hangin' in there

This leaf is not a quitter! All the other leaves out front are long gone, but this one remains. Day after day, I'm impressed at its tenacity. I wasn't sure if it would make a good photo subject, but the coloring from an evening's sunlight adds a hint of drama.

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I have remained, as well, but I had to use a whole week's worth of sick pay. I hate being sick. I don't like leaving my coworkers with my burden (but a part of me also hopes that they can't get along without me). My original thought for today's post was to chronicle the events with paragraph headings like, "Monday..., Tuesday..., etc." That would have been tedious and boring. Long story short, my blood pressure was in a scary place, and I had a host of complications. I'm better now.

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The meds leave me drained before the day even starts and I stay tired until bed time, but that's better than the tension headaches, nervous jitters, and sleepless nights that I had to endure a few days ago.

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I owe a debt of gratitude to Mrs. Craver, who did a tremendous job of taking care of me morning, noon and night. Thanks be to God that we are using health insurance and not life insurance! I appreciate the prayers of my friends, and every word of encouragement along the way.

ask alice

(groggily) I took a sleep test Friday night. The doctor prescribed it because I have high blood pressure and I snore.

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First, they hook you up to some 26 electrodes and a few microphones. All kinds of information goes into a computer called "Alice® 5."

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Then they observe you from the next room by video camera. Right... that's hardly creepy at all.

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And somehow, I'm supposed to sleep through this?? Technically, I slept (if only for a moment), but I definitely did not wake up feeling refreshed. We will learn the results of the study in a few days.

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Hmmm... "sleep test." I hope I pass.

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.