I plagiarized this blog post title from a letter I received.
Our friend John wrote recently about how joy can often seem to be so elusive in a world that is filled with so much suffering, loneliness and pain. But it is not elusive to those who hope in something not of this world...
I spent yesterday and much of today in the trenches of suffering with my beloved Al and Lana. Stephanie already told you some of the details, (see her earlier post) but what I find almost indescribable is this incessant, sustaining, comforting joy that flows through my heart. We are filled with joy... anyway!
Since we found out about Al's cancer, our hearts have stood firmly in the presence of our God and Father, moved to worship Him like never before. I believe it is this spirit of worship that is what causes this joy to pulse through our veins. It is like a love song that our entire family is singing together in unison.
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| Kirby and Al doing a "Walkabout" at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center |
"Let me explain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up."
The last 48 hours have been filled with so many visits with different doctors at different medical facilities and conversations with nurses and discussions of possible treatments and various assessments of Al's situation that it feels impossible to update you on all the details. So let me summarize...
Al and Lana are spending another night at the hospital tonight. When Stephanie and I left, Al was comfortably settled into a new (and more comfortable) hospital bed, with pain medication setting in and to use Lana's words, "he's sawing logs." He definitely needs some rest after these past two days.
He's got a lot of fluid (ascites) in his abdomen (he's gained over 12 pounds recently probably mostly fluid) which is wreaking havoc on his body. Basically he constantly feels an intense (and painful) sensation of needing to go to the bathroom, but with no relief. There's various reasons suggested for this fluid, but none absolutely certain. He's scheduled to have a sonogram tomorrow morning to check out where all the fluid is and then possibly to have a paracentesis to remove some of it.
We'll know more tomorrow. But as Stephanie said, each day has enough trouble of its own, so we are all falling into bed tonight with that oh-so-elusive-yet-ever-sustaining joy... anyway!
I cannot overstate how grateful we all are for your fervent prayer, kind encouragement and loving support. It feels like a gigantic safety net beneath us all as we perform a daring trapeze act. So thank you THANK YOU!
Click here to listen to a song that helped sustain us through today. It'll be worth the five minutes you spend listening.
Our hearts are so burdened for you all as you walk this path. We rejoice to see the joy of the Lord giving you strength, but the valley is very deep and very dark, nonetheless. How anyone can go through something like this without the hope of the Lord is beyond me. As a family, we are praying for you all--for strength, for joy, for wisdom, for peace. How good to know that the real battle is already won, and just across the dark river lies the Celestial City, where we find our true home with our Father and King. The reunion there will be worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteSending our love from afar,
Julie, for the Lays
P.S. We think often of Uncle Al and Aunt Lana because they are the ones who gave Elizabeth her stuffed elephant, Ellie, and Emily her stuffed horse, Horsie, both of which are loved on the level of Tigger and Silky!
I woke up in the middle of the night praying for Al and for you all. I love seeing the unexplainable joy that only comes from God in your words. I am praying and hoping and holding the ache—just not wanting to intrude when there are so many details to be holding right now.
ReplyDeleteIf there is ANYTHING we can do, please let us know. I'd be happy to bring you guys meals, or just a sweet treat for the smiles, or anything. (Food happens to be my go-to, but if there's anything else, please say so.)
We are loving and praying for you, Steph, the boys, Lana and Al.
Love,
Tara (& Bryan)