 “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24)
A few days after Christmas, we were told to start preparing for another surgery, which you know was done just a few days ago. When we learned of the need for another surgery, we never feared. We have learned to trust God no matter how dark or difficult circumstances may appear. Also, we purposefully waited to use one of our Christmas gifts thinking God had ordained the BEST time for us to enjoy it. Not settling for good, or better, we decided to wait for the BEST time. After the surgery, was the BEST time! When we arrived home and then fixed our eyes on the new comforter, we knew that fresh clean sheets were waiting for us! Yes, we were tired from the long trip, but because we waited to use our gift for the BEST possible moment, we expected our sleep to be so much sweeter! And it was!!! Energized, we both had the get-up-and-go needed to handle today’s requirements. Can’t wait to retire to this same bed tonight, and then to arise refreshed, ready to handy the new day’s requirements. Always desiring God’s BEST, Verna
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Today was super busy! Starting out, Len ate breakfast on his own. YEAH!!!
When the first team of doctors examined him today, they noted slight improvements with his vision. They told us that the journey to correcting this will arduous. But we know that God is able! This is the area where the tumor was located. The doctors stated, when the tumor was growing, the body easily adjusted to the minor changes. Because the removal was drastic, his body needs to adjust and then find its new norm. This will take time. In the meantime, this means limited texts and emails for Len. (It’s hard to read with only one eye functioning correctly!) Because Len’s health stabilized after reaching the desired markers, he was released from the hospital to start recuperating at home. We are now home resting and preparing for the journey ahead. Your continuous prayers are appreciated. Living to give, Verna “By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 The Message Bible) (Emphasis mine.)
Prayer warriors, YOUR prayers have been a sweet fragrance to the Lord and a source of strength for us. Thank you so much!!! Also, your encouraging messages and offers of assistance are treasured. As stated in blog post #2 Our Needs and Desires, we hope to start responding to the offers of assistance sometime around March 18. Friends, thanks again for the protection! We know that we are not alone. You all are treasured and loved by us! Len and Verna “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
GOOD MORNING!!! Last night, 3/8, we both rested very well! Other than the major interruptions for a bath and MRI, both occurring near midnight, Len slept straight through. Sleep is good for the soul! This morning, the first team of doctors examined Len at 0645. He is stable with continual improvements. In fact, he is doing so good that the nursing staff is preparing to move him to a regular room! Also, the physical therapists were pleased and stunned to see the tremendous progress. In additional to all this, Len’s surgeon said he will be dismissed either Friday or Saturday. He is well enough to go home! More importantly, he wants Len to heal at home away from the hospital and other germs. God’s faithfulness refreshes us every morning! As Mandisa says, it’s a GOOD MORNING! Rejoicing, Verna “And he (Jesus) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Around noon today, 3/8, Len’s physical therapists had him up walking! He only walked about 20 feet total, but he did better than what the therapists expected. Afterwards, he slept like a baby! In fact, he slept with no interruptions for 4.5 hours! Also, his nausea has subsided. He has been tolerating liquid foods. Vitals are normal. Pain level is down from 8 to 3. Two concerns remain, his double vision and hearing loss. (In time, these problems are expected to subside.) By the way, he's sleeping again right now!!! Len’s limited strength did not keep him from trying. He did what was asked of him. At the same time, he depended on the three (3) strong physical therapists to do their part—to surround and protect him. And they did. The next time God tells you, “I know you can’t; but I can. My grace is enough for you,” believe Him. Then receive the strength He provides. It will always be enough. Resting, Verna "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:43-45)
For easy reading, click the following link to read this same scripture in The Message version: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A43-45&version=MSG Len did not sleep at all last night, so he is tired. He is nauseated, hallucinating, and has double vision. He cannot tolerate any pills by mouth, so all his meds are being given via IV. The doctors' goal is to find the right medicine to control the nausea/vomiting so that he can move from Neuro ICU to a regular room. Len's surgeon said the double vision will last two to three weeks due to the size of the tumor and it being encased around nerve #6. Some additional hearing loss is evident. This is expected to improve as well. Right now, the hallucinating is keeping me busy. Oh yea, I have one last diagnosis to share. The neurological team of doctors stated that the area where the tumor was removed is now empty. There’s nothing there so things in his brain are shifting and could very well be what’s causing his double vision. As I meditated on their findings, the scripture passage in Matthew 12:43-45 surfaced in my heart. Although this scripture refers to the condition of a nation, it can certainly apply to you and me. The principle is this: Removing or stopping ungodly practices is not enough. We must immediately replace those idle moments with something good; something godly. Otherwise, those evil or non-beneficial activities can easily be presumed and will be more addictive/destructive the second time than the first. Do you have an emptiness in your life? If so, remember to practice this scriptural principle: remove/stop the bad thing, whatever it is. Then, replace/start doing godly things. Verna “I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.” (Psalm 52:9)
Len has spent the past few hours in the Neuro ICU. He is in lots of pain from the incision on the left side of his head as well as his forehead where brackets were used to secure him to the operating table. Nausea is also a problem. In fact, all of his vitals are out of whack. The normal meds just don’t seem to be working. Once the pain subsides, I believe everything else will smooth out. God has already done what I consider to be the hardest part, therefore we will wait patiently on Him to provide total healing. We certainly know that He is able! Resting in His Good Name, Verna " Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Official surgery start time: 0912. Scheduled time: 690 minutes, (11.5 hours). Official end time 1316! (That's 1:16pm.) You do the math to determine the actual time needed! HUGE, HUGE praise for our God! As I write this post, Len is already in a room. Just as soon as ‘a team’ gets him situated I can see him. Family and friends, thank you so much for praying for Len’s surgery. Please continue to pray for his healing. PRAYER changes things. Amen? Smiling and dancing, Verna “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (1 Corinthians 12:18)
Preparing. We all do it. Today, I watched as “the team” prepped Len for surgery. This prepping started at 5:00am and continued for about 90 minutes. (Prior to our arrival at the hospital, Len had his prepping to do. He was required to shower at least three (3) times, from head to toe, in antibacterial body wash!) Finally, after each team member completed his or her part, Len was rolled into the operating room at 7:31. At this time, all that remained was for him to be positioned and then taped to the operating table. EVERY team member had an assigned part which needed to be accomplished BEFORE the procedure could start. I was informed by Len’s nurse that surgery finally began at 9:12am. The surgery is scheduled for 690 minutes! That’s 690 minutes from the start time of 9:12am. Because so much time was spent preparing for this surgery, I started thinking about my time with God just prior to going to church, particularly on Sunday. Below are a few questions I pondered.
As I continue to think about how the surgical team is working together to accomplish a major assignment, I think about our assignment as members of the Body of Christ. We are all called to do something. And, in order to do what we are called to do, we must prepare our hearts. We MUST be in a right relationship with God. Let's all strive to be faithful team members so that God can do His part! Smiling, Verna |
AuthorLen's wife with his assistance! Archives
September 2017
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Dr. Verna Foster Harvey
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