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Today was our 18th wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating, we stood in a cold and comfortless hospital room, waiting for my precious daddy to open his eyes.
Today marks his 14th day in the hospital, and most of that time has been spent in the ICU. After being life-flighted to a larger hospital and undergoing two emergency surgeries, he still wasn’t doing well. He was losing a lot of blood and no one could figure out why. Eventually, they told him he needed to have his colon removed, as that’s where the bleeding was coming from. They told him he didn’t really have any good options. In the end, my dad decided to have his colon removed, as it’s his best chance for survival.
Ever since that surgery last week, Dad has been very weak and in pain.
Every day I pray for a miracle. I pray that when I talk to my mom, who is living at the hospital, that she will tell me good news. That Dad is going to be okay and recover. But every time we talk it seems there is a new difficulty or a new setback.
Today he has a fever. His breathing is raspy and his eyes have a sad and tired look. He’s on IV antibiotics to fight off the infection, and so many other drugs for the various other issues his poor body is dealing with.
I’m trying to be strong, but sometimes you feel like you can’t be strong anymore. That’s how I’m feeling right now.
I want life to go back to the way it was before all of this happened. I want to see my dad the way he was before. I want to laugh together until we cry, the way we used to, rather than crying together in the ICU because there’s nothing to laugh about anymore.
Despite the sorrow I’ve been feeling lately, I still believe God is good. No matter the outcome, I will trust Him. He is my refuge.
I know I can’t carry this myself, and I’m looking to Jesus for help and strength.
Thank you so much for praying for us! Would you please pray for my dad to be healed, to be given a second chance? Would you pray for my wonderful mother to be strengthened and given an extra measure of grace, as she watches over my dad in the hospital at the beginning of his 3rd week there? It would mean so much to me…
Praying for you and yours sweetie — just as you asked! Many blessings and days together for you and your hubby. I hope you two are able to have a sweet, private, anniversary celebration soon. (:
Love,
Mitzi
Thank you so much, Mitzi! ♥
You and your family remain in my daily prayers. May God bless and strengthen you all.
Thank you so much for praying!
Oh, and congratulations to you and your husband on 18 years!
Thank you!
I'm so sorry your going through this, Joy. I'll be praying for your dad's recovery, for your mom as she keeps vigil at the hospital, and for you and the rest of your family.
Thank you for praying, Bridget!
dear joy,
I will be praying for you and your dad & mom…don't give up because GOD is able! A sweet friend of mine has been going through something similar with her dad…he was so near death and so sick! developed a hole in his colon and many other things. they tried to repair and they caused another hole…anyway he was in hospital for weeks and on IV for months and no solid foods. Well, praise the LORD he is now at home and taking solid foods and doing lots better! And, believe it or not, my friend's name is JOY! I will be praying!!! Take care and try to get some rest 🙂
Kay
Kay, thank you so much for sharing that. How amazing that you have a friend named Joy who is going through something similar! I'm so glad to hear that her dad is recovering. And thank you so much for praying. ♥
Praying for your dad and all the family.
Hugs,
Anne♥
Thank you, Anne. ♥
Praying for you Dad and the whole family.
Thank you, Ana. ♥
Dearest Joy, I am praying for you and your family during this time of "wilderness" knowing that it is in these very times that God provides, protects, and restores His people. May you ALL be overwhelmed with His presence. Most Sincerely, Deidre
Thank you so much for praying, Deidre. ♥