Wednesday, April 11, 2007

What a day.....

O.K……..Where do I start? Well this has been quite a day to say the least. I woke up thinking “today is going to be better than the last 3 or 4 days” boy was I wrong. Within the hour I was about to pass out. I thought it was because I needed breakfast so I cooked and ate and that didn’t help. So I called the doctor and set up an appt for blood work. Within two hours I had my blood checked which revealed low WBC, RBC, magnesium, and slight dehydration. My doctor knew something was wrong when he walked in the exam room and saw me lying down on the exam table instead of seated in a chair as usual. Within fifteen minutes, I was in a different room in a bed, with an IV started, delivering all of the fluids I needed. I also got a Neupogen and Procrit shot to help with the low blood cell counts. An hour and a half later I started to feel 100% better. I was in a semi private room and the other patient was about to undergo chemo treatment. But for some reason they could not get her nausea under control. I listened to her suffer, moaning and groaning, the entire time. Initially, it was bringing me down because I was so drained I didn’t feel like I had anything to offer her. Then the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that no matter where I am and no matter what I am going through, that I am not my own… I am His. As a result, I needed to get my mind off of myself and my own problems and be about praying for this lady next to me. So even though I felt like a wet dish rag, I started praying for God to give her some relief. As I began to feel better, I started talking to her daughter about her mother’s situation. Come to find out, we have the same oncologist. She had colon cancer and had surgery and now has liver mets. So I began to share my story and encouraged her that this is just one day of many days to come. We call it the rollercoaster effect….. you have good days, bad days, and of course those in between days. I asked her her name and told her I would continue to pray for her. Then I heard my IV beep and looked up to realize that I had talked my bag empty.

As of 10:00 pm Wednesday night I am still a little pale and a little weak but much better than this morning. I’ve got more to say so tune in tomorrow…. Thanks be to God and my doctor’s and nurses and my father-in-law who helped pull my wagon out of the ditch today.

George

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

George,

First of all George, I'm am truly thankful that you are feeling better. Second, You truly are an inspiration to me. Through your testimonies and journaling on this blog, I, along with others, see that it is possible(sometimes hard, and sacrificial)to serve the Lord in ALL situations. Thanks for sharing the good and the not so good.....Because through both, George, the Lord Jesus has been glorified, and I know that's your desire! You are such a blessing! I continue to pray for you and your family. Thanks for everything you give, George!

Shawn Wilkerson:)

Ruth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ruth said...

You know God is pleased with you when, despite how yucky you feel, you still allow Him to use you. Yes, I know, we are all supposed to do that, but sooo many times we don't. Good for you, George. I am glad you are feeling better, and I hope you feel 100% better from that very soon.

Ruth Burton

Anonymous said...

George,
I wanted to ask if you can make a call to guy name Mark Johnson. He is in the Lake at this time and will be transported to Tulane tomorrow for some test. I am going to forward to you the email that came to me yesterday. When I receive the results I immediately thought George can answer questions that he or his wife may have. He is a member of Greenwell Springs Baptist and has been involve with Discovery as well. What better person can reach out and understand then someone that has been through it himself. God is using you in a mighty way to be his tool as a witness. You are an awesome man and a strong one at that even though at times you may not feel strong and the enemy comes in you still stand on the word of our Heavenly Father. Mark is in room 551. If you feel up to it can you call him today. Thanks Gayle Wallace

Anonymous said...

George, I am grateful that you are home and feeling a bit better. You are dear to us all and we pray in agreement for God's mercy and healing of every part of you, my friend.
Keep fighting the good fight. Love ya', Russell

Anonymous said...

George,

Reading your Blog today, I couldn't help but think of a scene in the Movie called "Master and Commander". Maybe you've seen it. Anyway, the scene is a ferocious and fearful nautical battle taking place between a British and French Man-O-War (1800's Clipper ships). During this engagement a very young and scared British Midshipmen looks to one of his ships "very seasoned Sailors" for encouragement. In the intense heat of the battle, this salty Sailor, realizing the young officers need, holds up both of his fists which displays a tatooed inscription across each of his weather worn hands,...Two words appeared,..."HOLD FAST".

You are a blessing and thank you for your example of how to "HOLD FAST".