Grace

In our situation, with both girls going through major health challenges, we pray for grace.  We pray for grace every day as a matter of fact.  I pray for grace before I get out of bed.  Then, when some wonderful things happen to us during the day, I always know Who to thank.  And it's not my "lucky stars;"  He has a name!  He is God with us, Emmanuel.  My heart overflows sometimes when I see His hand and I wish with all of my heart that I would turn and see Him standing right next to me.  I could thank Him face to face and we could talk together in the cool of the day as Adam and Eve once did in the garden.  One day, that will be so, but for now I have to imagine His delighted expression when He hears my words of gratitude.

As you know, we have been working very diligently to move to Pittsburgh for two months at which time we will be with Qavah during her bone marrow transplant.  Our plan was to leave Kathryn here, so that she would be able to get to her doctors and receive her Remicade treatments without interruption.  However, once Kathryn's hip caused her to be in a wheelchair most of the day, we realized that she could not be left alone.  We prayed, we questioned God about the timing, and we made lists of things we needed to do for Kathryn to maintain her independence, etc.  But what we really needed was someone to come and stay at the house with her, to take her to appointments, and to help her with daily tasks.  

Last weekend we invited a young woman we know over for a visit.  As we visited, it became clear to us that she was wanting to move back to Roanoke from New Orleans.  She let us know this afternoon that she indeed will move back to Roanoke and move in with Kathryn to oversee things while we are gone.  She and Kathryn have been friends for awhile and they have many things in common.  We can now look forward to hearing about their adventures back here in Roanoke, while we turn our attention to Qavah in Pittsburgh.  If you think about it from time to time, would you pray for her?  Her name is GRACE!  Once again God has answered my prayers for grace in a most delightful way.

Picture taken last Fall with our small group ladies.  Grace is standing directly behind Kathryn:

Tuesday Night

Paul and I just returned from meeting with some great Christian friends.  We shared some insights into scripture passages and prayed together about what it means to leave a spiritual legacy to our children and grandchildren.  We also read a small portion of Billy Graham's newest book called Nearing Home.  We had such a good time, and good conversation, that I find I would rather write a blog entry than go to bed.

Yesterday we left the house early and had a very busy schedule meeting with Kathryn's doctors about her leg bones.  We took the MRI to a surgeon and then visited with the hematologist and pain management doctor.  Those exams took most of the day, but we came home very encouraged.  Kathryn is now considering surgery on her leg, after thinking through the consequences if she doesn't.  Although we have a great deal of medical knowledge about how a surgeon can help with avascular necrosis, we know that God can, and does still miraculously heal the broken.  Miracles do happen in our day, yet we know God may choose to heal Kathryn by other means. 

We have peace in our home and hearts no matter what Kathryn and Qavah may face.  The peace that we have is not of our own making; it is the fulfillment of the promise Jesus made to us.  So we continue to walk through deep waters and fiery trials, but we are not consumed.  And suddenly it occurs to me that this peace in trouble times may very well be the legacy we leave with our children and grandchildren.  May they, like we, depend on the Prince of Peace to comfort them when they are faced with similar trials.  

"Why is our faith our greatest legacy? Because the memory of what we are like - not just our

personalities but our character and our faith has the potential to influence others for Christ." Billy Graham 

Saturday Sundown

We are all making the necessary changes and adjustments in our lives to accommodate Kathryn's needs.  We have to take into account the extra time needed to prepare for the day's activities.  At first I couldn't seem to get us girls together before noon.  But slowly we are getting into a new routine in the mornings, and this past week went much smoother.  Kathryn has the most adjusting to do.  She is now adjusting to her new bed, her wheel chair, and as of last Thursday, a walker.  She can use the walker sparingly, and it helps with stability while she is moving from a seated position to standing.  We have some more work to do to get her to the place where she is completely functional.  A mirror mounted on her level is the next thing on the "to do" list because for her, wearing lipstick is still a "must."

