All the News

I imagine we all go through these periods. You know, the times when our own personal worlds are filled with unpleasant news. For me, the current spell began just after Christmas when a friend was suddenly hospitalized with a new diagnosis of out-of-control diabetes coupled with a too-nasty-to-be-viewed infection in her foot. This was to set the stage for the next couple of weeks: In short order a close friend underwent a knee replacement and another slipped on some shoe polish (don't ask, I didn't), breaking her ankle in a couple of places. A darling young mom from church developed breast cancer and then, suddenly but hardly unexpectedly, a Circle sister was hospitalized with a serious heart problem. I wasn't eager to see what else 2017 was going to bring, but I had been hoping that the worst was going to be over after these first couple of months.

Turns out this was just the warm up.

This week I learned that another "old" friend's son is ill. Seriously ill. This friend is one of longstanding; it's been a bit of a bumpy relationship with some extended period of no contact. We wouldn't call each other "close" friends; rather, we are dear ones. She once told me, "We've got this connection. Whether we like it or not." She's a resilient woman; she's had to be. I won't go into details; suffice it to say that her family has been dealt more than the average amount of Truly Nasty Medical Stuff.

Years ago, someone close to me confided, "I've reached the age where it isn't my parents' friends who are having horrible illnesses; it is my friends." Obviously, I reached that age some time ago, but our friends' children -- that shouldn't even be a category.

I learned of Clay's illness through Facebook, of course. Because someone has set up a Go Fund Me page. Since the news first broke, the diagnosis has escalated from Stage III to Stage IV. He and his family have an arduous road ahead. His chemo begins tomorrow.

It hasn't been revealed as yet what form my support for my friend will take. I'm waiting, and watching. So far I've offered to come give her a big hug and a box of kleenex; in true form, she responded that I should buy stock in Johnson and Johnson -- they'll be using many kleenex.

I'm thankful that my three unidexters are all doing well (in fact, there are plans afoot [see what I did there] to take one of them out to a fabric shop); the young mom from church has finished her chemo, and the Circle sister has moved from intensive care to a regular room. My own mild head cold and lingering strained ankle muscle have taken on perspective. I am thankful for all of that, because this newest news has caught me totally off balance. I wait to see how best I can help my friend.  Meanwhile, if you've a prayer to spare, please remember Clay and his mom and his wife and his three children. I've changed his name for this blog post; that doesn't matter -- God knows who he is.

Comments

Denise in PA said…
Nancy, I'm so sorry for "Clay", your friend and their whole family...I will say a prayers.
AnnieO said…
Bad news seems to clump together, I agree. Here's hoping for better health and healing as Spring is on the horizon. ♥
Karla said…
I too saw the same post on facebook. I am stunned. I can not imagine what your, dear and my friend is going through. My prayers have and will continue to be said for Clay, and his family and his medical team.
Heartfelt hugs Nancy.
Ray said…
Sending prayers for all! Having things put into perspective in this way *sucks!*
Tanya said…
Lord, I'm so glad You haven't put a limit on how many prayers we say. There are so many people whom I want to pray for and You know them all. Please be with this young man whom Nancy so loves, and give him complete healing. Strengthen him as he goes for the hard treatments he is facing. Strengthen his family and give them peace for the situation. Thank you Lord that you have blessed this young man (and others who are under medical care) with doctors and nurses who have an amazing amount of medical knowledge and training. Truly a miracle is waiting behind every hospitalization. All this I pray in Jesus' name. Amen
Quiltdivajulie said…
Hugs, prayers, tissues ... and a heart full of hope for each new day.
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
Your friends and their families are in my prayers for health and healing, for strength and for patience. I will continue to pray for you, my friend, that God will show you exactly what type of support you are to be. He will supply you with all the strength and guidance you need, bless you!
Oh Geez. It's 2017. Enough bad juju to be spread far and wide. We are having our own need for tissues in my family. I'll add Clay to my list of those to include in prayers. So many I can't remember all the names. When I pray, thoughts of those I am remembering scroll through my mind. The Power of Prayer is evident in the happy results of several I am praying for. Hopefully, I'll get a break and as the names fall off, more won't be added. But I know better.
xx, Carol
Lori said…
Don't let it overwhelm you. Radiate your inner love and peace to all those around you, my dear Nancy.
Barbara Anne said…
I so agree with you in that it seems "when it rains, it pours" and I'm not talking about salt!

I've gotten so my prayers have expanded from those I can name plus all who need prayers for illness, injury, sadness, grief, job woes, etc, because as you said, God knows their names, remembers them, and holds each in the hollow of His hand.

A quiltie friend and I made "comfort pillows" for church members and those in the community whose needs became known. Those pillows were beaten up and thrown if that was the need, put under sore legs, were hugged when coughing was painful, were under heads for naps wherever they were, and always carried the colorful message that said "we care". A quilt block + borders to fit a pillow form plus a simple square for the back or another quilt block on the back. It is quicker to make than a whole quilt and yet still serves to fill a need.

These days, we all need such comfort - and tissues with lanolin. Heaven help us all.

Big hugs!
LizA. said…
you're quite right -- it has been a bad year. I'm so sorry for your friend and "Clay". We're busy praying for my FIL with a serious UIT that turned into a blood infection and a dear friend's husband who suddenly developed a very serious blood infection around his pacemaker, which he's had for years. But, will definitely add Clay and family to those prayers.

It has to get better from here....it must be something stirred up from this awful political situation........