“Epaphroditus was sick, even nigh unto death but God had mercy on him” Philippians 2:25
The literature on AML highlights the danger of serious infections due to low immunity caused by immature white blood cells that are completely useless in fighting infection. It had been a special 120 days but sadly that was about to come to an end.
Jude had been enjoying some gardening and even while wearing double gloves she had taken a spike in her finger. Some people reading this may be saying it was a mistake to make herself vulnerable. I think it’s a fair question but life is to be lived, and in no way did I want to keep Jude in a box. Anyway, Jude being Jude, she would not have allowed me to!!
By evening the finger had swollen and by late evening it was a call into the hotline for advice. The nurse said to go straight to A&E. It was now about 2am so we jumped in the car and headed down the road. It was fairly busy but The LORD made a way for us and it didn’t seem long before Jude was seen by a doctor. The problem with Leukaemia is you are not supposed to have live vaccines but after a phone call was made to a specialist it was agreed Jude could have a tetanus. I then took her home.
The following evening into the early hours I was awakened by Jude in terrific pain and she was clearly distressed. It was frightening, so I prayed and called the hotline again as I knew the ambulance would take ages. It was the same message, so I managed to get her in the car and rush down to A&E. It was much busier, but again The LORD made a way.
The A&E department was full with people lying all around on stretchers but they took Jude into a quiet room, it was the grace of God. Eventually, the doctor in charge gave Jude some morphine and she settled and fell asleep. By then it was the early hours, the last 24 hours had been exhausting. It wasn’t long until they transferred her over to the City Hospital and then I went home to bed!
Maybe or maybe not that was the result of a live vaccine. but Jude was getting plenty of rest now and she would have a further spell in hospital even after this one, before her last and final stay.
Prayer
Father, sometimes the unpredictability of life and sickness can be disturbing and stressful.
We wonder whether we have the strength to carry on and even cope with the changes when they come.
Just like you intervened with Jude, I pray that those going through similar situations will know your presence in a real & tangible way when the pressure comes.
Your promise is still true today, “You will never leave us or forsake us”
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Jude Gray 