This past week I've been listening to sermons and finding passages on following God by faith.  It has been comforting to me to reach back into history and find that when people followed God's plan, even though their lives were filled with battles, victories were won by standing strong on what they knew to be true about their God.  It was their faith in the strength and power of God that kept hope alive in the hearts of those He called.  I hope to lean on that same strength as we continue to help our daughters face uncertain days.

By Faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  By Faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations whose designer and builder was God. Hebrews 11:8-10

New Bed

There is a learning curve for each new diagnosis and today we have been reading all we can about avascular necrosis. One thing we know for sure is that we need a second opinion, and Kathryn will be calling around to find one.  Today the hospital bed arrived and it has a special mattress to prevent bed sores.  It sat there in the library looking forlorn all afternoon and after supper I put all of the bed linens on it.  That changed the way it looked.  Suddenly it was inviting.  Kathryn was able to get into the bed using the triangle dangling above her head and noticed how much pressure it took off of her hip.  She positioned the bed with a touch of a button and said, "Wow, this is really comfortable!"  She asked for a book and is reading at this moment.  A new wheel chair came with the bed today, and the health care company measured to install ramps so that Kathryn can get in and out of the house by herself.  All of these changes are helping her adjust to living in a seated position.

A health care agency came out this afternoon to talk about what we can do for Kathryn when she is here, and we are in Pittsburgh with Qavah.  We have some options including putting her in a rehab center, but that would be our last choice.  We've had many offers of help, now we just need to sit down with volunteers and make a plan.  We won't see until further down the road why Kathryn and Qavah are going through some major things at the same time, but this I do know:  God is not daunted by adversity, it is in adversity that He shows us His glory.  

Together

When we said good-bye last Monday morning, and Paul left for the airport, it seemed as though his homecoming on Friday was a long way off.  After several flight delays, Paul is finally home tonight.  Too tired to talk or think, we sat together with the girls in a dark room by candle light drinking in the happy feeling of being together again.  

This has been a week of adjustment for all of us.  Especially for Kathryn.  Having to wait on someone to run and get things for her has been an adjustment for her.  She misses the freedom of using her legs.  The new wheel chair will be here next week, and that will give her more mobility in the house.  We have also been blessed this week by women who have come here to visit.  They put time aside to stop in to say hello, and to pray with us.  After they left, Kathryn and I talked about their visit as though they were family.  It was like entertaining sisters that we hadn't seen in a long time.  That's how it seemed to us, because they also shared our love and commitment to God our Father.

We're happy that the work week is coming to a close, and that our Sabbath rest is approaching.  Some weeks seem longer than others!

Workable Plans

I'm checking in for a quick update.  Qavah is beside me in her hospital bed getting a transfusion.  This will give her more energy on this beautiful spring day. Her spirits are high, and she is laughing right now at the antics of Elmo.  She is watching TV and snacking on Graham Crackers.  I am thankful as I sit here watching her.  She is so happy, and perfectly content.

Kathryn is at home this morning and waiting to be carried down the stairs by Paul Burton who is sleeping in after working late last night.  I help her wake up, get her up, and bring her a banana berry smoothie to start her day.  She can sit in her wheel chair and get to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash for the day.  After dressing and putting on her make up, she just waits for Paul Burton or Paul to carry her while I carry the wheel chair downstairs.  Then she is able to sit in her chair and get around the house for the rest of the day.  She seems very happy and content with the new normal.  We've had home visits from nurses, and a physical therapist.  It has been a very good week, and we see the Lord's hand in the details.

Paul flew to New Mexico and then Texas on business this week.  Last Sunday we sat together and prayed about the upcoming week.  As we looked at my schedule, which includes a trip to Richmond with Qavah tomorrow, we didn't see how it would all come together.  I was anxious about getting through the week without Paul.  We are half way through the week now, and details have fallen into place in such a wonderful way, that I feel guilty for being anxious.  Not only have our needs been met, we've all had a good week, and I have had time to go for a walk each day in the beautiful spring weather we have been having. 

