ONE YEAR AGO TODAY...........One year ago today I was sitting in an ICU waiting room alone anticipating my dear husband's five-way bypass open heart surgery...............
In January 2007 by husband boldly stated, " This is going to be a great year, Honey, I can feel it." We owned our own print shop where our youngest daughter and married son also worked.
Those cold January days were very busy and long. My husband Dan was the hardest worker I had ever known. Our family all helped and worked alongside.
But I could tell my husband's health was failing. Shortness of breath, chest pains had come upon him, but there was no time to go to the doctor, nor was there extra money for hospital tests. I tried to get him to go, but in his mind, he was caring for his family. I then asked God, begging Him again and again.
God had been listening, and in October of 2006 He began His work in our lives. My kind husband's dad had gone to Heaven suddenly from the complications with his heart. He left behind a sugar testing kit, and Dan's sweet mother sent it home with us. Jokingly, my husband took a sugar test and saw it was high. God planted a seed in his mind to beware. God loved him and God loved me.
One night in January 2007, my husband came home chilled and shaking. He fell into bed, and I gave him some medicine. I prayed, God, he will not go to the doctor unless You tell him." I couldn't sleep and told our daughter to pray for Daddy. " He is very sick". It may sound strange,
but "something" told me not to sleep that night and to pack some items to stay at the hospital,
At 2:00 am my husband was sitting on the side of the bed unable to walk well and said, " I am ready to go to the hospital". We were havng a small snowstorm as I drove. I knew God loved me.
I was able to stay day and night with my husband. God knew that nothing else mattered. The doctors were afraid Dan might have a heart attack before the surgery plus diabetes was discovered so they moved him to ICU.
My husband was so brave and had a sense of humor through all of this. God loved us through others too, with notes; gifts ; personal comfort items and money. I never had to worry about a meal.
God loved me the night before surgery as I sat alone in the waiting room crying out to Him, then reading HIS word for comfort. I clung to
Psalm 119:25. He gave me physical strength the next day-even without sleep.
As time passed and each day brought new things, I prepared for my husband to come home.
But you see; we had also moved while he was ill. We were scheduled to move at this time which thanks to some friends and family it happened. My husband didn't even know because it would have been too much for him at the time. After, coming home one evening from the hospital , I was lying on our bed and knew our worn-out mattress and bed would be so uncomfortable to him while recuperating. I felt selfish but asked God for a new bed. The next morning I laughingly told my daughter about my prayer. That very afternoon I received a call from my mother-in-law telling me she had queen bed with a new mattress if I wanted them from her spare room.
God loved me!
My husband was very very weak but strong in mind. He was concerned for our business.
God used our family to work long hours at our shop. My son and his wife worked many long hours and well as our youngest daughter worked alone while her heart wanted to sit at her daddy's side. My son-in-law and daughter cared for rides; went out of town to get the bed and set it all up for us so pretty and comfortably in our bedroom.
God loved us and provided for our needs . Doctor appointments followed; and we went through sugar highs and lows, but God gave me time with Dan.
Yesterday our pastor told us that some people go through "chronic" problems such as physical health; trials; and other. But God wants to bring us through them and use them to help others.
Mrs. Marlene Evans use to teach on "time released teaching" meaning you hear something and put it in your mind and it may be used years later. That was the case when this all happened.
I just began to use all that I had been taught without even thinking. Here are some of the things that I had learned.
1. When I heard of my husband's condition all outside things stopped and my number #1 priority was him. I stayed at the hospital day and night by his side. ( this worked for me and he liked it)
2. I asked God for His strength and wisdom to make decisions.
3. I bought make-up; personal items; bath items to keep myself up at the hospital. I made sure I had on nice clothes and looked pretty for him even if I didn't feel like it. ( I know this sounds so vain but this was a teaching and I know he liked it)
4. I kept a "chubby notebook" in my purse to keep notes; verses; my mind sane!
5. If others gave me something I would thank them and write down their names.
6. Sometimes others being kind; would ask me to go out and eat but I KNEW I needed to be there in case he needed me and declined.
7. I would be kind to our nurses and stay out of their way. We had a basket filled wth candy for them to eat what they wanted. They liked that and treated us so well.
8. I would love on family and others and thank them for caring for us!
9. I hope I kept my mind off of self . I wasnt perfect but tried.
10. I asked God to help me encourage others in a waiting room I would have to set in sometimes and He did many times .
One year ago today............ I am thankful. He is stronger although suffers from a condition called RSD that has taken his strength away from his hand and part arm and has severe pain most of the time. But he does not quit! He is strong and continues working and taking care of me and our family. I am proud of him and respect him greatly.
I love you Dan!
