Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: REMEMBER (10/19/17)
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TITLE: The Grace of God | Previous Challenge Entry
By linda simpson
10/26/17 -
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I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes I will remember your miracles of long ago.
(Psalm 77:11)
The year was 1989. I was hospitalized in a central Victorian town. For three days I had pins and needles in my feet and hands and had become unable to walk without help. Tests were performed. The doctor was now at my bedside.
“Tell me Linda, have you had a heavy cold or the flu recently?”
“Yes about two weeks ago!”
“It is quite rare but after the flu Guillain Barre Syndrome can develop which we believe has happened to you. Your body's white cells attack and destroy your nerve cells causing paralysis. We don't know how bad it will get or how long it will take you to recover.
The death rate thankfully is very low. There is no known cure. Recovery is a matter of time. Meanwhile, we must monitor your breathing regularly. We will do all we can to make you comfortable.”
What a shock! We contacted our pastor who came to comfort and pray for me and the family. Our fellowship was called to prayer. However, my condition deteriorated. I lost co-ordination, was unable to brush my teeth properly, had to drink tea through a straw (ugh) and could not stand from a sitting position. By the third day I could only manage to lift a newspaper whilst propped up in bed.
Our church continued praying for me and supporting our family with home cooked meals and help where needed. Visiting hours with my husband, children and friends were treasured times. Amazingly, at no time do I remember feeling afraid. It was as though the Lord gave me a complete confidence in Him, that He was with me in all this.
After transfer to a large Melbourne hospital, more tests confirmed the original diagnosis. Because of Guillain Barre Syndrome's rarity, trainee doctors would be brought to examine me and see if they could correctly diagnose my condition. At least I was being a help in some area.
There was one particular incident I vividly remember.
The nurse asked “Is there anything you would really like?”
“A bath would be wonderful” was my reply dreaming of luxuriating in warm water, rather than having a wash in bed because I couldn't stand.
“Not a problem we will organize that!”
I was clothed in a hospital gown tied at the back and helped onto an open toilet seat on wheels. With the gown flapping and cold air currents underneath, it was a breezy trip to my longed for bath. In the huge room I was assisted onto another open toilet seat on a device which hoisted me up to the ceiling while they watched. I was mortified being above their heads in my naked condition. The water however, was glorious, so relaxing until I realized they had to get me out and it involved another trip upwards. I then settled for bed washes. Embarrassing at the time but humourous now.
Nursing staff did their best but being away from family was hard. Phone calls were special. I tried to keep a diary but due to the startling deterioration in handwriting and it becoming illegible, I didn't maintain it. One evening, when I was feeling particularly lonely, the Lord gave me a vision of everyone praying for me which was very comforting.
The doctors decided to try a relatively new treatment called 'plasmapheresis' which involved filtering my blood plasma to remove the rogue white cells and replacing it with fresh plasma. This was performed three times over several days.
Even today it's indicated that recovery may take up to six months, even a year or more. There was a story at that time in Reader's Digest of a woman who took seven years to recover.
The plasmapheresis was successful. I was transferred back to the first hospital after my strength returned. The only after-effect was a weak muscle under my right shoulder blade which responded to physiotherapy. From the time of the first symptoms I was back at work in just six weeks! The Lord has received the glory many times for my speedy recovery because He chose to work a miracle in this undeserving
life.
It does our hearts good to remember His grace and His mighty works!
True Story
I was 45
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My only recommendation would be to put spaces between each paragraph ( in addition to the spaces you used between sections) to make it a little easier to read.
I am so glad God healed you of this terrible disease. The warm water must have been soothing, but what an ordeal to take a bath.