For the past month, I haven’t been writing very often because I’ve been on a healthcare journey with Dave. He’s not much for Facebook sharing:) So I’ll just say he had a cluster of issues that silently progressed over time until they converged like a bad weather system and kicked up quite a storm. He was in St. Vincent’s—a wonderful, wonderful hospital—for three weeks. We’re home now, with home health, as he continues healing and getting stronger.
Prayers have been answered daily. My initial choice for the emergency room was a really good hospital close to our house, but they were overloaded and “diverting.” So we went to St. Vincent’s—farther away but, as it turns out, the best possible place for us. We landed with an internal medicine doctor (Andrew Collins), who sorted out Dave’s health issues and enlisted an army of specialists to take them on, one at a time. Excellent, compassionate care was ours at every turn.
And as an only child, let me just say a word about cousins. Mine are the best. They’ve been there for my parents and me every step of the way so that I could focus on Dave, whose family has also offered support, even though they’re several states away. Our church family has been in touch and in prayer constantly. Southern Living has been understanding and supportive. Our next door neighbors have offered help, and a sweet couple down the street—whom we had just met before the ambulance came—still checks on us. Dear friends have called, encouraged, and listened. Two of them actually came out and turned my scattering of hurriedly planted flowers into a real garden. And when your house is upside down, having a beautiful garden to look at and escape to is such a gift.
All that to say, we just don’t realize how much we need each other until we really, really need each other. God has blessed us with amazing friends and family, whom I’ve taken for granted far too often. I hope I never do that again.
Valerie I’m so glad that Dave is better now and home. We’ve been going thru a similar situation since this past September, in and out of the hospital and rehabs almost losing his battle twice. The Lord is hood ! He is also in a wheelchair and all of this really gives me a work out, as you know. I will put you and Dave on my prayer list🙏
Posted by: Sherry Southern Henderson | July 25, 2021 at 07:39 AM
Sending prayers 🙏😘
Posted by: Beverly | July 25, 2021 at 09:59 AM
Praying for you and Dave🙏🙏
Posted by: Pan Lolley | July 25, 2021 at 04:25 PM
Thank you so much, Pam!
Posted by: Valerie Luesse | July 26, 2021 at 09:17 AM
So appreciated!!
Posted by: Valerie Luesse | July 26, 2021 at 09:17 AM
Love and prayers to y'all too, Sherry! I'm so sorry to hear you've been struggling. Lifting you up!
Posted by: Valerie Luesse | July 26, 2021 at 09:18 AM
Val, so sorry for what you guys have been going through. Yes, SVH is wonderful. Mike has been in there four times this year. Waiting on the bug surgery next. Prayers for you and Dave. I know you have a big SPC family praying. Love you!
Posted by: Ann Moore | July 27, 2021 at 08:58 AM
Prayers for y'all, Ann! So sorry to hear Mike has been in and out of the hospital. I know that's hard on both of you. Love you!
Posted by: Valerie Luesse | July 27, 2021 at 09:34 AM