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.
Showing posts with label Wilton Baptist Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wilton Baptist Church. Show all posts
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Thursday, October 6, 2016
And on we go ...
The day after Jim's visit (Sept. 12) to St. Luke's ER he still had blood in the stool, but on the following day, Sept. 14, it was clear. Hallelujah! On that same day he also had an appointment with his primary, Dr. Butler, who determined more labs were unnecessary. Blood pressure still remained on the low side - for the nurse it read 70/40 and for the doctor it was 88/40. Dr. Butler requested a followup visit with Dr. Gerke in Gastroenterology at UIHC.
On Sept. 15, we received an email from Dr. Parekh's nurse, Joan Ricks-Mcgillen, who noted the CT scan done July 6 at St. Luke's - Cedar Rapids shows no recurrence of esophageal cancer. Great News! Another CT scan of chest will be done in late December.
Although we are no longer the pastor at Wilton Baptist Church, we continue to minister to its members, many of whom have become lifelong friends. We attended the last WBC Senior Day of the year on Sept. 27 and were blessed with visiting with so many we hadn't seen for nearly a month. Sometimes 4 weeks seems like forever! Pastor Appreciation Day is Oct. 16 and we plan to also attend those activities.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Jim had an appointment with Dr. Gerke in Iowa City re: the rectal bleeding Sept. 12. His weight is 137 pounds, blood pressure is 102/56 (good!) and temperature is 97.3. The doctor said he could have an internal hemorrhoid, but not necessarily - a rectal exam would not give an accurate picture - so recommends nothing be done unless another bleeding episode occurs.
Today - Oct. 6, Jim had an 8 a.m. appointment with Dr. Hoxie at PCI Urology - Cedar Rapids.
The ER visit Sept. 12 revealed:
On Sept. 15, we received an email from Dr. Parekh's nurse, Joan Ricks-Mcgillen, who noted the CT scan done July 6 at St. Luke's - Cedar Rapids shows no recurrence of esophageal cancer. Great News! Another CT scan of chest will be done in late December.
Although we are no longer the pastor at Wilton Baptist Church, we continue to minister to its members, many of whom have become lifelong friends. We attended the last WBC Senior Day of the year on Sept. 27 and were blessed with visiting with so many we hadn't seen for nearly a month. Sometimes 4 weeks seems like forever! Pastor Appreciation Day is Oct. 16 and we plan to also attend those activities.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Jim had an appointment with Dr. Gerke in Iowa City re: the rectal bleeding Sept. 12. His weight is 137 pounds, blood pressure is 102/56 (good!) and temperature is 97.3. The doctor said he could have an internal hemorrhoid, but not necessarily - a rectal exam would not give an accurate picture - so recommends nothing be done unless another bleeding episode occurs.
Today - Oct. 6, Jim had an 8 a.m. appointment with Dr. Hoxie at PCI Urology - Cedar Rapids.
The ER visit Sept. 12 revealed:
- portion of right urinary bladder distended, recommends cystoscopy
- mild increased dilation of distal common bile duct in the pancreas, measuring 8 mm in diameter compared to 5 mm a year ago. IF there is concern of biliary pathology, a right upper quadrant ultrasound would be recommended.
Jim returned from the appointment at 9. The doctor did a scope and said everything was fine. Dr. Hoxie said sometimes CT scans indicate things are abnormal, when they really aren't.
Thank you Lord for every miracle.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Busy summer months; continued low blood pressure
The summer months were busy. Jim was often tired and short of breath, especially when taking care of yardwork, such as mowing, that others could have done. Sometimes he would do the back yard one day and the front yard the next day, but usually he mowed both yards all in the same day, with a breather inbetween. It didn't do much good to lecture him about his health, when his mindset was if it needed to be done, he should take care of it.
He was short of breath at other times as well, making us think his blood pressure must be low.
On June 6, a visit to his primary doctor, Todd Butler, definitely indicated his BP was low - 66/40 when taken by the nurse and 70/42 when the doctor took it. Jim wanted to get off the midodrine (which is supposed to help raise his BP), but that was just not going to happen. Dr. Butler scheduled a CT scan with angiogram - contrast for July 6 to determine reason for continued low blood pressure. There were no answers.
From June 13-15, we attended the Southern Baptist Convention and annual meeting in St. Louis as messengers of Wilton Baptist Church. The congregation graciously paid for our lodging, mileage and food. It is the second time Jim has attended the convention - the first time was in the 1970s in Kansas City when Billy Graham was the keynote speaker. This was the first time I had attended the convention, and Billy Graham's daughter, Ann Graham Lotz, spoke at the Ladies conference.
On June 19, we began our two-week vacation through northwest United States to Prince Edward Island, Canada - the smallest of the Canadian provinces. The most troubling part of our trip, which we had so looked forward to, was the endless driving, which resulted in more friction than necessary between the two of us. The four days spent in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, were relaxing and most enjoyable. All in all, we saw lots of interesting things, visited old friends and made new ones, and took over 600 photos.
When he wasn't short of breath and legs very tired, it was the ringing in his ears, which seemed to have gotten worse, especially at bedtime. He started taking a medicine, Inner Ear Plus, to improve it, but he's not sure it is working. Probably have to give it 3 months or so.
On Aug. 8, one month after the CT with angiogram, Jim went back to see Dr. Butler. His weight fully clothed was 136 pounds. Up 2 pounds! Blood pressure remains same - 70/42 on first reading and 76/44 on second reading. He is to remain on current dose of midodrine - that is 3 pills, 3 times a day. He is to come back in December for physical and labs.
Also during August, Jim was to have a repeat CT scan of his chest per instructions from his surgeon, Dr. Parekh, during his May visit. So far it has not been scheduled.
Jim continued serving as interim pastor at Wilton Baptist through August 2016 - a full year. Tuesday, Aug. 30, was his last day, a bittersweet one for both of us, with gifts, a love offering, well-wishes, hugs and tears.
Aug. 30 reading from "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:
"Jesus Christ says, in effect, Don't rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me. The snare in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service, to rejoice in the fact that God has used you. You never can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Jesus Christ. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you, and it is of His mercy that He does not let you know it. When once you are rightly related to God by salvation and sanctification, remember that wherever you are, you are put there by God; and by the reaction of your life on the circumstances around you, you will fulfill God's purpose, as long as you keep in the light as God is in the light.
The tendency today is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make usefulness their ground of appeal. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure that ever lived. The lodestar of the saint is God Himself, not estimated usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that Our Lord heeds in a man's life is the relationship of worth to His Father. Jesus is bringing many sons to glory."
He was short of breath at other times as well, making us think his blood pressure must be low.
On June 6, a visit to his primary doctor, Todd Butler, definitely indicated his BP was low - 66/40 when taken by the nurse and 70/42 when the doctor took it. Jim wanted to get off the midodrine (which is supposed to help raise his BP), but that was just not going to happen. Dr. Butler scheduled a CT scan with angiogram - contrast for July 6 to determine reason for continued low blood pressure. There were no answers.
From June 13-15, we attended the Southern Baptist Convention and annual meeting in St. Louis as messengers of Wilton Baptist Church. The congregation graciously paid for our lodging, mileage and food. It is the second time Jim has attended the convention - the first time was in the 1970s in Kansas City when Billy Graham was the keynote speaker. This was the first time I had attended the convention, and Billy Graham's daughter, Ann Graham Lotz, spoke at the Ladies conference.
On June 19, we began our two-week vacation through northwest United States to Prince Edward Island, Canada - the smallest of the Canadian provinces. The most troubling part of our trip, which we had so looked forward to, was the endless driving, which resulted in more friction than necessary between the two of us. The four days spent in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, were relaxing and most enjoyable. All in all, we saw lots of interesting things, visited old friends and made new ones, and took over 600 photos.
