Sunday, September 28, 2008

Please pray............

Looks like I will be away for the computer for some time, but wanted to be able to pass on an urgent prayer request from our family……

Early this morning Russ woke up in a cold sweat, numbness down his left side, blurred vision.....I went and woke up a friend to come stay with our 4 kids, and called a co-worker to take us to the hospital (Russ is pretty stubborn when it comes to sickness, so when he told me to call someone I knew it was serious)...when we arrived at the hospital his BP was 160/120, and while he was laying down after we first got there, he seemed to have two more small 'aftershocks'. The doctor feels sure that he had a mild stroke.

Friends came to be with us and help with hospital proceedings (suffice it to say it's different here, so pray that we can act proactively yet appropriately to the culture, without always comparing, "In American hospitals they...." He's doing better, resting, his BP has been within the normal range - thoughts and speech are clear, but his body is weak and maybe a little in shock. Since it’s Sunday, labs are closed, so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow for him to be taken for a CT scan. Not sure beyond that what the plan of action will be. Appreciate your prayers for wisdom.

We both talked earlier about unrelated things that had come up this week that seemed to be the Lord quietly calling our attention…situations where we had to pull back and proceed with understanding and knowledge, and patiently…I can see where these things were preparing our hearts for this situation. I found it interesting too, as we were waiting in the admitting area, that the doctor on call began singing (in English, no less) – “A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, a wonderful Savior to me…He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock where visions of pleasure I see. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry thirsty land…He hideth my life in the depths of His love and covers me there with His hand…” Tears come typing those words – not at the stress of the situation but at the beautiful, sheltering love of our Lord.

Several of our co-workers and some of the students who are off classes this week have offered to care for the kids, such a blessing not to have to worry about them at this time. They are in loving hands. Others will be taking turns helping and sitting with us at the hospital.

OK – need to get a shower and pull together some things to take back with me…while we wait for a private room to open, we are sharing a room with an older stroke patient (and his wife and their son…) and while they’re lovely people, we’d really rather have the privacy (and I would appreciate not sleeping on the floor with them!). Times like these we definitely feel and thank you for your prayers.

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11 comments:

  1. Dina, be assured that I will pray earnestly for Russ to regain his strength and be well again. And I will pray for you..for your strength to get through this with him. God Bless You!

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  2. Dina, my thoughts are with you and your family. I hope that the medical system there is sufficeint to figure out what is going on with Russ and that you are able to keep spirits high while waiting for any news.

    Hugs,

    Kim

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  3. Prayers go out to your husband, you and your children. I hope he gets the best care possible and for you to stay strong....
    Many Blessings,
    Lorelie

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  4. Dina, we will certainly pray for you, your children and for Russ's safe return home. We are all thankful for your quick action...I'm sure it will make a positive difference in Russ' recovery. Bless you all.
    --Becca

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  5. Dina - my thoughts and prayers are with your husband and family!!! I hope he will be up to speed again soon!!! God bless!!!

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  6. Dina, I will be praying for you and for Russ. I am sorry you are going through this. I also noticed that you were not feeling well. I hope you both will be well again soon.

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  7. Dina, I will be lifting you and hubby up to our Lord and great Physician. He knows exactly what you need right now and I pray He gives you all of that and strength besides! God Bless, my friend!

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  8. Bless your heart, Dina! I'll be praying for both you and your husband. Praise the Lord for His encouragement through the doctor, though, even at such a stressful time. God is good. All the time.

    Love you! Tricia

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  9. Dina, I will be praying for you, Russ and you kids too.
    I hope everything goes well.
    God bless
    Giovana

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  10. Dina - your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this trying time.
    Hugs, Jami

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  11. Oh, Dina! I receive my updates on your blog via FeedBlitz, so I just read about Russ and your health issues. I will include these in my prayers. I too teared up when I read that the Dr at the hospital was singing such a powerful hymn. How good is our Lord that he would give you such assurance at that time, in that place! He amazes me!

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