There are offers of help, and people volunteering to stay with Kathryn while I am away tomorrow.  What started out as a week I thought would be next to impossible, has turned out to be a week of blessing upon blessing.  I can read in scripture that God is my strength, and I can hear testimonials from people who have had to overcome great obstacles by His power.  But it is only when I have to rely on God completely that His word comes alive in my heart.  He really does have all things under His command.  Any one else been there?  

What's Next: MRI

The x-rays taken yesterday at the surgeon's office showed a profound problem in Kathryn's femur and hip.  An MRI is being scheduled, and will show the extent of the problem.  The surgeon Kathryn saw told her that she will not be able to put any weight on her right leg any more; that her bone might collapse.  Her left leg had visible signs of avascular necrosis but not to the same extent as her right side.  The doctor told her that hip replacement surgery might help her to use her legs again.  It was a lot to take in.

The physician told me that now is the time to make our home handicap accessible, and to plan on getting Kathryn a hospital bed and bedside commode.  We are so thankful to be able to provide what is needed, and Kathryn has asked that we make her a new room where we currently have our library.  She asked us to keep the first floor guest room for company, because she didn't want us to stop having overnight guests. 

Paul has been looking into home elevators, thinking that Kathryn should have access to the whole house.  If anyone could come up with an amazing idea, and install one, it would be him.  Of course our hearts are hurting because of this news, but we must continue planning and dreaming, because life goes on.  We are thankful that Kathryn is in good spirits and helping us with a workable plan for her care.  We are also praying for a miraculous healing of her bones.  When Jesus said, in John 14: 27, "Peace I leave with you." I believe He meant for those words to calm our hearts in situations just like this.  Our home is covered in peace tonight. Thanks be to God.

Monday Stuff

We woke up to what looked like a winter wonderland this morning.  But it lasted no more than a couple of hours and it all melted away.  School children had a day off here in the Roanoke Valley, but the snow never did amount to much.  I'm sure that was a disappointment to many.

We girls stayed at home during the day and Kathryn had another visit from the home health nurse. Kathryn's major complaint today was pain. Pain management is tricky with Kathryn because pain medication causes stomach trouble and that leads to other problems.  So she is managing to take medication only when the pain is more than she can stand, which isn't the best way to keep pain under control.  Her hip and right femur to her knee is the location of the worst pain.  She has stayed in a reclined position most of the day and we were able to watch some wonderful nature shows together.

We ordered one thousand prayer cards for Qavah and they came in the mail today.  She took ten of them to Lowes with her tonight and handed them to random people while she shopped with Paul.  One woman quickly caught up to Qavah and Paul as they were headed out of Lowes.  She asked for a prayer card, and promised to pray for Qavah.  When the daily news seems so discouraging, it is good to remember that there are people all around us ready and willing to show kindness.  When the going is tough, isn't it good to know that someone is praying?

Physical Therapy Begins

The physical therapist worked with Kathryn today and showed her how to use her crutches.  She is trying to find a good balance between resting her leg, yet keeping her muscles and joints limber with exercise.  We girls went to the grocery store tonight and Qavah pushed Kathryn in a wheel chair while I shopped with a grocery cart.  Once we got a system going we were able to get around the store pretty well.  

With the therapist and nurses coming here during the day, we have met some new people and hope to be an encouragement to them while they are here.  This afternoon I was upstairs picking up toys with my three year old grandson Nehemiah, when the doorbell rang.  I could hear the cheerful voice of Qavah's teacher.  He asked, "Who is that at the door, Nonny?"  "It's Qavah's teacher," I answered.  After a minute of listening to their happy voices he declared, "I want to go downstairs with Qavah and get teached, Nonny!"  I love the creative grammar of a three year old.  I love the surprise of an unexpected burst of laughter in my day too.