Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thursday,
Today we saw some glimmer of hope with Bonnie’s prognosis. Another day has gone by and no growth in the blood cultures looking for the yeast infection. It doesn’t mean Bonnie is out of harm’s way as of yet, but it certainly is major step in that direction. The physicians have seemed to find the right combination of antibiotics and antifungal medicines to protect Bonnie during this vulnerable period.

Another praise is the long intervals she is now experiencing between bouts with diarrhea. She had several four hour time segments where she was able to enjoy the peace of mind that she didn’t have to fear the quick awkward jaunt to the bathroom.

The rash continues to spread on her body. About the only area of her body not covered is her face and scalp. She says it doesn’t hurt or itch, but helping her with changing gowns and using the bathroom, I (Steve) am pretty much the only one who regularly sees a large portion of her body and it is painful for me to see it. Please pray that this will subside, not hurt nor itch.

I guess I should mention that I (Steve) had my biopsy this morning with results due next Monday or Tuesday, so please pray that the results are negative. I’m just a little sore from where they went in with the needle, but other than that it hasn’t limited my attention being focused on caring for Bonnie.

I coaxed Bonnie out of the room today in a wheelchair for about an hour so she could watch the activity on Michigan Avenue in front of Sparrow Hospital. Between this and having a couple of family members visit, she had a reprieve from the normal boredom. Even with the change in scenery and activity, she has minimal strength to keep her eyes open during conversations and I have to assist her sitting up and getting out of bed. Please pray for her to have strength and determination to force herself to get up and do some activity, even if it is minimal.

We continue to wait upon God’s timing to reintroduce white blood cells into her body, so for now we remain patient and content knowing that God’s character and nature are perfect and holy and He is incapable of making a single mistake, including the leukemia Bonnie is battling. Someone might say “How could a loving God allow something like this to happen to Bonnie?” or “Why do bad things happen to good people?” What makes us think we are entitled to a life free of adversity? Adversity builds character. The question is what kind of character does our adversity build? Is it a character that can rejoice in all circumstances or a character that creates resentment toward God and says “I don’t want anything to do with you? Character in some respects is the powertrain/engine of our lives. If you think about the powertrain of your vehicle, without it, it doesn’t run or if it is unserviced it risks failure at some point. Godly character is like a finely tuned powertrain that impacts every aspect of our life: Our obedience to God, how we treat others, what we do with the talent and resources God has blessed us with, and in our case, how much strength and power we draw from a God who has an endless supply of this as part of His character and nature. Adversity is good. It is a barometer of where we stand with God. I’m not saying we have arrived by any stretch of the imagination. We have our moments and our weaknesses each day as we wrestle with the challenges before us, but God has strengthened us beyond belief. Isaiah 40: 28-29 gives us a glimpse of God’s character:

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength. “


My mom (Steve) mentioned a verse to me today from Proverbs which also is a barometer of sorts to challenge each of us: Proverbs 24:10 says:

If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.


Call upon God for strength. Don’t wait for the day when adversity hits. The transition from smooth sailing to rough seas isn’t easy, but when it comes, and trust us, it will come, you will be prepared and ready to adjust and the boat might take on water and be tossed about, but it won’t capsize. Instead you will find your faith and trust in God, as it is tested, even stronger and more meaningful than you will ever imagine. That is the essence of what we experience daily – the joy of knowing God is at the helm.

1 comment:

  1. Dear Steve and Bonnie,
    It is 7:42 a.m. and we have just begun to pray for you all again today. One of the desires of my heart when I married Jaime was to place my hands into a man who was strong spiritually and who would help to lead the family from point A (this world) to point B (the world that is to come).

    The word picture you delivered of a boat making a transition from smooth sailing to stormy seas is right on. By God's grace I know God has given Bonnie all that she needs. I thank God she has a man who has a heart for his God on that boat with her. We have a God who not only calls us to walk on the water in a storm with Him, but when the waves overtake us, He gets into our little boats and allows them to quickly reach their destination. Even the winds and the seas obey Him.

    My words are too inadequate to let you know how much we love you guys and are praying for you on this stormy course your boat has entered. May the God of all strength, hope, and love continue to be the Master at the helm and lead your ship to calmer waters.

    Your brother and sister in Christ,
    Carrie and Jaime

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