Today's devotion passage was Psalm 34, Sandra's favorite! Verse 8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." What a reminder that we can experience God fully with all of our senses. How appropriate as the goal of the surgery was to allow Sandra to eat again.
Even though Sandra can't eat yet--healing of the bowels has to occur first, we are hoping she can in a few more days. She had a fair bit of pain this morning. She is also still very sleepy from all of the pain medication and anesthesia. The plan right now is for the NG tube to come out in a day or two and then once the doctors are assured the bowels are working she can start with liquids a day or two after that. Still just ice chips and the TPN are sustaining her.
Even though the surgery went better than expected, the surgeon did find a lot of cancer in the back lower abdomen that she was not able to remove. We know the cancer is there and is fast growing. Sandra still remains at risk for complications from surgery as well. Her temperature was slightly elevated today.
Today's prayer from Sandra's devotion was just what we needed to pray. (Another one of God's little miracles!)
"Providing God, I easily doubt that you will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and I can't imagine how the adversity you send my way could be turned to good. Help me to let go of my need to control and instead entrust my life and future to your care."
(from Seeking God's Face, by Phil Reinders)
--written by Ardie
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Dear Sandra (and Ardie),
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I will be using this for the opening of our staff meeting this morning. We pray God's blessings on you and look forward to hearing about you being able to swallow food.
Shalom,
Roy
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at how well you live by the nourishment Jesus did when he lived in the desert: "(wo)man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Thank you for continuing to minister to so many of us by doing that, and for inspiring us to do the same.
Very grateful to hear that the surgery went as well as it did, and praying that God will let you try your taste buds out again soon. And by the way, didn't you say Psalm 16 was your favorite Psalm? Now it's Psalm 34? I think you have many favorites, don't you? :) Love from all your brothers and sisters at Trinity,
Grace and peace,
Pastor Joel