Nearly four months have passed since this blog was last updated - Jan. 13, when Jim had cellulitis in his right leg. On May 8, while re-reading that day's post about endurance from Hebrews
12: 1-2, I was reminded of what we should remember ALL THE TIME. Guess that's why we continue to be works in progress.
MINISTRY We have continued to minister to folks from the Wilton Baptist Church. ... Ron and Carla, Archie, Harry, Don and Anna. Harry Martin, who was near death last summer, but wasn't ready to leave this world, was given an extension until God took him home on April 20. (We last saw him on the morning of April 19.) By that time, he was ready.
Plus I have stayed in contact with Shirley and Judy, meeting for lunch and a movie once a month.
We continue to serve the very small congregation at Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, preaching on Sundays. Our friends Ron, Carla and Shirley from WBC surprised us by visiting a couple times. Fourteen attended for Easter - 5 members, 7 visitors and us - breakfast and worship.
We continue to be much involved with our family. Our grandson, Austin enjoyed Awana / Cubbies at Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, on Wednesday nights. This fall he will start kindergarten.
PITFALLS OF DIARRHEA March 11, Jim started dealing (or not) with diarrhea. It came and went. A visit to the doctor showed it to be a bacterial infection, so he was put on two different kinds of antibiotics plus Imodium to take when necessary. It took a week before there was improvement and he felt like eating. The problem redeveloped April 4 and he was back on antibiotics and Imodium by April 6. The second round of antibiotics took care of things in short order and the problem has not returned.
R & R We enjoyed a little R & R for two days in LaGrange, Mo., leaving right after Easter services and returning home April 18. We also visited Jim's longtime friends from Hannibal-LaGrange College days, Billie and Wilma Knight, who recently moved from their home in Pleasant Hill, Ill., to the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.
CAR VS GARAGE On April 21, we had a major incident with our garage. Jim, who often does what he thinks needs to be done, regardless of whether it is wise to actually do so, got groceries and mowed both the front and back yards. He was definitely tired. Then he picked me up from work at 6 p.m. On the way home, he noticed his right leg fell asleep; he couldn't push the pedal to go faster, but then it seemed okay. And he didn't have any problems stopping the car, but when he got to our driveway, he could not stop the car - and so drove it into the closed garage door. No one was hurt, but we needed a new garage door and our mini van repaired - back window was out, front windshield was badly cracked, hood was dented and had multiple scratches, fender was dented, antenna was broken off.
We needed a car to drive, and fortunately, we did not have to rent one. I put out an SOS on Facebook and through the Immanuel email, and Marie and Bob Kenward offered us the use of an extra car they had. The car was delivered around 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, and at the same time, Bob said he could fix the lawn mower that needed repair after being hit by the car.
As time went on, our insurance company decided our mini van was totaled because to repair it (over $5,000) was more than 70 percent of the value of the vehicle - we elected to buy it back and have it repaired for a couple thousand less. So after paying the deductible for both car and homeowners insurance and buying back the vehicle, we settled up with the insurance company.
We are hopeful we will have the car back by Friday afternoon, May 12. Since mid-week we have been told it was nearly done - they were working on detailing. We are to have the garage door trim replaced Sunday, assuming the weather is cooperative, and the door will be replaced as soon as the ordered piece comes in and can be scheduled.
DOCTOR'S VISITS On April 25, we visited our chiropractor, Dr. Jeff Mitchell, who suggested Jim visit his primary doctor. There was some thought the leg weakness could be the result of a stroke. On April 28, we visited Dr. Todd Butler. Preliminaries showed Jim's BP was rather low, ranging from 78/46 to 90/50 after three tries. Various tests showed he had right leg and foot weakness, but elsewhere he was fine.
NO STROKE An MRI of Jim's brain was scheduled for May 1 - results showed he did not have a stroke.
