Sam - the BUSY bionic man

Thursday Sam had his medi-port put in and is all "hooked up" for his future chemo experiences. It went very well all except for having to skip breakfast and wait until the hospital lunch came at 2PM. He just about licked his plate clean. The nurses were hoping he'd leave his lemon bar for them but he took it home for "afternoon tea"!

They had put him in "la-la land" but he could see some of what they were doing on a monitor. When they woke him up he asked if they had started yet. It's amazing what they can do. The "port" was slipped in under his skin on his chest through a small 2" cut. They made another smaller cut up by his neck to slip the tube down into his vein. He was such a good sport and only complained about the small cut. The port allows him to be hooked up each Friday quite easily and frees him up to be BUSY. However, he's not going to be doing bench presses.

Friday was BUSY from 9 AM to 1:00 trying out this new bionic piece in his chest as he got his first chemo. When that was done he said, "Let's go to Lowes. I want to get a part for my sprinklers. You can go to Costco for pills and ice cream." Is this guy supposed to be sick? They gave him meds along with the chemo to keep him from being nauseous and they seem to be working and are supposed to last 72 hrs. Pray that Monday and beyond go well.

After our errands and a chocolate coated, dipped in almonds Dove Bar we headed home for a healthy home cooked supper with his sister. We explained all our chemo lessons to her over dinner since she will be our nurse in residence.

This morning we dressed for our usual Sat. morning bike ride but opted for homemade Belgian waffles on the deck and a late afternoon hike in the part. Right now he's out on his riding mower cutting the lawn. Is this BUSY bionic guy supposed to be sick? Pray that this continues. It must be all your prayers for us so don't let up. Next Friday's chemo is supposed to have a cumulative effect. Pray that he continues to beat the odds and predictions.

The opposite of BUSY in my mind is being still or resting. There's a wonderful verse that is painted on the front wall in our church back in PA. I had often thought it was a curious choice for an evangelical church to have front and center. I've given devotionals on it in the past but recently it has taken on new meaning and depth and I'm very glad that it was on that wall each Sunday morning for all those years.

It is Matthew 11:28 -29.

vs. 28 "Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavey-laiden and I will give you rest.
vs. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS."

The last couple of days this passage has been featured in my devotionals from Oswald Chambers. He says at one point, "The great solution is the simple one - "Come unto Me." The depth of our reality is tested by these words.........Whenever anything begins to disintegrate your life with Jesus Christ, turn to Him at once and ask Him to establish rest........"

Space will not allow for me to share the whole devotional but if you can go to My Utmost for His Highest for days 8/19 & 8/20. At one point Oswald even says, "It is the sick man who knows what health is. ......." He goes on to say, " The child of God never prays to be conscious that God answers prayer, he is so restfully certain that God always does answer prayer."

We find that very encouraging as we are storming the gates of heaven for a miracle. We hope it encourages you too.