meds that would relieve their pain, heal their cancers, etc.
As was predicted by Angie, the shots were ready for us. Steve grabbed the sack of shots and signed the proper papers.
We raced again to the elevator, then down the hall to meet Angie who ushered us into the exam room. I commented to Angie that if she would turn around I would like to see her wings, because she was doing supernatural angelic work for us. God tuned the proper angel for this feat, Angie, who was in a fantastic mood for late in the day for an oncology nurse who had seen all kinds of devastating effects of diseases during the day. However, she could speak with the necessary authority needed to influence the pharmacy tech, something we had not been able to do.
Angie hurriedly demonstrated the steps to us for giving the subcutaneous shots. No problem, we could do it efficiently when we got home. We left Angie's presence praising her for being an angel to arrange the impossible feat for us.
Running back down the hall to the elevator, still praising God for His orchestration, Steve called Sam, the hotel shuttle driver whom we call St. Samuel because of his loving and caring ministry to the hotel customers who are in cancer treatment. Steve told Sam about our situation, that we had to make the flight, but our luggage was still at the hotel.
No problem. The orchestration had already been ordered by God. Sam asked what our luggage looked like. Steve told him and Sam went to the storage area, got our luggage, loaded it up in his van, came to the Main Building of MD Anderson Cancer Center and picked us up. We got to the airport in time to make the flight back home.
When Sam unloaded our luggage from the van, Steve quickly told him the good report, that the tumors had shrunk to the place of being almost invisible. St. Samuel gave Steve a strong congratulatory hug.
Sam drove off with a big smile on his face. He had previously told us that if he hears one good report a week that it keeps him dedicated to doing his ministry of transporting patients from the hotel to the treatment center. Steve gave Sam the boost he needed to continue for another week.
Thank God for the eyes to see that He has performed orchestrations for us, using Angel Angie, the nurse at the treatment center, and Saint Samuel, the shuttle driver, to manage to get us to the airport on time.
When we think about the published facts we have learned, that 100,000 patients a day are treated at MD Anderson, we are even more thankful that Angel Angie was able to do her part of the feat in pushing Steve's prescription to the top of the long, long list, and that Saint Samuel was able to do his part in finding our luggage and picking us up in time for the flight.
Listen for God to tune up the orchestra in your behalf in answer to your prayers. It happens trillions and trillions of times a day, and we often call it a coincidence. They really are orchestrations by a Loving Father in our behalf.
Aren't we lucky children to have such a wonderful Maestro for a Father!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
AND SO GOD SENT THE PLUMBER
AND SO GOD SENT THE PLUMBER
As the day began, it wasn’t the best of days. In fact, it was one of the not-so-good days during my husband Steve’s chemotherapy regimen. He had gotten a fall cold with the possibility of it going into pneumonia, the oncologist said, so he was sent to the hospital for chest x-rays.
Colds just seem so easy for chemo patients to experience when their immune systems are compromised, but allergies that develop into colds are pretty common in the spring and fall for Steve, anyway. The cold germ had made its way into my body, also, but I was trying to slough it off as best I could. We were both successful at trudging along, staying on top physically as well as emotionally.
My most prized kitchen appliance, a hot water Insinkerator, had started leaking under the cabinet. That appliance had come in particularly handy during the chemotherapy because of the necessity of sterilizing all eating and drinking utensils. It was perfect for those tasks. It was still under warranty so it would be replaced free of charge.
Steve called the plumber who had installed it. His name is Robert, and he’s a dear man we have trusted for several years to handle plumbing problems.
Robert is dependable, prompt and efficient. In relation to the current problem, Robert told Steve to call the manufacturer and give them the information on the warranty and the prior purchase ticket, etc., and they would send a replacement. He mentioned that he would be at our house late in the evening to check on it. Easily taken care of, we thought.
The call to the manufacturer was more involved than we anticipated because of the red tape which was required to get a replacement under the warranty, but Steve was able to do that chore on the telephone and fax machine.
The day’s events had quickly grown into more trying activities than we had anticipated, but Steve was feeling up to the challenge, feeling good enough to handle the problem with the Insinkerator. He knew I was eager for it to be back into working order to make the tasks of sterilizing utensils easier for me. He took care of the task of dealing with the manufacturer easily; not speedily but easily. Task accomplished.
At 4:30 our doorbell rang. When I went to the door it was Robert, the plumber. We had forgotten to call him and tell him that the manufacturer had not sent the Insinkerator yet. We both apologized to him for forgetting to call and let him know that the appliance would be shipped later, therefore saving him a trip to our house. He was gracious about it, letting us know that it wasn‘t a big deal. We discussed the fact that the appliance should last longer than the leaking one did, less than a year and a half.
Robert left our house and started down the front walk, having gone down several steps. Suddenly Steve opened the door and said, “Just a minute, Robert. I have cancer. Will you remember to pray for me?”
Suddenly Steve started crying, hearing himself say that he has cancer. Usually he only says that he is in chemotherapy, never claiming to have cancer. Starting to cry was certainly not Steve’s intention. He had not cried about the situation in the seven months since discovering the cancer, the two operations that ensured, and then the two cycles of chemotherapy.
