E.R. Visits & Companions for Life
Last Tuesday started off like most Tuesdays do. Michael slept in after his late night drive back from Atlanta; I worked out in the morning and headed off to work around 7:45. The weather was beautiful and sunshine filled my heart.
But at 2:00, Michael called and said he was headed to the ER. He was experiencing double vision to the left and numbness on the left side of his stomach and back. His vision had grown worse since Saturday (after our 8 mile run). He complained about his vision after the run, but I assured him he was just dehydrated {I blame most complaints on dehydration:}. He talked with several doctors, and they all agreed: go to the ER to make sure it’s not a tumor (what?!) or anything neurological. I left work around 4:15 and finally was able to hug Michael and assure him everything would be ok.
If you’ve ever been to the ER, you probably can agree that there can’t be a worse place to sit and wait. For my international readers, America requires emergency rooms to see all patients-whether or not they have insurance-which is a huge blessing, but also leads to some interesting characters. I.E., I was the only woman who did not have a cell-phone hanging out of my bra. I digress…
Michael had a CT scan & several other tests run. The CT came back clear (no tumors) and we felt extraordinarily relieved. But then the neurologists started visiting. Two mentioned he might have MS (multiple-schlerosis). Others, didn’t venture a guess as to what was happening. I cannot tell you how emotional we both felt. MS felt like a death sentence. Michael held it together really well, and I tried to find ways to distract him from imagining the worst. After 10 hours, the MS possibility still loomed and they sent us home to come back the next day for a brain and spine MRI.
On Tuesday morning, I started a blog post about “waiting on God” and wracked my brain for a new story to share. I still haven’t written the post because we’ve spent many hours in an actual waiting room. In my life, God has used periods of waiting to teach me to draw closer to Him. Waiting on God is designed to be refining-but it’s up to us whether or not we surrender to His will or keep demanding He take us out of waiting or make our lives easier.
Last night, Michael finally was able to get his promised MRI. We were back at Vanderbilt for over 5 hours. We played rock-paper-scissors {I won} & other mindless games the waiting room-because we were in desperate need of distraction. You know you’ve had a crazy week when the officer posted up at the door of the hospital says, “Are you still here? I thought you were here last week?” What else could I do but laugh.
When we finally came home last night, Michael looked at me and said, “You are the best companion”. I smiled and hugged him and said, ” this is the best part of marriage, isn’t it?” At 10:45, we ate hamburgers and french fries and sat on our couch and laughed. The best part of marriage is truly our friendship. Whatever hardships we face-we face together.
Please pray for wise doctors and positive results from the MRI. {Michael has exhibited amazing courage and strength this week & I’m proud to be his wife.}
Have you ever been through a medical scare before? What kind of emotions did you experience?
If you liked this post, you may also like:
- a belated mercy
- Weary Vessels
- Singleness, Settling, and Waiting for “The One”
- Life as a MRS: Fire Alarms, Fans, and Why I Need a Toaster
Ruthie you and Michael are in my prayers.
Thank you!
I hope Michael will be okay .i shall pray for him .it reminded me of my headache .i was so adraid when i went to have a CTtest .i thought i had tumor in my head .but just my illusion …i like you said “Whatever hardships we face–we face together.
“this what marriage is …i am proud of you too .Love
Doris
I know! I remember how scared you were! Remember, I took you to the hospital? So terrible. PRAISE GOD you aren’t experiencing headaches anymore!! He is a good Dad.
I almost cried reading your blog and all the responses, dear, I love your attitude facing the difficulties in life, so encouraged to see you and Michael be good companies of each other, I miss you a lot, and have been praying for Michael to recover as soon as possible, also for your heart to be comforted! Love you. I’m also inspired on my work, a great reminder to me on why I do what I do.
Yes! I am so thankful for smart people like you who study for countless years to improve our MRI machines, doctor’s visits, etc. Your work is invaluable-and God has given you an incredible mind to do what most people can’t do. (I’d say less than .000001%)
Thanks for your prayers! Love you! Why aren’t you at Vanderbilt anymore?
Y’all gonna be fine. Praying for you!
Thanks, Tatuu!
I had so many emotions reading this. I almost cried{out of worry for Michael}, then I almost cried {out of relatedness in marriage}. D.R. & I spent 3 hrs at Baptist’s ER in Nashville before Christmas. It was a similar experience.Waiting… {everything is fine} Afterwards we sat in Jason’s deli and just kept starring at e/o with thankfulness. Marriage truly is the sweetest when you are called to walk through tough things & choose to have a Biblical mindset. Praying for you guys.
Thanks Danelle! I remember reading part of the story on your blog. Wow. It is very emotional to go through this-but so good God has given us men to be with us no matter what. I’m so glad you are ok, and I’m confident Michael will be too.
You and Michael will be in my prayers, Ruthie!
Due to our son’s chronic illness, we lived in and out of hospitals for years. Two passages of scripture that gave me comfort (there are so many!) were James 5:13-15 & Psalm 121.
Praying that our Great Physician touch you both in a mighty way!
Thanks, Cynthia! Chronic illness-I can’t imagine. LOVE Psalm 121. Thanks for sharing and praying. We believe the Great Physician will heal!
So sorry to hear the news of Michael….hope he will be ok…will keep him in my prayers…..I know you guys must be scared…..take care and keep us posted…..
Thanks! We will. Appreciate your prayers more than you know.
Ruthie!
Read your blogs really comforts me! this morning I received a not very good news, and then had a mishap in the office thought “this will be a bad day” and I said to myself, “maybe Ruthie has written something that can help me now” really so it was. God is in control in every situation, not to forget us. declare healing and miracle in the life of your husband, that God will show his glory through his life.
a big hug, from Monterrey, Mexico.
Ruthie!
Read your blogs really comforts me! this morning I received a not very good news, and then had a mishap in the office thought “this will be a bad day” and I said to myself, “maybe Ruthie has written something that can help me now” really so it was. God is in control in every situation, not to forget us. declare healing and miracle in the life of your husband, that God will show his glory through his life.
a big hug, from Monterrey, Mexico
Mayra! I am so thankful for you and your words. Glad to connect with a sister in Mexico (I’ve never been, but always wanted to go). God never forgets us-you are right. Sorry about whatever you are going through, but know you are not alone! Please email me anytime. Thanks for reading my blog.
Prayed and praying. Courage.
Ruthie, you and Michael are in my prayers. Surprisingly, this was a very uplifting post. It is wonderful to hear about happy relationships! I will be thinking about you guys and please keep us posted.
Thank you! Really appreciate your prayers.
Definetely praying for you both. My little brother fought agressive and rare cancer for 3 years, it was hard to watch. Theres a lot of doubt and fear that can get mixed into everything, but keep your eyes on Him and ask others to pray for the things you can’t. You’re doing the best thing by sharing love. Its all that matters anyway. Blessings.
Having gone through the waiting game to find out if I had MS – I did – I understand your anxiety and stress all to well. It took me a long time and alot of crying out to God to find a new way to live my life. Then just when I was feeling ok about life, I had another relapse and now am going for tests to see what is wrong with my back. Hopefully not MS. The most important thing about telling you this is that as I look back over the last 5 years, I can see how God has never left me alone. I’m unmarried with no family near by, so I really depended on God. With Him, even MS, as scary as it may seem, is doable. Hope you get an answer soon and it’s not a chronic illness.
Praying for strength, peace, and comfort. That the God of hope would fill you with all joy and peace in believing!
My dad has MS and it’s not a fun road to travel, but we do have a God bigger than that! Praying for the two of you!