Monday, September 14, 2009

Tellin' It Like It Is...And It Is LONG, Sorry!

I recently received a phone call from a friend who lives out of state (out of country, to be exact) and he encouraged me to post regularly because he is not here able to see what's happening in our lives, so he is dependent on this blog to inform him. I assured him I would make a greater effort and I know there are many people in agreement with him.

Facing each day is a challenge for me. I really don't know what to expect. Before I open my eyes in the morning, I ask the Lord for grace and strength and mercy to endure the day set before me. I ask that He will guide me to be a helpmeet to my husband and a joyful mother to our children. I used to have a planned out daily schedule, but it seemed every time I would get it up and running the Lord would encourage me life was according to His plan and schedule, and not mine.

As a veteran homeschooler, I have purchased many books on organizing my time, attended conference sessions on managing my home and even considered an online program to help with lesson plans. Each time I get organized, something happens--not always a bad something--just something, like the need to paint the house, remodel the bathroom or go to the hospital for cancer or to have a baby. So, I quit trying to plan and have determined God will show me the direction I need to travel each day. This works pretty good. For example, I kept thinking I should clean out the frig/freezer in the kitchen, but there was always something more important which prevented this until the day after we came home from camping. When I walked into the kitchen that first morning, I found a brown, sticky fluid pooling on the floor in front of the fridge. The night before, someone decided to "cool" down a Pepsi quickly, forgot, the can exploded and they turned off the freezer to clean it out, decided it was late, went to bed, didn't turn the freezer back on and thus my gift first thing in the morning. A very successful method in getting the freezer cleaned out! I didn't get upset, because I did the same thing when I was about the same age, only it was an 8 pk of glass 7-up bottles evenly distributed among a recently purchased half a beef in my parents' freezer. My mother was reminded of this for an entire year as each package of meat removed for a meal was covered in shards of glass and sticky substance. All this to say that yesterday, while staying home from church because Bryan was not feeling well, I chose to write up a school/chore/meal plan for the new school year. (Kind of silly since we school year round, but anything for new motivation, right?)

I got up first thing this morning, woke the children and we were off to a great start. Sarah was making breakfast while chores were getting done and I went to check on Bryan. Part of my morning routine is giving him his meds and emptying his drain bags. What a surprise when I found a bile bag full of blood. My first thoughts went to that blasted schedule and what was I thinking that I could get organized when I needed to take care of my husband and his unpredictable needs! Then, I prayed. I don't know why I can never get that in the right order. One of these days, I pray, I will pray first then consider my options. Jonathan came on the scene, helped me recall all that happened at the hospital the last time we found this and so we applied hospital technique in our own home. It worked great and a phone call to the doctor assured me that things should be fine in a day or two. So, tomorrow we head off to chemo in the morning. We continued on with our schedule almost as planned and had a successful day.

Bryan looks and is tired and weak. He has lost most of his hair; a side effect of the CPT-11. He rarely speaks, only to request a glass of water or assistance in and out of bed, his chair or the bathroom. He doesn't get out of bed until after 11:00am, generally, and then attempts to read his Bible, but usually falls asleep with book opened on his lap. He often faints when standing and must have assistance at all times. His hiccups seem to only bother him at night, now, so it must be related to the position he sleeps. He can only sleep one way due to his drains and dressings. So far, his skin integrity is holding. He is so thin but is steadily gaining a pound or two each week. Last week, he weighed 104, that's good news and I hope for 106 tomorrow.

My prayer concerns for this week are the blood in the bag, the fainting, and the rising bilirubin. We got as low as 3.2, but last week it was back up to 7.0 and I think he looks jaundiced but once again everyone disagrees with me.

Telling it like it is--it ain't pretty, but through it all we still have hope. Not a hope due to denial, because the truth is pretty plain. But, "(t)his hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast..." Hebrews 6:19

Thank you for enduring with us in prayer and hope (and the long blog post)!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Susan, Bryan, and family,
It sounds to me like you are letting the Lord organize your day...one step at a time. Your children are getting a real education, the kind only our Lord can teach.
His ways are so above ours. My prayers and thoughts are with you continually.
Jeannie

Mrs. Theresa Frees said...

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Pro. 16:9
May your deeds be shown...your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalms 90:16-17
Ahh the best laid plans when will we learn???
Thank you Lord for your gentleness towards us.
You’re in my heart, prayers and as always ever so inspiring to me.
Mrs. Frees

Laura Earl said...

Thank you for the post! We will continue to pray for your precious family!

Dina said...

Susan, thank you for the post. I know there are so many "things to do", but I, also, do so appreciate the updates...so nice that God brought your own "pop fiasco" to mind when you discovered the current one! And one day your child will be more patient with thier child for their childish foibles, because of your example...well, I guess I still do "childish" mistakes too! It was interesting to read about how Bryan's day goes...Hoping to see the scale settle at 106 today! So blessed by the explanation of your HOPE. Like joy and peace, right? (That those who do not know the Lord may not understand the Joy and Peace of the Lord, which surpasses (human) understanding....because it's a "God thing!" [not dependent on our circumstances...]) Sorry, I'm not very eloquent....but my prayers are with you today! God bless you all, Dina

Luke's Mom said...

Praying for you to continue to have the joy of the Lord as your strength. I don't say that lightly as I know first hand exactly how the strength of Lord is my only way to get through a lot of my days.

I'm also praying that God will continue to give you a peace about your schedule. For we nothing is impossible with God!

Love in Christ,
Suzi

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your post. Your beautiful words during such a hard time are a witness to me. They have the perfume of Christ. Praying for you all. Your friend in Christ, Leanne

Anonymous said...

I am encouraged, blessed and ever so thankful for your "tellin it like it is". Praying for your steadfast strength, faith, hope, and endurance!
Blessings and love to you all,
Kamille

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking the time to keep us posted ... I check in regularly and am always encouraged as I see the Lord at work in such a mighty way in the Pollock family. As I notice the time of that post I will continue to pray for strength and endurance for each of you as you all walk this journey of faith. Our God is all sufficient and your family is a walking testimony of this truth!
Continuing to pray for all of you -
Terri

TJ said...

Your honestly speaks volumes, Susan. May the Lord answer your prayers to provide the grace and cheerfulness you ask of Him, and may Bryan's weight be more than another 2 pounds. Rest well when you lay down next. Love you.....