Between Two Surgeries

 

My husband Al is still going through the healing process from a procedure less than a month ago and is now preparing for a second surgery. It has been overwhelming for both of us. He is dealing with multiple issues, as well as feeling discouraged about the slow progress of healing from the first operation and the prospect of what is ahead.

 As Al’s caregiver, trying to juggle the increased responsibilities while he recuperates, along with carrying on with our regular activities has been challenging. Anxious thoughts have forced me to focus my attention on the Lord, my anchor in troubling circumstances.

One of my dad’s stories has encouraged me during this time. Dad, a big, strong, aggressive tackle found himself flat on his back in a hospital room, waiting for surgery…the second surgery in a very short period of time.

Initially he had undergone an operation to remove a tumor growing on his rib. Afterward when an x-ray was taken, it was discovered that the tumor was still present. The rib on the wrong side had been removed!

 Poor dad! He was devastated by the news and called mom from the hospital. She must have been shocked as well, especially to hear the voice of her upbeat and energetic husband sounding so depressed.

Dad told her that he wasn’t sure he would survive the next one. However, as he was resting in his hospital bed later, he heard God’s voice saying, “Jim, you are going to be okay!” With the reassurance that everything was going to work out alright, he was able to face the surgery with courage.

                        It never occurred to me to ask mom how she felt when dad hung up the phone after that “good-bye” phone call; or how she managed to take care of him after he was able to go home. They were young, hadn’t been married long and most likely had a baby or two—myself and maybe my brother, Jim.

With Dad still finishing up his college degree, money was scarce. Mom must have been under a lot of pressure. But she never complained about it.

Through many other surgeries and especially towards the end of their 58 year-long marriage, she was his chief caregiver, always at his side. Their mutual faith in God held them both steady through the trials of life.  Thinking back on my parents’ experiences, their faith and courage inspire me.

Remember Simon Peter’s trust in Jesus and his courage when he stepped out of the fishing boat to walk on the water toward Jesus? As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was okay. But the moment he realized the power of the storm raging around him, he sank.

 Peter’s faith and courage were overcome by fear. Did he drown? No! Was he terrified? Most likely!  When he cried out to Jesus for help, the Lord bent over and plucked him out of the roaring waves. Together they climbed back into the boat. At that moment, the storm abated, causing the disciples to worship Him, not a ghost but the Son of God!

Jesus and Peter. Jesus and me. Jesus and you! Alone the storms are too great to face. But we aren’t meant to face them by ourselves. We are saved by God’s grace through faith and trust in Him, not by our own efforts. He is the Almighty God who saves!

“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…” Isaiah 43:1-2a NIV

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-2 NIV

Follow up to this article: Al’s shoulder replacement surgery was on Monday, February 23^rd.  The surgery went well, however there was an infection in the joint that was to be replaced. Instead of being discharged the following day, he was kept in the hospital until the lab report came back identifying the type of infection and what antibiotic would treat it best.
            Even though disappointed, he was able to share the two scriptures above with a hospital chaplain who came to visit one morning. God is with us!