When he wasn't short of breath and legs very tired, it was the ringing in his ears, which seemed to have gotten worse, especially at bedtime. He started taking a medicine, Inner Ear Plus, to improve it, but he's not sure it is working. Probably have to give it 3 months or so.
On Aug. 8, one month after the CT with angiogram, Jim went back to see Dr. Butler. His weight fully clothed was 136 pounds. Up 2 pounds! Blood pressure remains same - 70/42 on first reading and 76/44 on second reading. He is to remain on current dose of midodrine - that is 3 pills, 3 times a day. He is to come back in December for physical and labs.
Also during August, Jim was to have a repeat CT scan of his chest per instructions from his surgeon, Dr. Parekh, during his May visit. So far it has not been scheduled.
Jim continued serving as interim pastor at Wilton Baptist through August 2016 - a full year. Tuesday, Aug. 30, was his last day, a bittersweet one for both of us, with gifts, a love offering, well-wishes, hugs and tears.
Aug. 30 reading from "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers:
"Jesus Christ says, in effect, Don't rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me. The snare in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service, to rejoice in the fact that God has used you. You never can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Jesus Christ. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you, and it is of His mercy that He does not let you know it. When once you are rightly related to God by salvation and sanctification, remember that wherever you are, you are put there by God; and by the reaction of your life on the circumstances around you, you will fulfill God's purpose, as long as you keep in the light as God is in the light.
The tendency today is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make usefulness their ground of appeal. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure that ever lived. The lodestar of the saint is God Himself, not estimated usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that Our Lord heeds in a man's life is the relationship of worth to His Father. Jesus is bringing many sons to glory."
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
One-year anniversary May 12 / followup visit with surgeon May 25
The last time I updated The Race was 3 months ago, on Feb. 15. At that time, Jim had gained a little weight at 138 pounds, blood pressure was on the low side at 80/54 and he was slightly anemic. He was to come back in April to see his primary care doctor, but because of other things, the appointment was rescheduled for June 6.
The only doctors he has seen in the past 3 months are the dentist and the podiatrist. A year has passed since his esophageal cancer surgery May 12, 2015. He will have a one-year follow-up on May 25 - a chest CT scan and then a visit with Dr. Parekh at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
The days since have been busy and for the most part Jim has been feeling good. Tiredness sets in after doing too much, but then that's a common complaint for all of us. He continues to take Midodrine to increase his blood pressure. Sometimes he gets a little light-headed and I attribute it to not taking the medicine regularly. He is doing better at remembering to take it three times a day.
He continues to serve as interim pastor at Wilton Baptist Church, fulfilling pastoral duties there three times a week. He and I enjoy serving there, being among the members, visiting and working to meet their needs and finding ways to enable church growth. At the beginning of March we started recording his sermons and putting them on the church website (www.wbc2002.com). You can access them there under sermons or go to http://www.podcasts.com/wilton-iowa-baptist-church-8cb59301a which should give you multiple sermon links too.
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary April 27 with a reception open house on the 30th at Immanuel Baptist. Outdoors it was cold and rainy, but fortunately, we were inside. It was nice to see family and friends old and new, but was sorry for those unable to come. God answered our prayer for the lilacs to be in bloom, so that was a nice touch. Artificial flowers just aren’t near as pretty and definitely not fraqrant.
On May 7, when I was reviewing "The Race" events of the past year, I wrote the following article.
I was thinking about The Race To Run With Endurance.
It's not just about health, but also our whole life is a race. Keep going. Persevere. Push past every pain, every struggle.
God set us apart to be different, to show the world His Way, His Truth, His Life.
If we're not showing His Way and delivering His Truth, then we most certainly are not living as He.
We have succumbed to a lower power to whom we have bestowed more greatness than the God of the universe and The Son who died to set us all free. We have given Satan free reign over our lives and he will never bring us to gloryland. He will control us. We will hear and believe every negative. We will live and die in bondage. We will forget to whom we truly belong. We will think the lust of the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of our thoughts and wants and desires are what is important; are all that matters.
Satan is the destroyer - one person at a time. He has destroyed many.
Will he, is he destroying you too?
God allows events to unfold. God gives us each free will. The choices we make now will determine the outcome of future events.
Remember His love
Turn Back - Turn Around
Before the hour gets later
Before there is no time
Don't be a statistic ...
Be a glimmer
a glimmer of light amidst the darkness
"To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet unto the way of peace." ~ Luke 1:79 NKJV
The only doctors he has seen in the past 3 months are the dentist and the podiatrist. A year has passed since his esophageal cancer surgery May 12, 2015. He will have a one-year follow-up on May 25 - a chest CT scan and then a visit with Dr. Parekh at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
The days since have been busy and for the most part Jim has been feeling good. Tiredness sets in after doing too much, but then that's a common complaint for all of us. He continues to take Midodrine to increase his blood pressure. Sometimes he gets a little light-headed and I attribute it to not taking the medicine regularly. He is doing better at remembering to take it three times a day.
He continues to serve as interim pastor at Wilton Baptist Church, fulfilling pastoral duties there three times a week. He and I enjoy serving there, being among the members, visiting and working to meet their needs and finding ways to enable church growth. At the beginning of March we started recording his sermons and putting them on the church website (www.wbc2002.com). You can access them there under sermons or go to http://www.podcasts.com/wilton-iowa-baptist-church-8cb59301a which should give you multiple sermon links too.
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary April 27 with a reception open house on the 30th at Immanuel Baptist. Outdoors it was cold and rainy, but fortunately, we were inside. It was nice to see family and friends old and new, but was sorry for those unable to come. God answered our prayer for the lilacs to be in bloom, so that was a nice touch. Artificial flowers just aren’t near as pretty and definitely not fraqrant.
On May 7, when I was reviewing "The Race" events of the past year, I wrote the following article.
"Be a glimmer"
The Scripture for "The Race" was taken from Hebrews 12:1-2a, which says, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."I was thinking about The Race To Run With Endurance.
It's not just about health, but also our whole life is a race. Keep going. Persevere. Push past every pain, every struggle.
God set us apart to be different, to show the world His Way, His Truth, His Life.
If we're not showing His Way and delivering His Truth, then we most certainly are not living as He.
We have succumbed to a lower power to whom we have bestowed more greatness than the God of the universe and The Son who died to set us all free. We have given Satan free reign over our lives and he will never bring us to gloryland. He will control us. We will hear and believe every negative. We will live and die in bondage. We will forget to whom we truly belong. We will think the lust of the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of our thoughts and wants and desires are what is important; are all that matters.
Satan is the destroyer - one person at a time. He has destroyed many.
Will he, is he destroying you too?
God allows events to unfold. God gives us each free will. The choices we make now will determine the outcome of future events.
Remember His love
Turn Back - Turn Around
Before the hour gets later
Before there is no time
Don't be a statistic ...
Be a glimmer
a glimmer of light amidst the darkness
"To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet unto the way of peace." ~ Luke 1:79 NKJV
Monday, February 15, 2016
Updates - Day 273
Today is Feb. 15, 2016. I was in the midst of Bible study and reviewing past notes when I realized today is near the one-year mark that Jim was diagnosed with cancer. Results of an endoscopy on Feb. 16, 2015, were revealed Feb. 19 with the diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
In the past week or so I have been I guess what you call in a funk. Down then up and down again. So many things have been on my mind. Thoughts swirl and I go places I am sure the Lord would not want me.
On Feb. 13, I wrote "The Lord's presence gives us peace, yet when our focus on Him is absent, our peace diminishes. The peace of God is so fine a treasure, yet what good is it when we don't give our all to the one who is the giver?"
