One year ago this month I was sent to the hospital for what I hoped was an overreaction to swollen stomach, legs, and feet. By the end of the month I spent two weeks in two different hospitals. Lost over 50 pounds of fluid weight and was told I had a heart condition called Congestive Heart Failure.
What is Congestive Heart Failure? The following quote is from WebMD, it is exactly what the medical team at University of Maryland said to me.
"Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body or by becoming stiff and thickened. This helps to keep the blood moving for a short while but, in time, the heart muscle walls weaken and are unable to pump as strongly. As a result, the kidneys often respond by causing the body to retain fluid (water) and sodium. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure is the term used to describe the condition."
After being released from the hospital, I spent the next few weeks trying to figure out how to live. I obviously could not continue to live as I had in the past. More about that in blog posts in the future.
Today, I want to follow in the example of Samuel who raised a stone to remember how God had intervened during what seemed like an impossible time. That stone Samuel named Ebenezer which means stone of help. You can read the account for yourself in 1 Samuel 7:3-14.
It is my hope annually during the Memorial Day Weekend (The United States "day of Ebenezer"), the Lord will give me time to remember and praise Him for providing the help I would need to overcome the condition that threatened to overwhelm me. Then thank and cherish those He sent to meet my need, so I would be able to worship Him and serve those around me.
Thank you for all your different expressions of love and concern.
Seeking to know Jesus better,
Dwayne
1 comment:
Dwayne, thanks for raising your ebenezer and reminding us of how good God has been in your life.
We all love you and miss you. The lakes have all thawed out here, but there are still really cool things to do in MN. Come on up for a visit : )
Bekah, for all the Joneses
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