I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas and are enjoying this gift of a new year that God has so graciously given us.
I wanted to share with you what has been happening in my life over the past couple of weeks. I do not do this for pity or sympathy, but first of all to say that God is good, and secondly to ask for your prayers.
On Christmas Eve, as my wife and I were preparing to attend a candlelight service at her parent’s church in Palatka, FL, my lungs suddenly began to fill rapidly with blood and fluid. I couldn’t get my breath and experienced a severe attack of anxiety. This lasted for about ten minutes and then it cleared up as quickly as it started. It is the opinion of doctors that I suffered a pulmonary embolism or blood clot.
During the medical followup, I was found to have an infection in my lower right leg (of unknown origin) that was causing my leg to swell to over twice its normal size. Additionally, my blood pressure was sky-high requiring me to go on medication.
After a battery of tests, bloodwork and x-rays, it seems that I don’t have any more clots (praise the Lord). Antibiotics and rest have helped my leg tremendously. We are still trying to get the blood pressure meds balanced out. Anyone who has ever gone through that knows how it makes you feel.
So this is why I haven’t been around the old blog block the last few days, it certainly isn’t because I haven’t been interested in seeing what my friends had to say, I just haven’t had the energy. Please keep me in your prayers that I will be able to get around again soon like I want.
During these days I have found much for which to be thankful. The gift of life itself has become so much more precious, I don’t think I have ever appreciated a Christmas more than this last one. The outpouring of love from my physical and church family has been amazing, I am truly blessed. Most of all, I thank God for my wife who has taken so much better care of me than any nurse would. Amy, I love you a bunch.
God bless.
13 responses so far ↓
Beverly // January 5, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Oh my, I am so sorry to hear all of this. I hope that when the infection is gone, the rest of you will be o.k. That is so scary. I’ll continue to pray for you.
I just figured that you were very busy and didn’t have time to blog. I guess we need to check up on our blogging friends from time to time when we don’t hear.
Rose~ // January 5, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Dear Gordon,
I am so sorry for your health problems. That sounds really scary. God bless you, brother. Take care of yourself as God watches over you.
Steve Sensenig // January 5, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Praying for complete healing for you, brother. Thanks for sharing so we could pray with you.
Michael R. Jones // January 5, 2009 at 8:33 pm
We’re praying for you here in Michigan.
-Michael and Tondra Jones
jel // January 5, 2009 at 9:49 pm
isn’t there and old saying , ya can’t keep a good man down!
ya know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
rrbj // January 5, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hi Bro. Gordon,
Still praying and wishing you a good recovery .Good to have seen you back last Sunday ! Missed you !
Blessings.
Ron.
Tim A. // January 5, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Bro. Gordon,
That doesn’t sound good at all. Understand the thankfulness.
I do know what blood pressure meds do to you. I experience it every day, and have for the past six plus years.
I will be praying for you. That was pretty serious.
I too was wondering about your absence but just figured you were busy, as times before.
God bless you and yours in ‘09.
T.A.
kansasbob // January 5, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Wow Gordon.. that stinks.. funny how the smelly stuff in our lives gives us renewed appreciation for the sweet aroma of family, friends and life itself.
Praising Jesus with you,
Your Blog Buddy Bob
gordoncloud // January 6, 2009 at 1:37 am
I appreciate everyone’s prayers and concerns. You all are a very special blessing.
kc // January 6, 2009 at 5:40 am
Preacher thanks so much for the update. I praise God there seem to be no more clots. We will continue in prayer for you all. May God continue to bless.
Tim // January 6, 2009 at 11:19 am
Sorry to hear about the troubles, Gordon. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
selahV // January 7, 2009 at 11:39 am
Gordon, thanks so much for telling us. I will be praying that all those meds get balanced out quickly. It takes a bit but with an attitude like yours, it shouldn’t take anytime for things to work out.
God is gracious to have allowed us to continue to have your voice in our lives. I have a friend who had blood clots in her lungs just after Christmas and she’s still in the hospital.
She’s a single mom with a daughter in college and two sons at home. It’s been quite difficult on the family.
You really went through a very life-threatening situation. Wow. I keep thinking. Wow. So much to be grateful for. selahV
misawa // January 18, 2009 at 12:05 am
Well good grief, Gordon. I pray things are getting back to normal.