Friday, May 22, 2009

recovering

This week has been no picnic. I have had a constant headache and sore neck and back, as well as the expected tenderness in my abdomen. Who knew how difficult it could be to constantly keep one arm straight for the IV? I appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers. I hope to be a good student of whatever God teaches me through this event. (In this first picture, you see how I need to hold my head on, so that it does not fall off.) Whenever I "get sick," which is rare, the blood vessels around my eyes make like the Fourth of July, and light up my face. I had a reddish band across my eyes and nose for a week or so. They eventually fade like vanishing crimson freckles.

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The procedure was done at Bolingbrook's new hospital. The staff and facilities are top notch. Mrs. Craver and I picked out a card, and we want to go back with some chocolates or something in a few days. I made sure to submit comment cards about the people I appreciated the most.

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(What a miserable portrait, eh?) I won't bore you with all the details, but here are the highlights: My wife is an absolute angel! She stayed with me and spoke soothing words of comfort the whole time. I was visited by my biological and spiritual family. Those visits were fun times for me, and I tried to be a good patient for all of them. They're all a bunch of whacky people, and they are good for bringing a smile to your face.

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Dilaudid. Wow, that stuff is fantastic! "Mr. Craver, we're going to give you something to take the edge off, okay?" Next thing I knew, I was feeling no pain at all. I have never experienced anything as effective.

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As I continue seeking relief from the headaches, neckaches, sore gut, and out-of-control blood pressure, I appreciate the kindness that my friends have shown. Please remember me to the Lord in your prayers, as the healing is ultimately from His hand.

18 comments:

Pastor Dave said...

God is Good!! Relax, take advantage, and enjoy the break(rest)!

Anonymous said...

oh craver! last i was here, i thought you had gas...next thing i know you are minus a gall bladder.

thank God that you got in there and got taken care of and for mrs. craver being there with you.

i will certainly say a prayer for you.

Litl-Luther said...

I hope they pulled out the right organ. There was confusion on our end whether it was your bladder or gallbladder. I trust the doctors did not share in our confusion.

Sleep well my friend!

DeniseinVA said...

I haven't been here for a while and so didn't know you were in hospital. Wishing you the speediest of recoveries. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Every Square Inch said...

Thanks for trusting God in the midst of your trial. May God heal you from your ailments

imac said...

Hi Craver, so pleased you are recovering, slowly does it now and take it easy for a while.
God bless your wife, family and the Hospital.
It was so nice to hear from you at this difficult time, Im sure the headache will vanish in time.
Yhinking of you and prayers sent to God speed your recovery.

Shammickite said...

Good to know you're on the mend, even though you still have headaches and discomfort.... all will pass, just give it some time. And relax, don't worry, stay cool, and count your belssings. It could be a lot worse. Thank heavens for Dilaudid.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Craver,
Continued prayer for you, and hope they've gotten the bp down and under control.

Good to see you blogging again, even if the pics show you're not yourself yet.

Praise God for his healing in your life, and for the good things in the experience you went through- and for a good wife! Yes, that's a blessing.

Ted M. Gossard said...

...of course those pics were when you were in hospital. Hopefully you'll be completely over it soon, but don't rush yourself.

lime said...

oh my goodness! so that one bad night was an omen of things to come. i am so sorry to hear it but very glad you are on the road to recovery. you are indeed in my prayers.

Craver Vii said...

I hear you, Mr. Dave. I do try to be a good at-home patient. It kills me to look at the yard work I want to do, knowing that I don't trust anybody else to do it the way I like it. Mostly, I just sit around, and occasionally I get up and walk for a bit. BORING!!! Honestly, I can't wait to get back to work.

So true, nAncY. My Mrs. has been a gift from heaven! Thanks for praying.

Now that you mention it, Litl-Luther... why did I wake up from gall bladder surgery with bandages around my skull? ;-)

Speedy is my favorite kind of recovery, Denise. May the Lord look with favor upon your requests.

Amen, Every Square Inch. God is completely trustworthy. I hope to be up to the usual activities soon.

Imac, guess what? A friend asked me to take graduation pictures of her son. Isn't that great? If I could do a few such events, maybe I could afford to upgrade from 2.1 megapixels!

Have you ever had Dilaudid, Shammy? That's potent stuff! I'd stay cooler if I was farther North--near you. It's muggy here these days.

No, Ted. The blood pressure is still in the danger zone. I will learn more about it next week. Yes, praise God for a good wife!

I've missed your antics this week, Lime. Keep praying; I could use it!

Martin Stickland said...

Hey Craver my poor old friend, what have you been up to? Sorry I have not been around for a while and thank you SO much for the funny comments along with the other crazy guys! I do hope you get better soon.

I hope it's not catching? is it catching? ........ Gosh, I better be off... You know I only tease you! Not that you are in the mood to be teased.

I hope you are fighting fit again soon!

Kind regards

Martin

Litl-Luther said...

Martin,
Don't you know it's your fault that Craver became ill? He donned a lime jello costume for two weeks for you, so that you could evade capture. He's a good bloke. And while you were teaching Nevada Indians the hokey pokey, Craver was leading the CIA off your trail.

imac said...

Hi Craver, Hope you are still relaxing, bother to the yard, your health is more important so relax friend and try not to worry about such things, or that BP wont go down.

Sounds good to upgrade.

You must have had more pain after that 1st night , so pleased you went to the hospital and not left it.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Craver,
Will continue to pray.

mommanator said...

Since I haven't been online for a couple of days hope this is all past, but I will pray for your continued recovery!

donsands said...

How true that it is God who heals ultimately. The doctors can only do so much, they can't make our bodies get better after cutting on them, though the cutting was necessary.

Sorry that you had to endure all this Craver. Your a good man, and the Lord is with you. And I will pray for a quick recovery. Amen.

Halfmom, AKA, Susan said...

Oh my dear Craver, I fear that I have "mal-limed" you on my blog! I thought you looked a bit green about the gills on Sunday and gave an update and requested prayer. Triston though came right to your defense and reminded me of the lime green jello episode in which you so bravely sacrificed yourself to rescue poor Martin. So please do forgive me for forgetting such a heroic and sacrificial act. From now on I will attend to the red color about your eyes rather than the green tinge of your skin to determine your well being!