So, today we had appointments scheduled with a neurologist (whom we thought was a neurosurgeon) and our general physician. We were expecting just a clean bill of health. That he could be free of the neck brace and possibly be ready to join his volley ball team for the season. The only thing that was concerning me was that his cough started again yesterday and was worse today and his chest hurt again. I was also concerned about him playing volleyball this season. I know he wanted to go back and Tom wanted him back, but me being mom was not sure. It just seemed like the Lord was saying no, not this year. Caleb broke his ankle in July of 09. At first the ER doctors said,"oh it is not a break", but sure enough it came back a break. Then they expected him to heal quickly because of where he broke it and his age. It didn't. It acted like an adult break and not only that he ended up almost needing surgery for a ligament, so it was a 16 week process of healing,well into volleyball practice. Then just as he was getting ready to go back this happened. So, I am thinking ok Lord, let us hear You and get it without needing anything more. Last night at church Pastor Scott was preaching on the book of Jonah and just was talking about how the Lord wanted Jonah's obedience and what that took to get Jonah to obedience and both Caleb and I were thinking about how this was kind of applying to Caleb, not in the sense that Caleb was disobeying a command the Lord was giving him, but in that some of the things the Lord allows to happen in our life to get our attention. So, today in the car, Caleb and I both bring up our thoughts on this sermon and are thinking ok, we need to not push this anymore.
What I skipped over was his office visit with the neurologist. So, she just did not feel she had enough information to make a call on his head injury. She is thinking the doctors had a reason for his neck brace other then his head due to the kind of re check xrays they ordered and Caleb had a little bit of dizziness with the test she performed. He still has some neck pain and low back pain and headaches, but we do not fore see problems per say. She also said that in 2 weeks, after we saw the neurosurgeon and if he let Caleb take the brace off she will then order an MRI to check all the ligaments just in case. Thank you Lord, Tom and I wondered if that would be done and are thankful. This is why we were sent to see her as well! God is so good!
Lastly we asked her about volleyball season and she said "No, I am sorry, but you have a brain injury and this takes time to heal." Thank you Lord for our clear, direct answer. She just felt that hitting the ball or perhaps even getting hit in the head with the ball could cause memory damage and other problems. Caleb was quiet and disappointed but more contemplative. he just responded so rightly. He is so going to have a great testimony by his response to God's direction in his life! So, that is appointment one.
Back to his cough. At 4 we went to our general physician for a recheck on his pneumonia. All we had to say was that Caleb had one good day and now his cough was getting wet again and Dr. Yi said, "Ok, we are going to do the super antibiotic and nip this in the bud." Then he also questioned Caleb having some allergy issues because Caleb has had this cough for about 6 months so we are going to try some allergy medicine and nose spray and see if this helps. This appointment was good in that he does not feel a need to see us again unless Caleb does not get better.So, Caleb and I are in the car and just talking about all the Lord is doing and what plans lay ahead for him and just knowing there is more we do not see and a purpose for all this and Caleb is expressing how he would not have changed this and the glory God receives and how it is drawing him more to the Lord. Just as a side note, Caleb has not been feeling well now for a good 7 months. There have been many days he is just so tired and just felt like yuck. We know the doctors ran blood tests in the hospital so I feel something more would have been caught with those tests and it very well could have been this flu just laying dormant in him, I don't know and Caleb has told me often that he feels like something more is going on and it has crossed my mind as well. That's one reason I am thankful for the MRI as the final test. So, we will see what the Lord has ahead for him.
So, this is our current update and the full story of all that has happened this last month with both our boys. When we were in the hospital we read a lot of the Psalms and Caleb would just request us to read just the right ones that he was leaning on. My favorite, Psalms 34 says,
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those whoseek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Jeremiah 29:11 says,
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
The Lord doesn't promise health in this verse but even in sickness and through sickness promises us a future and a hope in Him and that is what we cling to.
