Firsts - Part Six

Christmas was fast approaching. It was almost surreal going through the Christmas season with all the sadness and confusion surrounding me. I wrote very little in my makeshift journal the week before Christmas. I wasn't preparing a Christmas "as usual", but I did want to make sure I did a few things to let people know of our love for them, "because we have been given much" that holiday season. So, with Christmas, trying to be at work and at the hospital as much as possible and trying to return phone calls, it was exhausting.

Things were up and down with Gord. They did a CT scan to try to look for any pockets of infection or other reasons why his temp was still high. Judy B had come up to spend some time with me while we were waiting for those results. Bob and Judy were both very protective of their little sister during this time. They didn't want me to be alone if there was going to be any bad news. Dr. Pearle, who was the Attending Phys that night came in looking quite serious and told me that they had found some air around the liver that indicated some infection, as well as some pneumonia in his lung. Even though, this was a "first" for me as far as critical illnesses, I knew enough to know that pneumonia and infection are two words you don't want to hear in a hospital. He had seemed restless that night, his breathing more labored than it had been before. I could tell he was not well. I was upset and here comes Bob...with one of his timely entrances. I cried on his shoulder for a few minutes not knowing what the outcome was going to be. Another downhill ride on the coaster. How many loops and bumps does this thing have anyway?

We went into the waiting room and Judy S called. I asked her to call the Bishop and see if Gord should have another blessing. Bishop Larsen and Bob Craig were at the hospital within 30 minutes. Bob Craig gave him the blessing that night. He blessed him that he would get through this hurdle and that he would find peace and comfort in the arms of his Heavenly Father. It was one of the most tender blessings I've ever heard...full of emotion and love. The spirit was there without a doubt. Then Bishop Larsen gave me a blessing of strength and peace to get me through the days ahead. In my blessing he told me that Gordon was being tutored and receiving an education right now. So interesting...I wanted so badly to know exactly what it was he was being taught. I wanted to know where he was...what was he thinking, if anything. We went back into the waiting room and said our good-byes for the night. I can't say enough about these two servants of God. They were valiant in watching over my family.

Judy, Bob and I went back into Gord's room. It was about 9:00. His breathing was quiet and he was resting peacefully. Modern Medicine? I don't think so. It was stronger than that. Bob said, I can't believe the difference in him. If this experience does nothing more than renew Bob's testimony, I would be eternally grateful. I love him so much. We all left the hospital around 10:00. Bob went on home, but Judy and I stopped at Village Inn for a little breakfast. I was exhausted, but felt at peace enough to sleep. The days to come were interesting in regards to this incident. Gord's temp went down some and the Dr.'s seemed to push it aside as not being that concerning.... Interesting!

And it goes on....the next few days were fairly uneventful. He's trying still to wake up, more visitors, more phone calls. It had been about 3 1/2 weeks...who knew we still had much more to endure?