pHEW!

I thought I was going to go out in style this year. Things were going great, Blood tests were coming in fine and then...
I started having problems. I dropped a half a dozen glasses in a few minutes and just felt terrible.
The doctors said I may be having a small stroke.

I just decided to lay low and rest and that's what i'm doing

Thank you so much for caring for me and praying and watching out for me. I couldn't have gotten through this year without you loving kindness.

Please remember to pray for Luana, Jeff, Roxanne, and Gregg.

Trying to make it to 2009 without going to the hospital.

Stay tuned

I hesitate to bring it up

You know, I've had such good dialysis lately that I'm slow to bring up a minor issue. But the reason this blog was started was so that you can keep up on my progress.

The dialysis has been going well, but the last 30-45 minutes, my blood starts clotting. This makes the techs to either constantly flush out my lines or put in a new dialyzer (filter) and start over at that point.

So, with that in mind would you pray about that for me? Thanks.

Another thing, is that I haven't had an opportunity to witness to Jeff, Roxanne, and Luana. Just the way they seat us and the times they come and go.. Please pray about that for me, I'd appreciate it.

Please keep praying for that little premie girl http://www.shareyourstory.org/lilyelizabeth/. She's 3 weeks old now and had had one successful heart operation. Her parents spend their day at work, then spending time at home with their other child, then coming to the hospital spending time with her, then going to sleep the the Ronald McDonald hotel next to the hospital. Then their day starts all over.

I can't imagine what their parents are going through. Please pray for them and the baby

Love, Dan

I will rejoice in the Lord

I will rejoice in God my savior!

 

Good weekend.

 

Love, Dan

I'm thankful

to the Lord for His grace on me, and for you and your wonderful support.  I thank the Lord for you and I don't take it for granted how great you have been to me.

 

I have been feeling pretty good over all.  And am thankful for that.

 

Luana at dialysis left yesterday SMILING!  That is the first time in several months that I ever saw her leaving with a smile.  Normally she is vomiting most of the time.  I feel so bad for her, I'd like to just give her a hug.  But instead, I pray for her and I'm so happy she felt better.  She knows I and some of you are praying for her and she is thankful.

 

Roxanne was feeling some better also.

 

Thank you thank you thank you for your love and care.

 

One of the guys at my kids work had a premature daughter 2 weeks ago.  She was born under 2 lbs.!

 

Here is the web site they started:  http://www.shareyourstory.org/lilyelizabeth/

 

Please pray for her right now and for her parents.

 

Love, Dan

Time flies when you're having fun...

...even when you're not.

 

Dialysis was rough.  Once again, I forgot to change my pain patch.  Well, one good thing, pain reminds me to change it!

 

Poor Luana, she really struggles.  She comes in smiling and goes out whipped.  Please continue to pray for her.

 

I'm looking forward to dialysis tomorrow.  I'll see if Jeff is going to come Sunday.

 

Please pray for him.

 

Love, Dan

What more can I say?

Saturday was a little rough, but it was my fault.  I didn't take my blood pressure pills Friday night, plus didn't change my pain patch.

 

Those were minor compared to some.

 

Luana did good most of the time.  Jeff did better also.  Norman wasn't around.  Not sure if he was still in the hospital or what.  Please pray for all 3.

 

One thing that keeps running through my mind was something Pastor said.  God uses our adversity so we can minister to others.  And you know that's true.  If I hadn't concocted kidney disease from antibiotics, I would have never had the opportunity to witness to a large amount of people.  He has shown me a glimpse of His glory in how He loves people and watches over them.

 

Thank you for your continued prayers.

 

Love, Dan

Good day Thursday

Dialysis went well Thursday.  I got an electric blanket for dialysis.  It's a "throw" and measures 4' x 5'.  It's perfect! and I was warm the first time.  What a blessing and I mean that!

 

Once again I'm reminded how blessed I am.  Luana besides me was vomiting the whole time.  She has such a rough time on dialysis.  And Jeff was cramping ( a common occurence on dialysis because often your blood pressure drops suddenly and drastically).

 

Please pray for Jeff and Luana and Norman. Norman has been so depressed about dialysis that he quit coming for about a week.  As a result when he came back he had to be rushed to the hospital.

 

Most people on dialysis go through some depression (even me when I feel sorry for myself.  Fortunately that is rare).  Typically if you quit dialysis your life span is about 1 or 2 weeks.

 

Dialysis is serious stuff and I'm reminded of it every other day.  I thank you for praying for me and for those of you who drive me to and from dialysis.  It means so much to me.

 

Love, Dan

rough week

Rough week.  Glad it's over.

 

Sunday (today) was much better.  Felt good and was privileged to be able to go to church.

 

Please pray for Jeff, Roxanne, and Luana.  Friends at dialysis.  They each have their own life struggles.

 

Love, Dan

sailing along

Dialysis went pretty good Tuesday.  Cold again towards end of treatment.

 

Like I said the other day,  Things are going along pretty good tiill I get there and then BOOM!

 

There are people fighting for there lives.  Please pray for Roxanne and Luana.  They're having a rough time.

 

Thanks for all your prayers.

 

Love, Dan

Home again

I'm back.

 

Dialysis has gone well the last week.  Feeling pretty good over all.  Just trying to straighten out and unpack.

 

Thanks to all of you for the prayers and encouragement.

 

Let me know what you'd like me to pray for.  I try to spend an hour or so at dialysis every other day.  I'd be honored to pray for your needs.

 

Love, Dan

Good Morning!

Dialysis went well yesterday.  2 more left before I head back up north.

 

Weather is cold here low 70's!

 

Haven't felt real good last few days.  Nothing major.

 

Glad to hear Claire Bear is doing okay.

 

Going to miss it here, but glad to be going home!

 

Love, Dan

Cold in there!....

Good dialysis but it's so cold in the dialysis places (except at St. Joe's).  Laying still for 5 1/2 hours makes me freeze!

 

Counting down till I return (1 week)

 

Please pray for my arm.  Since surgery for dialysis my elbow and wrist don't have the circulation any more because they re-routed my blood vessels there.  Very painful.

 

Enough complaining.  Looking forward to seeing all of you

 

Dan

It's warm outside!

Hi friends and loved ones (which are friends)

Yes, it is warm today. In contrast to being cold inside dialysis... for 5 hours

Everything went well today. Those are some fine folks that take care of me.

I have about 11 days left down here and am growing attached. But on the other hand I miss home and I miss you and I miss those of you that take me to dialysis each time. Those were enjoyable times where I get to see a short glimpse of how God is working in each of your lives.