Immediately Robert turned around, bounded up the few steps, rushed up the walk to the front porch, grabbed Steve’s hand and started to pray for him. He asked God to heal and comfort Steve during illness. He prayed with anointed power, confidence, authority and love. After the prayer was over, Steve told his Christian brother Robert that he knew he was not going to die of cancer and thanked him.
When Steve came inside the house, he was still crying, anointed with the power of God, still weeping tears of joy and awe that God had sent the plumber to pray for him. It was catching, I guess, because I started weeping uncontrollably, also. We sat in our recliners weak from the anointing of God, continuing to weep with gratitude that Our Loving Father had sent the plumber with His healing touch.
Steve related to me that when the thought came to him, “Ask Robert to pray for you,” that he had refused to act on that command. Then it came again to his mind. He didn’t obey again. The third time it came, “Ask Robert to pray for you,” is when Steve opened the door and gave the request to Robert, who was God’s servant sent here to pray.
Thank God Steve obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God knew that Robert would do what was needed, pray immediately for him.
God sent Jesus to bring healing to the world. Jesus sent fishermen and a tax collector to take healing to people. He sent the plumber to deliver healing to Steve.
Yes, God knows just who to send.
As the day began, it wasn’t the best of days. In fact, it was one of the not-so-good days during my husband Steve’s chemotherapy regimen. He had gotten a fall cold with the possibility of it going into pneumonia, the oncologist said, so he was sent to the hospital for chest x-rays.
Colds just seem so easy for chemo patients to experience when their immune systems are compromised, but allergies that develop into colds are pretty common in the spring and fall for Steve, anyway. The cold germ had made its way into my body, also, but I was trying to slough it off as best I could. We were both successful at trudging along, staying on top physically as well as emotionally.
My most prized kitchen appliance, a hot water Insinkerator, had started leaking under the cabinet. That appliance had come in particularly handy during the chemotherapy because of the necessity of sterilizing all eating and drinking utensils. It was perfect for those tasks. It was still under warranty so it would be replaced free of charge.
Steve called the plumber who had installed it. His name is Robert, and he’s a dear man we have trusted for several years to handle plumbing problems.
Robert is dependable, prompt and efficient. In relation to the current problem, Robert told Steve to call the manufacturer and give them the information on the warranty and the prior purchase ticket, etc., and they would send a replacement. He mentioned that he would be at our house late in the evening to check on it. Easily taken care of, we thought.
The call to the manufacturer was more involved than we anticipated because of the red tape which was required to get a replacement under the warranty, but Steve was able to do that chore on the telephone and fax machine.
The day’s events had quickly grown into more trying activities than we had anticipated, but Steve was feeling up to the challenge, feeling good enough to handle the problem with the Insinkerator. He knew I was eager for it to be back into working order to make the tasks of sterilizing utensils easier for me. He took care of the task of dealing with the manufacturer easily; not speedily but easily. Task accomplished.
At 4:30 our doorbell rang. When I went to the door it was Robert, the plumber. We had forgotten to call him and tell him that the manufacturer had not sent the Insinkerator yet. We both apologized to him for forgetting to call and let him know that the appliance would be shipped later, therefore saving him a trip to our house. He was gracious about it, letting us know that it wasn‘t a big deal. We discussed the fact that the appliance should last longer than the leaking one did, less than a year and a half.
Robert left our house and started down the front walk, having gone down several steps. Suddenly Steve opened the door and said, “Just a minute, Robert. I have cancer. Will you remember to pray for me?”
Suddenly Steve started crying, hearing himself say that he has cancer. Usually he only says that he is in chemotherapy, never claiming to have cancer. Starting to cry was certainly not Steve’s intention. He had not cried about the situation in the seven months since discovering the cancer, the two operations that ensured, and then the two cycles of chemotherapy.
Immediately Robert turned around, bounded up the few steps, rushed up the walk to the front porch, grabbed Steve’s hand and started to pray for him. He asked God to heal and comfort Steve during illness. He prayed with anointed power, confidence, authority and love. After the prayer was over, Steve told his Christian brother Robert that he knew he was not going to die of cancer and thanked him.
When Steve came inside the house, he was still crying, anointed with the power of God, still weeping tears of joy and awe that God had sent the plumber to pray for him. It was catching, I guess, because I started weeping uncontrollably, also. We sat in our recliners weak from the anointing of God, continuing to weep with gratitude that Our Loving Father had sent the plumber with His healing touch.
Steve related to me that when the thought came to him, “Ask Robert to pray for you,” that he had refused to act on that command. Then it came again to his mind. He didn’t obey again. The third time it came, “Ask Robert to pray for you,” is when Steve opened the door and gave the request to Robert, who was God’s servant sent here to pray.
Thank God Steve obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God knew that Robert would do what was needed, pray immediately for him.
God sent Jesus to bring healing to the world. Jesus sent fishermen and a tax collector to take healing to people. He sent the plumber to deliver healing to Steve.
