God the Airlifter

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9

The story that you are about to read is true.  It happened to a woman, and that woman is my mother who has been fighting a year long illness with no resolution in sight.

What you will read is an account of intercession.  An account of the working of God through unexpected avenues and my humble attempt to glorify His extended hand of love and mercy.

A Story of one.  A Message for all.

*   *   *

 The ringing of the phone, answered by the casual response of…”hello.”

“Your mother has fallen and I can not get her up,” came the reply of a shaken voice.

“I’ll be right there!” answered the son with great concern.

 Keys into the ignition.  A short trip made shorter.

“Dear Father in heaven, be with my mother, keep her in your hands,” whispered the son.

 The opening of the door.   The sounds of heavy feet.

“Where are you?” shouted the son.

“We are in the bedroom,” came the voice of the shaken man.

 Stairs scaled.   Threshold crossed.

“Mom, can you hear me?” the son tenderly spoke.

“I….” was her only response.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“I….” was her only response.

Lifting her to her bed.   Ambulance being called.

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Paramedics arrive.   Evaluation performed.

“It appears that she is suffering from a stroke, timing is essential,” exclaimed the hurried paramedic.

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Sirens blow.  Lights flash.

“Stroke patient on route,” radioed the ambulance driver.

“Not equipped with counter medication,” replied the emergency room dispatch.  “Will evacuate to University hospital. Calling for lifeline.  Prepare patient for airlift.”

The droning sound of helicopter blades.  Copter touching down on helipad.

“We have you secured,” said the paramedic as the gurney holding the frail and weakened woman was lifted into the helicopter.  She did not reply.

Speeding flight.  Mountain ridges crossed.   Touching down at University hospital.

“Stroke patient, fragile, weak, not communicative,” stated the helicopter paramedic.

Emergency staff perform their duties.  Family arrives.

“She is stable, but in guarded condition,”  shared the doctor.

“Test are being performed, we will know more in a few hours.”

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Doctors.  Nurses.  Continued evaluation.

“Has she always been this frail, this weight?” questioned the doctor.

“No,” replied the son,” she has been ill for the past year, no appetite, severe stomach pain, weight lost, hospitalized seven time,  treatment not working.  Many test, no conclusions.”

Additional information shared, doctor taking notes.  Doctor exits.  Room assigned.  Patient attended.  Needles and tubes attached.

“She is resting, but you can see her now,” informed the nurse.  “The doctor will see you soon.”

Husband, son enter room, both solemn, both anxious.

“Mild paralysis is displaying on her left side, we will know more after test results,” stated the doctor.

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Nurse, Doctor exit the room. 

Room numbered 233 becomes still as husband and son look upon their frail loved one sleeping in the bed.   Tears pushed backed as they remain strong to fight against the unknown.

Time rolls on.  Test results conclude.  Doctor re-enters the room.

“Our test indicate that your mother did not have a stroke as suspected,” exclaimed the doctor.  “We are running additional test to evaluate what has happened, but for now we are not sure.

Husband, son confused.  Their concern rises to new heights.  Doctor leaves the room.

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Squeezing her hand.  Saying goodnight. 

“I love you,” spoke the two.

Long ride home.  Falling into bed, exhaustion relinquishes to sleep.

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”   

Sun rises.   A new day.  Two occupants in a car.

“We should know the results this morning,” stated the son.

A nod in return.

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Arrive at hospital.  Entered room 233.   Doctor.  Nurse present.

“We have received the new test results,” remarked the doctor.  “Your mother has had a transient ischemic attack, TIA.  Which is like a stroke, producing similar symptoms, but usually causes no permanent damage.”

“This is good news then?” replied the son.

“It is, but needs to be monitored.   However, after obtaining the information that you provided pertaining to your mothers other ongoing health issues, I have ordered additional test in which I am waiting for those results.”

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

Doctor finishes answering questions, concludes and exits the room.  Head is bowed, thanks is given to God.

Hours slowly march on.  The frail and weaken woman showed slight signs of improvement and though her communication was fractured it was evident that the effects of the paralysis was in reverse. 

Waiting.  Lunch.  More waiting.  Doctor enters room 233.

“We have discovered what is the caused behind your long termed illness,” she stated while addressing those in the room.  You have an illness called Clostridium difficile or Cdiff which is a severe life threatening infection of the intestines.  It is treatable, but left untreated the patient will die from malnutrition.”

“Your treatment begins today but given the severity of your infection it will be a long and slow recovery.  Your job is to focus on eating, regaining your strength, and gaining weight.”

Doctor answers additional questions.  Gives patient a reassuring smile and exits room 233.

Sounds of relief fill the air, and the feeling of resolution final comes to those who occupy the room.

“This is good news,” said the son with a lift in his voice.

“It sure is,” echoed the husband equally pleased.

“We are going to let you rest now mom.  We will be back to see you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” replied the frail woman with hope restored.  Then she closed her eyes and began to drift off to sleep.

Two occupants in the car returning home.  Conversation light and full of hope.  A silent prayer of thanks offered to God.

“Doctor said that it is curable, but she has a long road to travel back to restored health.”

“Dear Father in heaven, keep my mother in your hands.”

*   *   *   *

• Gods ways are not my ways, they are higher (Isaiah 55:9) and for this I am thankful.

When I received the midnight call from my brother, I did not expect or foresee that the news that he shared would lead to a greater understanding of the workings of God.

All I was focused on at the time, was the health and well being of my mom.  I was too caught up in the drama and was, understandably so, dwelling in the “gray-zone” (that’s my term for the place of the unknowns).

So as the hours passed and clarity continued to be fogged, God was busy unfolding His plan, His direction, and His will.  Little did I realize that my mother’s condition was leading towards a greater benefit.  A benefit that would give her a chance to regain hope, health and quality of life.

Who would have thought that what appeared to be a stroke, with evidence of paralysis, was actually a catalysis being used to bring resolution to a year long affliction.  An affliction that was robbing my mom of life.

It was explained to us that the TIA was brought about by a small piece of cholesterol breaking free and temporarily lodging in the brain, causing the stroke like symptoms – nothing permanent – nothing life threatening.  But what is astounding to me is that without this TIA episode occurring, the underlying life threatening illness (C-Diff) that my mother possessed would have never been discovered and she would have died from malnutrition.

I’ve learned a huge faith lesson, mainly that things are not always as they appear and that God’s ways are beyond my understanding, so much so, that I am humbled in the fact that what I do understand about God is minuscule.  He is so much bigger than I can or ever will fathom.

How true is it that when we come under stress, that our focus is easily distracted from the very source of stability, peace and comfort?   We have a tendency to look at the appearance, the “stroke-like symptoms” and in so doing may become temporarily paralyzed as we enter the gray-zone.

However, regardless how we react, God never becomes paralyzed or occupies a seat in the gray-zone.  He continues to work behind the scene in a steady and timely fashion.  Using conditions, or things such as helicopters, and actions of airlifting to bring about His will.

I am sure that I have not articulated the message in this lesson very well, but if I can pass on one thing it would be the incredible revealing of the working of God.

He can use, and sometimes orchestrates, those things in our lives that appear to be gray or dark, scary or distressing for our good.   And perhaps the painful ordeal that we may be presently facing is in actuality the very thing that leads us to restoration or deliverance from a greater affliction.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Donna