I'm out of touch on who to pray for except Pastor, the church, my family (who come before that), the missionaries, and friends in the church, world peace (ha ha)

God bless you all.

Dan

p.s. Please pray for Claire Bear too

Good Morning!

Getting ready to go to dialysis.  The treatments have been going well down here.  The staff here is top notch.  They take good care of me.  Very friendly people.

 

While I'm down here I'm missing my relatives and friends who drive me to dialysis.  The Lord sure has blessed me with them.

 

Last Sunday, my son Jackie sang a special song about when we get to heaven.  It sure brought tears to my eyes.  One, because it was my son and he did such a great job.  Two, because this world is not my home.  I know the Lord wants me here right now, but I have some loved ones there I'd like to see again.

 

Yesterday the Pastor here lost his brother to brain cancer.  Remember I told you last week how you could tell it was bothering him.  It saddened my heart to see him.  His brother was in his 40's, married with 2 or 3 children.  He was also a pastor.  Jackie told me he was concerned he would did before his son went to college but Dr. Bob Jones told him not to worry.  There college would be taken care of.  You see, pastors families get their tuition taken care of.

 

Isn't that something how peoples' last dying wish was not for themselves but for the needs of others?  It about brought tears to my eyes when I heard that.  God is so good.

 

Well, I'm at the half way mark for staying here.  Time has gone by so quickly.

 

My son and his friends are grave diggers and I've watched 2 or 3 graves being dug and buried.  After watching the process, it really doesn't make much sense to put a casket into a vault.  The end results are the same and it only costs the family more money.  That person isn't in the grave, just their body.  Save the money and donate the savings to your church where it can do some good.

 

Okay, I'm done meddling!

 

Love, Dan

brrr!

Even though the weather has been in the 80's, it's not in the dialysis center.  Most patients bring 2 or 3 blankets.  One lady even puts a blanket around her head!

 

Sitting on a vinyl chair, pretty much immobile for hours tends to throw off any heat you might have.

 

I brought 3 blankets and put some leg warmers from my daughter-in-law and put them on my arms! :)

 

Finally I asked my daughters to ship my long johns to help out.  They arrived and I'm looking forward to trying them out tomorrow

 

I'd like to ask you to pray for the Pastor here, especially for his brother.  The pastor's name is Tim Daniel.  I'm not sure what the brother's name is, but he is terminally ill and you can see the sadness on the pastor's face even thourgh he is doing a fine job preaching and teaching.

 

Love, Dan

Yes, I'm still alive!

Dialysis is going well.  The people here are real nice and take good care of me.

 

I really appreciate only being 1 mile away at home.  Here it is about 20!

 

Good bunch of people down here. (relatives, church people, and really just plain strangers)

 

Please pray for their Pastor's brother.  The Pastor's 1st name is Tim.  His brother is gravely ill and you coiuld see it was very hard for him to talk about it.

 

Love, Dan

Good Mornine!

I'm in North Carolina visiting my son and daughter-in-law and of course grand daughter.

Dialysis here is about the same except they like air conditioning cold. So I'll need to dress warmer next time.

The people here are very friendly. The dialysis center is spotless. I think you could eat off the floor! Although can't ever imagine trying it.

Thanks for your prayers.

Just got on Internet so don't know how everyone is doing. So this time I'm going to ask you to call one another and find out who needs the prayers. Of course, most of you do that already.

Dialysis is Saturday.

Love, Dan

Saturday

Had another good dialysis Thursday.

Blood clot came undone as I was walking out the door.  Had to stay another 20 minutes.

Just when I was thinking everything was ready for the North Carolina trip, I got a call from my social worker.  She said I had to get a chest x-ray and an EKG!  I tried to call back from the voice mail but she was gone for the day!

I'll try to contact St. Joseph's hospital and see if the x-ray and EKG I got in May would be available.

My problem is that I'm going to dialysis Monday so it will be cutting it real close.  I'm leaving early Tuesday!  Phew!

Once I find out, I'll probably have to go to an Urgent care place and see if they can give me the info I need.

Other than that!

I'm looking forward to the 60th birthday party my daughters and daughter-in-laws and sons and mother-in-law and well, a whole lot of people are throwing me this afternoon.  I pray the weather will be good and my tongue would say the right words to the visitors.  I want them to walk away thinking God is a great God and to be a great testimony for Him.

You know, I am so privileged to be alive and to have a great God that watches over me.  And to have a great family and friends that spoil me beyond anything, and for what I don't know, but I love them all for it.  In dialysis the social worker is always asking everyone there (including me) "are you depressed?".   I tell them, "Why would I have anything to be depressed about?  I have a great God, a great family, great friends, a great church to watch over and take care of me.  I wish the visitors today could get even a glimpse of what I just said, and that they will want to have what I have.

Anyway, if you read this before the party today, please pray for me about these things.  And oh, please pray that all the workers there today will not get hurt.  

Love you...! and if I don't see you today, I hope to see you in church!  Services start at 9:30 AM.

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=24825+Hall+Road,+Woodhaven,+MI++48183&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&ll=42.131521,-83.2477&spn=0.038828,0.059309&z=14&iwloc=addr

Dan

p.s. Please continue to pray for Janet and Al W, and Carolyn about there health problems

Getting ready for Tues. Dialysis

Saturday's went well. Boy, the patients are sure talkative.

Hoping today will bring me news that there are enough spaces at dialysis in N.C. for me. Because I want to leave on the 9th with my son and daughter-in-law.

I was glad to hear from Al that Janet is recovering from surgery. She really needs our prayers.

Love, Dan

Wow! It's Friday all ready!

..Seems like I missed a few posts.

Actually, dialysis is going well. The staff are really friendly. Because there are adequate numbers, the place is relatively quiet. Any alarms (normal in a dialysis center) are dealt with in a short time.

Each day as I'm feeling better, I feel a need for my own transportation. I'm only a mile from the clinic and feel like I'm such a burden on everyone.

On another note, I'm trying to get things arranged to spend a month in North Carolina with my son Jackie and his wife Kari and of course Charlotte. If you're the praying type, I'd appreciate a prayer about that. I'd be leaving on Sept. 9th and need there to be an opening on the 8th so I can get dialysis a day earlier. Man am I a high maintenance person!

I'm really grateful for the invite. wew hoo!

Please pray for Vince Sr this week. He's a good guy and needs our prayers.