NO PINCHED NERVE Then an EMG was scheduled for May 9 at the Neurodiagnostic Lab on sixth floor of St. Luke's. He had this same test in 2011, when he was diagnosed with a stroke. The test/procedure involved using needles. The test did not give an indication of what was wrong, only what wasn't - all peripheral nerves looked healthy. The weakness was intermittent vs. constant, and Dr. Smith, who evaluated results, did not think it was a pinched nerve. He suggested seeing a neurologist, and if Jim was going to drive, to use his left leg when braking.
NEXT STOP NEUROLOGIST On Thursday, May 11, we visited our friendly neighborhood M.D., Dr. Todd Butler (whose 50th birthday was this day). Jim's BP were more on the normal side - 98/56. Dr. Butler also suggested seeing a neurologist. In years past, Jim has seen Dr. Krain, but that wasn't feasible this time around. We have an 8 a.m. appointment scheduled for July 14 with Dr. Thomas Rogers.
We celebrated our 26th anniversary on April 27. Lilacs were in bloom. Friends George and Jani Ford joined us for lunch in the Amanas.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT On May 4, Jim learned his name was on the second round list of $1,000 scholarship recipients to the SBC Pastor's Conference and Annual Meeting June 11-14 in Phoenix. Applications were sent out via the SBC Voices website. Whoever submitted applications first were given the opportunity to attend. Jim is among 60 smaller church pastors to be given this opportunity, thanks to a plan put in play by Iowa pastor Dave Miller, 2017 Pastor's Conference president, and his group and the generosity of larger churches, individuals and businesses who donated funds.
2 YEARS CANCER-FREE Friday, May 12, marks Jim's second anniversary of being cancer-free. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer on Feb. 19, 2015.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
God IS good ...
God IS good, all the time.
If we would but remember that, and keep our focus on Him and let Him take over, then we wouldn't get dismayed every time things got tough. But. we don't remember, we don't keep our focus on Him, we don't allow Him to take control all the time and we certainly do get dismayed.
Yet He hears the prayers of His children. And He answers .... it is in His own good time and sometimes the answer is Yes, sometimes No, sometimes Maybe or Perhaps or Later. Whenever and whatever He answers, it always will be for His purpose, always for us to learn to trust Him more, and always to His glory.
This week has been a long one. Eight nights, 7 days, 4 visits to the doctor, 2 different antibiotics. Concern, anxiety, with a leg very inflamed and lots of swelling and pain, and a diagnosis of cellulitis, gave way to more calmness as by Wednesday night, Jan. 11, it appeared the swelling was decreasing...the redness was lessening. There was still tenderness, but with Jim resting his leg by keeping it elevated as much as possible, God's healing power was evident.
Friday morning, Jan. 13, we visited Dr. Butler, and to say the least, he was very encouraged to see how well the leg was faring. During the day, Jim felt well enough to resume de-decorating the house of Christmas decorations and even sent the big Christmas tree packing down the basement stairs (also known as letting it slide).
The Scripture verse (Hebrews 12:1-2) we relied on during our journey with Jim's cancer during most of 2015 is a reminder the verse is for every day.
"Let us lay aside every weight, (every hindrance, every difficulty,) and the sin (unkind words, for instance) which so easily ensnares us, (captures us, locks us in,) and Let us run with endurance the race, (the journey, our life,) that is set before us, looking unto, (keeping our focus on,) Jesus, (only,) the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him - (the joy of our salvation) - endured, (dealt with patiently,) the cross, despising the shame, (the abuse done by others,) and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (has returned to His rightful place of honor)."
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Leg is stable
This morning when Jim got up, he thought the leg was more inflamed, although the redness had not spread. It was still painful, still swollen.
Late this afternoon he had his appointment with Dr. Butler and the doctor was encouraged by what he saw. The redness hadn't spread. The leg looked much like it did the day before - with lots of swelling and tenderness, but it hadn't got worse. So it was a good sign. The leg was stable.
