Felt like God Came by Taxi: News and Notes from Jan. Jud's CaringBridge Journal Entry Number Three
Jud’s up and doing laps around Lunder 10 with his physical therapist. He reminds me of the song from MADAGASCAR, “I like to move it, move it.”
As his counts come up, he feels stronger in body, quicker in mind.
Tomorrow will be sheep shearing time. One of the nurses will shave his beautiful white hair. Three years ago, Chad did the honors and two of the younger grandchildren scooped it off the deck like lost treasure. Maggie, 4, gathered some “to build a nest,” Basil, 1, grabbed a fistful of hair and hope, then patted clumps onto the top of his slightly bald head.
Now, all 5 of the grandchildren are old enough to pray for their Popo, ask questions and send love through crayon drawings or cell phone conversations.
The bearers of a horrid diagnosis, the chemo specialists, clipboard toting researchers, food tray carriers, room cleaners, IV line checkers, doctors, nurses and their assistants all crossed over at some point from THEM to US. Jud’s always believed in the power and wisdom of a team. We rest in the care and love of an expanded team: family, friends, Gordon community, MGH medical folks and some we’ve never met, like the family who loaned us their apartment in the North End of Boston.
Heather flew back to California yesterday. Before she left, she made Shepherd’s pie for her Dad with (hospital approved) organic lamb. She made sure I knew how to make my way around Boston, helped me drop off the old Volvo for its annual inspection and get a sticker (it failed the test) and encouraged me to make a schedule for myself, so I can tend Jud without getting sick. She bought a couple of books of poetry for me, took her nieces on a carousel ride in the North End and left us with assurances that she and Matt have the numbers and names of our doctors and nurses and “know where we live.”
Chad’s wife, Kristina, spent last night at MGH. She and Jud talked long and late. Such good company, calming and wise. Chad gave his Dad a shave as his beard made him look ready for a bit part in a remake of Lonesome Dove. Chad spends nights here and tends daughters so Kristina can come and stay too. One night, a young doctor delivered some statistics/assumptions that left Jud and me stunned. Fearful of a sleepless night for us, Heather called her brother and said something like, “Chad, you’re in advertising. You know how to sell. Please call Dad and give him statistics and thoughts that can help him sleep.” Chad did and we did. Thankfully, a day later, the predictions and statistics proved untrue, to the joy of doctors and us.
Jud and I would be in a very different place without the prayers and encouragement of friends and family. God continues to show up through your cards, calls and thoughtfulness. A beautiful poster of a scene from Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester hangs in Jud’s room among photos of family and other New England scenes. Thank you June, the Design Center, and Ryan for bringing a bit of home to Lunder 1082.
Today, God came by taxi. I called a cab to head over to the hospital from the North End. The driver, George Joseph from Haiti, filled the cab with a sense of peace as we talked about the anniversary of 9/11. We talked of God’s promises and the truth that “suffering is part of this life.” George spread words of faith, hope and joy en route to MGH and ended with “all will be well.” I said, “Oh, I wish you could be the one to pick me up each day when I go to MGH. I feel like you were an angel sent from God.” George smiled and said, “God will have other angels.”
Can’t count on an angel a day but I know that we can count on God to never forsake us, no matter the outcome of all of this.
As Paul wrote somewhere, somehow, “We know sorrow but our joy is inextinguishable.”
So thank you for all the creative and loving ways you are giving us what we don’t deserve: inextinguishable shots of joy for the journey.
Jan and Jud
P.S. For all who long for “the facts,” we know we will be here another 2 weeks, while the counts HOPEFULLY come up, the rash goes away, no infections occur and the bone marrow test in another week shows the good guys winning. As Dr.Chen said tonight, “Sweet talk that marrow.”
22 Comments
Sending our deep love and our prayers that those good guys in your marrow keep winning, Jud. May you both feel protected in the Palm of our Father's hand. Hugs!
Hi, J&J: Everyone here in the Den Sem family is prayerful, asking about you each day. Lots of love here in the Rocky Mtn Empire. And from us too. Prayers each day. Anxious to hear the latest word. God's hand on you both.