On Valentine's Day, I remembered last year's theme verse - Hebrews 12:2-3, which says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
"The Lord says 'Come' " is a poem I wrote today. You can read it on this blog:
http://still-small-voice-of-god.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
The last time I had any updates to share about Jim was just before Christmas on Dec. 21. I will start from that point and give highlights.
DECEMBER ...
On Dec. 23, Jim visited Dr. Brooks, his rheumatologist, at PCI. Jim has osteoporosis and every year for the past five years, he has been given reclast, an IV medicine. This year marked the last time he'd receive it. Something different for next year, and he would need a bone density scan as well.
On Christmas Day, he developed a cold, followed by a cough.
JANUARY ...
Jim celebrated his 67th birthday Jan. 3. He started a new series at Wilton Baptist Church on What Baptists Believe from the Baptist Faith and Message. The congregation provided a delicious birthday celebration dinner and he also received several birthday cards and gifts. That afternoon Jim and I went to the movies and saw "Star Wars."
Sunday night after work on Jan. 10, Jim took me to St. Luke's ER because of intense right side pain. I had UTI and was given antibiotics.
On Jan. 15, Jim visited Dr. Bailin, his cardiologist, at UIHC. He was given a good bill of heart health. No Afib. Blood pressure was 100/54, weight 128.3 pounds. He is to return in a year.
On Jan. 24, Jim presided over his first deacon ordination, with Ron Dunnahoo and Ken Paper being ordained during worship services at Wilton Baptist Church. It was a special day for everyone.
FEBRUARY ...
Jim and I met 28 years ago on Sunday, Feb. 7. Jim's sermon that morning at Wilton Baptist was "The Bread of Heaven" and he had made unleavened bread for the Lord's Supper following the service.
On Feb. 12, Jim attended the first of two luncheons for church pastors of the Great Rivers Southern Baptist Association. The luncheon was held at the Golden Corral restaurant in Davenport and organized by Mike Roberts, director of missions. Jim enjoyed visiting with the four others in attendance and mentioned one of them remembered him from days past when he served as interim pastor at Fairview Baptist in rural Anamosa.
Valentine's Day was Feb. 14. Breakfast was planned for 8:30 a.m. at Wilton Baptist and we were among several who brought tasty breakfast casseroles. The weather was less than cooperative, with snow and wind in abundance. One of the members, Charlotte, a member of the Red Hat Society, brought several red hats for all of us ladies to wear. (See photos below) So pretty. Red was definitely the color and love the theme. Worship was cut short because of the weather, so Jim did a devotional on "Love" from I Corinthians 13.
This morning, Feb. 15, Jim had an appointment with Dr. Butler, his primary care physician, at UnityPoint-Hiawatha. He has gained weight - 138 pounds fully clothed (must be the candy and sugar cookies I made him for Valentine's Day). Blood pressure has gone down again to 80/54, but there is no dizziness. He continues to take 7.5 mg of midodrine two to three times daily. The doctor said his white count shows him to be slightly anemic. He is to come back in April for a follow-up and have labs done for CVC, metabolic and thyroid. Thyroid levels were up a little in July and normal in November.
In the past week or so I have been I guess what you call in a funk. Down then up and down again. So many things have been on my mind. Thoughts swirl and I go places I am sure the Lord would not want me.
On Feb. 13, I wrote "The Lord's presence gives us peace, yet when our focus on Him is absent, our peace diminishes. The peace of God is so fine a treasure, yet what good is it when we don't give our all to the one who is the giver?"
On Valentine's Day, I remembered last year's theme verse - Hebrews 12:2-3, which says, "...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."
"The Lord says 'Come' " is a poem I wrote today. You can read it on this blog:
http://still-small-voice-of-god.blogspot.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
The last time I had any updates to share about Jim was just before Christmas on Dec. 21. I will start from that point and give highlights.
DECEMBER ...
On Dec. 23, Jim visited Dr. Brooks, his rheumatologist, at PCI. Jim has osteoporosis and every year for the past five years, he has been given reclast, an IV medicine. This year marked the last time he'd receive it. Something different for next year, and he would need a bone density scan as well.
On Christmas Day, he developed a cold, followed by a cough.
JANUARY ...
Jim celebrated his 67th birthday Jan. 3. He started a new series at Wilton Baptist Church on What Baptists Believe from the Baptist Faith and Message. The congregation provided a delicious birthday celebration dinner and he also received several birthday cards and gifts. That afternoon Jim and I went to the movies and saw "Star Wars."
Sunday night after work on Jan. 10, Jim took me to St. Luke's ER because of intense right side pain. I had UTI and was given antibiotics.
On Jan. 15, Jim visited Dr. Bailin, his cardiologist, at UIHC. He was given a good bill of heart health. No Afib. Blood pressure was 100/54, weight 128.3 pounds. He is to return in a year.
On Jan. 24, Jim presided over his first deacon ordination, with Ron Dunnahoo and Ken Paper being ordained during worship services at Wilton Baptist Church. It was a special day for everyone.
FEBRUARY ...
Jim and I met 28 years ago on Sunday, Feb. 7. Jim's sermon that morning at Wilton Baptist was "The Bread of Heaven" and he had made unleavened bread for the Lord's Supper following the service.
On Feb. 12, Jim attended the first of two luncheons for church pastors of the Great Rivers Southern Baptist Association. The luncheon was held at the Golden Corral restaurant in Davenport and organized by Mike Roberts, director of missions. Jim enjoyed visiting with the four others in attendance and mentioned one of them remembered him from days past when he served as interim pastor at Fairview Baptist in rural Anamosa.
Valentine's Day was Feb. 14. Breakfast was planned for 8:30 a.m. at Wilton Baptist and we were among several who brought tasty breakfast casseroles. The weather was less than cooperative, with snow and wind in abundance. One of the members, Charlotte, a member of the Red Hat Society, brought several red hats for all of us ladies to wear. (See photos below) So pretty. Red was definitely the color and love the theme. Worship was cut short because of the weather, so Jim did a devotional on "Love" from I Corinthians 13.
This morning, Feb. 15, Jim had an appointment with Dr. Butler, his primary care physician, at UnityPoint-Hiawatha. He has gained weight - 138 pounds fully clothed (must be the candy and sugar cookies I made him for Valentine's Day). Blood pressure has gone down again to 80/54, but there is no dizziness. He continues to take 7.5 mg of midodrine two to three times daily. The doctor said his white count shows him to be slightly anemic. He is to come back in April for a follow-up and have labs done for CVC, metabolic and thyroid. Thyroid levels were up a little in July and normal in November.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Updates - Day 220
It was Thanksgiving and now it is nearly Christmas. It has been a busy month for us as it has for many of you.
Today, Dec. 21, Jim and I both had appointments. I know some of you have said you prefer to know what is going on with Jim than with me, but we are a couple, so our life is about us, not just him and not just me. You can always skip those parts that dwell on me.
I had an epidural in my back this morning at St. Luke's Pain Clinic. Some of the muscle and joint pain of recent months that I thought was related to my left hip and leg was actually in my low back.
Jim had a one-week follow-up with his primary care physician, Dr. Todd Butler. Last week on Dec. 15, his visit with Dr. Butler revealed his blood pressure to be 70/42 and weight 132 pounds. He increased Jim's dosage of midodrine from 5 mg three times a day to 7 1/2 mg three times a day and suggested a MRA (angiogram) of chest muscles might be in order. Today, after the increase in medicine, Jim's blood pressure was 80/50 and weight 130 pounds. His waist, which had dropped from 33 inches to 31, now measures 29 inches. The doctor was concerned about the lower BP readings, but decided not to do anything about the MRA at this time. He would wait to see what Jim's cardiologist, Dr. Stephen Bailin, has to say. We see him on Jan. 15. Jim has not had any signs of dizziness or lightheadedness; his lungs are clear, heart and kidneys fine. Lab work was scheduled this past week, and results were normal. Jim is to return to Dr. Butler in 8 weeks.