The appointment for Wednesday afternoon was cancelled. Jim is to come back at 9 a.m. Friday.
In the meantime, whenever he is sitting or laying and is at home, he is to keep his leg elevated above his heart. That is his assignment. By doing this, the swelling will go down and the redness will lessen as well. He will remain on the Levaquin once a day. We talked about the side effects of the drug, whether he should discontinue taking it, but Dr. Butler felt it was useful for him, so we will continue. He said it is a common drug, often used in hospitals, and is also given to pneumonia patients.
His blood pressure had improved from yesterday too - 88/50.
Late this afternoon he had his appointment with Dr. Butler and the doctor was encouraged by what he saw. The redness hadn't spread. The leg looked much like it did the day before - with lots of swelling and tenderness, but it hadn't got worse. So it was a good sign. The leg was stable.
The appointment for Wednesday afternoon was cancelled. Jim is to come back at 9 a.m. Friday.
In the meantime, whenever he is sitting or laying and is at home, he is to keep his leg elevated above his heart. That is his assignment. By doing this, the swelling will go down and the redness will lessen as well. He will remain on the Levaquin once a day. We talked about the side effects of the drug, whether he should discontinue taking it, but Dr. Butler felt it was useful for him, so we will continue. He said it is a common drug, often used in hospitals, and is also given to pneumonia patients.
His blood pressure had improved from yesterday too - 88/50.
Monday, January 9, 2017
a new adventure ... NOT
A new year ... a clean slate ...
Jim's 68th birthday was Jan. 3. Had supper (and a game of Scrabble) the night before with our family and lunch the day of with longtime friends.
And then came Thursday, Jan. 5. Bedtime to be exact.
A scratch on his lower right leg. Nothing abnormal about that ... he's had scratches before. And this was not an open sore. It was healing. But Thursday night the leg was very red, puffy and hot to the touch. At first we put Melaleuca oil on it, but by Friday night, determined that because the oil was so concentrated, it could cause less good and more trouble, so we stopped that treatment.
On Friday, Jan. 6, Jim said he didn't sleep very well. The leg was painful. It hurt to walk on it, especially when getting up from a sitting or laying position. I didn't sleep well, so was aware when his breathing became labored.
Before I continue, I want to share the Scriptures I read that morning. It was a promise God gave to us, that as long as our focus stayed on Him, things would be fine. We were not to worry, not to fret, not to fear. Just trust Him.
From Isaiah 43: 2-3: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, Your Savior."
Originally Jim was going to a walk-in clinic alone, but I decided to work from home, so we both went to the clinic (Hiawatha Urgent Care). We arrived at 9:50 a.m. - there were 7 people ahead of us - it was going to be at least an hour before he could be seen. He mentioned Dr. Butler's name, and lo and behold, there was a cancellation at 10. The Lord orchestrated that just brilliantly.
The usual readings were taken - weight and blood pressure. The BP was not good. It was taken three times - 70/42, 68/42 and 72/50 - all abnormally low. Butler was concerned that the consistent low readings could lead to kidney problems, as in shutting down. Dosage for the midodrine, taken to increase his numbers (which he hates to take, primarily, I think, because of the cost - $100 a month, with insurance), was returned to 3 pills 3 times a day. It seemed he was doing fine with 2 pills 3 times a day, but this new turn of events makes one wonder.
He was prescribed an antibiotic - 2 meds in one - called Amoxicillin / Clavulanic Acid 875-125 mg. Looks like horse pills and he takes one twice a day with food and plenty of water.
Dr. Butler told him that if he became light-headed, felt like he could pass out or had a fever, he should go immediately to the ER. He was to come back in 5 days for a follow-up - that would be Wednesday, Jan. 11.
We got home shortly before 11:30 a.m. Friday. He slept, I worked. He started taking 1 Ibuprofen for pain as needed.
