A Valiant Adventure

Adventures... well, I'm not allowed to rollerblade or kayak or even bike for 6 months. I have to admit, it is frustrating knowledge since I am active. Walking, well, that I can do and I will as I rebuild my strength. Right now, I am happy to be alive.

I'd appreciate your prayers as I have been recovering from abdominal surgery. I've had complications as a result and have been in the hospital with blood clots in both lungs - otherwise known as a saddle PE, or double Pulminary Embolism. It has been touch and go for 2 weeks.

I just got released from the critical care unit of the hospital and am currently on the acute care floor with a heart monitor. Praise God my heart looks healthy and the lung condition has not put strain on my heart, partially because I have always been active with exercise, but mostly I know because of all the people praying for me. In fact, the doctors were astonished and couldn't believe the picture the CAT-scan presented of my lungs. "You didn't have symptoms that matched the size and amount of blood clots in your lungs."

I have been put on Heaprin, an IV medicine to thin my blood so I don't develop more clots. It will give my body a chance to recover. They also started an oral medicine called Coumadin, another blood thinner that will be monitored for 6 months. Doctors are waiting for the levels to adjust and fall in the correct range before I can go home. My body feels like it's been through a war. In a way, it has.

This time has not been without pain and tears. My eight-year-old son comes to visit me and wants to climb into the hospital bed with me. "When are you coming home Mommy?" His blue eyes mist over and his little voice pleads, melting my heart. He reads the story he wrote in school about sledding with his brother he called, "Bump Goes My Brother." I clap with glee listening to his creative use of words, the inflection in his voice, the expression on his freckled face.

My husband and teenage son sit by my side, offering what help they can, praying or making me smile with something funny they say, filling me in on the outside weather, the happenings of home, school, church. They deliver cards for me to open from friends and family. They ask about my day and listen with care and concern. They ask what they can bring from home or pick up from a store. "Here's your smoothie," my husband says handing me a stawberry and banana concoction from a local smoothie place. (It's made with real fruit - yum!)

My parents visit my hospital room nearly every day telling me how many people are praying for me. They hug me, hold my hand, pray with me, and remind me of God's promises. They bring me chewy caramels, a notepad and paper, a Space Pen that can write in any position - upside down, sideways, anyway you want. "I know you'll want to write," my Dad says.

I smile. I know I will too.

My friend and her husband bring me colorful flowered balloons, one balloon even has a Bible promise, and they hand me strawberries and chocolate. My friend brings the balloons close to my hospital bed so I can read what one says: : There is nothing that God can't handle. May faithfulness be your encouragement for today and for all your tomorrows. I bite into the juicy fruit and pop a chocolate piece into my mouth. "Mmmm..." I say wiping the dripping strawberry juice from the corner of my mouth. My friend laughs at the simple pleasure this brings me.

My twenty-four-year-old niece visits me yesterday. "Look what I brought Aunt Sue." She pulls out a bag with nail polish. "I came to paint your nails. We take a walk with my IV pole into an empty waiting room (I finally was allowed off bed rest yesterday), and she paints my nails a sparkling pink. We return to my room and play a board game she brought. She pulls out books for me to read. "I thought you might want to choose." I smile with tears in my eyes. "Thank you," I say. "I needed something to feel normal - sane. I was beginning to feel nuts."

I've been reading my Bible as I am able to focus. In the last fews days it has become easier to read. Here's what I read today: "THROUGH GOD, WE WILL DO VALIANTLY..." Psalm 108:13

There is nothing I can say to add to that but AMEN!!! God is able and He is good. His mercy and faithfulness never ends!

Live the adventure,