We also received a phone call from the office of Jim's rheumatologist, Dr. Michael Brooks. We had to return to MedLabs mid-afternoon so Jim could have an INI of calcium. Jim is scheduled to have a Reclast, an annual IV injection for osteoporosis, on Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, but that procedure may be delayed a week if calcium results are not received by early Wednesday. He was low on calcium, and earlier this week, was told he also was low on Vitamin D. Both of these supplements were stopped from May to July, when he was having various procedures at UIHC.
Jim still is tired, probably because of the ischemic stroke and arthritis, but the Lord enables him to accomplish many things.
On Nov. 29, he decorated the lamp post in front of our house and set up the vintage sleigh, reindeer and Santa my parents made many long years ago. He also set up lights so passersby could see it and the nativity in the evening hours. Most of the decorating indoors was done by Dec. 1, and on Dec. 5, Jim started baking for our open house. I helped with decorating sugar cookies, writing and printing the Christmas newsletter, setting up the food display, etc. We had 35 people come to our Open House Dec. 12, including four members from Wilton Baptist.
We have over 50 nativities (as well as multiple Christmas trees, angels and Santas) and 10 of them were obtained just this month. Among them: a silver nativity from Ron and Carla Dunnahoo at Wilton, a glass nativity with Merry Christmas across the top from church members at Wilton and one from a hospice client Jim visits in Central City.
Various Christmas programs we attended were Cedar Rapids Washington Madrigal Singers during evening services Dec. 13 at Immanuel, Austin's preschool musical Dec. 15 at Taylor School, and Immanuel's youth choir during evening services Dec. 20, also at Immanuel.
We continue to serve at Wilton Baptist Church and love our time there. We are in no hurry to have it end, but that is all in God's timing, so we will enjoy whatever He gives us. Jim and I drive to Wilton every Sunday and sometimes Jim or both of us (if it works out) go there mid-week to visit members or lead a service. He also visits members who have had procedures in the hospital. A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be Thursday, Dec. 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Today, Dec. 21, Jim and I both had appointments. I know some of you have said you prefer to know what is going on with Jim than with me, but we are a couple, so our life is about us, not just him and not just me. You can always skip those parts that dwell on me.
I had an epidural in my back this morning at St. Luke's Pain Clinic. Some of the muscle and joint pain of recent months that I thought was related to my left hip and leg was actually in my low back.
Jim had a one-week follow-up with his primary care physician, Dr. Todd Butler. Last week on Dec. 15, his visit with Dr. Butler revealed his blood pressure to be 70/42 and weight 132 pounds. He increased Jim's dosage of midodrine from 5 mg three times a day to 7 1/2 mg three times a day and suggested a MRA (angiogram) of chest muscles might be in order. Today, after the increase in medicine, Jim's blood pressure was 80/50 and weight 130 pounds. His waist, which had dropped from 33 inches to 31, now measures 29 inches. The doctor was concerned about the lower BP readings, but decided not to do anything about the MRA at this time. He would wait to see what Jim's cardiologist, Dr. Stephen Bailin, has to say. We see him on Jan. 15. Jim has not had any signs of dizziness or lightheadedness; his lungs are clear, heart and kidneys fine. Lab work was scheduled this past week, and results were normal. Jim is to return to Dr. Butler in 8 weeks.
We also received a phone call from the office of Jim's rheumatologist, Dr. Michael Brooks. We had to return to MedLabs mid-afternoon so Jim could have an INI of calcium. Jim is scheduled to have a Reclast, an annual IV injection for osteoporosis, on Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, but that procedure may be delayed a week if calcium results are not received by early Wednesday. He was low on calcium, and earlier this week, was told he also was low on Vitamin D. Both of these supplements were stopped from May to July, when he was having various procedures at UIHC.
Jim still is tired, probably because of the ischemic stroke and arthritis, but the Lord enables him to accomplish many things.
On Nov. 29, he decorated the lamp post in front of our house and set up the vintage sleigh, reindeer and Santa my parents made many long years ago. He also set up lights so passersby could see it and the nativity in the evening hours. Most of the decorating indoors was done by Dec. 1, and on Dec. 5, Jim started baking for our open house. I helped with decorating sugar cookies, writing and printing the Christmas newsletter, setting up the food display, etc. We had 35 people come to our Open House Dec. 12, including four members from Wilton Baptist.
We have over 50 nativities (as well as multiple Christmas trees, angels and Santas) and 10 of them were obtained just this month. Among them: a silver nativity from Ron and Carla Dunnahoo at Wilton, a glass nativity with Merry Christmas across the top from church members at Wilton and one from a hospice client Jim visits in Central City.
Various Christmas programs we attended were Cedar Rapids Washington Madrigal Singers during evening services Dec. 13 at Immanuel, Austin's preschool musical Dec. 15 at Taylor School, and Immanuel's youth choir during evening services Dec. 20, also at Immanuel.
We continue to serve at Wilton Baptist Church and love our time there. We are in no hurry to have it end, but that is all in God's timing, so we will enjoy whatever He gives us. Jim and I drive to Wilton every Sunday and sometimes Jim or both of us (if it works out) go there mid-week to visit members or lead a service. He also visits members who have had procedures in the hospital. A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be Thursday, Dec. 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Other things - Day 187
There really isn't anything healthwise to report re: Jim - he is better, the heart monitor will be returned by week's end, the only time he is short of breath is when he has over-exerted himself.
But there are other things, so I thought I'd share them.
We determined we were going to have our annual Christmas Open House this year no matter what. It is set now ... we have most invitations sent out and are working on decorating in and out. It is coming along much better in than out, because the weather is not very cooperative. We do have our outdoor nativity up, however.
We enjoy ministering to the people of Wilton Baptist. The 60.1-mile trip to and from seems to take less time the longer we serve there. We don't know how long we will remain there. Earlier this year after Jim had had his surgery, we talked about being willing to go wherever the Lord sent us. He sent us to United Federated in Lisbon for three weeks in August and then returned us to Wilton Baptist, where we have been since Aug. 30.
The church is searching for a fulltime bi-vocational pastor. Jim was called to be its interim pastor Sept. 27. For the past 3 to 4 weeks, we have considered applying for the open position.
It wasn't until today, Jim felt a tugging from the Lord. Of the several devotionals he reads, it was from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" that he thought God had given him an answer.
I have included it here in its entirety:
So it is up to God, as it always is. His will be done.
We covet your prayers for His will, not anyone's wishes, but simply His will.
But there are other things, so I thought I'd share them.
We determined we were going to have our annual Christmas Open House this year no matter what. It is set now ... we have most invitations sent out and are working on decorating in and out. It is coming along much better in than out, because the weather is not very cooperative. We do have our outdoor nativity up, however.
We enjoy ministering to the people of Wilton Baptist. The 60.1-mile trip to and from seems to take less time the longer we serve there. We don't know how long we will remain there. Earlier this year after Jim had had his surgery, we talked about being willing to go wherever the Lord sent us. He sent us to United Federated in Lisbon for three weeks in August and then returned us to Wilton Baptist, where we have been since Aug. 30.
The church is searching for a fulltime bi-vocational pastor. Jim was called to be its interim pastor Sept. 27. For the past 3 to 4 weeks, we have considered applying for the open position.
It wasn't until today, Jim felt a tugging from the Lord. Of the several devotionals he reads, it was from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" that he thought God had given him an answer.
I have included it here in its entirety:
"By Myself have I sworn, with the Lord, for because thou has done this thing ... that in blessing I will bless thee..." Genesis 22:15-19
Abraham had reached the place where he is in touch with the very nature of God, he understands now the Reality of God.
"My goal is God Himself ...
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road."
