As we presumed, the shunt has not been working almost since it was put in. The new neurologist said that the ventricles have not changed much since Paul was first diagnosed with hydrocephalus. This doctor spent time with us explaining what needs to be done and that is to take each section to see where there is blockage and then replace that part of the shunt. The tube going into the stomach or the tube going into the ventricle might have become blocked or the shunt itself is not working. Paul is scheduled for a 7:00 AM surgery Tuesday morning at Emory Hospital. We ask that you pray for the medical staff that will do the surgery and for Paul to be relieved of his headaches. The neurosurgeon said that Paul's headaches may not be totally relieved if part of the problem is a case of post traumatic headache, which is somewhat common after a severe head injury such as Paul had. We obviously need to address the issue of hydrocephalus, then when they know for sure the shunt is working properly, we will see if Paul will still suffer from headaches for other reasons. He did not have headaches in the months following his head injury, so we will pray that it is due to hydrocephalus.
Tuesday was very hot and with the bright sun, Paul didn't want to go for an afternoon walk. I asked him if he would consider going to St. Stephens and we could walk once around the sanctuary and pray as we walked. He said he would do that. I had work to do, and it was not until 7 PM that Jon, Paul, James, Abby dog and I went to the church. James walked Abby outside while we went into the church. No one was there so we started to walk around the perimeter of the sanctuary. Paul stopped in front of the tabernacle when we got to the front of the church and he needed help to kneel down. It was more of a sitting position, but he looked up at the tabernacle and started to pray out loud to Jesus. He thanked Jesus for saving his life and for his family. He then asked that if the pain could be removed he would appreciate it, but if not, he would wait. This has been his prayer all along. We all said some prayers together, then helped Paul get back up and he walked around the sanctuary 2 more times. We lit a candle in front of the pictures of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph also. I was able to enjoy a wonderful 'pocket of peace' as we passed one of the windows in the church and we saw James out on the lawn with Abby. Abby was laying on the grass, panting after her run and James was doing cartwheels over her! My spirit felt so light and joyful as I watched James! Jon, Paul and I enjoyed the moment immensely.
When we got back outside, James said he had spoken to my sister, Mary Beth. She had called me earlier and said that she was on her way home from Topsail Island (and returning to Plymouth, MI) and could swing down to Atlanta and pick up Paul if we needed her to. We were considering taking him to a doctor in Michigan that we have really wanted him to see. After we thought about it, we asked James to see if he could reach his aunt while we were in church and tell her we were really wanting to do that. She was in the mountains so it would be hard to reach her. As soon as we got back outside, he told us she was on her way and would be there the next morning. (Probably the reason he was doing cartwheels!)
We planned on leaving after the morning appointment. After our appointment and the conversation we had with the neurosurgeon, we agreed with him about the need for surgery. Mary Beth was at the house when we got home. We discussed all the options and finally decided that it just wasn't in Paul's best interest to make a quick trip to Michigan and he really needs to be stabilized before he goes anywhere. Mary Beth said that she was still glad she came. I was even happier. I have really missed her! Also, she had James, my little nephew with her. It has been so good to hear a child laughing in the house again.
Interestingly, yesterday was the Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (mother of St. John the Baptist). On this feast day, my sister Mary Elizabeth came to visit us!! In the afternoon, Paul asked if we could walk at St. Stephens again. Mary Beth and I drove over with Paul and we went into the sanctuary. No one was in there, so we started to walk to the front. Paul stopped and said, "Start at number one." I followed the direction of his gaze and he was looking at the First Station of the Cross. We walked to the side of the church and he stopped right below the station - JESUS IS CONDEMNED. He read it out loud and then stood staring at it. He moved to the Second Station of the Cross, JESUS TAKES HIS CROSS and repeated what he had just done. At the Third Station of the Cross, JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME, Paul prayed out loud and told Jesus how sorry he was for his sinfulness and that it was his sins that put Jesus on the cross. He said that he knows he will sin again in his life, but that he will try so much harder not to, because he knows what his sins do to Jesus. He stood there staring at the sculpture, which shows Jesus on the ground. Then he moved on. The Fourth Station is JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER. Paul stood for a moment and then turned to me and hugged me. Then he hugged Aunt Mary Beth. (That would be appropriate as my 2 sisters are just like mothers to my sons.) He prayed out loud at the 7th and 9th station, which are the second and third falls of Jesus. At these times of prayer, it was clearly a moment between just Paul and Jesus. Paul seemed totally unaware of our presence as he looked at Jesus in these sculptures and spoke to Jesus. I did not speak, but just watched this intimacy shared between my son and Blessed Mary's son and prayed I would be gifted with the same grace. There was complete serenity for me as we walked the 14 Stations of the Cross, because I knew Jesus was walking with Paul. When we finished, Paul stopped in front of the Tabernacle and again asked for help to kneel down. He thanked Jesus again for having spared his life and for Jesus giving His. He thanked Him for his family and told Him that he will try hard not to be so sinful. There is a large tapestry of the Holy Spirit over the altar and we prayed that we would be graced with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Then we got up and walked around the perimeter one more time, stopping to say a Hail Mary in front of the picture of Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help.
Mary Beth and I both spoke of how it was so evident that Paul was having a very personal conversation with Jesus. The tone of voice and the intent look on Paul's face left no doubt in our mind. We found joy in the fact that this feast day was shared so beautifully together in prayer. Later that evening, Bev, Joe, Courtney,Mary Beth and James joined our family, where we had dinner on the deck. It has been a long time since we had a big dinner together with so much family present.
We ended the day as we prayed the 5th day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit.
A perfect ending to the Feast of the Visitation.
Praise be to God, our loving Father in heaven.
Love,
Jon and Rebecca
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4 comments:
I was sent the following story and thought of Paul. I apologize for the length, but wanted to share it with you: Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. Great, she thought. Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry.
She looked around, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm,and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.
When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."
She thought, Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.
Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?
Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!
The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.
This has been Paul's prayer: "God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will."
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. You have been called. May God bless you with grace and continued strength.
Your faith despite the frustrations of Paul's recovery and the the health care system is an inspiration for all of us.
We continue to pray for Paul and all of you. God bless you.
Dear Paul, and family,
Your faith is such an inspiration to people everywhere.(God is already using you to speak through him) We will be praying for all of you and Paul, you are the best. We Love You.
Come Holy Spirit. Fill our hearts and souls with love unsurpassing. Bless us with God's healing love and may we have continued patience will fulfilling the will of God.
Rejoice! Today is Pentacost Sunday.
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