Looking forward to Church this Sunday. Pastor's message have been real helpful, and have caused me to look at the way I think about things. The messages are worth listening to again to try to apply them.

Have a great weekend!

Love, Dan

Thank you Lord!

Just heard from Al that Janet's surgery went well.

Please continue to pray for her recovery and also for Al's health problem.

Love, Dan

prayer request

I was talking to the social worker Thursday and was telling her that one medication I buy costs 1/3 of my income per month.

Anyway, They are going to ask the doctor if there is any other less expensive, but effective medication. So that's my prayer request. If you are on medications, many of you already know they are expensive and if you have to have them, you have to have them.

I'm not complaining. Even if there is not another medication to replace it. God has been so good to me and you have been so good that I don't have the right to complain.

What I'm more concerned with is some of you. Janet is going to have surgery Monday I think. Please pray that she would be at peace about it.

Please pray for Aaron for another matter.

The absolute truth is that God is sufficient for all our needs!

Love, Dan

Ah yes!

Another succesful dialysis!

 

I'm enjoying some of the techniques they use.  Just little things that seem so make it more pleasant.

 

Please pray that I may reach Craig, Roxanne, and Luana (patients) with the gospel.  The way it's laid out we have some opportunities to talk.  Not a lot, but some.

 

Love, Dan

Brace worked

The back brace worked on Sunday. Was able to stand much longer.

Weak today.

Please pray for Janet and Al. She has surgery soon. Pray it works out.

Lesson learned this week:

If you make an agreement between friends, write it down. There can be much misunderstanding on both sides later if you don't.

You could lose a good friend.

Love, Dan

Friendly place

The new dialysis center seems to be working out.

The people are friendly and the patients are kidding around which, to me, is a sign of a good place. Our chairs are not hidden so much from each other, that if you want, you could talk to the person next to you.

I know there is always a honeymoon period, but the relaxed atmosphere indicates to me, so far, that this is a good place.

Another thing it that the dialysis machine alarms aren't constantly going off. If they do, the tech corrects the problem in short order.

I, once again, have another opportunity to make a first good impression.

Today I'm looking forward to the worship service to hear what Pastor has to say. I'm also looking forward to hear how the picnic at the Sturgill's went.

I bought a back brace so I could stand longer during the service and to talk to our members and visitors during break time. I've really missed that these last months. God has been so good to me, I want to pass that on to others and to see how I can encourage them.

Boy, this letter is full of a lot of I's. Going to have to work on that.

Please pray for Carolyn and Al and Vaughn as they deal with physical issues.

There are so many people with spiritual issues. Help me by your prayers to be an encouragement, if at all, to as many as the Lord allows.

You be an encouragement to others that God puts in your life too.

Love, Dan

Hi Friends

...and family

Had a pretty good dialysis yesterday. They took too much weight off of me and that sapped my strength today.

But I'm going to see 3 of my sons play softball in a bit.

Seeing our church family Wednesday night and missing some that didn't come it reminded me.

It reminded me to not take anyone for granted.

Life if so so short.

Please pray for one another and

hope to see you in church Sunday or to hear you've been in your church.

Love, Dan

For God KIND of loved....?

...no God wasn't "wishy-washy" about us... He SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...

 

...and I'm SO glad He did.  One of the benefits of having "end stage renal disease" is that it gives me a lot of time to think, pray, and observe.  I'm SO glad He gave me this opportunity that I might not ever have if I had continued in the rush of life.

 

I had prayed to be transferred to a new dialysis place so I could get all my doctors in the same system so they could know each other when I get in trouble and they need to make important decisions on my care.  But as I sat in dialysis yesterday (which went fine by the way), I was kind of bummed.  Bummed because they changed my hours later.  That put a burden on you that I didn't really want.  Sher of course had to get up for the last several months at 5:30am and maybe in a way God is giving her a break finally.

 

The Lord willing some day I'll get another car and drive my self.  My sister Linda or my daughter said "what happens if you are too sick to drive?".  Then that will be an exception for the day and I'll have to burden someone to take me and pick me up.  But the other days I can drive my self.  Actually I've been feeling good the last 3 months except for a few days.

 

  I have mentioned getting my own vehicle a while back and a few of you said that I would be taking a blessing away from them.

 

That would be something I'd ask you to pray about.

 

 

Please pray for Carol Crumpton's grandson, Jake.  I understand he is in grave condition.  Also for the family that God would give them peace about the situation.

 

Also for Jim Pantele's stepmother children,  Ashleigh and Jonathan, on the loss of their mother.  Please ask God to comfort them and that they would have some Godly influence in their life as they grow up.

 

We only have one life to live in this world.  One life to live for the Lord and be a living testimony to His glory.  Let's not waste it.

 

One thing I need to work on is to lift one another up.  You know how they say when you go camping that you should leave nature in better condition when you came?  I want to leave this world having encouraged people by my talk and walk so that they do the same to others.  But most of all that they find the Lord and sing praises to His name!

 

This life is so short.  Let's not take for granted the friends and loved ones God has given us to be an encouragement to.

 

Love, Dan

New dialysis center

Well, tomorrow is the day for a new dialysis center. Of course I'm a bit apprehensive. I've been feeling pretty good overall for the last 3 months so I don't want to go downhill going there. But there are some legitimate reasons to do.

One thing is to get all my doctors on the same system. Another is for my blood thinners I'm taking. I should now get direct response here. The other center had to contact the blood testing unit, then contact my doctors at another place, then they would contact me back, sometimes a week later. Now, supposedly, they will get the results directly and let me know right away.

We'll see.

Another thing I'm hoping is that I'll be able to go for a shorter dialysis.

So, thanks again for your prayers. And thanks to the people who have volunteered to pick me up.

Love, Dan

Good

dialysis today

 

blood is way too thin

Another beautiful day

Had a good dialysis.

Went to lunch with some friends.

We need to encourage one another to love and to good works. I'm thankful for the life the Lord has given me and the people he has placed in my path.

Thank you so much for praying for me.

Please pray for one another.

Don't ever forget how the Lord has saved us and how He watches over us.

Do you know about the "silent sufferers" in your life? If not, seek them out, find out their needs, then pray for them. If you don't know any "silent sufferers", then ask me and I'll tell you about them. Silent sufferers are people that don't complain. They don't make it known about the trials they are going through, but nevertheless, they need our prayers and support.

Pray for Tony and Andrea as they move this weekend and all the work they are doing to get ready for the "big day"

If you can help them, then do.

Love, Dan

Wow!

