In Hospital

Written in hospital on Wednesday, July 26 -

I've had my first ambulance ride, at midnight Sunday from our Wolfeboro Hospital to Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

I'd made the trip by air from Minneapolis to Boston after being diagnosed on Sunday at Park Nicollet with pneumonia.  Had begun that next Monday with short, strong antibiotics.  "You should feel better in 48 hours.  If not, come back."  The answer was not quite.  Some frontal pain continued.

Molly wonderfully kept me going.  The flying day went quite well, but some pain continued.

I slept lots and tried to be well.  She and I both did our preaching thing at little Union Chapel in Wonalancet, NH.  We sang Jesus hymns and had high worship with our little company of 15 people.  Molly filled a pew with herself, Kristen, daughter Anna, and dear friend Nathan.  The young gave added vigor to the hymns.

I preached from 1 Corinthians 15: 54-58 on Claiming the Victory.  Now I am trying to practice what I preach, trusting all to Jesus.

It seemed important now to check with our Wolfeboro Hospital, since some pain was persisting.  By very late that night it was clear that inflammation left in the earlier ruptured appendix, had created a possible blockage that would need to be dealt with by antibiotics again, or by drain, or other surgical approach.  The latter being difficult at best and could be a possibly fatal complication.

We sang hymns, prayed, wept, chose a hospital able to make right choices, and were off through the night to my old town of Portsmouth, and a very patient and careful process that has already made progress.

Prayer is crucial to the success of all this - Join in the praying with whatever minutes and energy you may be able to offer.

All these weeks seem strangely a miracle time, bringing us closer in every way, surer than ever of the healing hands of God holding us.

Your partnership in prayer is so welcome right now.  Your caring means so much.

[Note:  Arthur has been released from the hospital since this blog was written and is resting and working at increasing his strength at his summer home in NH]