| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
 Posted - 02/25/2003 : 10:45:51
|
If it's okay I think this would be a good thread for us to maintain. Please use this forum to post the praises in your life and requests for prayer when they arise.
PRAISE:
Friends,
Yesterday brought many praises and tears of happiness. The 13 year old daughter, Brittany, of our pastor, successfully received a kidney from her Mother, Dianne. This is nothing short of a miracle. 2/12 years ago, Brittany was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. This disease rendered her kidneys useless. She has had to endure 8 hours of dialysis every night. Two weeks ago, today. Brittany had multiple seizures while at the end of her nightly dialysis. Her dad, Mark, found her on the floor, eyes completely dialated, not breathing and no pulse. After 2 minutes of CPR, no response. Brittany was gone! Mark had the presence of mind to continue CPR until paramedics would arrive. Before help arrived, Brittany began to breath, on her own. While in transit she seized multiple times. The diagnosis was an elevated temperature and blood pressure. After 6 days in hospital, Brittany came home. As I previously said, yesterday Brittany received a kidney from her mom. According to the doctors, Dianne's kidney was perfect and when they hooked it up to Brittany it "pinked" right up. We are so thankful for the mercy of God, talents of the medical staff and you our friends for praying.
PRAYER:
Last night when I arrived at home I received news that my Father, Donald, was hospitalized because of seizures. My father is 77 years old and is a prostate and lung cancer survivor. While on the telephone with my father's primary care physician received the results of his ER cat scan. My father has multiple tumors on his brain. This would explain the seizures and severe headaches. Today we are meeting with a Radiology Oncologist. The preliminary thought is that the cells associated with the lung cancer have appeared in his brain. The good news is these lung cancer type cells react very well to radiation. While prostate cancer type cells do not respond as well. The realistic news is that my father has months, weeks, days to live. First let me tell you all how deeply I care for each of you. Think of you and pray for you often. I have learned that this walk of faith progresses from a head thing to a heart understanding. I love my dad. I appreciate his life. I see his fingerprints on my life and others. I am prepared to help him make any decisions we are faced with. How shall we pray? First for the peace of God to pass all our understanding. That dad and I would be able to prepare him for what lies ahead, eternally. And of course for wisdom for the medical staff and healing for my dad.
God bless you all as you seek His face.
Grace & Peace.
|
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 14:12:21
|
UPDATE:
I am in between visits and have time to write you a quick note.
My dad has multiple Class IV tumors that have invaded both hemispheres of the brain. This is from the lung cancer he has been fighting. In addition, the bone scan revealed cancer in his breastbone, scapula and 11th vertebrae. All of this of course is terminal. Dad has received 3 of 10 courses of radiation to reduce the brain tumors and ease any pain that he might have. We will be bringing him home for Hospice. Hospice nurses will come everyday and manage his pain. There will be no life saving measures. We are here to help him 'finish well' and die with dignity.
A hard road to hoe, but we will be okay with all the prayers we are receiving.
|
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
 |
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2003 : 12:44:52
|
UPDATE:
PRAISE:
Brittany, the 13 year old girl, is up and about. After her kidney transplant, she is now walking around her hospital room and had her first Coke in 2 1/2 years. Her mom, Dianne, is at home and resting after giving up the kidney.
PRAYER:
Dad had a couple of setbacks this weekend. Early Saturday morning Dad fell in his room, at the Care Center, and now has a twisted neck and black eye! After returning from the ER, I asked his nurse if he had anything for the pain? Yes, Extra Strength Tylenol. I requested they watch him for a little while longer and give him something stronger, if needed. She proceeded to put in the chart I was 'insisting' on stronger medicine. Then she proceeded to remind me that stronger medicine has addictive properities. While trying not to laugh, I reminded her that I was not insistent and that my father was dying. I asked her if she were being executed at midnight and had one meal left, do you think it would matter if you followed your strict salt free diet? :-) Sorry I couldn't resist.
Saturday evening Dad threw up blood clots. I had to rush down to ER again. This time the medical staff understood the situation. The ER doc had just lost his Mom and she was in hospice. Together we decided to give Dad something to settle his stomach and ease the neck pain with Demoral. The ER doc said he would put in his chart to medicate as often as necessary.
Today Dad was to continue radiation. I was going to take him but his neck is still very painful. Can't see causing any more discomfort for him. So, we are suspened the balance of radiation and are making final preparations to bring him to our home.
Thanks for letting me share, it helps. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
|
Cheryl Joyce
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2003 : 18:54:32
|
Don
Thank you for sharing your life experiences. I can only say that you are truly a "king" You are held in my heart as a friend, therefore you must be a king.
To hear all the unfortunate situations surrounded in your life only makes me appreciate mine.I am tough but you are tougher I can only imagine the size of your shoulders. I know that God has a plan that only he and you understand.
I offer all that I have, my prayers for comfort to you and your loved ones. Thank you for your prayers when I needed them most and know that I return them back to you.
Cheryl |
|
|
|
Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2003 : 09:58:25
|
Don: I agree with Cheryl, and pray that you are comforted in the knowlege that GOD is in control. It is times like these that we feel so small and nothing we do seems to be enough.
Cheryl, just as I have gone through this and the grief is indescribable.
