In Everything Give Thanks

I realize that this post doesn't really fit with the overall theme of my blog, but bear with me.  I need to tell this story, and this is the best platform I have.

(Just a heads up: this story involves some medical stuff, so if you don't like reading about that kind of thing, you should get out while you can.)

Here's the story.

I have had three bouts of acute diverticulitis in the past six months.  Out of nowhere.  I have no personal or family history of diverticulitis, and there was nothing unusual to instigate these episodes.  Also, I am not elderly, which is the typical demographic for this kind of thing.  It was determined that I needed to have a colonoscopy to see if they could figure out what was going on.

I was super not looking forward to that.  I mean, of course not.  No one in the history of ever has been excited about a colonoscopy.  They are pretty much awful.

But still, it was necessary, so they did it.  I will spare you the details.  Just...it was unpleasant.

They did not find anything to indicate why I would be having diverticulitis, or any other issues.

HOWEVER, they did find what my doctor described as "a very large mass."

This was a surprise to everyone, most of all my doctor.  In my drug-induced haze, as I got ready to leave the hospital, I heard him say, "It's a miracle that we found this."  It wasn't related to the diverticulitis.  He was sure of that.  It just "happened" to be there.

They did a biopsy on the mass, and I had to wait a week.  That was a very stressful week.  I tried really hard not to worry, but a week is a long time.  The worst part was when my doctor finally did call Thursday evening.  I missed the call, but it was after-hours at his office, so I couldn't call back until Friday morning.  That was definitely the worst part.

When I finally did talk to him, he said that yes, it was cancer.

HOWEVER, the margins were clean, meaning they think they got it all.  This is awesome, because it means no chemo.

HOWEVER, they do want to take out that section of the colon just to make sure it doesn't come back or anything.

HOWEVER, the procedure doesn't involve a colostomy bag, which I was worried about.  They just take out that section and reattach it.  Like a Play-Dough snake or something.  (I dunno what a better analogy would be for that...)

You can see how my emotions have been on a roller coaster of "bad news, but better news, but bad news, but ok news..."

But here's the part of the story I really wanted to share:

My doctor said over and over again after my colonoscopy that this was a miracle.  Again on the phone he said, "I cannot emphasize enough how much it is an act of God that we found this.  We don't even typically LOOK for this kind of thing when we do a colonoscopy.  I was looking for colitis or problems with the diverticula.  This was absolutely not related, but I'm very glad we found it."

Now, you may have a different interpretation of these events than I do, but it's my life, so here's my take on it:

God gave me diverticulitis to show me that I had cancer.

Never have I been reminded more strongly of 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.  "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

In everything give thanks.

Diverticulitis is extremely painful.  Debilitatingly painful.  But I am so thankful for it.

And I'm thankful for the cancer too, because I know there is a reason for it as well.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm also scared, nervous, confused, and a lot of other things.  But all I can think about right now is how thankful I am to have a God so in control of everything in the universe and everything in my body.

So maybe I was wrong.  Maybe this does fit with the overall theme of my blog.  How can you be awesome at everything?

In everything give thanks.

Awesome Things to Bring to Someone in the Hospital

Recently, I was in the hospital for four nights, quite unexpectedly.  I'm fine now, thank you, but it was quite an ordeal at the time, especially because we were trying to get everything together for us and for Cricket, who stayed with wonderful family members while I was away.

We had several friends and family who helped us during those days, and they brought us wonderful supplies that really truly helped us get through that time.  Just having someone bring a bag of goodies to open is itself a big mood-lifter when your life becomes so routine and predictable on a hospital schedule.

This post is a collaboration between me and all the people who brought me awesome stuff.  I especially got tons of ideas from my friend Michelle Glenn, who literally came up with most of the stuff in this list.  She's awesome.

Fresh Fruit

Hospital food is gross.  Everyone knows this.  It's like the food from your middle school cafeteria, if it were put on a tray and driven around a building full of people with contagious diseases for an hour.  It's gross.

One of the things I noticed most was the lack of fresh food available.  A fruit basket or even just a container of fresh cut fruit from Publix is a welcome change from the cube steak and gravy that they serve at every other meal.  Of course, if someone is in the hospital, they might be on dietary restrictions, so check that out first, but it would at least be a welcome gift for family members staying with them.

