Yesterday was a difficult day at the hospital. Nathan's speech was more unintelligible than ever. He could not stay awake or speak loudly and clearly enough to be understood. That was discouraging for both him and us.
Yesterday's grace: The nurse who came on duty just before we left in the evening explained that they had begun giving Nathan a new (to him) drug that is supposed to ease his withdrawal from the sedative he had been on for almost four weeks. But the new combination of drugs, she explained, was to blame for the fact that we'd been unable to understand his speech all day long. She said that he'd soon be off the sedative altogether and that he would then be more wakeful. So we went home hoping for a better day today.
Sure enough, by morning they discontinued the sedative altogether, and continued giving only the three "transition" drugs. Nathan was wide awake all day long and speaking intelligibly. But toward the end of the day he began to hallucinate. Nathan himself used the word "terrifying" to describe what he was seeing (bugs and birds and other animals swarming around and on him).
Today's grace: At the end of the day, as we prepared to leave, Nathan was able to relax. It's hard to say whether he was just worn out, or if the Lord used Hannah's praying aloud for him, and my reading him Psalm 23 and Isaiah 41:10, to provide him enough peace to be dropping off to sleep as we left. But at least Hannah and I can sleep with a mental picture of Nathan's resting peacefully rather than crying out in fear.
Nathan is now being medicated for those hallucinations, but the nurse told us that it is a matter of cumulative effect, so we should not expect the medication to be effective before Monday. She also said, however, that some patients with brain injuries suddenly become perfectly lucid and calm. So we propose to pray that Nathan will be one of those exceptional patients who are suddenly, instantly, "clear as a bell."
As to our experiencing both good days and bad: Hannah reminded me of Ecclesiastes 7:14. My paraphrase of the New Living Translation: "Enjoy your good health and prosperity (and that of your family) while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that God is in both good times and bad. God's character can be relied upon, ...but we don't know from one minute to the next what our futures hold. Nothing is certain in this life. But those who walk by faith enjoy the good times...and trust God's good heart in bad times."
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3 comments:
Dear Greg and Hannah,
Your daily account of God's grace in the midst of your pain and fears is a testimony of the strength of faith, hope and love that God has placed in your hearts. As I read your entries these past days, I hear this song at the back of my mind and which I hope has become more poignant and meaningful and brings comfort to you:
Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, gives unto each day what He deems best. Lovingly, it's part of pain and pleasure, mingling toil with peace and rest.
Blessings and best thoughts from Grace Shangkuan Koo - together with my friends from Union Church of Manila who have not met you nor Nathan, but are praying for you.
Dear Kuya Greg,
Just like Paul's logic in Romans 8,
if God saved Nathan from brain damage and is restoring him to you, then we can be sure He will continue to perform miracles for Nathan's immediate recovery. We will continue to remember Nathan in prayer. I wonder what Nathan's thoughts are when it comes to his miraculous escape from death... Maybe someday he can tell us himself. :)
Blessings,
Jaime
Dear Greg and Hannah,
I have been praying for you and Nathan--and trying to keep up with the news from Andrew. We continue to pray for Nathan here at G.Fox and continue to pray for Andrew and you both.
My heart goes out to you and I pray that God will wrap you in arms of peace that passes understanding.
every blessing to you in the midst of this--
Sarah Baldwin
GFU Campus Pastor
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