You will be comforted by faith, but you will still have that feeling that you could have done more. When loving someone so much and seeing them suffer you can only ease your symtoms of grief through prayer. Only time and faith can do the healing. Memories are forever. God Bless you and the family.
Your father and I grew up in the same era. I think he is a year older, he was a 26 model and I was a 27 model. That was what we thought were the good old days, but only the good memories remain. So the good old days are the present and only the good memories will remain after the passing of time. |
|
|
|
ALANJ
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2003 : 10:48:39
|
Prayer:
The wife went off on another drunk. It's just me and the 6 yr old boy. Had to file for divorce. I can use all the prayer I can get.
Praise:
She didn't kill the boy and step daughter when she was driving drunk. God got me through the bar exam.
Thanks,
Alan |
|
|
|
rr
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2003 : 12:30:09
|
Prayers with both of you dadx9 and alan j
Hang in there and will see the sunshine coming soon.
Rez |
|
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2003 : 14:26:28
|
Newt, Thanks for your encouragement! Dad is a '25 model. The good news today is Dad was very coherent today. We continued the radiation. He still has some discomfort but much better. We will still begin hospice next week. Yes, where I am weak he is strong. I am really doing okay. I appreciate all the love.
Alan, I will certainly prayer for you and the kids. Also, for your wife that she will stop this self destructive behavior. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
|
Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2003 : 15:37:08
|
My feelings run deep on this Alan, I don't know what I would have done had I been in your situation. Its so tragic that people go off the deep end and finish up alone. We need to pray for her and forgive, because she lost so much. You are a believer so you will survive, just don't be bitter, and thats a hard thing sometimes.
Glad to hear the good news, getting through the Bar exam. Have good thoughts and get on with life. You still have many friends and the creator on your side. |
|
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2003 : 20:46:28
|
UPDATE:
I saw Brittany (received a kidney two weeks ago). She is home and looks great! We are grateful for her health and all who took time to lift her up in prayer. THANK YOU !!!
PRAYER:
Just got back from seeing my Dad in the hospital. This past week has been difficult for him. He has received 7 of 10 radiation treatments. My three youngest went with me this evening. Dad is slipping quick. His oxygen levels went down to 84 and are hovering at 90. Those numbers need to be 95+ in order to provide essential organs with oxygen. He is in no pain and just very tired. I reminded him all our kids (and grand daughter) will be home next Friday. I asked him to hold on...... but gave him permission to go if he was too tired / weak. We had a great conversation, he talked to each of the three kids I took with me. Told them how much he loved them! It was great experience!!! It was really tough on the kids (they perceive that Dad is suffering). I reminded them that he is not in pain.
How to prayer? Selfishly, I pray that Dad could see everyone one more time. We'd all go to church together, have a family meal, take a nap and wake up in the arms of Jesus!
Thanks for all the kind words and prayers.
Roy, thanks for allowing a place for us to speak into each other's lives. I appreciate it!
p.s. I'm okay. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2003 : 08:50:55
|
UPDATE:
I am so thankful this day has arrived!!! Dad is coming home (to our home) to begin the next great adventure, hospice.
My sister and niece arrived last night, from Minnesota. My son and daughter-in-law will arrive early this evening, from Austin, Texas. My daughter, son-in-law and garnddaughter while arrive this evening, from eastern Illinois. Tomorrow morning I will drive to Manhattan, Kansas to pick up my son at K-State.
Dad finished his 10 radiation treatments on Wednesday. (I am so proud of him for completing that difficult task!) I let him rest all day yesterday. The boys and I moved his stuff to our home yesterday. (We were abe to sneak in a short visit). Last night I took my sister and niece to see 'Papa Don'. He is still very alert only extremely weak and tired. He hasn't been eating (can't blame him the food there is pitiful). I'm sure my wife and daughters will fatten him up. (Those who know me on CADO understand why everyone calls me "BIG DADDY" :-)
How to pray? That we can help Dad regain some of his appetite.
This morning the hospital bed, oxygen, wheel chair and walker will be delievered. This afternoon the first visit by the hospice nursing team. Then let the party begin!!!!
Thanks for letting me share. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
|
Cheryl Joyce
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2003 : 20:25:59
|
Tell him there are those of us praying for him and your entire family.
Cheryl |
|
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2003 : 07:44:00
|
Cheryl,
Thanks, he knows that for sure! All nine of my kids are here to celebrate Dad and Jesus in our lives!
He can go anytime now! |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
|
Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2003 : 10:49:24
|
On behalf of my father and family I would like to thank you all for your public and private words of comfort and encouragement. After a couple of tough days (Sat. Sun. & Mon) yesterday was a day where Dad was peaceful and rested. Early this morning (5:00) I gave Dad his med's. He took a deep breath....... I thought he passed. But he kept breathing. This morning around 7:00 I when in to check on him and give him his med's..... and he was already in the arms of Jesus!
My father was a good man.... ya'll would of liked him. He would have been a great contirbutor here on CADO, because he would agree with all of you :-)
Anyway, thanks for the avenue to tell you about my Dad.
Grace & Peace
|
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
|
|
|
rugg
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2003 : 14:06:05
|
May he rest in peace. I hope that you are able to take comfort in knowing that he is with his maker.
God bless you! |
|
|
|
JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2003 : 14:54:17
|
Don, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow and loss.
May God Bless you and your family as he sustains with his Love and Grace and Glory. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Praise and Prayer
Forum Locked
