You can run, but you can't hide!

I kinda feel like I am writing a western novel. Yesterday, we dodged bullets, but today we hear the ominous threat of the bad guys, warning us that they are going to pay us back one way or the other. It is funny how life takes a theme.

Today, the bullet caught us. Tammy ended up have to get a chest tube, actually two tubes. Her lung had deflated in a small area at the top and a larger area at the bottom of her LEFT lung. (Earlier a respiratory therapist told us it was the right, shows what they know.) The area in the middle remained "inflated" but what we think happened was scar tissue was holding it open, preventing it from collapsing. They decided to use the two tubes to drain the appropriate areas of her lung. She was feeling OK when I left her for the evening break, but she said the whole process hurts. I foresee an evening of pain killers . . . and maybe an opportunity to collect some blackmail material.

We do have one small victory to proclaim. Actually it was really a big hurdle. She was able to sit in a recliner for the first time today, not the cardiac chair, but the real recliner. Just so you can understand just how amazing this feat is for her. First, she has to use her abdominal muscles move herself into a sitting position while the nurse swings her legs over the side of the bed. Then once she gets to the side of the be she has to hold herself upright until they get the iv tubes, trache tubing, and all the other paraphernalia positioned just right. Next comes the slide off the edge of the bed onto two feet who haven't been on the floor since the 7th of February. Her legs, which have been robbed of the purpose they were created for, have to lift her and stabilize her enough to allow her to spin around so she can be in the right position. Even with the strength of two nurses, the burden of having to work causes them to shake and quiver, challenging her equilibrium and her stability. Once she is in position, the nurses help her ease into the chair. By this time, her legs have just about had it. Finally the reward, she gets to kick back in the recliner and feel secure and somewhat normal for the first time in a long time. Only to follow the reward with having to do everything again, only backwards. It was an exhausting morning.

When you are done reading this and you move away from you computer, think about every movement that has to come together to make that happen. Then praise God that you, dear friend, are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139.

I am also hit with the realization that I am so very blessed even though sometimes we try to run away from God and His truth, God lets us run, yet, beloved creation of God, we can never, ever hide. He is just waiting for us to turn and look back. He is right there waiting.