Day 160 - November 21 - Tough days
Joélle is safely in Chicago, and Cherié, Connor and I are just kind of chillin' together here at the house. Yesterday was a pretty rough day - after a night at work and about an hour of sleep in the morning, we spent the first half of the day arguing with the hospital, trying to get them to give us an appointment to have his trach replaced. This is a procedure that needs to be done once a month, and as I'm sure you remember, it's been a month since Connor came home. The hospital told us they would schedule the procedure when we left the hospital, but we've been calling them for a week now since they never got back to us about it. We finally found out that they only do the trach changes on one day each month, and yesterday was that day. We were getting frantic to get him scheduled in, because the hospital personnel didn't want to give us an appointment until January 16th! We went round and round with them, me getting more and more frustrated until I was treating the nurse pretty shabbily. We finally ended up getting an appointment in the afternoon, so then we began the frantic preparations to get there on time. Just as we were running out the door to load up the van, a friend stopped by for a visit. In my anxiety to get out the door, I also spoke very rudely to her as well.
I ended up having to apologize to the nurse when I saw her at the hospital, and this is my formal public apology to my friend Melissa - I'm sorry to have treated you so shabbily when you were trying to make us feel better and help us out. It was a pathetic example of how I should have behaved toward you - please forgive me.
Our day didn't get much better after that - Connor's wheelchair broke when we got back home, and the company can't get anyone out to fix it until Monday. So it was a tough day, one where I, at least, reacted out of my old nature 'waaay more than I should have. And yet it is on days like this one that we find ourselves "afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed". And somehow, the strength and perseverance and patience and hope and faith are there, just enough, to carry us through.
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 10:51 PM
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13 Comments:
Dear Eric,
Every day one of my prayers for your family is that you would feel the mercies of the Lord anew (Lamentations 3:22-23) in a tangible way, mercy to sustain and keep you. And as you speak on day 160 of tough days (of which I know not the least of), all I can do is marvel at God's faithfulness to His Word on every one of those 160 days because He has brought you thus far and continues to lead. As He strengthens you, you guys strengthen my faith and love for God more than you know.
This morning, I was reminded of a meditation by John Piper on Matthew 6:34 called "Today's Mercies for Today's Troubles." It feels relevant to what you speak of so here is an excerpt:
God’s mercies are new every morning because each day has enough mercy in it only for that day. This is why we tend to despair when we think that we may have to bear tomorrow’s load on today’s resources. God wants us to know that we won’t. Today’s mercies are for today’s troubles. Tomorrow’s mercies are for tomorrow’s troubles.
You can read the whole thing in chapter 2 of the first 3 chapters of "A Godward Life" by John Piper.
If you haven't seen this book and would like to have it to read more or even do devotionals, I would be more than happy to bring you my copy. Just let me know.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm standing with you with much to be thankful to our Father for. Even on tough days. Perhaps especially on tough days.
Love,
Chris
I can only imagine what a rough day it was...and we really are "human" even though we may be Christians but a work in progress! Thanks, Chris, for sharing the words from John Piper's book--it's been sitting on the shelf at church and I just haven't opened it, I think I'll give it a try!
Our love and continued prayers to you and hope the trach- replacement goes okay.
A big to both of you from me! I can't do anything to make the stresses of a day like that go away, except to say I'm always thinking about you and sending my support. Now you know the procedure (a shame they didn't tell you that before) and this situation won't repeat itself.
Lisa S.
Uhhhh...that was supposed to be " a big HUG" to both of you. Oops!
Eric and Cherie,
What company are you using for Connor's wheelchair?
I have one of those companies on my brown list because they took two years to get my daughter's stroller ( a standard, easy to get product) . I have a new company that is local and near to you should you wish to use them, having good experiences with them. You can call me at 832-2630 if you would like.
In Christ,
Kathleen Froess
Wow, what a day! Our prayers are needed more than ever...we will continue.
One thing I don't understand...why do you need the hospital to do a trach change? It seems unsafe for them to have sent you home without training you!
I have NO medical background whatsoever, but I was trained when I cared for a friend with a trach. I never had to do one by myself, but I was not allowed to even help out in the care until I was trained to change the trach becasue there are situations where it has to be done immediately.
If it gets knocked out or clogged or is defective, you may have to do an emergency trach change. It is a sterile procedure and takes some learning, but it is totally doable! If you have been doing it routinely, you are much more able to remain calm in an emergency.
Just a suggestion...
Hi!
So this is my first time using the comment page, exciting! Thank you very much for blogging Mr. Williamson, I know you must be exhausted. I liked the Bible verse you used, it just shows that we have hope every day in God, He never fails us even though our words or actions are sometimes ugly things! I have had many times in my life where my words I spoke or thought were not Christ-like, yet God forgives us every time we repent of our wrongs, how loving and mighty is He! I pray that you all will have a restful afternoon and night, and I also pray for lots of grace on the family.
Love in Christ,
Valerie
Hello! I haven't checked this blog in awhile. Hmmmm--seems like I checked it at a good time--all of you could use some extra prayer!!
I will pray that the Lord will STRENGTHEN all of you. He is a mighty God, able to help us in our time of need. He knows ALL about us, and in able to help us and to comfort us.
BLESSINGS to all of you!!
Your sister in Christ,
Jody McRoberts :>}
(a fellow Morgan Hill-ite)
P.S. I subscribed to this blog now, so I will get up-to-the-minute news!!
Hey guys! I'm still tracking with you daily through the blog and praying for you each day. I was so glad to hear that you got out last week for dinner. Like you, I am so glad that in Christ we have a "re-set" button. I need it so often. just wanted to let you know I love you and I care.
You know, I'm sure your friend Melissa, and even the nurse, totally understood your impatience or shortness with them, in light of your situation.
I'm sure it has to be very stressful at times, and also a HUGE thing is, you had NO sleep to speak of. Without enough sleep, and mixing stress in there, I could be a BEAR myself at times!
We sure will continue praying for things to smooth out for you and also that you can get the sleep you need to keep going like you all need to. And... that you can get the help that you need.
Love you all!
Kim & also Ken
We are sure praying and understand so many of the things you are going through. We're always here if you need to talk to a "live" person...and not about appointments or wheelchairs! Love to you all and Eastside continues to miss you and pray for you, too.
Love, Kristie for the Robinsons
Hi Connor and family, its Tonya, just checking in on you. I had to fly to Stanford the other day to drop off a patient, and as I was listening to the tower I wondered if the mystery voice could be Eric. Please drop me a line and let me know how everyone is. Miss ya.
Hey there Mr. Sunshine. Thanks. In my head I knew that Satan was at work and that you TRULY didn't mean to be sharp. In my heart I was wounded. I forgive you. I forgave you as I drove away.
Yes, I mourn the loss of my time with you and my dear dear friend Cherie. But this is a season, and God will bring us a new and shining day each morning. I rest in that. I rest in that in so many ways. I pray that for each of you as well.
Don't worry you big oaf. I love ya. Warts and all. :)
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