"At any cost, by any road" means nothing self-chosen in the way God brings us to the goal.
There is no possibility of questioning when God speaks if He speaks to His own nature in me; prompt obedience is the only result. When Jesus says - "Come," I simply come; when He says - "Let go," I let go; when He says-"Trust in God in this matter," I do trust. The whole working out is the evidence that the nature of God is in me.
God's revelation of Himself to me is determined by my character, not by God's character.
"'Tis because I am mean,
Thy ways so oft look mean to me."
By the discipline of obedience I get to the place where Abraham was and I see Who God is. I never have a real God until I have come face to face with Him in Jesus Christ, then I know that "in all the world, my God, there is none but Thee, there is not but Thee."
The promises of God are of no value to us until by obedience we understand the nature of God. We read some things in the Bible three hundred and sixty-five times and they mean nothing to us, then all of a sudden we see what God means, because in some particular we have obeyed God, and instantly His nature is opened up. "All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen." The "yea" must be born of obedience; when by the obedience of our lives we say "Amen" to a promise, then that promise is ours.We spent the afternoon in Wilton. Today we learned the pastor search committee has invited a man to come in view of a call. He will be preaching Dec. 6. Today Jim shared he was interested in the position.
So it is up to God, as it always is. His will be done.
We covet your prayers for His will, not anyone's wishes, but simply His will.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
On the Hilltop / In the Valley - Day 142
After our weekend in Northeast Missouri, Jim returned to Wilton Baptist Sept. 20. He is going through the book of I Peter. His message was "Be All That You Can be" from I Peter 1: 10-16.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Jim visited his lone hospice client in Central City, and the following night, took grandson Austin to Awana / Cubbies while we went to Bible Study / prayer.
Friday, Sept. 25, dizziness and lightheadedness were still a constant, although he did mow the back and front yard, with rest and lunch inbetween.
Sunday, Sept. 27, Jim's message to the fine folk of Wilton Baptist was "The Precious Blood of Christ" from 1 Peter 1: 17-25. A business meeting was held following the service and among items discussed / considered was asking Jim to be interim.
Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28-29, were days off for me and busy for both of us. On the 28th, a hot, sunny day, we drove to Central City so Jim could visit with his hospice client and I could take his wife to a doctor's appointment in Marion. Later in the day we picked up the Cooks - Christina, Austin and James - Austin played for awhile at the playground at Noelridge Park and then all of us went to the Farmers Market. We came away with a huge head of cabbage, zucchini, white sweet corn, plus Christina bought six pumpkins. On the 29th, it was rainy and much cooler. Jim complained of his legs feeling weak, but thought perhaps it was just the weather. We drove up to Waterloo to visit Paulette Titus and get some tomatoes, red and green delicious apples, a hubbard squash and a few peppers - mostly for us, but also to share with the Cooks. We also had a good visit with Jim's aunt Effie. We stopped at Family Christian and Jim purchased a NKJV that he thought he would preach from at WBC. Then he drove home. He was only normal tired. And we saw the movie "War Room" too.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, everything changed. Jim complained of shortness of breath. Just getting up from a sitting position, he was worn out. His dizziness was more extreme, as was his weakness and tiredness. He commented he had black stools. (He said they started on Monday; he was telling me about them today.) He was cold, so we turned the furnace on in the afternoon. I didn't go into the office, deciding it was better to work from home. We thought it was a 24-hour bug. He slept throughout the afternoon. We went to Awana that night, taking Austin. Many commented Jim looked pale. Pastor Dan annointed us with oil and prayed for both of us. When we got home, we took his blood pressure, which was normal. His pulse was high, just below 100. We thought perhaps he was in AFIB.
Today, Thursday, Oct. 1 - we got up at 6 a.m., decided we would go to the ER at St. Luke's Hospital.
We got there around 7:15 a.m. Did labs, an EKG - he was not in AFIB. After the doctor heard all the symtoms - the black stool was apparently a telltale sign - it appeared he had a bleed and it was thought to probably be an ulcer. His hemoglobin (red cell count) was low - 7.5 and that had dropped 3 points just in a short time. The need for a blood transfusion was a definite posibility. He had lost weight - with clothes, 128.5 pounds. The doctor said he would discontinue taking warfarin/coumadin as that puts him at high risk for bleeding.
I left to go home shortly after 9 a.m., since I had to work. When I next talked to Jim, it was almost 11 a.m. He was on fifth floor in the Critical Care Unit and was getting plasma. I learned from Jim's sister, Dianne, the RN, that plasma reverses the INR, which has to do with coumadin. (Later, after he was admitted to UIHC, I was told his INR had been 3.9.)
After receiving the plasma, Jim received a pint of B- blood (we have the same blood type) and then the endoscopy was done right in his room at St. Luke's. The nurse called at 12:30 p.m. and I talked to the surgeon. He said there was a big ulcer at the juncture of the stomach and esophagus where he had had the cancer surgery in May. It was currently not bleeding. He said the ulcer was not a result of the May surgery, but a complication, and he prefers to refer Jim to UIHC and Dr. Parekh, the doctor who performed the original surgery.
At 2:50 p.m., Jim was transferred to UIHC via ambulance. He arrived around 4 p.m.and by 4:25 p.m. was situated on the Medical ICU unit, 5th Floor East, Bed 5. The MICU does not have room numbers, but bed numbers. This location is only temporary. But for now, if you want to talk to him, call (319) 356-3441 and ask for him or Bed 5. It is a private room with a view (but not of Kinnick Stadium)!
I arrived shortly after 6 p.m. Jim will have another endoscopy in the morning to see what the ulcer is doing, to determine further steps. It is possible nothing will be done and they'll let the ulcer heal on its own. Jim's hemoglobin is up - from 7.5 to 7.7, a good sign, although still low. I learned his weight (with just a gown on) is even lower - 125 pounds! It took him so long to add weight, and how he's lost 8 more pounds. He is to have his hemoglobin checked again at midnight.
Tomorrow I believe Jim also will talk to a cardiologist about staying off of the warfarin. He was to have a second opinion visit Oct. 23.
It is also possible Jim may be released on Saturday. But I'm not going to hold my breath there. We've heard that line before.
I will be working again tomorrow from home so it will be evening before I will get up or down to see him. I'll update blog, Facebook or send an email as I'm able.
I've made countless calls today, and had many return them. Pastor Dan came by this morning and called late this afternoon. We are being prayed for all over the country, including in Tanzania. We appreciate the sentiments that God heal Jim without surgery. We appreciate every prayer lifted up on his and our behalf. I read to Jim an email received from Lorraine Kappmeyer - the line we aim to try and remember is "Every setback is a setup for a comeback!" God has this covered. We should never forget.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Jim visited his lone hospice client in Central City, and the following night, took grandson Austin to Awana / Cubbies while we went to Bible Study / prayer.
Friday, Sept. 25, dizziness and lightheadedness were still a constant, although he did mow the back and front yard, with rest and lunch inbetween.
Sunday, Sept. 27, Jim's message to the fine folk of Wilton Baptist was "The Precious Blood of Christ" from 1 Peter 1: 17-25. A business meeting was held following the service and among items discussed / considered was asking Jim to be interim.
Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28-29, were days off for me and busy for both of us. On the 28th, a hot, sunny day, we drove to Central City so Jim could visit with his hospice client and I could take his wife to a doctor's appointment in Marion. Later in the day we picked up the Cooks - Christina, Austin and James - Austin played for awhile at the playground at Noelridge Park and then all of us went to the Farmers Market. We came away with a huge head of cabbage, zucchini, white sweet corn, plus Christina bought six pumpkins. On the 29th, it was rainy and much cooler. Jim complained of his legs feeling weak, but thought perhaps it was just the weather. We drove up to Waterloo to visit Paulette Titus and get some tomatoes, red and green delicious apples, a hubbard squash and a few peppers - mostly for us, but also to share with the Cooks. We also had a good visit with Jim's aunt Effie. We stopped at Family Christian and Jim purchased a NKJV that he thought he would preach from at WBC. Then he drove home. He was only normal tired. And we saw the movie "War Room" too.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, everything changed. Jim complained of shortness of breath. Just getting up from a sitting position, he was worn out. His dizziness was more extreme, as was his weakness and tiredness. He commented he had black stools. (He said they started on Monday; he was telling me about them today.) He was cold, so we turned the furnace on in the afternoon. I didn't go into the office, deciding it was better to work from home. We thought it was a 24-hour bug. He slept throughout the afternoon. We went to Awana that night, taking Austin. Many commented Jim looked pale. Pastor Dan annointed us with oil and prayed for both of us. When we got home, we took his blood pressure, which was normal. His pulse was high, just below 100. We thought perhaps he was in AFIB.
Today, Thursday, Oct. 1 - we got up at 6 a.m., decided we would go to the ER at St. Luke's Hospital.
We got there around 7:15 a.m. Did labs, an EKG - he was not in AFIB. After the doctor heard all the symtoms - the black stool was apparently a telltale sign - it appeared he had a bleed and it was thought to probably be an ulcer. His hemoglobin (red cell count) was low - 7.5 and that had dropped 3 points just in a short time. The need for a blood transfusion was a definite posibility. He had lost weight - with clothes, 128.5 pounds. The doctor said he would discontinue taking warfarin/coumadin as that puts him at high risk for bleeding.
I left to go home shortly after 9 a.m., since I had to work. When I next talked to Jim, it was almost 11 a.m. He was on fifth floor in the Critical Care Unit and was getting plasma. I learned from Jim's sister, Dianne, the RN, that plasma reverses the INR, which has to do with coumadin. (Later, after he was admitted to UIHC, I was told his INR had been 3.9.)
After receiving the plasma, Jim received a pint of B- blood (we have the same blood type) and then the endoscopy was done right in his room at St. Luke's. The nurse called at 12:30 p.m. and I talked to the surgeon. He said there was a big ulcer at the juncture of the stomach and esophagus where he had had the cancer surgery in May. It was currently not bleeding. He said the ulcer was not a result of the May surgery, but a complication, and he prefers to refer Jim to UIHC and Dr. Parekh, the doctor who performed the original surgery.
At 2:50 p.m., Jim was transferred to UIHC via ambulance. He arrived around 4 p.m.and by 4:25 p.m. was situated on the Medical ICU unit, 5th Floor East, Bed 5. The MICU does not have room numbers, but bed numbers. This location is only temporary. But for now, if you want to talk to him, call (319) 356-3441 and ask for him or Bed 5. It is a private room with a view (but not of Kinnick Stadium)!
I arrived shortly after 6 p.m. Jim will have another endoscopy in the morning to see what the ulcer is doing, to determine further steps. It is possible nothing will be done and they'll let the ulcer heal on its own. Jim's hemoglobin is up - from 7.5 to 7.7, a good sign, although still low. I learned his weight (with just a gown on) is even lower - 125 pounds! It took him so long to add weight, and how he's lost 8 more pounds. He is to have his hemoglobin checked again at midnight.
Tomorrow I believe Jim also will talk to a cardiologist about staying off of the warfarin. He was to have a second opinion visit Oct. 23.
It is also possible Jim may be released on Saturday. But I'm not going to hold my breath there. We've heard that line before.
I will be working again tomorrow from home so it will be evening before I will get up or down to see him. I'll update blog, Facebook or send an email as I'm able.
I've made countless calls today, and had many return them. Pastor Dan came by this morning and called late this afternoon. We are being prayed for all over the country, including in Tanzania. We appreciate the sentiments that God heal Jim without surgery. We appreciate every prayer lifted up on his and our behalf. I read to Jim an email received from Lorraine Kappmeyer - the line we aim to try and remember is "Every setback is a setup for a comeback!" God has this covered. We should never forget.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Onward we go - Day 130
As Jim gets better (still has occasional dizziness and gaining weight is a very slow process), I have gone the opposite direction, trying to get out from under so much that is keeping me feeling rather poorly.
We enjoy the time God has allowed us to be at Wilton Baptist Church. We don't know how long that will continue, being the congregation does have need of full-time pastoral leadership. During September Jim has preached there the 6th and will again the 20th. He is hopeful for following weeks as well as he already has sermon ideas. We plan to visit some of the folks in the hospital or recuperating at home in coming weeks.
In thinking of all the places where we have served and of all the events of this past year, I jotted down this prayer request -- "To be sent wherever God leads. To be used wherever needed. To recognize needs. To be open to staying places and filling roles for however long the Lord desires. To have those who desire our aid to be open, not hiding, not pretending, not being false or fake."
Jim was rather listless over Labor Day weekend. He has watched the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon for years - last year it was on TV only 3 hours and this year, not at all. He didn't quite know what to do with himself. On Monday, Sept. 7, he remembered a DVD he put together last year from episodes that were on youtube.com and watched it.
AWANA at Immanuel began Wednesday, Sept. 2 - we started coming Sept. 9, bringing grandson Austin to participate in Cubbies, the preschool class, to learn about Jesus. I go in to work earlier and get off by 5:30 so we can all get to church on time and have supper too.
We took our second mini-trip to Northeast Missouri (LaGrange and Hannibal) Sept. 12-14, and it was enjoyable as always. We stopped at HLG and visited with Jim's friend, Ray Carty, who is vice president of something (LOL). He gave us a personal tour of the new science building that opened the end of August. We bought gas in Hannibal for $1.99, a huge decrease from the $2.29 we paid in Cedar Rapids before heading south.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Jim got a flu shot at HyVee Drug Town, and it apparently made him very tired, as he slept much of the afternoon, and we both went to bed early that night.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, Jim and I and Christina and our grandsons, Austin and James, went to Waterloo to attend the Cattle Congress fair. We weren't sure how the day was going to end up, being it was raining in Waterloo in the morning, then raining here and still raining when we headed north at noon. Fortunately, the rains stopped and the skies remained dry, although a little cloudy, the rest of the day and into early evening. We saw lots and did lots of things, everybody (except James) got in lots of walking ... and Jim has more stamina ... and I think Austin had fun. I'll include some photos at the end of this post.
Today is Saturday, Sept. 19. A nice sunny day, a bit on the cool side, but considerably better than Friday's downpour. This morning Jim and Rocky worked for an hour or two on cleaning the garage -it's a vast improvement. Jim printed off his sermon - 11 pages - guess God gave him much to talk about! His message for Sunday is "Be All You Can Be" and Scripture is I Peter 1:10-16.
Upcoming appointments:
We enjoy the time God has allowed us to be at Wilton Baptist Church. We don't know how long that will continue, being the congregation does have need of full-time pastoral leadership. During September Jim has preached there the 6th and will again the 20th. He is hopeful for following weeks as well as he already has sermon ideas. We plan to visit some of the folks in the hospital or recuperating at home in coming weeks.
In thinking of all the places where we have served and of all the events of this past year, I jotted down this prayer request -- "To be sent wherever God leads. To be used wherever needed. To recognize needs. To be open to staying places and filling roles for however long the Lord desires. To have those who desire our aid to be open, not hiding, not pretending, not being false or fake."
Jim was rather listless over Labor Day weekend. He has watched the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon for years - last year it was on TV only 3 hours and this year, not at all. He didn't quite know what to do with himself. On Monday, Sept. 7, he remembered a DVD he put together last year from episodes that were on youtube.com and watched it.