Yes, God knows just who to send.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
There are several meanings for the word "babe". We know it's a slang term to describe beautiful girls. It's also a short term for the word "baby". We know a young girl who is a "babe" because she's beautiful, but she also fits the spiritual description of the word "babe" because she fulfilled a scriptural activity that is attributed to "babes" in the Bible.
Lydia is our great niece, a beautiful ten year old girl. She is very special, as you will see from this story.
My husband Steve was in his third cycle of chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer. It had been a real adventure for both of us, as you can imagine. We had received the depressing news from the oncologist that Steve would have to have six cycles of strong chemotherapy even if the cancer goes onto remission.
God had encouraged us in this adventure, sending miracles our way through many exciting situations. We didn't expect him to use a "babe" to deliver the latest one.
My cell phone rang one day as I was fixing lunch and I asked Steve to answer my phone which was sitting on the counter. That is the first time in the ten years I've have had my personal cell phone that Steve has answered it. My sister Lou was calling on the cell phone and exclaimed that she was so glad that Steve had answered my phone because she needed to tell him a testimony that would encourage him.
Lou related that she had received a phone call from Lydia, her ten year old granddaughter, in which Lydia told of two dreams she had had, one in which she dreamed that the family home was being broken into by intruders at 3:30 in the morning. She woke with the realization that their home was safe, no invasion there. She told her mom about the dream.
When Lydia's mom took her little sister to preschool that morning, she heard that the shed on the property of one of the teachers had been broken into at 3:30 that morning. Lydia and her mom were amazed at the realization that someone they knew had actually experienced the same activity that she had dreamed about.
Then Lydia told her grandmother Lou that she had another dream, one in which she dreamed that Uncle Steve was free of cancer, after which she asked Lou a question,"Does Uncle Steve have cancer?"
Lou assured Lydia that yes, Uncle Steve has had cancer. Lydia was astounded at the dream since she didn't remember knowing about Steve's condition, yet she had dreamed that he is free of cancer.
God again fulfilled the scripture in Psalm 8:2 that says, "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength."
Lydia's dream certainly boosted Steve's spiritual strength, making him even more certain that he is cancer free and will remain cancer free.
God used a "babe" in this instance, a beautiful babe but still a young child at the same time, to send His message of faith to Steve, confirming to him that he is healed and will remain healed, cancer free like in Lydia's dream.
Can you see why Lydia is so special? She relays messages that strengthen people so lovingly. Steve is even stronger in his faith now, since God confirmed through Lydia that he is free of cancer.
There are several meanings for the word "babe". We know it's a slang term to describe beautiful girls. It's also a short term for the word "baby". We know a young girl who is a "babe" because she's beautiful, but she also fits the spiritual description of the word "babe" because she fulfilled a scriptural activity that is attributed to "babes" in the Bible.
Lydia is our great niece, a beautiful ten year old girl. She is very special, as you will see from this story.
My husband Steve was in his third cycle of chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer. It had been a real adventure for both of us, as you can imagine. We had received the depressing news from the oncologist that Steve would have to have six cycles of strong chemotherapy even if the cancer goes onto remission.
God had encouraged us in this adventure, sending miracles our way through many exciting situations. We didn't expect him to use a "babe" to deliver the latest one.
My cell phone rang one day as I was fixing lunch and I asked Steve to answer my phone which was sitting on the counter. That is the first time in the ten years I've have had my personal cell phone that Steve has answered it. My sister Lou was calling on the cell phone and exclaimed that she was so glad that Steve had answered my phone because she needed to tell him a testimony that would encourage him.
Lou related that she had received a phone call from Lydia, her ten year old granddaughter, in which Lydia told of two dreams she had had, one in which she dreamed that the family home was being broken into by intruders at 3:30 in the morning. She woke with the realization that their home was safe, no invasion there. She told her mom about the dream.
When Lydia's mom took her little sister to preschool that morning, she heard that the shed on the property of one of the teachers had been broken into at 3:30 that morning. Lydia and her mom were amazed at the realization that someone they knew had actually experienced the same activity that she had dreamed about.
Then Lydia told her grandmother Lou that she had another dream, one in which she dreamed that Uncle Steve was free of cancer, after which she asked Lou a question,"Does Uncle Steve have cancer?"
Lou assured Lydia that yes, Uncle Steve has had cancer. Lydia was astounded at the dream since she didn't remember knowing about Steve's condition, yet she had dreamed that he is free of cancer.
God again fulfilled the scripture in Psalm 8:2 that says, "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength."
Lydia's dream certainly boosted Steve's spiritual strength, making him even more certain that he is cancer free and will remain cancer free.
God used a "babe" in this instance, a beautiful babe but still a young child at the same time, to send His message of faith to Steve, confirming to him that he is healed and will remain healed, cancer free like in Lydia's dream.
Can you see why Lydia is so special? She relays messages that strengthen people so lovingly. Steve is even stronger in his faith now, since God confirmed through Lydia that he is free of cancer.
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