The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...

The extended stay place we're staying has a free shuttle service to and from the medical centers in Houston. It's pretty amazing how many people they shuttle to and from all day long. This morning, Erin and I got on and chatted with some of the people who are also going to hospitals. Most are going to MD Anderson for... yep, cancer treatment. One man with his wife: she's lost her hair, very pale, feeling sick and bouncing down the road on that shuttle for more of the chemo that will make her feel worse. Another young man with his mom... same kind of story. An older gentleman with his wife. They've made this trek often before. A newbie... she's just arrived and will be going through all kinds of tests and paperwork to get her chemo treatment started. All the 'oldies' know the shuttle bus drivers and they are friendly and encouraging to the riders. Erin and I sit there, watching the skyscrapers as we pass, listening to the people share about the weather and what their loved ones are doing at home now that fall has arrived.... Santa Fe, Ohio, Arkansas, Tennesse... They come from all over to the city who promises help and possibly an extension to their physical lives. The chatter made me smile, but knowing the pain they were dealing with made me pray in the Spirit and ask the Lord to help them through this day.
Our stop. Erin and I get off and begin our tour through St. Luke's Espiscopal Hospital, over to the Purple Elevators, up to the 7th floor.... ICU, 7 South 5, bed 11. In to see my love, my dearest Allen. We sing some songs, pray for him, talk to him, love on him. The left side of his head and eye is still very swollen. He can't open it. His right eye opens and sometimes I feel like he is looking at me. Sometimes it's like he's not able to focus on anything. I know his spirit man knows we're there. So I'm still praying and singing and reading the Word over him. Erin and I sit ... on the cold side of the room...brrrr... and work puzzles, read books, talk to nurses, stroke coordinators... other patients...
I met two sisters whose mother was airflighted from McAllen.... Josephina... Lord, touch and heal her, too. She had a similar aneurysnm, but they've been there... waiting, taking turns staying with her for 37 days! Lord... keep giving me courage.
We hadn't made it to the grocery store, so no packed lunches yet... back down to the cafeteria. Meatballs, rice and sweet potatoes, with a cookie. Times 2 is almost 20 bucks.... that can't go on every day. After lunch Erin I take the yellow elevator up to the top... 26th floor... nothing exciting... nuclear medicine. So a sign says the "Terrace" is on the 23rd floor... so down we go... No terrace, just the highbrow part of the hospital and fancier rooms... back to the 7th floor. I miss Allen already. I sign the consent for Allen's traecheostomy. Tomorrow at noon.
We sit and 'visit' with Allen and Erin loves on her Daddy until about 5 when we head back down to wait for the shuttle bus again. People get on to go home, stop at Luby's, go to Target... we come back to our home away from home.
Time for groceries. We spend a couple of long hours at Target's grocery and stock up on a lot of easy to cook foods... chicken tenders, pasta, frozen vegies, lunchmeat, baking mix, milk, eggs, etc... plus some containers, a mixing bowl, toiletries and 3 kinds of card games to make the days pass by. By the time we get back and unload we're too tired to cook anyway... so hot dogs, crackers and a breakfast muffin. Good enough. Tomorrow we'll cook.
Lord, I need to hear Allen's voice. I ache for it. I need to see the clear recognition in his eyes. I want him to be still. I continue to tell him that You're continuing to heal and protect him and that You're providing all we have need of. I actually can't think of much we need but YOU and each other. Yes, when I start thinking about finances, about his inabliity to work, his disability pay that is basically less than minimum wage... I have to choose to let it go, to continue to trust the Lord. We are okay. Bills are getting paid and the Lord has been good to us. He's never forsaken us and I don't imagine it will start now. But... yes, the old devil would like me to focus on those things.
God is building courage into me that I never thought I'd have. But... it's HIS courage. It's something that is supernatural. It's not what's me... It's what is HIM in me.
I ramble... it will probably be this way every day that I blog. It's midnight and time to sleep.