AWANA at Immanuel began Wednesday, Sept. 2 - we started coming Sept. 9, bringing grandson Austin to participate in Cubbies, the preschool class, to learn about Jesus. I go in to work earlier and get off by 5:30 so we can all get to church on time and have supper too.
We took our second mini-trip to Northeast Missouri (LaGrange and Hannibal) Sept. 12-14, and it was enjoyable as always. We stopped at HLG and visited with Jim's friend, Ray Carty, who is vice president of something (LOL). He gave us a personal tour of the new science building that opened the end of August. We bought gas in Hannibal for $1.99, a huge decrease from the $2.29 we paid in Cedar Rapids before heading south.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Jim got a flu shot at HyVee Drug Town, and it apparently made him very tired, as he slept much of the afternoon, and we both went to bed early that night.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, Jim and I and Christina and our grandsons, Austin and James, went to Waterloo to attend the Cattle Congress fair. We weren't sure how the day was going to end up, being it was raining in Waterloo in the morning, then raining here and still raining when we headed north at noon. Fortunately, the rains stopped and the skies remained dry, although a little cloudy, the rest of the day and into early evening. We saw lots and did lots of things, everybody (except James) got in lots of walking ... and Jim has more stamina ... and I think Austin had fun. I'll include some photos at the end of this post.
Today is Saturday, Sept. 19. A nice sunny day, a bit on the cool side, but considerably better than Friday's downpour. This morning Jim and Rocky worked for an hour or two on cleaning the garage -it's a vast improvement. Jim printed off his sermon - 11 pages - guess God gave him much to talk about! His message for Sunday is "Be All You Can Be" and Scripture is I Peter 1:10-16.
Upcoming appointments:
- Friday, Oct. 23 - 3 p.m., Jim meets with Dr. Bailin, a cardiologist at UIHC, for a second opinion re: use of coumadin for surgery-related afib.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27 - 10:30 a.m., Jim has colonoscopy with Dr. Gerke at UIHC
- Friday, Oct. 30 - 9:30 a.m., Cathy meets with Dr. Gerke re: digestive issues begun Aug. 5
Photos taken at Cattle Congress in Waterloo:
Friday, September 4, 2015
Improvements continue - Day 115
How the days fly by ... 115 days now since Jim's cancer surgery. He is getting stronger and he does not have as many dizzy spells. Perhaps the Coumadin is more agreeable to his system - he has been taking it for nearly 4 months. But of course he still has the lower than normal blood pressure. We have not yet heard from UIHC re: seeing a cardiologist there for a second opinion.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, was a tiring day - probably all those pain pills he took following oral surgery - so he slept, and when he wasn't sleeping, he worked on his sermon.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, was the first night for Awana at church and they were offering a group for grandson Austin's age group - Cubbies. We were hoping to take him, however, a few things prevented that ....
One, my sister, Helen's mother-in-law, Lorraine Snell, passed away on Sunday, and we decided to go to the visitation Wednesday after I got off work.
Two, I had a sore on my right hip area that opened during the day. So after visitation, we went to Urgent Care in Marion. The doctor diagnosed it as a yeast infection, possibly a result of the antibiotics I have been on since Aug. 27 (for digestive issues) and the heat. I have a cream to use twice a day. After the first day, I noticed improvement. But just because it is better doesn't mean I'm to stop taking it. (On a side note, re: the digestive concerns, my primary doctor is working on getting me an appointment with Dr. Gerke, the gastroenterologist at UIHC.)
Jim was really feeling better on Wednesday - he made meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies and homemade rolls (partially using the bread machine) for supper that night.
Jim will be preaching this Sunday at Wilton Baptist. He has prepared a Labor Day message, "Laborers for Christ," taken from Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 and I Corinthians 3:8-10. Communion will follow.
We are planning a 3-day trip to Northeast Missouri Sept. 12-14, but it may have to be postponed. We'll find out on Thursday, Sept. 10. A co-worker's mother-in-law is having a procedure done in Indiana that day to shock her heart back into rhythm. She has a heart condition and also cancer, and the cardiologist apparently won't allow the surgeon to operate until her heart is stable.
Prayers for that situation and for Jim and of course, probably me too, are very much appreciated.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, was a tiring day - probably all those pain pills he took following oral surgery - so he slept, and when he wasn't sleeping, he worked on his sermon.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, was the first night for Awana at church and they were offering a group for grandson Austin's age group - Cubbies. We were hoping to take him, however, a few things prevented that ....
One, my sister, Helen's mother-in-law, Lorraine Snell, passed away on Sunday, and we decided to go to the visitation Wednesday after I got off work.
Two, I had a sore on my right hip area that opened during the day. So after visitation, we went to Urgent Care in Marion. The doctor diagnosed it as a yeast infection, possibly a result of the antibiotics I have been on since Aug. 27 (for digestive issues) and the heat. I have a cream to use twice a day. After the first day, I noticed improvement. But just because it is better doesn't mean I'm to stop taking it. (On a side note, re: the digestive concerns, my primary doctor is working on getting me an appointment with Dr. Gerke, the gastroenterologist at UIHC.)
Jim was really feeling better on Wednesday - he made meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies and homemade rolls (partially using the bread machine) for supper that night.
Jim will be preaching this Sunday at Wilton Baptist. He has prepared a Labor Day message, "Laborers for Christ," taken from Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 and I Corinthians 3:8-10. Communion will follow.
We are planning a 3-day trip to Northeast Missouri Sept. 12-14, but it may have to be postponed. We'll find out on Thursday, Sept. 10. A co-worker's mother-in-law is having a procedure done in Indiana that day to shock her heart back into rhythm. She has a heart condition and also cancer, and the cardiologist apparently won't allow the surgeon to operate until her heart is stable.
Prayers for that situation and for Jim and of course, probably me too, are very much appreciated.
Monday, August 31, 2015
God is good all the time -- Days 110-111
Sunday, Aug. 30, was Day 110. We had a good night's sleep, most beneficial, especially when it is a day you are to deliver God's message to His children. We hadn't been at Wilton Baptist since March 15, but were finally able to return today. It was such a blessing for us and for them to see each other after such a long absence. These are among the many who prayed for us, sent cards and visited while Jim was in the hospital.
Jim's message, from Hebrews 10:19-39, was "Are you a FAT Christian?" - FAT stands for Faithful, Available and Teachable.
His sore throat, a result of summertime allergies, remained with him, although as he continued preaching, his voice got stronger.
A potluck was held after the service. Such a tasty meal. Afterward we were both ready for naps, but only one of us had the opportunity. I drove back home and Jim, tired from preaching and eating, slept from Tipton to Cedar Rapids.
We are returning next Sunday, Sept. 6. Jim is planning a Labor Day message, plus we will have communion.
Wilton reminds us of Immanuel, especially its friendliness.
Today is Monday, Aug. 31 - Day 111. Jim has oral surgery this afternoon to remove a molar, after complaining of left jaw pain on May 26. His dentist said his left lower molar was internally dying and needed to be pulled. It is good the pain of the first few days decreased and there has been no pain for months. The pain came after the tooth was pulled. From about 3:30 to 10 p.m., there was bleeding. He used gauze and moist tea bags to try to get it to stop and at one point, called the dentist, who said if things were not better in the morning, to come in and they'd have a look. He took hydrocodone Acetaminophen for pain.
Dr. Butler's office called. Jim's INR (blood drawn Saturday morning) level is 2.6. He is to continue on the Coumadin for 4 weeks, then have blood drawn again.
God is good, so good, all the time, even during those times we fail to see His goodness.
Jim's message, from Hebrews 10:19-39, was "Are you a FAT Christian?" - FAT stands for Faithful, Available and Teachable.
His sore throat, a result of summertime allergies, remained with him, although as he continued preaching, his voice got stronger.