Gordon
Jud and Jan,
We are asking God for his strong and gentle hand to heal and guide. And we wish we were near to visit and embrace.
God's love and grace to you,
Our prayers remain with you!
Dearest Dr. and Mrs C.,
If there is someone in the world who deserves all the love in the world is YOU! Your lives have been a light for so many...Your love and your love for God has blessed me immensely. We love you!
God is faithful and loving. He is with you and will be with you in and through it all.
"Fear not , for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...and I have loved you...Fear not for I am with you..." Isaiah 43:1-5
We will keep the faith and prayers up. And as dearest mrs. C wrote in The Hungry Hart regarding the verses of Isaiah 43:18-19 (God is doing a new thing): God will find creative ways of letting us know about the future He has for us, He will find creative and unexpected ways to let us know that HE loves us and is with us. Nothing can stand in His way. Definitely, he has many, many angels to care for us!
Blessings to you and to Heather, Chad and their families too.
Love and many hugs from the three of us,
Xoxoxo
Dear Jud & Jan,
May God's love & joy enter the very marrow of your bones, Jud. The sweet talk of life! David and I continue to pray for you both, and the kids. Thank you Jan for your writing. It stirs my heart with love, joy, and the unique, piquant mercy of God.
Dear Jud and Jan:
I am so happy to read this encouraging update and so glad to know your spirits are good!
I am sending love and prayers your way as I type, particularly that your spirits soar, remembering that this is only earth. I am also praying for a full recovery.
Gaynelle
We love you Jan and Jud and believe with you that the Lord has you in the palm of His hand!
Jud and Jan,
You're coming over the top of the mountain, now. May the Lord continue to sustain you BOTH and give you His shalom.
We lift you up,
Bill and Judy
This is you at your best, Janny - expressing yourself with zest, joy, humor
gratitude, and reminding us all that our prayers and love do indeed matter!
And of course, you are always noticing God's angels who were "sent ones to cheer you on. It's my guess that today's angel is hoping you are his next
ride whenever he picks someone up! We are so thankful to hear how well
Jud is doing. Your persevering care and love--that never seem to grow weary--
though we know that's not true--is THE major player in Jud's hard work
at enduring! We are full of rejoicing! G+G
Thank you, Martha, for this report. I pray God's healing power will overwhelm the flesh - This is his specialty, after all! Caleb and I send our love to Jud and Jan -
So glad to get this update and know how to pray. There is an army of pray-ers who are lifting you to the One who sits on the throne of grace.
So good to hear from you, even if you don't yet have all the answers. You are in our prayers each day.
Continuing to pray for you both. Our arms around you. Angels surround you. Thank you for the updates- so helpful to know what to pray for. We love you both so much.
I agree with the doc...sweet talk that marrow! All we can do from afar is to whisper the same to the God of all comfort and peace. Rest well with the full knowledge of angels all around you waiting for you to hop in or on for a ride...taxis from heaven to all who believe on earth! Love to all, Steve and Ruth
Praise God for those counts coming up!! Yay! We will keep praying for you Jud, for healing, peace and good rest and for you too Jan. Love Lyn and Tom
Thank you, Martha, for this report. I pray God's healing power will overwhelm the flesh - This is his specialty, after all! Caleb and I send our love to Jud and Jan -
So glad to get this update and know how to pray. There is an army of pray-ers who are lifting you to the One who sits on the throne of grace.
So good to hear from you, even if you don't yet have all the answers. You are in our prayers each day.
Continuing to pray for you both. Our arms around you. Angels surround you. Thank you for the updates- so helpful to know what to pray for. We love you both so much.
I agree with the doc...sweet talk that marrow! All we can do from afar is to whisper the same to the God of all comfort and peace. Rest well with the full knowledge of angels all around you waiting for you to hop in or on for a ride...taxis from heaven to all who believe on earth! Love to all, Steve and Ruth
Praise God for those counts coming up!! Yay! We will keep praying for you Jud, for healing, peace and good rest and for you too Jan. Love Lyn and Tom