Had a good dialysis today. I really appreciate the hard work the techs and nurses do to take care of us. For the most part, the majority of them are really a blessing.

p.s. the rest of them should find another line of work to do that would be more fitting to their talents.

Went and watched 3 of my sons play softball right after. It was great to be able to do that. I'm so blessed. They're such good sons.

I know one thing. If you have children or grandchildren, don't ever take them for granted.

Man, I wish I had my grandchildren's energy. If you could just bottle just a fraction of it...

Beautiful day. I'm looking forward to the privilege of going to church tomorrow. Can't wait to hear the message.

Please continue to pray for Ken at dialysis, and Al and Janet W and Carolyn. They definitely need our prayers.

Love, Dan

2 of the best daughters a dad could have!

Really anyone could have...

I called them this afternoon and asked for something for energy and they came back after work with all kinds of food packages to give me energy. Drinks, sandwiches, foods I could prepare real easy.

I am so ashamed to be thinking of myself. These girls are the best!

I just say thank you Lord for giving me such great daughters!

Love, Dan

I need energy

Man... I'm so weak

dialysis was just okay.

very low energy

could hardly walk to the mail box.

haven't been able to take my walks 4 houses down.

haven't been eating much lately. asked my daughter to get me some prepared energy drinks.

I know there are those of you that sometimes feel the way I do. That the Lord would just take us away. It's selfish, I know, and I'm sorry for feeling that way. God has been so good to me and you have prayed so much. I'm so ashamed of my feelings. I'm sorry for being such a bad example. I want to be such a good testimony for you. And show you how to live under adversity. But hey, I'm human and there are days, unfortunately, that I feel sorry for myself.

What a baby. there are so many people that have it worse than I and don't even hardly complain at all. I'm sorry for feeling sorry for myself.

I guess this day is the day to ask you to continue to pray for me

and thank you as I know you already do

love, Dan

What a great God we have!

I'm so thankful for His grace to me and us. Thank you Lord for your beautiful creation!

Had a good dialysis today.

Thankful to Al W. for picking me up. Pray for him and Janet.

Ugliness

When you are sick, you get ugly.  Ugly to those you love, and to those you don't.  It's not on purpose.  It just happens.  I guess that's a characteristic that comes out and shows your true self.

 

Now, I don't mean it, but it just happens and before you know it, my foot is in my mouth.

 

God has blessed me in so many many ways that I have no reason to be ugly or distant.  But it happens.

 

Now I could blame it on the drugs, but there is no real excuse except it's something I need to work on more.

 

Love, Dan

what a day

good dialysis, bled all over at the end but it worked out okay.

I fell off my sisters' bike last week and bruised my arm pretty bad. My arm was quite swollen, so the doctor told me to go to emergency as there could be a blood clot. I spend 4 hours at St. Joe's and they did x-rays and ultraound. Everything was okay, so I'll live! ha ha

Please pray for Al and Janet W., Vaughn and Carolyn B.

Till next time

beautiful...beautiful day

Dialysis went well. God is so good to us.

back on the track

Went to dialysis Saturday. Had hardly gained any weight and did good.

No problems Saturday.

Had a great Sunday.

Feel good. Little nauseus but not like Thurs.

Please pray for Janet W.

Love, Dan

Just for Fun!

Cow appreciation day!

http://www.chickfila.com/downloads/CFA_CAD_1pgr.pdf

I'm a bad boy!

Missed dialysis Thursday.

I woke up throwing up and so I stayed home. Nauseus the rest of the day. Seems I had run out of one the pills that helps a condition I have in my stomach (gastropoesis). Once I got the pill it subsided. Actually I have another pill I'm supposed to take for that but it causes me to be extremely anxious and depressed. I'd rather throw up than have that. So I have to deal with the nausea. The one pill that did help is for another problem that I have, but it seems to help out so well, that's enough about me.

How about you? How is it with you and the Lord today? Are you right with Him. If you're not, nothing and I mean nothing else matters. God loves you and wants you to have the best, but if you're not right with Him, then you're just looking for grief. So get right!

Well, you have a great day.

Love, Dan

Great news today

I've been asking you to pray for Ken from dialysis. I asked the Lord to give me an opportunity to talk to him before he goes to sleep.

Today the Lord placed him right next to me! And he came in a little later so I got up at the end of my treatment and went and talked to him.

He's been a lot friendlier to me lately so I've been wanting to tell him why I and you were praying for him. To make a long story short, he claims to know the Lord.

I told him several people were praying for him at church, and have been for some time now.

He really seemed to appreciate that.

Anyway, please continue to pray for him as he really has a tough road to hoe with his health problems. He also doesn't seem to have any support at home, although one of the nurses said his mom does. I've never seen anyone besides the ambulance to bring him there.

You know, I'm not real bold in witnessing, but have tried to maintain communication with him for the last several months. So when the Lord placed him right next to me, I knew I had to talk to him about the Lord. Especially since there's a good chance I'll be going to a different dialysis center in Taylor soon.

Have a great week!

Dan

p.s. had a rocky dialysis today but the Lord got me through it. I even got to sit outside at the end and get some fresh air before it rained.

pss. Please pray for Ken's artificial leg. It doesn't fit very well and they're teaching him to walk on it.

Hate to ask...

but would you "consider me" ????

Got denied from extra consideration from Soc. sec. to get funding for medications. They say I make too much. 1/2 of what I make each month goes for one pain patch... By the time I buy all the medications, there's hardly anything left. Fortunately, I have 2 great daughters to take care of me.

Please pray I can get it straightened out.

Still waiting on the new dialysis place. I've been approved and they have a time slot, except because I go a long time, they need to figure out how to fit me in.

waa waa waa.... I think I'll go eat a worm!

Have a great week.

Dan

Independendence Day

Good dialysis yesterday.  Other than bleeding all over the place when I got done.

 

Feeling good and looking forward to spending the day with my oldest son and family

 

Pray for our military people.  Thank God for keeping this country safe.

 

Love,  Dan

thanks

for your prayers...

 

another good day at dialysis.

 

Well, I put in to transfer my dialysis place.  It's in Taylor behind the UAW just S. of the catholic church.  Not sure how long it will take.  I'd like to ask prayer that there would be a place for me.  I think it will be a good move.

 

Stacey H. and her husband have been much on my mind and prayers.  Please pray with me about them.

 

Also, I'd like to invite you out to pray with me before church (8:45am to 9:05am).  We meet before church to pray about the services, Pastor, the teachers, and all the other ministries.  We'd love to have you!

