Filed under: Uncategorized
Today I spent the afternoon and early evening with Gary. The platelets and white cells still need outside help from the doctors. Gary is getting a bit stronger each day. He walked some today and sat in the chair for a few hours. He even considered trying the ice cream on his dinner tray. (For now, he is content to let all food go through the feeding tube.)
Gary is now a few days shy of being in a hospital bed for three months. He is more discouraged about not being able to be home than about his medical condition. We have our times where we question the wisdom of God for allowing Gary’s situation to drag on day after day. We also have questions as to the future. What will we do? We have started the application process for social security disability benefits; Gary has just used the last of his paid leave days.
It has only been one year since we heard the doctor say, “You have multiple myeloma. Your only hope is a stem cell transplant.” The future seams bleak, but I cannot help being optimistic. As I look over the events of this year, God was with us every step of the way. The insurance company forced us to go to Northwestern Memorial, an excellent hospital. Dr. Mehta is an unbelievable doctor, smart but able to talk in non-technical language, compassionate, motivator, and a bedside manor that would put Mother Theresa to shame. The insurance company, those two words are almost like finger nails on a black board, has come through as efficient and trustworthy. There is not one bill, and we have lots of them, that we have to contest.
Not a week goes by that I am not thankful for the two benefits for Gary last summer. God knew ahead of time that we would have to spend two and a half months in Chicago. The benefit money took away the worry of finances of which I am eternally thankful to all who contributed. I am thankful for all the cards, emails, and notes on Gary’s web page. I am thankful for all your prayers you have uttered on our behalf. There were many days that Gary was unable to pray, and I was to distraught to pray. Our hopes were dashed many times these past twelve months. It does not seem like God has been answering our prayers, but he has, just not as we would like. God has provided for all our needs last year. This coming year will be no different. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1Timothy 1:17
