Here is an update from my Dad. I am sure there are better places or ways to update everyone but I am too tired to think of it now so for tonight this will suffice.
I am truly a blessed and proud daughter! My Mom is thinking of others even in the midst of her own trauma (although why should I be surprised??) and my Dad is leaning on and trusting in Jesus. This is the hardest thing any of us have ever done but He is holding us on this unexpected journey!
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Friends and family,
First, we feel
overwhelmed with an ocean of grace by the many emails, texts, voice
mails, visits, cards, etc. It is impossible to keep up with the
correspondence but please know that we read every one and each one is a
beautiful means of grace to our fragile souls. I find myself in tears
with almost each one I read. I've never had words touch me quite like
this. Thank you, thank you.
William Cowper wrote the hymn "God Moves in a Mysterious Way". How I love these words:
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
On Monday
morning, Katy and I faced one of the greatest challenges of our life as
she underwent surgery to remove a spiculated nodule from her
left lung. All signs had seemed to indicate cancer so when the doctor
said it was benign, we erupted in praise and sent a letter to all of
you saying that the battle was over and thanks for the prayers. Little
did we know that the battle had only begun!
On Monday afternoon about 4:00,
Katy had a "large stroke". A blood clot lodged in her right brain
leaving her left side paralyzed. Our surgeon said that in all his life
he had never experienced anything like this and is struggling to account
for the clot. Over the next 24 hours a series of CT scans showed that
the brain was swelling. Not good. We noticed that Katy was more and
more non-responsive and by late Tuesday afternoon
a neurosurgeon had been called in. He explained that if he did not do
immediate surgery to relieve the pressure, Katy would probably die.
In
shock, we signed the papers and again (!) watched as Katy was wheeled
away behind closed doors for two hours of more surgery. A craniotomy
was performed, removing bone from the right side of her skull so the
brain could thus expand as it adjusted to the damage caused from the
stroke. Last night (Tuesday) about 8:00, the
neurosurgeon announced that the surgery had gone smoothly and Katy's
vital signs looked good. But he stressed that there would still be
about 48-72 hours of recovery in neuro-ICU which would be critical.
We
are in that period of waiting now. Katy is responsive and her mental
capacities and personality seem to be present. She cannot talk well and
can barely keep her eyes open. This morning she indicated she wanted a
pen and paper and with eyes unable to open, wrote out in perfect script
(!) instructions about who we were to call to inform about her
condition! We laughed as we realized that beneath all the bandages and
tubes and medication and trauma of two surgeries, Katy was still
thinking of others and THEIR well being! As you know, I am married to a
saint.
It is far too early to predict the
future but if recovery over these next few days goes well, I think we
will be looking at a lengthy rehabilitation. The medical staff has been
very helpful and have worked to keep our expectations realistic. Of
course, we are asking God for full recovery but know that it will likely
be a long and challenging journey.
Again, I
cannot begin to say how much the notes and prayers and verses and visits
have meant. We are incredibly blessed by a family of people who have
enriched our lives and blessed us in ways that make us feel like we are
swimming in an ocean of grace. The "frowning providence" is still a
reality and we recognize that this journey may still have difficult
challenges and pain and loss. But today.... I'm thanking God for his
smiling face, that we see so clearly through you! The worlds of FAS,
LCC, PAACS, OMS, WGM, Asbury, and Mt. Zion, continue to buoy us along in
a great current of grace!
A friend from LCC
(thanks M.H.!) gave Katy and me a Bible verse that has helped to hold us
steady during the past few days: "For I, the Lord your God, hold your
right hand (that is Katy's workable hand!); it is I who say to you
'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" (Isa, 41:13).
All
three daughters are with us: Anna from Germany, Sarah and Adam from
Michigan, and Elisabeth and Ben from Chicago. Needless to say, their
presence is better than any pharmaceutical concoction the doctors can
order.
How we love you!
Trusting His face!
Stan Key