 

Dan

Hi Friends and Loved ones..

Feeling good again!

 

I thank all of you for your prayers.  It was good to be at church yesterday even though my body didn't think so.  You know, going to church to worship God and being with His people, and hearing His word... well you couldn't ask for more.

 

I pray this week brings you close to the Lord.  We owe Him everything.  His grace is limitless and His love is timeless.  To me, life would be useless without Him.

 

I pray for you and me that we would be more bold in our witness this week.  I pray the Holy Spirit would open hearts and minds to His word.

 

Have a great week.

 

Pray for Stacey H.

 

Love, Dan

 

ps Two of my grandchildren (Adelina and Spencer) got saved in the last week!  What a blessing!  Bless their little hearts.  It was neat to see the Holy Spririt draw them to Himself.  they couldn't rest until they got saved.  Praise the Lord for His greatness!

finally

After a rough Saturday and Sunday morning I'm starting to feel better. Not sure if it's from the drugs or what. I chalk it up to God's grace on me. I know he's in control and he has me exactly where I need to be.

Saw Ken Sat. He was back from the hospital. I went to talk to him but he was sleeping. Maybe I need to leave him a note. What do you think?

Dan

phewey

somewhat good dialysis today.

 

Not feeling that great.

 

Looking forward to tomorrow

I'm so thankful...

God has given me another great dialysis Tuesday!

Thanks for your prayers.

Please pray for Ken. He's really having some serious physical issues that are life threatening. When he was at dialysis Tues., they had to take him to emergency. He'll probably be in the hospital for a week and friends, he's running out of locations in his body where he can get dialysis. Please pray for his soul. God has kept him alive for a reason, but he's really struggling.

Dan

woohoo

Had another good dialysis Sat.

Good service Sunday.

Please pray for the church members who went up north for camp. Pray they would draw closer to God and to each other.

Dan

Watch out for the apple cart!

Had another good dialysis today. Been feeling good for a week now.

So why upset the apple cart?

When I went through the issue with anxiety last week it convinced me to look for a new doctor that I'd have access to. She practices only about a mile from the house and I liked her. The thing is, if I went to her I could also go to the nephrologist (kidney doctor) in the same system. Right now my doctors aren't all together. The one dialysis doctor sees me once a week for about 30 - 60 seconds and says high and charges me $400+. It's not the money as much as he really doesn't know me (of course the money is an issue. I was just kidding!). I went to this new dialysis clinic today (courtesy of Larry C.) and talked to the people. They have 3.5 to 4 people per tech versus 6-8 people at the place I go to now. That means big time as far as the care you get.

Soooo. I'm praying about it and would appreciate your prayers and feed back. I'm starting to lean on the new place but we'll see.

p.s. Got to talk to Ken today. He was in pretty good spirits and seemed happy to see me. I told him I was glad to see him and that we were still praying for him. He always has a puzzled look on his face, like "why are you praying for me" . He gets real quiet. Please pray for this as it's hard to talk to him as he is just getting plugged in while I'm leaving. But I'm glad to see him and to be able to talk to him. My prayer is to tell him the next time why WE ARE praying for him.

best in 6 months

Felt best in 6 months!

Had a great day Saturday.

Dan

ps great news! Ken from dialysis is alive! Saw him yesterday. He's been gone somewhere for 2 weeks. Either in hospital or nursing home. Because of privacy rules they can't tell us about other patients and because he's been so sick you just never know. So Please keep praying for him.

Feelin Good

Good day today.  The Lord is good and He is good to me.

 

I have a special prayer request.  It's for a friend who is in need of much prayer and I know you pray for me so I'd like to ask you to pray for him.  His name is not important but our prayers for him are.

 

Hey, isn't it wonderful that we have an opportunity to talk to God directly?

 

I was thinking that sometimes we spend too much time trying to change people instead of leaving that to God.  We just need to be encouragers.  I know this because you all have been so much of an encouragement to me.

 

Tomorrow is dialysis and for some reason I'm looking forward to it (must have been something I ate).

 

God bless you all,

 

Dan

Thank You

When I think of what you mean to me and how you watch over me and encourage and support me, what problems could I have? God bless all of you.



Oh, dialysis went well today.



Tomorrow I have an appointment with a new doctor right here in Taylor with affiliation with St. Joseph's Hospital in Ypsi (my home away from home)

My prayers today among others is for all of you "silent sufferers". I never realized until I got sick and you shared your own trials and tribulations to try to help me out. Today because my son and daughter-in-law came up from South Carolina, we celebrated Father's Day. Amongst many great gifts I got some cards from the grand kids and the reason I tell you this is because my one grand daughter made me a book mark that simply quoted from the Bible

"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" and friend that's the truth! We know that God has not started with us to abandon us. How do I know it, because He said it. Phil 1:3-6 .."I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."



Pray for Stacey H. she has suffered so much and pray for her husband too.



Love,



Dan

oh, i forgot...

...to thank all of you for your prayerful advice on my anxiety problem.  maybe I'll post some of the suggestions here later.

 

dan

What anxiousness?

Hi friends and loved ones ( or both )

 

I've told some of you about my anxiousness I've been having.  It's a real killer.  I was looking up anxious yesterday and came across some advice I have been giving through the years.  Don't you just hate it when your advice comes back to you? :)

 

Anyway after reading first Peter 5 (which I have enclosed with editorials) it really helped me a lot and maybe it might help you too.

 

Dialysis went fine today and I'm so thankful for all of you who are diligent to pray for me.  I try to pray for each of you (not enough, I'll admit) but  you are such joy to me and bring me much encouragement.

 

Anyway here's the passage I told you about.

 

Love, Dan

 

This is a passage of Scripture that I've found comforting through times like these:  It's in I Peter Chapter 5
 
Pastor Doran (Inter-City) pointed this out to us at a time when my wife was struggling with cancer.  The doctors told us she didn't have much longer to live and we were struck with emptiness and loss of words.  I have gotten much comfort through it in the past several years, when you get a chance look it over, it may help you.
 
I Peter 5
 6   Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7   casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8    Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9   But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10   After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
11   To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
 
If you don't mind, I'll tell you how I look at it.
 
 6   Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

v. 6-7 tells me to humble myself and give all my anxiousness to God because he truly cares for me.  He has it allunder control and in His timing, even though I certainly don't.  In the NIV version it says, "that he may lift you up in due time" That means at the right time, at His time.
 
