Tuesday, March 15, 2011

My Unexpected Hospital Stay

Last Thursday morning I visited my doctor to go over some strange symptoms I'd been having. After a few questions and an EKG (which was normal) she told me to go immediately to ER~she thought I'd had a mini-stroke! I called Steve at work, who came home and drove me to ER. I've never been to ER before as a patient. Eight hours later, after numerous tests and questions I was admitted to stay overnight. I could feel my anxiety gradually rising thru the whole thing and finally asked Steve for prayer. He was only able to make a couple of phone calls because cell-phone service was so bad in ER, but it was enough to get people praying for me. (Thanks, Courtney! ;-)) It was amazing, because within minutes I felt my anxiety drain away. I turned to Steve and said "I can literally feel people praying for me!!" I began to focus on God and promises I remember from the Bible. My MIL joined us and accompanied us up to my room. Almost immediately I was then taken down to have an MRI taken of my brain. It is a long narrow machine that you're inserted to and cannot move. I'm not claustrophobic, but I have to say I was challenged in there..knowing I was going to be in there for about 45 minutes. Only a few minutes in and I felt fear and anxiety creeping up..stretching up to clasp around my neck in a choke-hold and I began to pray and think of scriptures and songs I sing in church that brought me comfort, and I heard Jesus in my head say "I am here."  The anxiety and fear just whooshed away! And in it's place was indescribable joy!  I began to pray for anyone that popped into my head-- nurses, doctors and staff that were helping me, my family, my friends, even my blog-friends!! Suddenly I was being moved out, and not realizing I'd been in there for 50 minutes said, "Well, that was cool!!" Lloyd, the technician said "I have done countless MRI's and no one has EVER said that before!"
I told him "I was praying in there and the time went by so fast..I even prayed for you, Lloyd!" Lloyd was about 30, African American, with long dread-locks.Big husky guy..coulda been a line-backer. He said "Wow, thank you for praying for me!" That just touched my heart.
I had other tests done, but I won't bore you with the details. The next day, after all the results came, in the doctor said everything was normal~Praise the Lord. We're guessing some medication I'm on is giving me the problems. I have a follow up appt. with my doctor on Monday.
What a lesson for me, though. The importance of focusing on God in the good AND the bad. The importance of asking for prayer..my pride had kept me from asking earlier..I didn't want to "bother" anyone, or cause any worry. I won't do that again! When I feel I need prayer I'll ask for it immediately. And the other lesson..the power of prayer. For anyone who's reading this and feels secluded, or home- bound for whatever reason and feels useless: YOU CAN ALWAYS PRAY!! Pray for others and know that it truly makes a difference. That may be the very thing God has called on you to do. It was only through the prayers of others that got me through a very scary situation. Think of the difference you can make in other's lives by just praying for them!! And you will make a difference!


Ephesians 1:15-20 (New Living Translation)



Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere. I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.


I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

14 comments:

  1. It's always a bit hard to follow such elequant words..but I too have found that the minute I feel anxious or unsure...praying and singing hymns (in my mind ) always, and I do mean ALWAYS helps me to be reassured that our Heavenly Father is indeed watching over me and mine.
    Glad HE made HIS presence known to you in such a powerful way as well.
    VERY happy the tests tuned up nothing to be concerned about at this time.

    Sometimes that is a "warning tremor" for us.

    Rose

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  2. Sonya.... Thank God you are alright. I'm so happy that you are feeling okay.
    Have a wonderful week!
    xoso Sandy O

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  3. Oh Myrna,

    I'm glad everything is okay, and that the power of prayer was able to comfort you. That always works for me too when I get anxious or worried.
    Take care!

    Debbie

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  4. I am glad to hear that everything is okay! Yes, prayer works! I had a brain MRI in December. There was something, but nothing to be worried about for right now. It was actually my third one. They are not too bad.

    ~Linnea

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  5. I hope you find out what is the problem and they can correct it. I always sing hymns during all my scans. It really does having a calming effect. I could have used some of that in fact today. I had a rough doctors visit. Really nothing too serious...but I hate when anything is wrong. Take it easy...get better!!

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  6. Don't you just love the POWER of prayer? So glad you are OK and I hope they get your med right. I went through the same ordeal four years ago and THANK YOU LORD mine was only a mini stroke. Blessings dear friend, Vicky

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  7. First of all, thank goodness everything was fine.

    I've heard those tunnels can be scarey. I'm so glad you felt the power of prayer in there which got you through. Mysterious things can happen when we're most in need and the power of prayer should never be dismissed. xx

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  8. Wow Myrna - I am so glad all is well, and so sorry for your ordeal - but God REALLY does work all things together for good! I know exactly what you mean about being hesitant to ask for prayer...I am humbled by your words and know the Lord has used them to touch me with this sweet reminder to pray...and ask for prayer too. Take care and thank you so much for sharing this...

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Becky

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  9. Wow! Praise God! I've been studying the book of Nehemiah and I have been learning SO much about, going to God...FIRST! And I can't tell you how many times since reading this book in the Old Testament that I have had cause to pray first. And what a difference! Nehemiah is an awesome example of how we should live our lives and go to our Lord in all things. And I am thankful that the Lord answered your prayers too, dear girl! God is such a Great God and we do forget that He can do ANYTHING!
    I've had MRIs' before and it isn't much fun being in that tunnel for all that time! I didn't pray (which I should have)but kept going to sleep! And the technician was getting mad because I kept jerking in my sleep! LOL! Finally, he pulled me out of the tunnel and got right in my face and said what is your problem?! I said sorry I keep going to sleep. He said, Well stop it! I didn't go back to sleep after that. :)
    Blessings,
    Sonya

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  10. So glad you are ok....yikes! Scary post, yet it was a blessing, too. I consider myself to be close to God but oh my.... I think I'd need the whole world to pray for me if I had to have an MRI! I can get claustrophobic just *thinking* about being in a tight place. Gulp. But again, I'm so glad everything is all right and that you felt such peace! Blessings, Debra

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  11. Hi Myrna, I'm so glad your ok, and I'm so sorry that you had to go thru this, and yes there definitely power in prayer!!!
    Hugs~~~ Daphne

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  12. Dear Myrna, so glad you are alright. I'll certainly be praying that they find out exactly how to help you feel better. And thank YOU for blessing us all with this inspiring post about prayer. It does wonders for all of us! May God bless you always, dear friend!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  13. Dear sweet Myrna!!! I'm so sorry for your health scare ~ and I do hope you are on the mend...you are wonderful to remind us all of the power of prayer!!! Sending you hugs and love, Dawn

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  14. Dear Myrna,
    It's wonderful to read how God ministered to you and gave you peace in that situation. I know what you mean about having MRI's.

    I did the same thing recently praying and making up songs to the beats of the hammering in the MRI of songs I grew up hearing in church and worship choruses we sing now.

    This entry was so inspiring and I thank you for sharing it.

    May the Lord continue to bring you healing and peace!
    Hugs,
    LaDonna

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