October 27, 2020
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Today, I had a good, long talk with my Primary Care Physician’s associate, Dr. Perera. She is the doctor I spoke with when by Wednesday this past week, I was at a place where I no longer could breath without obtaining good help. I was by then using my Albuterol, asthmatic breather, 3 times daily to open me up enough to get some help. It was racing my heart and I was getting weaker.
She thought I was having either a heart attack or Congestive Heart Failure, and to immediately get to the closest Hospital ER as possible and not delay in going, even if by Ambulance. They found I was filling up with fluid and were thus far able to drain it from me. Today, she said they will extract the ER records of my stay and also to note that both my legs have Atherosclerosis now and impeding a strong flow of blood and oxygen. She expressed concern that since no defining reason for the fluid in and around my lungs and heart that it could return very quickly and to get to UCI ER but quickly call her office to let her know I am enroute. She will call over there to inform them I am on my way. I have for this week on call a friend, Barbara, to rush me there should the fluid return before next week. Otherwise, I see my Surgeon who dealt with my Thyroid removal and cancer to look at my neck as my lumps are still growing. Also, the following week or so I see my Oncologist. I am also to have a workup at the lab and a CT Scan of my lungs again. She could hear me struggling this morning with getting good air so used the Albuterol again. I am very, very tired with little strength today.
As I lay still thinking, I thought of the passage of Scripture above. I thought how often we as Christians pray for the healing when at some point as Scripture and living has taught us, is that our bodies are temporal and will expire when God determines. I thought about over the years we think of the dynamism and power of God as proof of His presence with healing in the immediate presence of our prayers. I have at many times, I have felt and still do feel, His power and presence are most felt when we walk through THAT VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH in the confidence of God’s deliverance. After all, His presence is most felt and known in that valley. I need not fear dread, evil or the worst of outcomes for His Rod and Staff of protection is with me. Even our enemy called Death will not overpower me as He prepares a table where he anoints me with His oil of gladness and that setting apart for His use of praise and testament of His Glory. It is so overwhelming what is ahead for me that my heartcup is so overflowing. What is ahead is life with goodness and mercy not fully felt and known until I am safely in His House forever and ever.
So, my friends, what is there to fear??? I look forward to my home, my country in Heaven.
Patty