8   Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
 
v. 8 tells me to be very careful not to give up or to give in or let go, because the devil is looking for someone to devour.  When we give up it gives him an opportunity to do his dirty work.
 
9   But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
 
v. 9 gives me comfort because God tells you how to resist despair or doubts or depression which leads to being a prime candidate for the devil.  And he even tells you how to resist…. by standing firm in your faith.  Remember what you've been taught.  Remember who it is that is control.  Remember that God is in complete control.  Even though my situation may seem unique, God tells us that there are other brethren in the world who are having the same struggles.
 
10   After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
 
v. 10 puts my situation in perspective when he says "after you have suffered a little while"…. It may not seem "little" right now, but God says it, so it is so.  But what give me more comfort is that God Himself (think of that God Himself!), as a gift to us through Christ made it so that we will spend eternity with Him.  That very God of the universe will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
 
11   To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
 
v. 11  God is in control regardless of the circumstances.  It's not temporary.  He hasn't forgotten you or me.  It will be forever!
 
Through our experience and trials, God gave us tremendous opportunities to witness to our relatives in a way we have never had the opportunities before.  One of my wife's cousins got saved as a result.  I felt it was a priceless lesson she gave to my children, who have experienced what it means to really trust God in times of trial when things seem out of control and hopeless.
 
When life seems out of control, God is always in control and you can depend upon Him to see you through.
 
May God be with you,
 
Dan

Good dialysis

Everything went well today!

Forgive me for being so self-minded about myself and not about you. I'll get back on the track hopefully next blog.

Dan

better

What a difference a Sunday at church will make!

After last week's difficulties it was so good to be in church with God's people. I was so happy to be there, it was all I could do to stop crying the first service, in fact I couldn't. I am so so blessed to live in this free country where I can hear God's word preached freely. Pastor had a great message on Eternal security. He read from John 10 and answered any and every question I've ever heard about God keeping us eternally. As soon as I get the tape I'll post it here. Probably Tues or Wed. I'm not doubting my security but I mention it here for those of you who do.

I love you all,

Dan

I. D. K.

Spent the day at emergency.  After running a myriad of blood tests, x-rays, etc. the doctor came in and said I had I.D.K.

 

What's that?  I Don't Know

 

Back home again.  hooray

I need your continued prayers

rough rough day in dialysis.  lost lot of blood and struggled through the rest of the day.  I know you are praying for me and am very thankful for your faithfulness.

 

love, dan

Happy Memorial Day

Shortly it will be Memorial Day.

We hardly remember it is a day to remember those who have given their lives for your freedoms and to keep us free.

I'm thankful to my dad, my uncle Tom, Uncle Alex, Uncle Walter, Jimmy G., John E., Uncle Eddy, Albert, Dave P., my son Jackie, and a whole list of others. Thank you so much to them and their famllies that follow after them.

This last week was a rough one for me. In the hospital twice. My bad days seem to be coming more frequently. I must be getting closer to the day I'll be with the Lord. It's hard to believe and I never thought it would be like this. Harder and harder to keep positive about things. I thought when these times came, I would just say, "hey, I'm ready", but the will to survive is amazingly strong. I find when I'm losing ground, my desire to live becomes even greater.

Who knows, maybe the Lord will allow me to be here another 20 years. It doesn't seem so, but I'm not in control of things.

When I was younger, I never wanted to do it different "if I had to do it all over again", but now each day I find myself wishing I would have done things different. And although I know it's not true, it seems that most of my life was wasted. I never left another chiropractor to carry on the name, never left the family any wealth or reputation. No great fishing trips, or camp outs to remember. Waa Waa waa. woe is me. On the other hand, God has given me eternal life, and as far as I know to each one of my children and many of their children. That gift greater than any material costs and I wouldn't want to trade the difference.

I know the attitude is totally wrong, but forgive me for being human. If I wake tomorow it will be brighter and I'll look at life different. Rebuking myself for not thanking God for what He's done for me.

I'm not looking for pity, I'm just scared as my days get shorter. I'm thankful for my daughters who have been there at the nights I'm vomiting and are calm and sure and give me my pills and I finally go to sleep.

If I had any advice for whatever it's worth is to serve God with all your might. Spend your days serving Him and don't look back because you're old before you know it. Old age doesn't creep up on you, it attacks you with a vengeance.

Well, enough sob stories. Take advantage of your days.

Love, Dan

A time to reflect

First of all, I'm doing fine. Dialysis Sat. went well



As I left church today my heart was broken. My daughters were having a difficult time because it's Mother's Day and their mom isn't here. She went to be with the Lord 8 years ago. I wish I could wrap my arms around them and comfort them. I wish Dolly were here to see what wonderful daughters they turned out to be. They are caring and selfless and bring joy to many people. Every day it seems they do something to help someone, to bring comfort and smiles to their friends or family.



Their brothers were quiet today too but guys are like that. They usually just keep their hurts to themselves.



If you're reading this and your mother or wife is still alive, take advantage of it. Don't assume they'll be with you always. Every moment with them is precious and don't ever let your "busyness" of life let you forget it. Take time to thank them, to adore them, to love them. God has given you a great gift don't let it slip away.



p.s. thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement



Dan

It's Monday

all is well.

Had a nice weekend. Still recovering from Sat. dialysis. It was real rough.

Tomorrow I'm taking vicadin before dialysis to get through it. I hate that feeling of helplessness.

Note to those of you who deal with people: Please don't become insensitive to the people you work with. If your job is boring get another job.

Dan

You probably thought I forgot you!

But I didn't. Some of you have mentioned that you thought I must not be feeling good because I haven't written in a while. Actually, I have been feeling pretty good the last week. Other than a few glitches in dialysis, I'm doing okay.

Praise the Lord, I've been able to talk to Ken at dialysis. Our schedules are kind of weird, but at least I've had a chance to talk to him. His spirits seem to be a lot better than a few weeks ago when I discovered he was still alive. Please, Please continue to pray for his salvation.

I wanted to tell you a great experience I had when I was in the hospital about a month ago. There I was in the most excrutiating pain I've ever been in (on a pain scale of 1 to 10, my pain level was a 12 ! ). Nothing seemed to help and I literally cried out to God to please take the pain away from me. But I was still in terrible pain with no look for relief. "Lord please take this pain away from me!" I cried and then in the midst of it, I realized that all I was doing was thinking of what I wanted. Lord, if that pain is what you want then that's okay. If I have the pain, would you at least help me endure it?, I asked. It came to me that I was just thinking about myself and not what God wanted.

Once I came to that realization the pain started to subside and within a while the pain subsided to a tolerable level.

