The Blessings of The Priesthood

Joe and I both received a priesthood blessing yesterday afternoon.  What a blessing that was to me for the both of us.

I was so glad that Joe requested one and had faith enough to know that he would be blessed today when he went in for his CAT scan.  It gave his a great peace of mind and he slept pretty well last night.

As for me, I realized that I was on the verge of "losing it".  I have witnessed changes in his personality and bodily functions in the last couple of weeks and last week wound up being a very stressful one.  He went to his primary doctor on Tuesday who said he had "Parkinsonism" traits, reduced one of his blood pressure medications and referred him to a balance and dizziness clinic.

Wednesday he had a good session at dialysis, ate a good dinner and was having normal conversation with me in the evening.  Then he started pulling and scratching at bandages which were no longer there, he kept putting his shirt on and off and fidgeting with the sleeve cuffs, he went to the table waiting to eat dinner when we'd already eaten and fell out of the bed that evening.

Thursday he went for his balance therapy session and we discovered after a series of tests that he's basically forgotten how to walk.  He can't walk and turn his head from side to side at the same time, he lists to the left when walking, etc.  Then the doctors office called to say they wanted Joe to have a brain scan as soon as possible.

Friday was dialysis again and he left with his blood pressure extremely low 80 something over 30 something.  And then there was the phone call from the imaging people.  Joe's test was going to include dye being injected which is detrimental to his already badly functioning kidneys.

So, by the time that Sunday morning arrived and the new week was looming, I was feeling rather stressed and highly concerned.  That's the reason I asked for a blessing.  I needed to feel a sense of peace and tranquility and put my trust in my Heavenly Father.  After all, it is Him that knows all and He knows what lies on the horizon for Joe and I.  He has blessed us and given us a reprieve for a little while and for that I am grateful.

My priesthood blessing was a blessing to me.  I slept well all night long and when I awoke this morning I had a complete sense of peace about the upcoming days.  I know that my Heavenly Father granted me that peace.

The priesthood is for the blessing of all—men, women, and children. Through the priesthood we receive and administer the ordinances of the gospel, which include baptism, confirmation, the sacrament, all temple ordinances, including sealings for time and all eternity, and work for the dead. By the power of the priesthood the sick are healed, the lame made to walk, the blind to see, and the deaf to hear, according to their faith and the will of our Father in heaven. Blessings of the priesthood comfort those who mourn, and give aid to the stricken” (N. Eldon Tanner, “The Priesthood of God,” Ensign, June 1973, p. 6).
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Note:  The brain scan and all of his labs turned out "normal".

"The Other Shoe Dropped" or Joe's Luxury Vacation In The Hospital

Waiting for an announcement or event to occur after an initial announcement or situation. When waiting for the other shoe to drop, one expects a pending situation to occur that is dependent upon an initial event.

This definition describes the Weaver household. I had a conversation with Dad a couple of weeks ago, and I've even stated in one of my earlier blogs, that life has been great for Joe and me in the last few weeks. I even went further and said that I wondered how long this would last - "when would the other shop drop"? Well, the other shoe dropped. It began last week... Thursday, June 26 - I came home from work and found Joe asleep in the bed. That wasn't unusual as he had become quite fatigued in the last few weeks with little energy to do much of anything. I had even tried to contact his doctor that morning thinking Joe might be coming down with the summer cold I'd been nursing. What was frightening to me was the way Joe looked. His entire face was severely swollen, as well as his eyes. His breathing was extremely labored and he could hardly move. I wound up calling Dad and asking him to find someone to come out and give Joe a blessing. Glen Ritchey and Dennis Thibault came and gave Joe a wonderful priesthood blessing. I am convinced that that blessing allowed both Joe and I to have our best night's sleep in a very long time. It was as though his body went into hibernation and,therefore, his breathing was not a problem during the night.

Friday, June 27 - I called the for an appointment. Found out the doctor was swamped and no way to see him. Took him to the walk-in clinic where he was seen in less than five minutes after arriving. After stepping on the scales, it was discovered Joe had gained 24 pounds in 4 weeks. The doctor perceived almost immediately that Joe was in trouble with congenital heart failure brought on by possible kidney failure. He started paperwork for hospital admission and we were off to the hospital. After receiving a catheter and an IV in his hand, Joe was eventually moved upstairs for an extended few days stay. Originally, there was another person sharing his room, but within 30 minutes that person was moved to a private room. So, Joe had his own room for the night. Yeah!!!

