My Dear Friends and Family of SoulCast:
Today is Wednesday, October 10, 2007. The last time I was on SoulCast was on my littlest one's birthday: September 24, 2007; and that visit was ever so brief. I was quite ill, and was forcing myself to "carry on" with a fever, flu, asthma...and I was certain that I had bronchitis, at the very least...and most likely, I now had pneumonia.
It was not a pretty picture. The photo's of my daughter's birthday will be a permanent record of just how sick I was. But I could not ruin her birthday! It was a difficult day and night, and it only got worse. I entered the hospital about a week later; and spent the week on oxygen, with an IV, three different antibiotics and steriods (which can make me nuts) seemed to be in everything ; ) --- and a host of other drugs. I lost count of pills, breathing treatments and even lost count of the days of the week!
I spent long scary nights with upper respiratory infections, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. I was a mess, and I really hadn't understood just how sick I was. If this had been one of my children that was sick like that...I would have been all over the internet researching the cause early on. I would have had them to the doctor and done whatever it took to keep them from getting as sick as I clearly had been. But, alas, it was 'only me.'
I am not proud of that. By being able to ignore progressively worse "symptoms", and keep plowing that field, "no matter what"... I put my family, mostly my children, through unnecessary fear, pain and tons of uncertainty. They feared that I might die. I was ashen, wheezing horribly, and having coughing attacks that made me turn blue. My spouse too, thought I might die.
My church and my pastor rallied! They started praying as soon as they knew that I had bronchitis (at least...the doctor suspected pneumonia from the first visit). They came straight from church to pray for me my first day in the hospital. They came every day except for the one day that I asked them not to; because I couldn't talk without going into a horrible and painful coughing attack.
They brought me cards, flowers, gift boxes full of special surprises, fresh fruit and nuts (because they knew I ate a spartan and healthy diet...they knew that the hospital food and all the drugs I was taking had to be a real shock for me). They kept the prayers coming and going out for me. I am so very blessed by them.
My family went through everything in the house checking for mold and dust (two horrible allergies). They cleaned filters inside and out! They did laundry that had backed up while I was so sick at home. They cleaned up several neglected areas from the kittens that the girls hand raised, and got a cage for them (another allergy). They worked so hard while I was gone, that they couldn't wait for me to return so that they could rest and so that my spouse would settle down and stop yelling at them ; ) I am sure it was quite an ordeal.
I am home now. I came home a day ago. A friend brought me home, and bought me some of those masks like you wear to keep from breathing in dust or other things. They have been wonderful...I never knew how many friends we had until now. They have encouraged us in ways that I cannot discuss here. But, inspite of appearances, things are 'looking up'; so to speak.
I am sure that several of my SoulCast friends were lifting me up in prayer as well! I am just as sure that many of my SoulCast friends that do not pray to the Almighty, were sending me good thoughts and well wishes too. I am so grateful and blessed to know each of you too.
So, I just wanted to say that I am much better. I am home now, and on the mend. I trust that all is well with each of you who are my readers, and those that I read. I already have an idea for my next blog, and I plan on catching up with my reading too...as best I can.
As I thank you and recognize my church folk for their charity to me, I leave you with this scripture:
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth." Consider me edified!
In Deep Gratitude and Wishing
All Of The Blessings Of The Lord
To Rest Upon You In Peace,
Truthsayer