When we had meals, he discovered the antibiotic makes some foods have no flavor. He especially noticed this with hamburgers and waffles / syrup. He could taste the sherbet, the pizza and the beef tips. It's a good thing not every food had lack of flavor, or he wouldn't be eating anything and he certainly doesn't need to stop eating.
On Saturday, Jan. 7, I also worked from home all day. Jim's breathing was not labored through the night, and although his leg still was painful, he was able to rest. Just before bedtime seems to be when we notice changes - Saturday night the redness started spreading to the other side of the leg and it was still swollen. But fortunately, there were no signs of being light-headed, passing out or fever - Thank you Lord.
Sunday, Jan. 8, we returned to Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, where we are providing interim pastoral care while the congregation's current interim pastor is out due to health conditions and they are deciding what to do in the future. We thought if need be, we would share driving duties going down, in case Jim's strength wasn't at its best. But he did fine. He didn't notice the pain in his leg, probably because he was preaching. He slept on the way home and most of the afternoon.
I posted on Facebook and the Immanuel email requesting prayer. There were some who suggested we go to the ER, especially since the redness was spreading. We were in a quandary. God told us not to fret, not to worry, not to fear. And all three of those were spouting their ugly heads.
Sunday night, the redness spread to his ankle. He started putting his legs up to reduce the puffiness.
Monday morning, Jan. 9, we called Dr. Butler's office and a return call got us an appointment for 4:30 this afternoon.
His blood pressure is up - 80/44. He was put on a different antibiotic - Levofloxacin 500 mg (Levaquin) and is to take 1 tablet once a day, at a different time than his vitamins. He'll start it at supper tonight. Dr. Butler remains concerned, but not sure a visit to the Emergency Room is warranted. Jim is to return to his office at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to see how he is doing with the new antibiotic.
We appreciate your continual prayers for healing as we strive to stay close to the Lord and proceed as best we can.
Jim's 68th birthday was Jan. 3. Had supper (and a game of Scrabble) the night before with our family and lunch the day of with longtime friends.
And then came Thursday, Jan. 5. Bedtime to be exact.
A scratch on his lower right leg. Nothing abnormal about that ... he's had scratches before. And this was not an open sore. It was healing. But Thursday night the leg was very red, puffy and hot to the touch. At first we put Melaleuca oil on it, but by Friday night, determined that because the oil was so concentrated, it could cause less good and more trouble, so we stopped that treatment.
On Friday, Jan. 6, Jim said he didn't sleep very well. The leg was painful. It hurt to walk on it, especially when getting up from a sitting or laying position. I didn't sleep well, so was aware when his breathing became labored.
Before I continue, I want to share the Scriptures I read that morning. It was a promise God gave to us, that as long as our focus stayed on Him, things would be fine. We were not to worry, not to fret, not to fear. Just trust Him.
From Isaiah 43: 2-3: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, Your Savior."
Originally Jim was going to a walk-in clinic alone, but I decided to work from home, so we both went to the clinic (Hiawatha Urgent Care). We arrived at 9:50 a.m. - there were 7 people ahead of us - it was going to be at least an hour before he could be seen. He mentioned Dr. Butler's name, and lo and behold, there was a cancellation at 10. The Lord orchestrated that just brilliantly.
The usual readings were taken - weight and blood pressure. The BP was not good. It was taken three times - 70/42, 68/42 and 72/50 - all abnormally low. Butler was concerned that the consistent low readings could lead to kidney problems, as in shutting down. Dosage for the midodrine, taken to increase his numbers (which he hates to take, primarily, I think, because of the cost - $100 a month, with insurance), was returned to 3 pills 3 times a day. It seemed he was doing fine with 2 pills 3 times a day, but this new turn of events makes one wonder.
He was prescribed an antibiotic - 2 meds in one - called Amoxicillin / Clavulanic Acid 875-125 mg. Looks like horse pills and he takes one twice a day with food and plenty of water.