What I learned from that, that in all things we always need to be concerned about what the Lord wants in our life and not what we want. Of course, I never want to go through that again, but I am grateful for what the Lord taught me through it.

Please pray for the Sturgills, and for Peggy and Len.

God bless your day!

Dan

mountain top today

Feeling real good today.  Had a good dialysis plus got to talk to Ken.  You remember I asked you to pray for him a while back.  I thought his name was Ed, but anyway, Ken pretty much had given up hope and wanted to die when I met him several months ago.  I used to visit him most days of dialysis and then he was gone.  At first they said he was in the hospital but as weeks turned into months I thought the worse.  Anyway he's back.  Still battling health issues.  But more importantly I'm asking you to pray the Holy Spirit would draw Ken to himself.

 

I'm pretty excited about seeing him so I'll just finish my letter with that.

 

We can talk about my non-essential problems later.

 

Dan

 

p.s.  for those of you who pray for me, and drive me from dialysis, and offer encouragement.   THANKS!

Still here...

at home and I'm thankful for that!

 

had 2 successful dialysis this week.  My ptinr count is down.  It"s supposed to be 2.1 or greater and it is 1.4 so that is not good.  have to have blood drawn every 2 days to monitor how much coumadin I'm supposed to take.

 

I'm so thankful for your prayers.  These have been very difficult days for me.

I'm Out!

After 6 days and 15 pokes, they let me out.

 

What a joy it was to get out and be able to attend a Church service.

 

Lord willing, I'm staying out as long as I can.

 

Thanks soooooo much for your prayers and concerns.  It means so much to me.

 

I'm overwhelmed by your concern for me.

 

Love, your friend Dan

OOPS!!

Saturday, the doctors told me to stop taking Coumadin until Tuesday. Today they realized that i was supposed to take it all along. So, now I had to go back into the hospital and they have to run blood tests for a few days until my Heparin levels are back to normal. Then they will switch back to Coumadin and then they'll discharge me.

 

I knew there was a reason I was starting to like hospital food. :)

 

Love,

 

Dan

---

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

we have no assurance of tomorrow

while I was in the hospital one day a nurse came running into my room.  "are you okay, are you okay" she was yelling.  I was of course, but she said that the monitors by her desk showed my heart had stopped beating for a time so she came in to check me.

 

as easy as that was I could have been gone today.  and this would be the end of my blogs.

 

there is no guarantee that tomorrow may come so we all need to be ready to meet God our maker.  If you don't know Him or don't have a right relationship with Him don't kid yourself.  Like me you could have been gone in a split second with no forewarning about it.

 

Read this information http://www.communitybaptist.to/bridgetract/bridgeh.htm 

 

after you read the information, act upon it and let me know.  If you have questions, I'll try to answer them, or find someone who can.  I'd love to hear that you've gotten right with God.

Wonderful day

Saturday - I'm off of coumadin till Tues. They ran blood tests Sat at dialysis and told me to stop taking them till they check the next blood test. Who knows?

Sunday - Good day. I went to church to worship God and to encourage others, but ended up being blessed and encourage myself.

Went to church today. It was great to be there. I was so happy to sing praises to Him. The message from Pastor Brown about Jesus watching over us was great. I am so privileged to live in these times and in this place.

After church I went to see my younger sister where she treated me to one of the best slices of apple pie I ever had barring my daughters and my wifes'.

And what a wonderful sunshine.

Thank you Lord for your grace

I'm Out!

Got out before 6 pm and boy am I glad! Took a longggggg shower. My hand and arm looks like a pin cushion but doing okay.

If you ever are in trouble health wise, St. Joe's is the place to be. They'll take care of you.

Had a psychiatric exam and guess what, I'm sane! I'll be on coumadin (blood thinner) for 6 to 12 months and then they'll check me again. If I have a reocurrence of clots, then I'll be on them the rest of my life. Phew! Well, no trip to North Carolina for a while. Sorry boys down South. I was so looking forward to seeing my kids, and grand kids.

While in the hospital I was thinking about the preciousness of life and how I missed you all.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Love, Dan

Thursday 3/27/08

I had blood clot in lung. Things seem to be under control at St. Joseph's, they are giving me the VIP treatment.

---

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

I Feel LIke Such a Baby - Friday 3/28/08

I'm on blood thinners. I'm going to have to learn all over again how to walk, crawl, stand & itch.

 

A lot of doctors and nurses coming in and out. I watched a video, had some training.

 

Still having a little bit of trouble breathing.

 

If you have to go to the hospital, this is the place to be. Everything is first class here.

 

Thanks for your prayer and concern.

 

Love, Dan

---

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

Dear Friends,

Thaks for your prayers,

I've had some "issues" these last few weeks and am not quite well yet.

Some time when I'm feelikng better I'll try to explain it to you.

Good dialysis today.

Love, Dan

back on the coaster..

Felt good early am, but bad rest of day. I've learned through all this is that the Lord is trying to teach me to be content in all things. I'm glad the Lord doesn't give up! And don't you give up on praying for one another. We ALL need your prayers and encouragement. I'm going to spend my dialysis time Tuesday praying for one another.

Love, Dan

Good week ahead?

Felt great Sunday morning after good dialysis Saturday.

Sunday evening spent vomiting. Hooray!

Monday morning feel better.

What a privilege to spend Sunday with God's people, hearing God's word.

All's well...

Well, here I am Monday night.. Came through a very tough week.  My pain patches weren't strong enough to kill all the pain but put another patch on and it went away.  I'll need to talk to the doctor and find out what to do about it. 

 

Had a few bad instances at dialysis but Saturday was great and I feel fine today.

 

Not sure why I feel so good on Sunday's but am fortunate for it to be so as that is a day I look forward to.

 

As I sit in church I am reminded how great God is and love hearing Pastor preach on His word.

 

If I have to be sick 6 days of the week and have 1 good day (Sunday) so be it.

 

Please pray for Janet 'W.

 

Love ya all.  Dan

 

 

Energy Machine

Still have a lot of energy.  I'm assuming it's from the procedure done Thursday

 

Thanks for your prayers.

 

ps.  My sister is a grandma!

Now there'll be a little pressure....

I had a stent put in this morning. The blood vessel going to my heart was almost completely blocked. After "just a little pressure" ha ha they almost completely opened the blood vessel.

Now maybe I won't have chipmunk cheeks, and my right arm will be back to normal. (I think my arm is already back to normal!

