One of the many “God-things” that occurred after our move to New Brunswick was the diagnosis and treatment of Steve’s declining health issues. He was so ill for the first few months of Bible school that he lost his first semester and had to restart in January 2007. We could have looked at this as a negative, but when we saw how the pieces all fit together we knew it could have only been orchestrated by the One who knew it all from the beginning. In October of 2006, Steve “moved into” the Stan Cassidy Rehabilitation Center in Fredericton for some tests to figure out what was going on with his body. It was discovered that the results of a test done in Ontario were not treated with care or urgency and therefore led to a much more serious matter. Steve’s colon had decided to stop working properly. We were introduced to a wonderful surgeon who took Steve’s case to some colleagues and after careful planning he was on the operating table. When surgery was over, Steve’s colon had been disconnected and an ileostomy was in place. It all happened so quickly and the results were amazing. My husband, who had dropped down to 128lbs, was able to eat again and it didn’t take long before he felt like a new man. Now, because of the SCI, extra measures were taken during the surgery. On top of this the surgeon did not want to overwhelm Steve’s body with too much at once. This being said, they left his colon where it was with the realization that one day down the road it would probably need to come out – sometimes they can be a problem and sometimes they are fine to leave.
Let’s fast forward to October 2012. After dealing with discomfort for several months, it was decided that the colon was no longer welcome. Surgery was set for December 4th. Of course there were nerves, there always is when surgery is required. But we left it all in the Lord’s hands knowing how He worked things in the past and His workings were very evident in this situation. Steve memorized scripture to recite while the meds were kicking in – he knew this would help keep himself calm. The verses he chose this time were Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” We didn’t know it at the time, but this verse would become a “landmark” for us. Like the rainbow God gave Noah, and like the pile of stones the Israelites made on the other side of the Jordan – a reminder of God’s grace, goodness and peace. After what seemed like forever, the surgery was over and Steve was taken up to a room on the floor for recovery. Everything went well and the surgeon was pleased. When I left that night he was resting comfortably with the ever present pain medications. Due to appointments I was not able to visit with him the following day. Just after supper on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, I received a phone call from a nurse at the Fredericton hospital, “Please come. Your husband has a pulse right now, but he is not doing well.” What? He was fine when I left him the night before. There were so many emotions. Pray! That is all I could think to do. A dear friend drove me to the hospital not knowing what awaited us there. One hour and fifteen minutes is a long time to think and wonder, but I was okay. There was a strange feeling of peace during the ride down. Yes, there was the unknown, the worse outcome, but it was as if God was saying, “I saw this long before you did. You can’t change it. Trust Me. I am here and will be with you each step of the way.” I came to realize, not long after, that at that time there was a mega prayer meeting going on in North America – just for us. Upon arriving at the hospital I was greeted by a dear couple who said, “He’s okay! He’s in ICU, but he’s okay!” What a sigh of relief and a whisper of, “Thanks.” We found out because of the lack of care on the floor, Steve was basically over-drugged with Dilaudid (a drug that leads to respiratory and circulatory depression when given in high doses). A nurse just “happened” to walk into his room to collect his dinner tray and found him blue. All Steve can remember is briefly seeing someone’s face and hearing, “Stay with me!” I am so very glad he listened. God was with us during this time like I’ve never experienced before. I mentioned the verse above because when I was with him in ICU that night he could not remember much, he didn’t even realize his surgery was over. He wasn’t able to talk much either, however, when one of the teachers from NBBI quoted a verse to him, Steve, without a hitch, recalled to mind and recited Psalm 46:1-3. Tears of joy and awe filled my eyes. This truly was a “God-thing!”
Stephen has recovered well and is enjoying life back at work. We have definitely grown closer through this (sometimes I find myself being a little overprotective). This whole experience has left us trying to make every moment count, not for man, but for God, and realizing we can trust Him. Class is never out as a Christ-follower. There are always lessons to learn and faith to put into practice. We do know if God brings us to it, He will see us through it.