Saturday, June 28 - Due to drugs and the catheter, Joe eliminated massive quantities of fluid. (Did I say massive as in a bajillion bunch of fluid)? He gets another roommate - this guy has heart troubles and is brought in by EMT's from Nashville. He has a long ponytail and is wearing dark blue "whitie tighties" complete with his very short, very small blue hospital gown. I saw it more times that I wanted since he had to pass through our side of the room on his way to the little boy's room. (Come to think of it, I've seen waaaay too many men's backsides in the last few days). We were also paid a visit by the hospital dietitian. She discussed the Diabetic Diet, the Low Sodium Diet and the Renal Diet. What it amounts to is that Joe will never get to eat his favorite "good" food again such as ice cream, pizza, bacon, bran cereals, etc. Come to think of it, Joe may never eat again other than green beans and jello.

Sunday, June 29 - Spent part of the morning with Joe and then slipped into Sacrament meeting, taking Mom and Dad home afterwards. That's when Joe called me and life began to change for us. He had just been told that he was going to have to begin having dialysis as soon as possible. That's when "the other shoe dropped". Life was no longer going to be the same for either Joe or me.

Monday, June 30 - Joe and I got to watch an Oscar nominated video about the different types of dialysis. Bring on the popcorn and the soda water and where was the red carpet? At the conclusion of the film, Joe got to pick from a veritable smorgasbord of fantastic dialysis options. After discussing the various options and asking any questions we had, he opted for the peritoneal method. This is done through a catheter implanted near his belly button and hooking up a couple of bags. This is done while sleeping at night. Cool, huh? He is going to look so cool wearing his Darth Vader breathing mask and having his tummy tuned up while sleeping. I can hardly wait to hear the symphony of sound that will be emitted from his side of the bed. Later on the doctor came in and told Joe that next Wednesday his surgery will take place. Did I hear someone say it was time for Joe to pack up and leave? Not yet. Bummer! By the way, his roommate left for open heart surgery in Albany this afternoon. I commented that it looked like he'd be sleeping alone. Not 30 seconds later, they brought in a new patient. Forget any sleep for Joe tonight unless they dope him up multiple times. The new old guy came in from ICU and was somewhat confused (that would be an understatement) in his mind. He kept asking me to tell him when the ambulance arrived to pick him up. If they didn't show up soon, he wanted me to call the police or the Sheriff's Office. He kept moaning and groaning and tried climbing out of his bed. Not a good idea since he had lots of tubes. He wound up being restrained and given some type of painkiller which knocked him out for a while. Yeah!!! Maybe Joe will sleep tonight after all especially since he was given multiple sleep aids. Good night darling. Maybe you'll be home tomorrow night.

Tuesday, July 1st - Stopped by the hospital about 6:30 a.m. to drop off clothes and shoes for Joe just in case he got to come home today. While there, Dr. Graham stopped by and it appears that Joe would finally be cut loose. Waahoo! I went on to work and received a call later on from Joe saying that he was trying to get dressed. Unfortunately, someone brought a pair of shorts that was way toooo big considering Joe has lost 30 lbs. in four days with no belt to hold them up and oh no, there was no undersquare either! What was a man to do? Just stay in the hospital? Borrow the gown promising to return it when he returns next Wednesday? Put on the shorts sans undersquare and just stuff your shirt inside hoping you can escape the hospital without a wedgie and/or plumbers butt? Bingo!!! So, Nancy came to Joe's rescue and spirited him away to Mom and Dad's house where it is reported that he take a very, very, very, very l-o-n-g nap.

So, it's more excitement for Joe when he returns as an outpatient next Wednesday to have his catheter implanted near his belly button. Yuk!

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Disclaimer: No person named Joe was harmed while photographing took place by unknown patient paparazzi. The purpose of the pictures was to show that Joe tried to maintain a hygiene regime even while incarcerated, oops meant vacationed, at Tift Regional Medical Center. The photographs also document the exuberance and excitement Joe felt while a gues of TRMC.

Joe would also like to thank his many fans and friends for their candlelight vigils held on his behalf and all those who made the long trek from the parking lot to his room number 352 in the heat or rain. He would also like to thank the excellent staff who continually cared for him at ALL times of the day AND night.