The Times of our lives

We have had a rough couple of months, my husband has had one bad thing
after the other happen to him, to the point where I SMS my friends
with a prayer request and they are shocked into silence and say
"What?...again?"
It has felt like we are under attack, like we are surrounded on all
sides and for some reason, God is allowing this to happen (I firmly
believe that He is not unaware of ANY thing that happens to us and
allows things to happen from time to time) we have experienced this
kind of thing only once before, where we were battered and bruised but
pushed through, believing and praying like crazy, the months following
were some of the most blessed and prosperous times of our lives. So
who knows?

On Monday 29th (the day before the day of my saddest post ever
written) my Husband had a triple cardiac ablation operation – it was a
4hr op. The following morning when I called to arrange fetching him I
was glibly told by a delightful nurse that He was staying for a while
longer! I nearly lost it. I went in at 10am anyway and despite strict
visiting rules, he was the only one in the over-flow room so I got to
stay for a long time. Eventually the doc arrived and as he breezed in
he said
"now don't think that he's going home any time soon…" but after a few
sentences with me, I showed him straight up that I knew exactly what
had to be done for him, that I had the doctors personal and hospital
numbers and that I had a heart monitor that I would use to monitor him
constantly for the remainder of the week. He took one look at my stern
face and said
"Ok, so I guess he is going home today then, pick him up at 6pm"
Gulp.
So saying, Savanna and I had hi-jinx and adventures around Sandton for
the next 5hrs! We went driving, exploring or "Splorrin" as we say it.
We "Splorred" a couple malls spent considerable time swearing at the
GAUTENG road map. Found SPAR and got snacks etc. Just as we were on
the brink of boredom it was time to fetch Franc!

Warning the following might be disturbing:
I got Gastro…as I was helping franc get discharged. Let's just say I
know every loo in Sunning hill Hospital. The timing was amazing.

We then spent a great week up in JHB with Pat and Martin who blessed
us so much (spiritually and physically) it was like being bathed,
lovely.
We were supposed to go sightseeing (museums and stuff) but ended up
just resting and spending time together. We sent a bit of money
getting a nice outfit each, bought some great CD's and a vocal pedal
for my birthday gift.
Our drive back home was fun; we laughed, chatted, sang and carried on
like loonies all the way home on Friday.

Just as things were getting better, on Monday, Franc went back to work
and an issue occurred which sees him at home on paid leave for a while
until all is sorted out. In a way – it's been a blessing cos he's home
;o) but it's also been hard for him because he is a man, and because
he actually loves going in to work.

We had one week of semi-normality and then yesterday, Saturday, Franc
started rumbling in his chest, followed by the most blood I've ever
seen come out of a person's mouth and nose, by the time he was
admitted to hospital he had thrown up, coughed up and blown out over 1
litre of blood. I am quite angry now : let me know what you think of
this: we took Francis – coughing up a cup of blood to the medicross
(with the blood in a container) they looked at it, saw him and sent
him home with antibiotics saying that he had a "chest cold" and even
gave him expectorant!
If we had waited even one more hour at home after that, Franc would
have been close to death or dead. I am going to go in and cause a
scene there on Monday.
He did NOT have a chest cold, the blood from his body was so thin
(anticoagulant meds after the op) that the blood was simply running
out of his body into his lungs through the skin of his lungs. He was
in essence drowning in blood.
Let me know what you think: please admin.pawpaw@gmail.com

All through this I have remained calm. I even spoke to my mom who
assured me last night that I would feel the emotion soon, but in truth
I was so calm. I had some tears on Saturday when Kimmi called but
after that I was relaxed. I had such faith that everything would be
ok. I was amazed at the support, encouragement, scripture, prayers,
love and dedication of my friends and church ministers, you guys were
my strength through this time.
THANK YOU. Names: Caty who sped from hillcrest to glenwood to support
me, My Mom and Dad who were there waiting for the ambulance – Mom
thank you for staying with Francis when I wasn't there yet - while
they moved him from the ambulance into the ICU, Jo for helping me get
him admitted and for the support, Paula for the 100's you have spent
SMSing updates to all our friends, my Friends - for the prayers and
SMS's.
Well, my child is calling "Daddy, Daddy!" from her cot so I guess
that's me for now! Hopefully I will be fetching Francis this
afternoon. Here's hoping for an UNEVENTFUL rest of year!

Sands x