Major Detour

You really never know what a new day will bring - as Kristen already reported, a week ago today I went to the ER at SkyRidge because my feet and legs were getting more swollen. Multiple clots in both legs, worse on the right was the diagnosis so they admitted me again, that was honestly the last thing I expected. While I was on the gurney in the ER I started having some bad back pain and thought it was from the ER bed. It continued that night after they moved me upstairs and just grew steadily worse, severe pain across my low back and down both legs, to the point I was counting the minutes until I could have more narcotics. It was all consuming, I couldn't think, could barely talk, couldn't sleep, couldn't escape it except for the edge that was taken off when I received IV narcotics. I couldn't even pray, except to groan Oh, God, help me. I can't even imagine, and don't want to know what it would have been like without all your prayers. The steroid injection finally relieved the pain and the good thing that happened is that the pain shifted from my head to my back and the bad head pain I had hasn't come back so now I'm almost completely off narcotics! You can't imagine the freedom I feel unless you've been there too.

I got to go home again Saturday, and how wonderful it is, again, to be here. I'm surrounded by tangible evidence of care and love from so many - beautiful cards, flowers, meals - all part of that mighty, gentle river I mentioned before. And I am working on thank you notes, I'm so sorry those are taking so long to get done but I wanted to thank each one of you again for your expressions of love and support, for your prayers. I am blessed. I wanted to leave you today with words from an old hymn, another that's been of such comfort these last few weeks especially.

Be Still My Soul

Katharina von Schlegel - 1700s

Be still my soul – the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul – thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul, the waves and winds still know,

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still my soul, the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still my soul, when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed – we shall meet at last.

With love,
Val