One great thing forty years in ministering to people has exposed
me to is the many, MANY health care professionals that help people deal with
sickness and disease on a daily basis. I have been blessed beyond measure to walk with many through those storm tossed waters.
A good attitude and a good sense of
humor goes a long way on both sides of the equation.
One evening in September nearly eight years ago, I got a
call to come to the ER at Genesys where a dear, sweet Lady in our congregation
was at death’s door. They whisk us out of the room as their amazing team literally
saved her life that night. Over the next week, I met people who worked in many
disciplines, including palliative care (which I had to google), cancer doctors,
surgeons, and many that I do not even know what they were doing other than
obviously helping her.
Over the next three years, she
was up and down in her strength as she went through chemo, rehab centers,
possible food poison and one of her doctors was even arrested for Medicare
fraud. Finally, stage 5 cancer took over meaning no more chemo and hospice was
set up.
As she was in the hospital for
the last time on that cold February day, she said something to Vicki and I that
she had said over and over throughout her ordeal –
“They always send the BEST
people to help me”.
Just 14 days later, she went home to be with the
Lord, but her words, laughter and attitude have made such a lasting impression
on my life.
As I have begun my journey facing
many health uncertainties, I have already been blessed with the BEST that God
has brought into my life because of this disease. I had my three month
checkup and evaluation this week at University of Michigan ALS clinic and I took a few pictures to share and I want to thank God
for them! I was even able to share my faith with the nurse that drained seventeen
vials of my blood that it would really be great if they found the key to the
mystery of this illness from my Texas blood!
As they seemed encouraged by my
continued physical strength, I too feel a renewed sense of vigor, not only for
today, but for new opportunities to celebrate my life and faith in Christ in
the months and years to come… as each day we are given grace and “In
hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world
began…” (Titus 1:2)
It is overwhelming to me that so many people send notes to tell
me they are praying for me continually. We must constantly be aware of the love and care of people around us.I have truly seen God work in my life
this year in ways that I can only say “God is good to me”, and when you put
your trust in Him, He can do things in and through your life in a purposeful
way that when this life is through, He even has something better in store for
us that will trust Him!
"God always sends me the best" not only is my favorite quote (Sharon Forgie as she went through cancer treatments), but has become my reality over the past four plus years of my ALS journey from Michigan to Texas. Caring professionals and amateurs :) have been used of God to help me and our family as caretakers and supporters. The most recent are Bristol, Shay, Alma, Jenna, Jill and Joyce. There are many unsung heroes and I thank God for the ones who have crossed my life in this last chapter.
