Faith and Just Believing

From Sandy -

Hi everyone - just wanted to let you know that I am still here. I have had so many trials and tribulations within the past year and yet I praise the Lord.

As I wrote in a prior post, my husband, Ron, had a major heart attack and has been in Critical Care. He had surgery on December 23 and has been in Critical Care until today. Today he went to a "step down" unit. By "step down" I mean a unit where he does not have a nurse that is constantly assigned to him. He has improved, but the improvement has been as slow as a snail's pace. He had a tracheostomy a week ago so that he did not have to have a tube through his mouth and down his throat. He is still however on a ventilator. Two weeks ago he could move no appendages. Today he is moving his hands, feet, and fingers as well as his arms. Just little gains, but at least he is going forward. I trust in the Lord to heal him completely. It will take as long as it takes and I have to keep the faith and have lots and lots of patience.

I have met many people in the hospital while Ron has been there. One of them I met recently is a vibrant woman whose husband is in Critical Care for pneumonia. She is such a positive person and urged me to see my doctor because I was so stressed. She always gives me a hug and always tells me to look on the "bright" side. To me, she is one of God's angels sent to minister onto me.

I have been so worried about our finances. Ron has always taken care of the bills and the taxes. Now, all of a sudden everything is thrown into my court. Not only that, but if Ron is put into Long Term Care - after the first 100 days - I am responsible for the bill. The bill for one month's stay in Long Term Care for a person on a ventilator would be $6,000 or more. Therefore I will have to turn to Medi Cal if his stay is longer than 100 days. Medi Cal will take more than half of my husband's retirement and also take any assets after I expire. I don't know how I am going to make it - but I can tell you this - the Lord will show me the way. He can make a way where there seems to be no way. I quote the verse Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed" - and then in Psalms 119:49,50 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickened me."

The Lord spoke to me through his word and I take comfort, hope, faith, courage, and peace because of what he has spoken to me.