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)."

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.

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.