Blog #5 – A Great Day For UP

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  25  Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.  Psalm 118:24-25 (KJV)

 “Save now; I beseech thee, O Lord” (Psalms 118:25) – The word save here seems to be used in the general sense of imploring the divine interposition and mercy. “Send now prosperity” – Give success; be favorable. To the Psalmist God, had interposed, and now the prayer is, that there might be continued and uninterrupted prosperity; that as the tide had begun to turn in the psalmist’s favor. This became my unrealized prayer on September 11th, 2020, for my direction was making another turn.  An unrealized turn toward physical rehabilitation.

The Princess’s New Prayer

I wrote the previous blog of the princess (Linda), coming back to the hospital after my “waterboarding.”  Because of my distraught demeanor, even with COVID-19 visitation policies preventing overnight visitors, the hospital granted the princess a special dispensation to stay with me overnight.  For many nights, she slept in an upright position in a chair beside my bed.  As I previously stated, I awoke each day at four in the morning.  It was no fun to be awake alone at that time, so I would try to talk with the princess each morning.  She graciously responded, “why don’t you go back to sleep? “BECAUSE I CAN’T!  She told me later this morning that she had prayed for weeks the Lord would wake me up; she prayed this morning, the Lord would cause me to go to sleep.

Thirst is a vicious adversary.  My liquid requirements were met through a feeding tube, from intubation until today, yet still, I had an overwhelming thirst.  The hospital staff was concerned I could not swallow liquid without it strangling me. I begged in vain for water or ice cubes.  Today, the hospital staff prepared water for me by thickening it to a “honey thick” viscosity.  Yes, it is just as it sounds; although cool, the water is as thick as honey.  It was the best thing I ever poured down my throat. Through these experiences, I am learning to enjoy life’s everyday things: cold water, breathing, walking on a walker, sitting on a couch, rolling over in the bed, etc.  We find joy when we realize how blessed we are and stop taking “common” things for granted.  Have you considered what life would be like if you could not do the everyday things you enjoy?

A Great Day For Up!

 In 1974, Dr. Suess wrote the children’s book, “A Great Day For UP,” which said the following “UP! UP! The sun gets up, So UP with you!” Today is Friday, September 11^th, 2020, and I was told today you are getting UP!  I had continually been in a bed for about a month and did not want to get up.  Beyond that, I am so weak, and I cannot get up. I usually do not give others names in the blog. Still, two dedicated physical therapists, knew I needed to get up for my general health and preparation for a rehabilitation facility.

I am amazed at their strength to lift me out of bed.  I was two hundred pounds of dead weight with no use of either leg.  The pain of the move was exceptional, with both legs and my lower back protesting each inch moved.   I was terrified that I would fall at any moment, but they were committed to making sure I was safe.  From the “stand,” they moved me about four feet into the chair the princess usually slept.  The therapists told me to sit in the chair for a while for my overall health.  Everything I heard that day was UP; UP. I guess it was a great day for up, but I only wanted to go back to my bed and be left alone.  Today begins many physical challenges to come.  I am very grateful to the dedicated therapists starting with these two professionals and continuing at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center.  Without today’s work, I would not have been able to be moved to the rehabilitation center.

I thought physical therapy at Parkwest Hospital was brutal. Little did I know I was living on “easy street.” And the hard work was still to come!