It took almost 2 hours to complete and according to the doctors it went well.

Amazingly this was done as an out patient!

Thank you Lord

First the health news

I got my blood tests back this week. Everything looks good except my protein is low. Guess I'll have to have a steak or two!

Dialysis went okay except they are having trouble with the heating at the center (or lack of it).

Today at 8am I'm supposed to have a stint put in. Seems that I had so many catheters put into my arteries and veins (15) that the scar tissue is blocking my blood vessels and causing swelling and other various problems. I hope that works. My right arm has been swollen for almost a year now.

You know, the title of my blog comes from Hebrews 10:24 and tells us to encourage one another. I've often mentioned about people that are "silent sufferers" and are not as public about their problems as me. I try to pray and be sensitive to those I know about. If you know of some don't keep it to your self, let others know so we can pray and encourage them.

There is also another class of people out there, "silent encouragers" That is, people that encourage others by their actions, or words. They're not looking for a pat on the back. Just doing what God wants them to do. I had a couple today that encouraged me by their actions and it makes me want to encourage others too. Last night at church Dr. Priest was teaching "Baptist History" and it made me want to thank the Lord for people like that that spend their lives studying these things so we and others can have an accurate history of our heritage.

There are other people that encourage me just by their faithfulness. People are watching you and you never know how far reaching something you may say think or do will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.

I thank God for His goodness andfor His bringing good to the world. He gives me such great joy. It just makes you want to reciprocate and do the same to others.

Pray for Eileen T. and Jim P. this week.

Love, Dan

Alive and well at a Cedar Point Ride

...The roller coaster that is..

Dialysis was good Saturday. Thursday had to leave after 2 hours. There heat wasn't working and I got the chills. The dialysis machine was clotting my blood, so I was thankful to get home.

Saturday came prepared with long johns. Everything went okay.

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Thought I was getting used to the routine but I guess that won't happen. Lost my cool and my attitude at the same time. You guys must think I'm a big complainer. Guess I am. Sorry.

This week I'd like to ask you to pray for Doug Y. He's getting cancer surgery on his kidney. When I think about what he must be going through, I have so little problems.

I've Got a Craving

...to do some wood working.

In my previous years I had a complete woodworking shop. When I got sick, I gave or sold all my tools. Now, as I have a few good days I think I'd like to get back into it.

But, on to other things. I've been tired lately but am feeling better over all.

Dialysis for the most part has went well.

Breakthrough in diet plans

Okay, every time I go into dialysis they weigh me. Then after dialysis they weigh me. After doing this a few times they determine what my "dry weight" is. That is, my weight after the extra fluids are taken off that my kidneys no longer do. They then expect you to gain no more than 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) per day or 5% of body weight between dialysis. Example: I go 2 days between treatments so I should only gain no more than 2 kg (4.4 lbs). That is the fluid my kidneys should be taking off but don't. If you're following me, you're a better person than I am.

So, Tuesday I go in and after the weekend I gain 5.5 kg and after 5 hours they take 7.5 kgs off (16.5 lbs.) So, almost 17 pound loss in 5 hours! Phew! Why they took so much off I'll never know. Basically, I slept pertty much for the last day and a halft.

Feeling back to normal today, waiting for tomorrow!

Please remember to pray for Jim P. and his family

just to clear things up

dialysis went withouth a hitch today. But it suuuuuucked the life out of me.

You know,when I talkin here about my atitude,that really is what I'm concerned about...... that I have an atitude that would be pleasing to the Lord.

On the other hand, I really do have physical problems. I'm on enough pain pills to kill a horse, but it's more important to me that through all this I am pleasing to God in all that I do.

Please continue to pray for Jim P.'s family

Back on top!

Mike G. sent me a link to his blog (http://garnersgazette.blogspot.com/) and had a video of Sandi Patti singing "We Shall Behold Him". Boy! after that I was ready to jump and shout.

I thanked him for putting into practice Hebrews 10:24.

Feeling so much better after the last several days. I thought maybe my sugar was too high since I hadn't checked it in 3 or 4 weeks but it actually was 115 which is what it has stayed for the last several months, which according to the doctors was good for me.


After all was said and done, once again, my biggest problem was my attitude. When things were looking bad and I was feeling horrible, it all boiled down to Baditude --- just my bad attitude --- instead of having a "Baditude" I should have been having Gratitude.

Was saddened much to hear about Jim P.'s dad's passing. Please lift him and his family up in prayer. While you're at it remember Emily's sister.

Well, thanks so much for your prayers this last week. You have blessed me more than words can say!

Believer but not a follower..

Today, I'm a believer but I'm not following Christ's commandments.

Dialysis was rough yesterday and today is a blah day. One of those days I wish would end.

I have so much to be thankful for, but here I am feeling sorry for myself. It's pretty bad. The Lord has done so much for me and as long as things are going good we're optimistic. Boy, it's easy to encourage one another. But when times are hard we forget the good times and focus on the circumstances of life. Boo Hoo. Life is bad, I think I'll go eat a worm.

At my worse times in life, it is the best of times for many people. God has brought me through so many rough times and I owe Him everything.

Thank God for my salvation, for my wonderful family, for my blessed church, for our Pastor who make the Bible come alive to all who hear him, for all my wonderful friends who support me, pray for me and encourage me.

I'm sorry for being so selfish. I need to focus on you and your needs.

Please remember Jim P.'s dad, and Emily's sister in your prayers this week. Please remember Vince M.'s dad in your prayers today.

Okay, now I'm on the right track.... To God be the glory!

I'm still here

Dialysis has been going pretty well.  The doctor reduced my time from 5-1/2 hours to 5 hours!  If that shows from blood tests that I'm getting adequate cleansing he'll keep it at that.  Of course, I'd like to see him reduce it to 4 hours.

 

Haven't seen or heard of Ken, the despondent patient I was talking about.  The last I heard he was in the hospital, but that was several weeks now.  I'd like to think that he's still there, but it is rather unlikely.

 

Each day when I get my dialysis I think things are getting back to normal but then I'm awoken with a yell from one of the nurses, "Help, I need help!" and then then police and ambulance come and they find a patient "unresponsive".  Fortunately this one came around but it just makes it uneasy once again.  This dialysis is serious business and I am asking you to please continue to pray for me and those that come here.

 

Have a great week.  See you in church Sunday!

Another opportunity

Dialysis is going okay.

 

The opportunity you and I have is that we have another year to bring honor and glory to God.  Of course we have no assurance of tomorrow, to today is the day....  take advantage of it.