Thursday

Now that we are beyond the disappointing news of yesterday and have one day of the re-induction chemo under our belts, we are sitting here this evening counting the many small blessings and answers to prayer today:

We are thankful for the private quiet room that is our home away from home which is nicely decorated with the many cards we have received from so many of you.

We are grateful for the exceptional quality care Bonnie is receiving from the nurses, technicians and physicians.

Bonnie had the pleasure of being in the outdoors air today after being sequestered indoors for 15 days. I had been hopeful to have her go outdoors on Memorial Day when there was minimal public traffic on the first floor, but that was one of the days she was extremely fatigued. So today, Bonnie was the first patient ever on the 5th floor to use the 1+ year old patient patio that staff and physicians have been lobbying the hospital administration on for approval to use. The nursing staff was convinced that the patio would never be used because risk management mandated a tightly drafted protocol for use. Then, just like that, we heard late yesterday it was going to open today and all we needed was a standing physician’s order, which we were given. Even though it wasn’t a particularly warm or beautiful morning, it was to Bonnie, who was all wrapped up in a hot blanket. (just a side note, the hot blankets are pretty nice. I would like to install one of these warming machines stocked with blankets at my house!)

Bonnie’s temperature today was stable and controlled which in part contributed to her having more energy and feeling 50% better than the past couple of days.

The sores in Bonnie’s mouth are smaller (still painful, but smaller) which made it easier for her to eat more solid food. Hopefully this will help her intestinal struggles which are exhausting, irritating and draining on Bonnie.

Because of the fatigue somewhat subsiding, Bonnie was able to walk 7 laps around the floor today which was a victory both physically and mentally.

Finally it was a blessing to Bonnie to have the energy to read from God’s word herself today instead of me reading it to her. Being able to hold God’s word and read it with her own eyes is the most important nourishment to her body, mind and soul. Nourishment sustains us and gives us strength. God’s word sustains us mentally and emotionally and with these two attributes being fully nourished by God’s word nothing with what we’re dealing with can shake us. God’s word helps us understand and put Bonnie’s situation into perspective in the bigger picture of God’s plan of redemption for his people. Following is a quote from a story Bonnie read today where someone was in a difficult situation……

“Two people look out the same prison window with bars, one sees stars and the other sees mud.”

We are choosing to see stars. Today’s little blessings and answers to prayer are those stars we are grasping for the moment. God has blessed us so much in the midst of the storm. Isaiah 30:19 gives us all the comfort we need:

“He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.”