A potluck was held after the service. Such a tasty meal. Afterward we were both ready for naps, but only one of us had the opportunity. I drove back home and Jim, tired from preaching and eating, slept from Tipton to Cedar Rapids.
We are returning next Sunday, Sept. 6. Jim is planning a Labor Day message, plus we will have communion.
Wilton reminds us of Immanuel, especially its friendliness.
Today is Monday, Aug. 31 - Day 111. Jim has oral surgery this afternoon to remove a molar, after complaining of left jaw pain on May 26. His dentist said his left lower molar was internally dying and needed to be pulled. It is good the pain of the first few days decreased and there has been no pain for months. The pain came after the tooth was pulled. From about 3:30 to 10 p.m., there was bleeding. He used gauze and moist tea bags to try to get it to stop and at one point, called the dentist, who said if things were not better in the morning, to come in and they'd have a look. He took hydrocodone Acetaminophen for pain.
Dr. Butler's office called. Jim's INR (blood drawn Saturday morning) level is 2.6. He is to continue on the Coumadin for 4 weeks, then have blood drawn again.
God is good, so good, all the time, even during those times we fail to see His goodness.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Updates: Days 96 - 109
Sunday, Aug. 16, was Day 96. Jim preached at First Federated Church in Lisbon for the third week in a row. Then we were told someone else would be coming Aug. 23 and it was unknown about Aug. 30. When we received a call from the church in July and again after the first service on Aug. 2 when we met with the pulpit committee, we were only told to let them know if we could not come.
Don't know what that is/was all about, but of course God does. Have to let Him control the reins and lead us in the way He would have us go.
So we called Ron at Wilton Baptist. Jim has preached there before, off and on, since last fall, and had called Ron in July letting him know he would be available to preach by August. Ron had called earlier in August asking, but by then, we were committed to First Federated. So we called him back, since we had August dates open. We were invited to come Aug. 30.
Thursday, Aug. 20, was Day 100. Today was a day of rest. Jim went to the pet store and got dizzy just getting out of the car. He spent most of the afternoon sleeping.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, was Day 106. Jim worked in earnest on his sermon for this coming Sunday. His message will be "Are you a FAT Christian?" FAT stands for Faithful, Available and Teachable. Scripture is from Hebrews 10:19-39.
Thursday, Aug. 27, was Day 107. Jim had an early morning appointment with his cardiologist, Dr. Li, at PCI. His blood pressure was 80/46 and his weight, 132.3 pounds. His weight seems to fluctuate within a pound every time he sees any doctor. Who knows what his real weight is. Also had an EKG. He told Dr. Li he wanted to get off Warfarin/Coumadin. Her recommended alternatives to being off the blood thinner was to monitor blood pressure and pulse rate daily.
Side effects Jim has from taking the Warfarin/Coumadin are dizziness and lower blood pressure. Dr. Li said it is rare for Coumadin to lower BP. She suggested drinking more water (60 ounces verses the 24 ounces he currently drinks - and that is more than he has ever drank!) or gatorade and increasing salt intake would help to raise his BP. She said the dizziness could possibly be prevented if he moved his legs up and down before walking.
We both believe the Coumadin is the primary cause of these problems. He didn't have dizziness before taking it and his blood pressure was usually in the 90s to 100s, never as low as 80 or less.
Dr. Li said we could get a second opinion. Jim told her no, it wasn't necessary, but when we talked later, he said he was going to looking into it down at UIHC in Iowa City. We are currently waiting for a return call on a referral.
Thursday evening, after I got off work, we had dinner with a friend, Joan. Jim took care of her husband, Bill, more than 8 years ago when he worked for St. Luke's Home Care / Hospice. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Saturday, Aug. 29, was Day 109. This morning when Jim woke up he complained of a sore throat. His voice has been deeper in the last couple days and apparently his throat was somewhat sore during the week, but this morning it was more bothersome. At first we thought he had developed a cold. But then I remembered his allergies were not just seasonal, but also mold and mildew (which is present indoors and outdoors) and we have been around mold much of this week.
Since he had to go to MedLabs to have blood drawn (he has to stop Coumadin today because he's having oral surgery on Monday), I suggested he also stop at Urgent Care in Hiawatha. The result of that visit indicated he didn't have a cold or strep throat, but allergies. Allergies that cause sore throats, as mold and mildew can. So he has two meds - Flonase nasal spray and a mouthwash that he says tastes awful. Worse than the hot tea (Throat Coat) with slippery elm, licorice, etc., with a teaspoon of honey in it that I gave him this morning. He says the Flonase appears to be helping.
Our prayers are for answers to the Coumadin issue, getting that second opinion, getting necessary rest, gaining weight and more strength in body and voice.
Don't know what that is/was all about, but of course God does. Have to let Him control the reins and lead us in the way He would have us go.
So we called Ron at Wilton Baptist. Jim has preached there before, off and on, since last fall, and had called Ron in July letting him know he would be available to preach by August. Ron had called earlier in August asking, but by then, we were committed to First Federated. So we called him back, since we had August dates open. We were invited to come Aug. 30.
Thursday, Aug. 20, was Day 100. Today was a day of rest. Jim went to the pet store and got dizzy just getting out of the car. He spent most of the afternoon sleeping.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, was Day 106. Jim worked in earnest on his sermon for this coming Sunday. His message will be "Are you a FAT Christian?" FAT stands for Faithful, Available and Teachable. Scripture is from Hebrews 10:19-39.
Thursday, Aug. 27, was Day 107. Jim had an early morning appointment with his cardiologist, Dr. Li, at PCI. His blood pressure was 80/46 and his weight, 132.3 pounds. His weight seems to fluctuate within a pound every time he sees any doctor. Who knows what his real weight is. Also had an EKG. He told Dr. Li he wanted to get off Warfarin/Coumadin. Her recommended alternatives to being off the blood thinner was to monitor blood pressure and pulse rate daily.
Side effects Jim has from taking the Warfarin/Coumadin are dizziness and lower blood pressure. Dr. Li said it is rare for Coumadin to lower BP. She suggested drinking more water (60 ounces verses the 24 ounces he currently drinks - and that is more than he has ever drank!) or gatorade and increasing salt intake would help to raise his BP. She said the dizziness could possibly be prevented if he moved his legs up and down before walking.
We both believe the Coumadin is the primary cause of these problems. He didn't have dizziness before taking it and his blood pressure was usually in the 90s to 100s, never as low as 80 or less.
Dr. Li said we could get a second opinion. Jim told her no, it wasn't necessary, but when we talked later, he said he was going to looking into it down at UIHC in Iowa City. We are currently waiting for a return call on a referral.
Thursday evening, after I got off work, we had dinner with a friend, Joan. Jim took care of her husband, Bill, more than 8 years ago when he worked for St. Luke's Home Care / Hospice. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Saturday, Aug. 29, was Day 109. This morning when Jim woke up he complained of a sore throat. His voice has been deeper in the last couple days and apparently his throat was somewhat sore during the week, but this morning it was more bothersome. At first we thought he had developed a cold. But then I remembered his allergies were not just seasonal, but also mold and mildew (which is present indoors and outdoors) and we have been around mold much of this week.
Since he had to go to MedLabs to have blood drawn (he has to stop Coumadin today because he's having oral surgery on Monday), I suggested he also stop at Urgent Care in Hiawatha. The result of that visit indicated he didn't have a cold or strep throat, but allergies. Allergies that cause sore throats, as mold and mildew can. So he has two meds - Flonase nasal spray and a mouthwash that he says tastes awful. Worse than the hot tea (Throat Coat) with slippery elm, licorice, etc., with a teaspoon of honey in it that I gave him this morning. He says the Flonase appears to be helping.
Our prayers are for answers to the Coumadin issue, getting that second opinion, getting necessary rest, gaining weight and more strength in body and voice.
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