Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Genesis 9:13

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Gage Weekend

I've not written much this week because simply put the extra work has caught up to me and I'm totally worn out. I had a very difficult conversation with Dr. Mind that added to the stress, and all I've been able to do/wanted to do was sleep. Generally speaking, this week I have gotten home, put on pajamas, fed my cats, fed me, quickly checked email and my reader and gone to sleep. Thursday, after being so upset with Dr. Mind, I didn't even do that. And so I missed something that makes me very sad.

Many of you will remember my friend Julia, who posted for me when I was in the hospital. Julia has 2 children who both have had kidney transplants, the most recent just 3 months ago. Her son, Gage, copes with a lot of emotional issues on top of this.

Gage and I have a lot in common. Gage is much like I was as a kid, except that he has parents who will do anything to help him and who are realistic about what their child is facing. A few days ago they had to place Gage in a pediatric psychiatric facility. They now are trying to learn to live life according to the somewhat random, often frustrating rules of a psychiatric facility while Gage gets the help he needs.

So, this weekend has become pray for Gage weekend. I won't be posting again until Monday. During that time I will just ask you to pray for him and that his treatments work quickly, that Julia and Julian are able to feel peace about this, and that when they next see him they see something positive to give them hope. The wonderful thing about psychiatric hospitalization is that they will change med doses and combinations much faster than is usually done outpatient and so results do often come fast. In my case you can't increase the dose fast, and in reality I manipulated my doctor into an increase 3 weeks faster than the psychiatrists wanted, but it was really pretty amazing to watch how fast the other people on the unit were responding to their rapid med changes. At the time it made me just mad because why did I have to have the oppposite issue, but truthfully it's amazing.



2 comments:

Michal Ann said...

I've been checking in on you regularly and keeping up with Gage's family. I will definitely join you in Gage Weekend. Oh how I wish the family didn't have to carry so many heavy loads. I'm so grateful for your compassion toward them and the help you can provide as a true friend and fellow traveler. What you've learned in your childhood you're passing to another generation. I'm sure your "hospitalization lessons" will really help Gage's family and give them hope in a trying time.

I'm very glad to hear that you've been getting as much rest as possible. There can't be much that would be more important to your healing and strength.

Is there any comfort or encouragement for you in the following verses?

Isaiah 38

16 Lord, your discipline is good,
for it leads to life and health.
You restore my health
and allow me to live!

17 Yes, this anguish was good for me,
for you have rescued me from death
and forgiven all my sins.

18 For the dead cannot praise you;
they cannot raise their voices in praise.
Those who go down to the grave
can no longer hope in your faithfulness.

19 Only the living can praise you as I do today.
Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.

20 Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me!
I will sing his praises with instruments
every day of my life
in the Temple of the Lord.

Julia said...

Crying right now.

Thank you.