Dr. Butler told him that if he became light-headed, felt like he could pass out or had a fever, he should go immediately to the ER. He was to come back in 5 days for a follow-up - that would be Wednesday, Jan. 11.
We got home shortly before 11:30 a.m. Friday. He slept, I worked. He started taking 1 Ibuprofen for pain as needed.
When we had meals, he discovered the antibiotic makes some foods have no flavor. He especially noticed this with hamburgers and waffles / syrup. He could taste the sherbet, the pizza and the beef tips. It's a good thing not every food had lack of flavor, or he wouldn't be eating anything and he certainly doesn't need to stop eating.
On Saturday, Jan. 7, I also worked from home all day. Jim's breathing was not labored through the night, and although his leg still was painful, he was able to rest. Just before bedtime seems to be when we notice changes - Saturday night the redness started spreading to the other side of the leg and it was still swollen. But fortunately, there were no signs of being light-headed, passing out or fever - Thank you Lord.
Sunday, Jan. 8, we returned to Lincoln Street Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, where we are providing interim pastoral care while the congregation's current interim pastor is out due to health conditions and they are deciding what to do in the future. We thought if need be, we would share driving duties going down, in case Jim's strength wasn't at its best. But he did fine. He didn't notice the pain in his leg, probably because he was preaching. He slept on the way home and most of the afternoon.
I posted on Facebook and the Immanuel email requesting prayer. There were some who suggested we go to the ER, especially since the redness was spreading. We were in a quandary. God told us not to fret, not to worry, not to fear. And all three of those were spouting their ugly heads.
Sunday night, the redness spread to his ankle. He started putting his legs up to reduce the puffiness.
Monday morning, Jan. 9, we called Dr. Butler's office and a return call got us an appointment for 4:30 this afternoon.
His blood pressure is up - 80/44. He was put on a different antibiotic - Levofloxacin 500 mg (Levaquin) and is to take 1 tablet once a day, at a different time than his vitamins. He'll start it at supper tonight. Dr. Butler remains concerned, but not sure a visit to the Emergency Room is warranted. Jim is to return to his office at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to see how he is doing with the new antibiotic.
We appreciate your continual prayers for healing as we strive to stay close to the Lord and proceed as best we can.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
a new year begins
Today is nearing the end of the first day of the New Year of 2017.
Health-wise it has been relatively quiet.
In mid-October he decided to reduce the amount of Midodrine he is taking. Midodrine helps to increase his blood pressure. He has been taking 3 pills three times a day. Now he takes 2 pills three times a day. He has had infrequent episodes of shortness of breath, but he does not relate it to the decreased amount of Midodrine. But I always take note of it when he mentions it or I notice he is breathing harder.
Jim had two doctors visits in December.
... lab work followed by a physical at Dr. Butler's office was Dec. 13 - results were good. His weight, fully clothed, added a pound, so he checked in at 139.6 pounds. His blood pressure continues to waiver - 84/60. Thyroid remains normal. Labs showed no abnormalities.
... a CT scan of his chest was ordered by his cancer surgeon, Dr. Parekh. It was done Dec. 13 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
... a visit to Dr. Brooks, his rheumatologist, was Dec. 21. He finished his 5-year plan on Reclast, a once-a-year IV regimen for osteoporosis, last year, so this year the doctor decided two shots annually would be the plan. Insurance approved it, and Jim had the first shot Dec. 28.
... bone density scan was Friday morning, Dec. 23.
Ministries
We continue meeting with friends and members of the church Jim served at in Wilton as interim pastor (1-year through the end of August 2016), keeping up-to-date with news and sharing Scripture and prayer with each other. Sometimes we get together for a meal or a movie too and always lots of visiting.
Since the last Sunday of November we have started serving as "interim" for the interim pastor who is recovering from back surgery at Lincoln Street Baptist Church, a small church in Mount Pleasant.
