The Miracle in the Muddle: A Note From Jan. Jud's Journal Entry Sixteen.
Made a mistake this morning. Sun lit up the bathroom and, before I could get a grip, I looked in the mirror. What showed up was an old woman with a chin hair. I hardly recognized her. Now, I’m nervous. My husband just got the stem cells of a 22 year old from Northern Europe. He’s still married to a 74 year old with crinkly skin and hair that stiffens with age, then sprouts unwanted on an already-taxed face.
As for Jud, he’s resting a lot today. Doctors on rounds this morning said, “All is normal for what he’s going through.” His counts keep dropping from the chemo, so he’s expected to be weak. The pain is gone and, when it returns, we know better how to manage it. Some late afternoon fevers as the battle continues.
Today he is on day +5. Interesting how they number the days. He began -6. Transplant day is 0 and each day that follows is a plus. A + Not always how he feels, but we cheer each day as a gift.
We read aloud your messages of hope, humor, and wisdom on CaringBridge. Thank you for this gift of friendship and community. The lift it brings helps us rise up and take a higher view of what’s happening.
When I, especially, look a little too close, I miss the miracle in the muddle. “This is the day (+5) that the LORD has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it.” The net is holding. Even some bounce today….like a trampoline. Now, I just need to find a hair net.
26 Comments
Jan and Jud,
Know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jim and Kathy
Love n prayers
Skip the Nair, Jan. This kind only come out by pliers and fasting.....
"All is normal for what he is going through" Yay!!
"Even more bounce today... like a trampoline" - Double yay!!
Keep plucking those silly hairs... we all do!
Blessed by your posts! God is glorified!!
Muddling alongside you two from the wilds of West Gloucester. I laughed aloud as I pictured you looking in the mirror Jan. You know, the late self-portraits of Rembrandt which show all his wrinkles, droopy eyelids, slightly paunchy figure -- these are universally acknowledged as his best work...done long after his popularity had waned. Too bad the acclaim for his aging face came after he left us--but what he left us is a legacy of a great spirit. Your love and humor and steadfast faith are just such a legacy Jud and Jan. Hang in there--chin hairs and all the rest. Who knows those wrinkles may be real evidence of greatness like the old Master. (At minimum they're evidence of life lived...and that means at least a scrap of wisdom in the muddle. Love you, B
You do everything with a twinkle in your eye, my friend! Sunshine, rain, storms, suffering, joy--that's
who you are. We aren't looking at your chin, we look at your big heart and faith and it cheers us
on to keep our posts as your prayer covering. The news is good and we rejoice--singing over you!
Jan - in the midst of all that you are going through, you still manage to make us smile. Thank you for sharing your precious notes with us. As you hang onto God's great promises, please be assured of my continuing love and prayers for you and Jud as you face the days still to come. Love, Sherry
Dearest Mrs. C,
I wish I was there to comb your hair (back part) as we used to do...You look beautiful no matter what!
And yes! What a blessing to count each day as a gift from God. That is what days are: gifts from God.
Dr C.: You are strong! And how blessed we are to say: " When I am weak, I am strong (In God)" because He is our fortress and our strength giver!
Love you and praying for you both!
Dear Jan,
You and Jud are continually in our prayers. Was just singing, "The battle belongs to the Lord..."
Out of deep affection for you both I will not send a rendition.
Love, Bill and Judy
I'm a Pediatric Nurse who has a connection to Gordon. My friend Carol Herrick passed your prayer request along to me and I have been praying for both of you from the beginning. I have followed many CaringBridge Pages and love the updates. I don't always comment but please know I love being part of the team.
Love and Blessings
Alice
Thanks for the update, Jan...glad you still have your sense of humor. There are way too many 74 year olds that have lost their's - hang on to yours! Glad to know Jud is resting well, especially after what he's gone and going through. Praying with you, Steve and Ruthie
Love what you write. Praying for the days ahead. Thank you again for inviting us into your lives this way so that we can pray more specifically for you all. We think about you constantly. Our arms around you, our prayers surround you.
Dear Jud and Jan:
I copy and send your messages on to my daughters, and this morning Donna replied:
I'm so sorry that your dear friends are struggling so - and yet I am awed and inspired by their 'Blessed Assurance' that they are wrapped in His loving embrace even in the difficult days. I hope and pray the really difficult days of their journey will be very few and they will continue to feel His presence.
Know that while we pray we know that this, too, shall pass. You both are an inspiration, "for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Gaynelle
Thanks for all the messages and updates. They all increase our own hope and faith in the goodness and guidance of God (as well as testifying to yours and Jud's). Praying for you two.
And oh . . . have you ever heard of Nair? hahahahahaha.....
Again, praying.
Thank you for the blessing you are to us with these Caring Bridge entries. I love to hear that "the net is holding!" Dave and Melva
Dear Jud and Jan: A friend sent a reading today from Amy Carmichael's Edges of His Ways (Jan 10 & 11). It talks about how Jonathan arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. May you be strengthened in the Lord your God because of the prayers and encouragement of the many many Jonathan's in your life. We love you dearly. David and Suzy
Don't think they make chin hair nets. I've tried to find them.
Lol
Hahahaha - I laughed out loud Jan! You are a hoot! Laughter is a gift from God, isn't it?! And making others laugh is a very special gift - you have always had. So much love and prayers to you both!!!
Thanks for the update, Jan...glad you still have your sense of humor. There are way too many 74 year olds that have lost their's - hang on to yours! Glad to know Jud is resting well, especially after what he's gone and going through. Praying with you, Steve and Ruthie
Love what you write. Praying for the days ahead. Thank you again for inviting us into your lives this way so that we can pray more specifically for you all. We think about you constantly. Our arms around you, our prayers surround you.
Dear Jud and Jan:
I copy and send your messages on to my daughters, and this morning Donna replied:
I'm so sorry that your dear friends are struggling so - and yet I am awed and inspired by their 'Blessed Assurance' that they are wrapped in His loving embrace even in the difficult days. I hope and pray the really difficult days of their journey will be very few and they will continue to feel His presence.
Know that while we pray we know that this, too, shall pass. You both are an inspiration, "for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Gaynelle
Thanks for all the messages and updates. They all increase our own hope and faith in the goodness and guidance of God (as well as testifying to yours and Jud's). Praying for you two.
And oh . . . have you ever heard of Nair? hahahahahaha.....
Again, praying.
Thank you for the blessing you are to us with these Caring Bridge entries. I love to hear that "the net is holding!" Dave and Melva
Dear Jud and Jan: A friend sent a reading today from Amy Carmichael's Edges of His Ways (Jan 10 & 11). It talks about how Jonathan arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. May you be strengthened in the Lord your God because of the prayers and encouragement of the many many Jonathan's in your life. We love you dearly. David and Suzy
Don't think they make chin hair nets. I've tried to find them.
Lol
Hahahaha - I laughed out loud Jan! You are a hoot! Laughter is a gift from God, isn't it?! And making others laugh is a very special gift - you have always had. So much love and prayers to you both!!!