Musings on my recent Hospitalization

It was early Thursday morning (Aug. 13, 2009)...I had just finished doing some work on my lap-top, when I picked up my Bible to read. I suddenly noticed that something seemed out of focus. I closed my right eye and just read with my left eye when I noticed that I had a "blind-spot" just left of dead-center. Entire words and phrases were blocked out--as if someone had placed some light gray "white-out" over the words. Having never experienced anything quite like this, I called an ophthalmologist friend back in Texas. Long story short: he told me to get to a local ophthalmologist asap. I did so. And after he did his examination, my ophthalmologist referred me to a retina specialist. After performing tests and taking a series of hi-tech photographs of my left eye, in a rather matter-of-fact manner, this specialist informed me that I had had a stroke--that a piece of plaque had broken away from somewhere and actually lodged in my left retina. He advised me to go to the emergency room at a local hospital. A friend drove me to the hospital. And even though the emergency room was wildly crowded, they immediately wheeled me into an examination room. After running a series of tests (EKG, X rays, brain-scan, etc.) I was immediately admitted into the hospital.

Now mind you, at age 57 this was the first time I had ever been admitted as a patient in a hospital. They continued doing tests, taking blood, and hooked me up to every kind of monitor imaginable. I have to admit it was a scary experience. I was kept in the hospital for 2 nights and released later in the afternoon on the 3rd day. The Doctors said they could find no physical reason for what had occurred. They told me to begin eating a "heart-healthy" diet, get more exercise, and do whatever I could to reduce the stress in my life (yeah, right)!

In all of this, I am extremely grateful and thankful to God that this stroke did such minimal damage. Had the plaque gone into my brain, well, who knows what kind of condition I would be in right now--perhaps partially or totally paralyzed or worse.

The greatest blessing of all was the outpouring of visits, cards, emails, and prayers from people all over the country. The people who showed and expressed love to me during this frightening time proved to be the best "medicine" of all!

Now, some 8 days later, I am doing and feeling well. I will be back in my pulpit this Sunday. Dear readers, never underestimate the healing impact YOU can have when you take the time to show and express love to someone in the hospital. A simple visit, card, letter and even postings from friends on FaceBook can do wonders to lift a frail and frightened spirit.