Again: Blessed With The Best

 "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.

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth ...This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. ...for there is no want to them that fear him. ..they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing"

-Psalm 34

ALS Team Texas

RELOCATION AND RENEWAL

We are in a new place and meeting new people. God continues to connect us with those whose dedication is to help and give hope for full life regardless of diagnosis or progression. Houston is a big city, yet God has once again blessed our lives with such caring people. 

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/research/our-faculty/labs/appel-lab/

Many are simply unheralded and unknown yet working to give quality to life's difficult circumstances. Lou Gehrig gave his "Luckiest man alive speech" on July 4, 1939, and his overwhelmingly grateful tenor impresses me to proclaim that I feel I am the most blessed man alive!

Psalm 103:1-14

Bless the LORD, O my soul:

And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment

For all that are oppressed.

He made known his ways unto Moses,

His acts unto the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide:

Neither will he keep his anger for ever.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins;

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth,

So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west,

So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pitieth his children,

So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame;

He remembereth that we are dust.

Thank each of you for your prayers and concern.

Blest With The Best!

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!

This Journey Begins

JANUARY 3, 2019. The technology used for an  electromyography are not too ominous. They were very professional as Vicki and I came into Dr. London's clinic at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. The gown had the typical "draftiness" and

the background questions reminded me of the preciseness of an eyeglass doctor narrowing the "prescription" to the clarity of + or - that brings the correction into a correct focus. 
The well lit room was exceptional clean and fresh smelling. The clock has an odd quirk, the second hand only moved every five seconds... something I have never seen. 
The doctors were from Chicago and Wisconsin. The intern was from Florida.
 The test performed involved electric shock (possibly what the cow feels when he brushes against an electric fence) on leg muscles, hand and arm that included strange glitching noises. The needle part of the testing felt like a shot that is left in and twisted around. The test confirmed weakness in right arm.

It was not totally expected what the doctors said when they came back into the room. I already had a heartfelt peace for whatever they said. This verse comes to mind whenever I have come to a day that I anticipate may be a harder day than most "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24) Trust in God and whatever He has for our lives includes every day, including today. 
As the doctor confirmed the ALS diagnosis, I am reminded that we are to only live one day at a time. What God has for my life the next few years is certainly in His hands.. as it has always been! My family and many friends have spoken to God on my behalf for this day. It is good to know that He is fully aware and there are many others who are involved in God's work in and through my life. I am so blessed and God is good to me.
They set me up to return for therapy and follow-up. We stopped for BBQ and then Hot Chocolate on the way home. This journey is under way...