God Winks

I’ve talked about God winks before. I do believe they exist and many times happen when we least expect them. Gary and I don’t pray for healing. Rather we pray that God guides us and uses us for His will. Gary often says his prayers are simply thanking Him for everything. We all have our ways that work for us. Times were very rough concerning Gary’s health over the Christmas holidays. I honestly thought I was going to have to take him to the ER several times. I knew there had to be answers to what was going on with his health but just couldn’t put my finger on it. Gary was so swollen despite taking a diuretic twice a day, using his machine for swelling on his legs and arms, going to the edema clinic twice a week, wearing his garments during the day for swelling, and watching his fluid intake. He could only walk approximately 10-15 feet before needing to sit down, rest his legs and catch his breath. Breathing was becoming very difficult for him even at rest. He was cold all the time, pale, and was becoming more and more confused mentally. We were using his walker in the house and when that wasn’t possible, I was helping him by holding on to him. Fatigue was getting the best of him – he was becoming so tired of hanging on. Gary had blood work done the first part of December. The comment was made that we need to watch his counts as it looked like he might be anemic. That comment kept coming back to my mind. (God wink?) I researched his blood results, put that together with his symptoms, and decided to put him on extended release iron (easier on stomach), B12 and folate. I read that iron is best absorbed when taken with vitamin C, so he began to take it with his orange juice in the mornings. A wonderful angel friend had told me some months ago after looking at his blood work that although he was taking a large dose of D3/K2, his D levels were at the very end of low normal. Remembering this, (another God wink?) I increased that dose. Last Sunday night I was putting together a chart of all the treatments he had tried and the results. I was going to send it to his neuromuscular and ask what else can we do. Perhaps a lesson in patience was needed at this time. 😉 Praying I asked for guidance on helping Gary. Monday morning Gary woke and had lost 8+ pounds in water weight. He felt strong, was able to walk without becoming too winded, and was clear headed. His first question to me, “Did you pray for me last night?” 🩵

Although excited, I was cautious. I told him he could wake up Tuesday and have returned to the swelling and other issues. Guess what? He didn’t!! ANOTHER WONDERFUL start to his day! 🎉 That afternoon he had his plasmapheresis treatment. Upon completion before sending him home, they checked his vitals. BP was 70/35. 😱 We all know Gary loves attention – well, that definitely brought him attention!! 😂 Fluids were given and when that wasn’t helping he was sent to the ER. Lots of tests were run and more fluid. Tests showed his body was in shock – possible cause dehydration/plasmapheresis. By midnight his BP was looking better. The doctor wanted to give more fluids but we declined due to not wanting him to swell worse than what we knew was coming. We made it home by 1:00 am. This morning Gary woke tired but still feeling strong, 💪 and off he went to a meeting with Clayton. 🩵

Doctors are wonderful; however, Gary and I believe WE have to be in charge of our health. We take what the doctors tell us, combine that with the God winks, and make decisions. We feel the low iron was masking the positive results the plasma treatments were having; starting him on the iron/B12/Folate IS making a difference.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that even in the darkest times we are not alone. (“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”) Isn’t it wonderful knowing we are never alone?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – we are SO THANKFUL for friends and family who have stuck by us through this journey, wonderful doctors who allow us to have a voice, and most of all a loving God who is beside us every step of the way. 🩵

As Gary has always said…

I AM BLESSED