Day +6: The Heart

Thy Word have I hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 NKJ

I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of days now and last night between 2-4:30am I had a lot more time to think about it.

The fact that I had a fever again was a little frustrating and concerning. Am I going downhill, will things get much worse? Then, immediately after that, one of the first things that came to me was:

“On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand “

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Solid Rock

Back in the day when my parents were taking/dragging me to church in my pre-teen and early teen years I’m sure I sang these songs, oldies but goodies. Probably driven home more recently (2012) with Hillsongs Cornerstone. Not the same lyrics but themed off the older songs. All these songs have the central theme that “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ love and righteousness.” .

Then, it was Waymaker:



“You are
Waymaker
Miracle worker
Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God that is who you are”

After the lyrics I thought about the scriptures that back all those words up.

Why an I saying this? It’s the middle of the night. I’m a little shaken. And, because I have done the, “ Thy Word have I hidden in my heart”, God’s Word came flooding back to my mind and I’m back at peace.

I know a fever is not a big deal, but cancer is a big deal, and CAR-T therapy at this point is a big hairy deal and Shirley and I have both had many freak out moments through this cancer. But sooner or later, and these days sooner, we’re turning it over to God, pressing in, leaning on the Word and His faithful promises for all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Also we know quite a few friends and family who are going through serious life challenges. Some who know God and several who don’t have Him to turn to for comfort, shelter from the storm, faithful promises for good and so much more.

Without a firm foundation in God, before life’s difficulties hit, and they will, Shirley and I know it would have been so very much more difficult for us.

How did this happen? Well, a few years back when things were pretty “normal” I decided to read The Bible, start to finish, in order, every word over 365 day, every single day for a year, never missed a day. Amongst other wonderful things that made a habit. So what’s next? I started reading one or more devotions with accompanying scripture, every day. Our mornings now start with a cup of coffee and devotions, right out of bed, in pajamas. We use the youVersion app, highly recommended!

I know I should have done it sooner. I’ve heard plenty of teaching on the importance of learning God’s Word. Anybody who has attended a Christian church should know it, as many read The Word to you every Sunday. But there is a big difference between being read to and reading and learning for yourself and yes it takes some effort but, so rewarding!

Thanks for reading.

Day +6: The Facts

I’m tired. Not much sleep last night.

I started trying to sleep around 10:30 after the 10pm vitals were done. But the cough, when laying down, kept me awake for about 90 minutes before it gave up. I slept well from then until to 2am vitals.

At 2am I’m 38.0°C. This is now a fever, again, and considered a “new” fever and there is a mandatory call to the doctor. The nurse returns quite quickly and the doctor has ordered a change to a different IV antibiotic, and blood cultures. That mean 4 large tubes of blood from the PICC line and thankfully they skip the needle poke in the other arm and 2 more tubes. I keep my eyes closed and am feeling calm, thinking I’ll quickly go to sleep again. The door was closed when the nurse came in but, it was left open. I get up and close the door. A minute later the I’ve alarm goes off (quite loud beeping). “Air in the Line”, the nurses comes back and fixes it and again leaves the door open. After getting up to close it this time I’m really awake now and can’t get back to sleep until about 4:30am.

At the 6am vitals I’m still 38.0°C. More attempted sleep but that’s challenged by a bathroom call at 7am, One of the many last night. I stay up in the chair, eat breakfast, talk to Shirley,then wait for the 10am vitals. I’m now 37.5°C and I go back to bed until the bathroom calls. I think this will repeat all day long so I won’t bore you further.

About the food, the breakfast and lunch orders were perfect. I saw my first boiled egg at breakfast and the lunch Mac & Cheese was very good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️