We have a new website that we have named Glorify GOD Ministries. GOD stands for Go His Way, Obey His Commands, Do His Will ... Glorify His Name. That is our goal. We both liked the name, so I put something together. You can look at it here: http://glorifygodministries.blogspot.com/ It includes Jim's sermons since March, links to my blogs, his resume, contact information, about us, how to be saved.
We are considering the possibility of incorporating Bible study with our visiting and have ordered a book on "Hearing God in Conversation: How to Recognize His Voice Everywhere" to review.
House Work - indoors, outdoors
Jim felt well enough to start cleaning the basement in mid-October. We have talked for more than a year about cleaning out the area underneath the stairs and putting a lot of our Christmas stuff in there. So he started and finished in relatively quick order. The things he found were interesting to both of us, but a lot of stuff was pitched.
He mowed the yard himself much of the summer and when Christina and the boys came over to rake leaves this fall, he mowed and mulched the yard.
One day in mid-November when the temperature was comfortable, he put up our outdoor Christmas decorations and decorated the lamp post. He took them down today without any problems.
It has been an eventful and sometimes troublesome 2016.
But now the slate is wiped clean and a new year begins.
Health-wise it has been relatively quiet.
In mid-October he decided to reduce the amount of Midodrine he is taking. Midodrine helps to increase his blood pressure. He has been taking 3 pills three times a day. Now he takes 2 pills three times a day. He has had infrequent episodes of shortness of breath, but he does not relate it to the decreased amount of Midodrine. But I always take note of it when he mentions it or I notice he is breathing harder.
Jim had two doctors visits in December.
... lab work followed by a physical at Dr. Butler's office was Dec. 13 - results were good. His weight, fully clothed, added a pound, so he checked in at 139.6 pounds. His blood pressure continues to waiver - 84/60. Thyroid remains normal. Labs showed no abnormalities.
... a CT scan of his chest was ordered by his cancer surgeon, Dr. Parekh. It was done Dec. 13 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
... a visit to Dr. Brooks, his rheumatologist, was Dec. 21. He finished his 5-year plan on Reclast, a once-a-year IV regimen for osteoporosis, last year, so this year the doctor decided two shots annually would be the plan. Insurance approved it, and Jim had the first shot Dec. 28.
... bone density scan was Friday morning, Dec. 23.
Ministries
We continue meeting with friends and members of the church Jim served at in Wilton as interim pastor (1-year through the end of August 2016), keeping up-to-date with news and sharing Scripture and prayer with each other. Sometimes we get together for a meal or a movie too and always lots of visiting.
Since the last Sunday of November we have started serving as "interim" for the interim pastor who is recovering from back surgery at Lincoln Street Baptist Church, a small church in Mount Pleasant.
We have a new website that we have named Glorify GOD Ministries. GOD stands for Go His Way, Obey His Commands, Do His Will ... Glorify His Name. That is our goal. We both liked the name, so I put something together. You can look at it here: http://glorifygodministries.blogspot.com/ It includes Jim's sermons since March, links to my blogs, his resume, contact information, about us, how to be saved.
We are considering the possibility of incorporating Bible study with our visiting and have ordered a book on "Hearing God in Conversation: How to Recognize His Voice Everywhere" to review.
House Work - indoors, outdoors
Jim felt well enough to start cleaning the basement in mid-October. We have talked for more than a year about cleaning out the area underneath the stairs and putting a lot of our Christmas stuff in there. So he started and finished in relatively quick order. The things he found were interesting to both of us, but a lot of stuff was pitched.
He mowed the yard himself much of the summer and when Christina and the boys came over to rake leaves this fall, he mowed and mulched the yard.
One day in mid-November when the temperature was comfortable, he put up our outdoor Christmas decorations and decorated the lamp post. He took them down today without any problems.
It has been an eventful and sometimes troublesome 2016.
But now the slate is wiped clean and a new year begins.
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