A New Dawn

Funny how life is sometimes. If you live long enough, you learn to appreciate and cherish the new dawns that seem to cancel all the perils of the prior night or nights. Such dawns have a way of bringing refreshment and a new perspective.

I doubt Cindy saw dawn from her room Friday that features a window to a skylit atrium. But such a dawn happened, ushering in a brilliantly sunny winter day outside while projecting beams of “Son-light“ into this chapter of Cindy’s journey through AML.

I say “through” because we all agree in prayer that Cindy is going to emerge from AML.  Correct?

Here’s the text I received from Cindy at 11:24 am Friday: “The ultrasound results for the pelvic fluid showed nothing toxic so no draining procedure. Yaaayyy! They decided that, at this time it is not necessary for the bronchial procedure. Yaaayyy! This one could prove to be necessary in the future, but not now. Good news!”

Don’t you just cherish Cindy’s “Yaaayyy!”s and the “Good news!” ending?  Me too. All that showed in her face and demeanor all day long.

After a stressful week of consults and deliberations over identifying this or that germ or bacteria that may or may not be the cause of possible pneumonia, fevers, etc. including consideration of pseudo invasive procedures to arthroscopically look and/or withdraw fluids, a final ultrasound added to other ultrasounds, an MRI, a CT Scan, endless blood draws and urine samples (add a few silent screams!!!!!!!).

……………...and then comes this amazing new dawn!  Deep breath. God is so, so good!

The rest of Friday was Cindy feeling better, looking better (a bit fetching in her bandanna, if I do say so myself), ordering me to bring her a Mr. Beasely’s from Dagwoods Deli (Downtown Farmington) - thank you Cherie for filling that order - and then holding court for visitors coming to share in the joy of the day the dawn brought. Even if that day is still in a Beaumont Hospital room.

Char visited, after being with Kim for her own procedure (keeping you in prayer, sister). Then Pastor Doug, followed by dear friends Sam and Margie Lynd - with all three of them praying over Cindy together!!!  Gordon bopped in to say hi to offer a quick prayer then Glenn and Cherie galloped on a white horse (well, Cherie’s gray Forester) to deliver the Mr. Beasely, and another pile of anniversary and well-wishing cards.

Four laps ALL AT ONCE with Cherie and Glenn sets a new “PB” for Cindy 'cuz the previous four was a two and two.  ("PB" is family speak for “Personal Best,” thanks to all our runner relations, you know.  They all run around while Cindy and I power-walk while also watch all of them run around some more.)

The three of us ended our visit listening to the Our Daily Bread devotion and scripture together featuring Cindy’s fav verse,

So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
               (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

As Cherie and I were about to leave, night nurse Lindsay checked in. She was with Cindy Thursday night as well, as prepping for possible procedures was going on resulting in a restless night before the dawn came (albeit at 11:30 a.m.- ish but our story doesn’t have to exactly abide by nature’s actual rhythms, right?)

Lindsay was relieved to learn how the day turned out. The genuineness of how she expressed the sentiment touched me.  Lindsay and the entire team that treats and supports Cindy show their care and compassion for her with every single encounter.

We left Cindy in Lindsay’s capable, caring hands as we look forward to other new dawns like this in the days and months ahead as this adventure continues to unfold.  

God’s blessing.  Answered prayers. Thank you one and all.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
   his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
        (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)