The other day I came across this verse, and I thought that it would be great for the last post to the blog. Today, though I am convinced that it was for the "now" not for the "later" that He showed it to me. Then, I will tell you about Tammy.
"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
We truly felt the "sentence of death" for Tammy. And I have done my best to keep you informed about the hardships we have endured - though we are far from Asia! I hope that when you think of this family, when you consider Tammy, you will realize that we have fully relied on God. We know He is continuing to work in healing her and moving her toward the next transplant. But more than what you think of us, we pray that you can more clearly see what God is doing, not only in Tammy's life, but in your life, because God has definitely granted favor to us in answer to your prayers. Rejoice in this fact. Rejoice in God, in His goodness, in His holiness, and in His perfect plan (which by the way, includes what we call the "bad" parts of His plan!) I have a new understanding of God, not only that He can bear me through something, but He also, sometimes, grants us great victory.
Tammy is feeling the victory today. She was able to take a few steps to the chair and back to the bed. They are bearing much of her weight, but she was able to actually pick up her feet and lock her knees to support some of the weight. (I almost wrote "load" but decided that could conjure pictures of 18 wheelers, which would be highly unfair to do to someone who is in the hospital. LOL!) She did not have to go back on the vent at all last night, and she slept from 10:30 pm to about 5:30 am. That is the longest stretch of sleep she has had without sedation medication for longer than she has even been in the hospital. I think that breathing on her own is making her tired, but not too tired, and her blood pressure and oxygen levels are staying right where they should be, praise God, so they are not talking about putting her back on the vent to "rest."
It is possible that tomorrow they are either going to try the next trache or a swallow study. I am not sure which she mentioned. Either way, we are one day closer to chocolate milk! They are letting her swish water in her mouth and use the suction wand to spit it out. It is a little like teasing her with what "could be," but she insists it is way better than nothing. As long as there is ice in the water AND if she has a straw, right, Tracie?
No one ever really know what tomorrow will bring, but we can be certain that God does. Rest in the knowledge of His omniscience, and rejoice that He does not leave you alone in the mean time.
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