Since I last wrote, Mark has made significant strides. We are thankful. Saturday was not so good. Between us and the nurses, I don’t think we got the pain medicine right. And friends probably anticipated that it would be a busy visiting day and so no one did. Today, however, was remarkably different. It’s the first evening he hasn’t had intense pain (he didn’t have any), and he had many visitors (both kind and generous) this afternoon. His spirits were remarkably improved. His last walk before bed was much better too. The "old Mark" that we know and love is starting to re-appear after a week away.
I’m teaching through Isaiah at church and this week I was studying Isaiah 31 which condemns those who go down to Egypt to get horses but do not look to the Holy One of Israel. They were such fools because God had promised to deliver Israel from their enemies, and he had warned them that Egypt will only cause them to lose. There are plenty of "Egypts" today to whom we go for deliverance. In fact, there are many more "Egypts" than ever, with the advance of science, technology, and medicine. Who needs to trust God with laproscopic surgery, antibiotics, and computerized monitors?
We remember Asa, a good king until he got old. Scripture records his astonishing response when he was afflicted with a foot disease: "Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians" (2 Chr 16:12). May it never be so with us. Our trust in Mark’s healing is the Lord, and that’s why we have asked you to join with us in requesting this of God. He certainly uses surgeries and drugs, but he brings the healing. May we all trust the Lord more each day.
Unless things change for the worse, future reports will be limited to our family update emails. I broke with our practice in this case because of the severity of the situation. We greatly appreciate your prayers.
Praising God for Mark’s recovery so far! I will continue to pray that the rest of the recovery will go smoothly.
Glad to hear of the improvements, and to join in with praying and trusting God in this.
Pain management is a tricky thing, and kudos for the multifacted approach like you’re doing which can wholistically decrease and distract in a helpful way.
On the Mercy ship, one of the doctors said that the first thing which popped into her head when asked about their pain management strategies was paper and crayons. Granted, Mark may be a bit old for that, but there is always origami, chess, etc!
I haven’t been on in awhile. I am so sorry to hear about Mark. I hope he is doing well. Is this your personal website now? Its the only web address I could find. I hope that you and the rest of your family is doing well.
Amy – Mark is doing great. I think the recovery is now 100%. And this is my place online now; I don’t do much with Facebook and I haven’t updated our family webpage in years. I trust that you and your family are doing well.