Toiletries

Small things like ChapStick and lotion can mean a world of difference when you have tubes in your arm and a nurse waking you up every two hours to check your blood pressure.  Facial cleansing cloths would also be awesome for a girl.  Guys probably wouldn't care.  Also check to see if they need baby wipes and dry shampoo if they can't take a shower,  or toothbrushes, etc.

Comfort Items

Try adding earplugs, an eye mask, and warm fuzzy socks to make sleeping in a hospital much more bearable.  House shoes are great too, because no one ever wants to walk barefoot in a room where someone probably died.  Snuggies are a great way to stay comfy and warm while still having access to IV's.  If they're allowed to wear real clothes and not just the half-yard of fabric and twine that they call a "gown," an extra large t-shirt is comfortable and makes you feel more like a human being.

Books

If you know what kind of books they like, you can't go wrong.  One important thing to remember about bringing people things in the hospital is that usually the recovery doesn't end when they go home.  They will probably not be back to 100% for a while, so a book will come in handy, if not at the hospital, then down the road.  It's not like they go bad.

Entertainment

Entertainment is hard to come by in hospitals.  Usually, once you feel good enough to be aware of your surroundings, you start to realize how crappy it is to be cooped up in a tiny room with nothing but basic cable to entertain you.  Magazines and crossword/sudoku/puzzle books are awesome.  Cards, Bananagrams, or other simple games work, too.  Make sure to bring pencils, if needed!

Coloring Books and Crayons

Again, probably most guys, and maybe most girls, wouldn't like this, but I think that coloring books are a great anti-stress activity.  It's mindless enough that you don't really have to concentrate to do it, but you get to use pretty colors and you have something you can show off when you finish.  I colored like, five pages in one day when I was there.

Food for Significant Others

This is a huge one.  Hospitals have to provide food for the patient, but not for anyone else.  That means spouses, parents, or whoever is staying with them has to fend for themselves, either by leaving the hospital, which they probably don't want to do for fear of leaving their loved one, or by eating at the hospital cafeteria which is, as I mentioned above, gross and also ridiculously expensive.  Home-cooked meals are of course awesome, but even just getting fast food or takeout is a blessing for someone who needs to keep their focus on the patient.  Also, things like muffins, drinks, trail mix, and other snacks that can be eaten any time of day are a great idea.

Snacks for the Patient

Again, you have to check what kind of dietary restrictions they are on, but if they are on a regular diet, bring on the snacks!  Cupcakes make everyone happy, and salty snacks like crackers or pretzels are a good balance to that.  Peanut butter crackers and granola bars are great because they can substitute for a meal in a pinch or a snack when you need it.  (Check about allergies.)  Also, the only drinks they serve, at least at my hospital, are Coke, Sprite, and Diet Coke, so Gatorade, Dr. Pepper, Lemonade or whatever else you think they like would probably be welcome.

Plants

I know cut flowers are everyone's first thought, and they are awesome, especially to brighten up a dreary day, but one of my friends brought me a small potted plant with some cool purple flowers, and I loved it.  I didn't have to clean it up when it died, or figure out how to transport a vase full of water home.  My potted plant sat in the floorboard, and now it has a lovely home in my kitchen.

Gift Cards

I had several friends give us gift cards, and it was so awesome.  For one, being in the hospital is expensive, and since the spouse has to eat out at every meal, gift cards are a welcome relief.  Plus, remember that even after they go home, they will still probably not feel like cooking right away.  I even had one friend email a gift card for pizza from across the country!  How sweet is that?!  Another friend asked if I wanted a gift card for my Kindle or iTunes, which I thought was a great idea.   A new book or some new music is guaranteed to cheer anyone up!

Portable Electronics

One of my saving graces in the hospital was having my e-reader that could access the Internet, so I could still feel connected to my friends and family.  After a day or so, I borrowed an iPad, and that was even better, because I could also Skype with Cricket, whom I was missing so dearly, and watch Netflix when I gave up yet again trying to find something to watch on television.  If you know your friend doesn't have a laptop or iPad, that would be an awesome thing to let them borrow while they're there.  An iPod with music is cool, too.  Even just a portable DVD player and some DVD's would be much appreciated.


I hope that you never need this list and that all of your loved ones stay happy and healthy, but if you do need to make a goody bag for someone, I hope this helps you think of some unusual and helpful things to give them.