Monday,
February 23, 2004 Here's
a shot of Jim and his wife, Gail, on Valentine's Day at his parish
church, and they both look hale and hearty. You can send them your
own belated Valentine at: JGMcKelvey@earthlink.net
Monday,
December 22, 2003 I
have recovered so well now that I rarely think about the ordeal
I went through. I'm back to eating everything again. I began walking
about mid-November, and then worked into my jogging regimen at the
end of the month. The repair work on our mobile home was "wrapped
up" about 2 weeks ago, and we're very grateful to be functioning
normally again with everything back in its place.
Friday,
November 14, 2003 This
just in... After a touch-and-go post op few days, Jim is now out
of the hospital and recovering nicely at home.
Wednesday,
November 12, 2003 Dear
All,
To the many
dear people who responded to my wife Gail's request for prayer for
my recovery:
Jim writing now! I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of response
from you all. I so wish I could take the time to write to each of
you personally, but I have accumulated 43 responses!
Thank you for your kinds thoughts, encouraging words, Scripture
verses and prayers! I "turned the corner" in my recovery
right after that plea for prayer went out. Many of you not only
said you'd be praying, but that you were sharing the need with your
local church or Bible study or with other family members or colleagues.
Gail wrote you on the morning of the 7th, and then spent most of
the day with me. Well, another crisis came up that very night. Gail
left my hospital room around 8:00 P.M., went home, got ready for
bed, and decided to check e-mail. She never got to it. She found
herself "wading" in water in our office carpet. She was
able to get ahold of my associate pastor, Ramiro, (who is a "handyman"),
and he, providentially had 3 other men from our church with him
(who also are "handymen"). They rushed to Gail's aid.
The source of the problem was a loose hot water line connection
in the water heater compartment which is between our office on the
North side and our laundry room and kitchen on the South side. Most
of the water went to the office. The men repaired the leak, removed
all of our office furniture and spread it out throughout the mobile
home (not long on space even without the additional furniture) vacuumed
up 15 1/2 gallons of water, and did all that could be done that
night.
When she called me around 10:30 P.M. to let me know what happened,
I "came unglued". I had done no crying up until then,
but the thought of Gail having to deal with another crisis while
trying to hold the household together and be at my side many hours
of each day just got to me. I just sobbed and cried out to God to
"turn the tide" because I really felt I couldn't face
another day with the cumulative load I felt was on me. A family
from our church had a son in the hospital 3 rooms away from mine.
I got up to walk and pray, and as I completed the loop by their
room, I went in and told them what Gail was facing and cried on
their shoulders. The oldest daughter immediately drove over to encourage
and help Gail. My own feeling is that the Lord providentially allowed
that crisis for several reasons -- to test our faith, to show the
beauty of the body of Christ responding in a time of need, and that
the "heaving of my bowels" in crying was possibly a factor
in helping the peristalsis get going.
When the doctor checked on my progress Saturday morning he said
all signs indicated that I could begin a liquid diet by mouth that
day. (There had a been an attempt at that on Tues., but my intestine
clamped down and wouldn't let the food pass, so I was bloated and
nauseated from then 'til Sat. morn.) They brought be a late breakfast
at 10:00 A.M. I relished it slowly and carefully. It processed well.
Then came liquid lunch and supper. All went well, and I was feeling
improved hour by hour. After liquid breakfast Sunday morning the
doctor came by aroung 10:40 A.M., checked out all reports and said
I was cleared to go home after a "regular meal" lunch
with Gail, and after my staples and PICC drip line was removed.
I got home at 2:00 P.M. and have been improving tremendously in
strength and stamina. I'm following the doctor's orders carefully
concerning diet and excercise.
The flood services' people have been here every day except Sunday,
keeping tabs on the drying out process. The reconstruction company
representative outlined their plans. (That will take a while because
they're overloaded right now.) And the homeowner's insurance adjuster
(sp?) made his calculations and left us a check. They'll work out
any differences with the repair people later. Sooo, all things are
looking up. We're functioning in tighter spaces but doing well,
and rejoicing in the Lord's goodness and provisions.
Sorry, I've rambled on way too long. Thanks again for your outpouring
of love, concern and prayers.
From
Jim McKelvey