Blog #1 – Our Journey Begins

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Job 14:1-2 (KJV)

 

The Princess and the Frog

I had not talked to my wife in twenty-one days.  I was in a doctor-induced coma, and she was not allowed to be at the ICU unit where I was in a fight to live.  Let me put this in perspective; long ago, a princess married a frog, forty-two years later, she is still a princess, and he is still a frog.  Linda (the princess) is my (the frog) high school sweetheart.  We started dating when she was fifteen years old, and I was seventeen years old.  We were married in 1979, being each other’s constant companions for over forty years. We talk every day and have had very few nights in our adult lives we were not together.

 

I saw her for the first time after twenty-one days of intubation, sitting outside the glass ICU enclosure.  One of the nursing staff had given her a whiteboard to write to me.  I was a prisoner, getting a message from an angel, as she wrote, “I missed you.”.  I mouthed my messages of love as I responded to her.  Confused, I could not understand why she did not come to my side, as she repeatedly wrote she was not allowed to go in.  We had a short time communicating through my prison glass as I hurt inside, wanting to hold my bride.  I would only later learn of the painful trials she endured during these twenty-one days.  For me, one of my greatest struggles was the feeling of abandonment for the twenty-one days of intubation.  When Linda left the ICU, these feelings were still real after our short visit; I questioned within myself if she were really there or if I was still dreaming.

The Miracle

Wednesday, September 10^th, I was taken off isolation, moved to a room, and saw Linda in person for the first time since August 19^th.  As she entered the room, she commented, “There’s my miracle man.”.  I did not feel like a miracle man and was still mostly unaware of the fight that had occurred to save my life.  I questioned why she thought I was a miracle man, and she explained she had was told I was only the second Covid-19 patient to survive intubation at Parkwest Hospital. Additionally, testing indicated, incredibly, COVID-19 did not damage my lungs, kidneys, or heart.  Linda said she had so much to tell me of God’s tender provision for her and me during this time.  Seeing her was the happiest I had been in a long time!

Explaining the Goal

As I begin my blog project, I must explain the purpose of these writings.  The Covid-19 virus brought trials into my family’s lives that are unlike anything we have experienced.  I plan to write about the things we experienced while battling the disease.  My personal story of fighting Covid-19 is a story that will discuss the medical intervention that saved my life and the physical recovery and rehabilitation that is still underway, and my loving Father’s provision throughout the trial.

• I will attempt to explain why I contracted Covid-19 and why God’s children suffer. When we suffer, we often try to find a reason why we have to endure the trial. We will see how God provides us peace in every circumstance.
• This story must include acknowledging the medical personnel who provide their skill and time to save the most serious of Covid-19 patients. These dedicated professionals are not merely working a job. They have chosen a complicated lifestyle that blends compassion and toughness to provide life-saving care for some patients while enduring others’ loss.
• We will explore struggles of faith, for all people of faith can falter give the harsh circumstances of life. I desire to provide the reader with compelling truths that reaffirm our Heavenly Father, who is always faithful to provide for us in all cases. Understanding His faithfulness, we increase our faith in Him.

Unspeakable Joy

But as I write this blog,  foremost, I want to tell of a loving God and the unspeakable joy I found while in adversity.  Our unspeakable joy is the birthright of every child of God.  Jesus Christ gives abundant joy to all of His followers, as He promised,  “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”  John 15:11 (KJV).

As I have experienced unspeakable joy in my walk with Jesus Christ, my prayer is our Heavenly Father will use the things you will read in our blog to His glory and fill you with His joy.

As I begin the story of God’s work in Linda and my lives during the fight to survive Covid-19, let our blog journey begin.