Thursday, February 19, 2009

Memories and Mayhem

Two years ago today, I received the call. "Mrs. W, this is Detective Jones with the Winchester Police Department." I knew instantly. The detective didn't even have to say the words. I just started wailing. Mr. W was in Winchester to attend a special outpatient physical therapy program for folks with his specific medical problems. He had been staying at a local hotel for the six-week program. The hotel staff saw him on Sunday; Monday morning they found him, gone, presumably from a heart rhythm problem.

Two days ago, I took my seventeen-year-old daughter to the doctor for a sinus infection. They found a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem. So in addition to the cement in her sinuses and the pain of her father's death anniversary this week, she was suddenly swept up in a frenzy of tests and dour-looking adults all around her. Of all times for this to happen - it put me in a "when it rains, it pours" frame of mind. You can cut out a few organs on me while I watch, and I'm fine. But when my child is in great pain . . . it's a completely different story.

"Next Thursday (as in the 26th) is the earliest we can get her in with the cardiologist. She needs to stay quiet, no sports until she is seen." Are you kidding me? Ten days away? But God had another plan. Once the doctors cut my girl loose to "take it easy and wait", she headed straight to school. At this age, Mom is essential but not primary in the commiseration process. She needed to see her peeps.

She went to class, her biology course with Mr. C, a "Mr Chips" sort of teacher who has always taken a special interest in my girl. When she went on meltdown, he pulled her out of class and got the story. He called his wife. He called me and said to call his wife. The upshot of those calls was that my girl and I were sitting in the office of Dr. T, a premiere cardiologist at 8:30 the next morning. Dr. T was doing her residency training eighteen years ago when a certain pregnant nurse took the frightened resident under her wing in the intensive care unit. Now Dr. T is known nationally, her office nurse is married to a certain "Mr. Chips" sort of teacher at my daughter's school and the once pregnant nurse is on the receiving end of needing care for her child. Dr. T was not supposed to see patients at all that morning. She came in just to see my girl.

As this cardiologist soothed and explained everything to my daughter, I felt a heavy load fall from my shoulders. This was going to be manageable. More tests would be needed, perhaps medication, worst case scenario a medical procedure to calm her twitchy heart. But everything was going to be alright. Another storm would be weathered.

This lead me to my new thoughts on "when it rains, it pours". What began as a week of, "I can't believe all of this is happening right now" became one of "I can't believe how thoroughly God has provided for our every need this week." Our hearts still hurt tonight for Mr. W. There is more to do to protect my girl's health. We are all exhausted. But we are safe; we are well cared for. We are happy to think of God's provision - to know with all certainty that when it rains, it pours.

May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.

The last Word:
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today."
Exodus 14:13, NIV.

13 comments:

Sita said...

Gail...I needed to hear that...been a rough time...thank you...

Paula said...

Thank you Gail. My storm is not a treacherous as yours, but a storm nevertheless. God provides and protects, and He is proving that once again with all of us.

Aunt Angie said...

GAil....you had my heart racing in this!

My prayers will be with you dear one in this time of remembering....God has been awesome to me...

When you said "when it rains, it pours"...I instantly thought of the song "Praise Him in the Storm"...the song that penetrated my achy heart last year...

I love you to pieces dear friend!

Liz said...

Whew! God is good and He works so miraculously albeit mysteriously. Thank you for posting. I needed to hear the story of intervention this day.
Hopeful!
Liz

Lighthouse Prayer Line said...

Great post! If you get the opportunity, please pray for the prayer requests that are listed on the main page of http://www.LighthousePrayerLine.org .

God bless,
Mark Seay

Denise said...

Praise God for bringing you through this stormy time my friend. I am asking God to continue to watch over your dear daughter. I love you.

Amrita said...

Dear Gail, may you feel God 's loving embrace all round you and your daughter too.

I know the "when it rains it pours" feeling.

This morning the church got a super inflated/wrong electricity bill.Normally I would have had a heart attack but I just committed it to the Lord. he will see us through.

Glad to hear how Mrs C helped.Rom 8;28

Grace and comfort be yours.
Love, Amrita

Tina said...

Gail,
He always provides! Thank you for sharing, for your encouragement, for your faithfulness and for your friendship

In Him,
Tina

Stacy said...

Dear Gail, What an inspiration you are. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing the joys and pains of your life. Your kind, loving words of encouragement and wisdom have etched out a special place for you in my heart. I will be praying for you and your precious daughter.

Hugs,
Stacy

Crown of Beauty said...

This is such an encouraging post. Thank you for sharing about your husband. Now I know why I felt you could understand the journey I am on after just recently losing my own husband. When it rains it pours used to be one of my favorite lines, and thanks for turning the meaning of that phrase around! Yes, your daughter will be Ok. And you will be ok, too.

Julie said...

I've used that term too... but not in the same conditions.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. I pray that the Comforter will surround you as only He can do and touch your tender heart as it remembers and grieves.

I am amazed to see God's hand all over your life this week. How precious a gift He has given to you, friend.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and your sweet words. You always bless me so much.

Marsha said...

Oh Gail! I'm so thankful for God's guiding hand here! There are never any coincidences in life, it's all the hand of our sovereign God.

I'm so glad you came over to my blog! I've actually seen you on several friends we have in common. I can tell I'm going to enjoy and be encouraged by your writing. I can already sense a kindred spirit between us!

Blessings to you this day.

Carol said...

Gail,

Thank you for so openly sharing your heart and concerns. What an amazing God we have, He already had everything prepared for you so far in advance.

I'm sorry I was unaware of the loss of your husband. I pray comfort for you and your family at this time. I understand the feelings your daughter goes through with the loss, as I lost my dad when I was in 7th grade. Those first years of the anniversary were always very difficult for me. I will pray for her and her health.

Love,
Carol