Southern Porch Extension

[Green Leaves]

I need some prayer. I think I am having issues with kidney stones again. The pain is getting quite bad. If it doesn't decrease soon, I will have to go to the emergency room. Probably no one is awake to be praying right now.

[BeachGrandma]

I'm awake, sweetie, and I'll start praying for you now. Keep in touch. I love you.

[Green Leaves]

After we got ready to go to ER, the pain eased as I lay in one position. Hopefully the worst is over and we won't have to go to ER. I know from previous tests that I have a bunch of kidney stones, and this pain is different from my regular pain. Hopefully this too shall pass...painlessly.

Thanks for your prayers which mean so much.

[BeachGrandma]

Praise God for some pain relief, Carol. Sometimes the stones move around a little and cause pain. John has a long history of kidney stones so we're acquainted with this kind of pain.

Keep us informed through the day. Praying for you earnestly.


Love you
Mariane

[Green Leaves]

What does John do to ease the pain when they are moving? Any suggestions?

[BeachGrandma]

He usually takes a prescription drug for pain, something with codeine in it. He said to use the strongest thing you have on hand til you see what develops.

[ready2go]

I could not leave Carol and go to church this morning. I wanted to be there so very much, too. Carol paged to wake me at 4:30am. She had been awake since 1:00am…unable to sleep, and was quite “out-of-it” from exhaustion. We shared a little while, then, I fed her breakfast and tucked her into bed. She fell asleep almost immediately with me nearby to watch over her. At that point all I could do was say, “Thank You, Lord Jesus…thank You!

I am so saddened and heartbroken to see Carol that way, but I’m doing everything I can to help her. The sleep meds prescribed by her doctor are limited because of her weak heart condition. After she was sleeping I went to the Lord with my concerns…often struggling to find the words…but I know He hears and understands. In my quiet place, I tuned in some worship music, and with tears flowing down my face, the first song played was a medley of “In the Garden”…“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”…and “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Those songs heard were perfect for the moment.

Yes, in the pre-dawn hour of today, I walked with Him and talked with Him and listened to His voice as we shared together. I told Him of the troubles we endure through the storms of our life, and so much more. It was just the two of us there…a most precious time.

Father, thank You for the privilege we have of sharing with You during our times of sadness, discouragement, and thanksgiving, too. Thank You for being there where we are, and for Your mighty hand of strength, healing, and comfort in our times of need. Lead us, Lord, in the way You would have for us…for we are weak and worn from the storms. Keep us safe and secure in the shelter of Your arms, and never let us go. Search our hearts, O Lord, and if any wicked way be found there, flood our hearts and souls with Your cleansing power as You have promised to do for Your own. Teach us to lean on You and depend on You in all things, that we would cast aside our concerns of life. Thank You, Father, for Your salvation freely offered to all who would believe. We pray that many would do that…even today. We love You, and desire to serve You with everything within us for Your honor and glory. I ask and pray these things in the precious Name of Jesus…the Name above all names. Amen!

[BeachGrandma]

Oh Don, I wept as I read your post. I cannot even imagine all that you face every day, so much more that you can't even tell us. I'm so thankful that you made a decision years ago to both follow the Lord Jesus because I don't know how you'd handle it otherwise.

Always feel free to pour out your heart to us on the porch when things are overwhelming you and we'll pray for added strength for you physically as the sole caregiver to Carol. There is nothing unmanly about shedding tears; in fact, it's wonderfully restorative, it releases a lot of your own anxiety and tension and gives you strength.

Somehow, someway, God will see you through. The Lord Jesus will neve abandon you and leave you without His Holy Spirit as comforter and guide.

Your prayer was beautiful and God surely will answer the petitions of your heart.

We love you, our dear brother in Christ.

Maybe this poem of mine will help today:

GOD LOVES THE CAREGIVERS

by Mariane Holbrook

You wake up every morning and it seems you haven't slept.
You know another day has dawned, a day you must accept.
Your loved one in the other room is waiting for you now;
You know that you'll get through the day, but still you're wondering how.

You see her suffer, hold her tight, and wipe away her tears.
You tell her Jesus loves her and can calm her mounting fears.
You choose her favorite verses from the Bible that you bring,
Encourage her to join you in the praises that you sing.

You hold her hand, begin to pray and soon you hear God's voice,
"My children, I am here and though it seems you have no choice,
Your pleas aren't falling on deaf ears, for I've known suffering, too;
I suffered on that cross to give eternal life to you.

"So trust in me, I'll never give you more than you can bear;
I see my child who's hurting and my child who's giving care.
I've wrapped my arms around you both, and I will hold you near;
One day it will be over and the pain will disappear."

God has a special love for those who minister and care,
When life seems very hard for you and sometimes seems unfair.
One day will be Awards Day and He'll show the prize you'll claim
And heaven will erupt in cheers, when God calls out your name.

[Verna]

Don, my heart aches with yours for Carol's sleeplessness and weakness and your discouragement in being her sole caregiver, but my heart rejoices with yours that your Savior is very near, holding you both in His loving arms. Your prayer is beautiful.

And Mariane, your poem is beautiful, too--such a dear person you are.

Edy, I love the music and the pictures of your link.

Laurie, I pray you'll find just the right place for your items to sell. I would be of no use at a yard sale. We had one the last time we moved and after pricing my treasures at give-away prices, the people who came truly wanted me to give them away!

Carol, I pray those stones are gone. My kidney stones in the past have been large, and I've had no choice but to go to the emergency room. Now I'm trying to drink lots and lots of water. I know that
is the best thing for me. . .and for you, too. Also cranberry juice is a good thing.

[ready2go]

Thanks, Mariane and Verna, for your support and kind words. You don't know how much I appreciate hearing a voice of understanding. Many simply don't have that understanding unless they have been there. After several hours of sleep today, Carol is doing reasonably well...and is now asking, "What's for dinner?"

Mariane, I loved your poem, "GOOD LOVES THE CAREGIVERS." You have captured the feelings of many, I'm sure...including mine. Thank you for posting it here. I intend to save a copy to read when the days seem long and dark.

Don

[Laurie]

Carol, praying for you. I remember you having kidney stones before. I realize they can be very painful.

Don, I'm sorry to hear Carol had such a rough night and I realize that makes it really hard on you. My mom went through a lot taking care of my dad. Like you, she did a great job, but it is definitely wearing. We know you love her deeply and yet you also have your own physical limitations plus it's hard emotionally to be a caregiver for someone for so long. You know we're always here to listen.

[Green Leaves]

Just wanted to let you know that I seem to be back to normal...no more issues with kidney stones, most likely there was some movement taking place. After we got ready to go to the hospital, the pain began to ease so we waited. Thank you for another answered prayer!!

[Laurie]

Glad to hear it, Carol.

[BeachGrandma]

Carol, had you been doing any exercising or unusual movements which might have made the stones act up? John found that when he swam a lot or ran when he was younger that he'd stir the stones up. My friend also found that when she exercised a lot in the pool they belonged to that she could always expect trouble. I wonder if all the traveling recently might have caused some of your distress this weekend. At any rate, I'm so glad you're feeling better.

[Green Leaves]

No nothing that I can think of.