The Minister's Cat: January 2014

Friday, January 24, 2014

A New Year, A Breath of Fresh Air

In my first post of 2014 I wrote of my excitement about the spiritual discovery of the term Immanuel. I truly intend to follow up on that but ... as I embark on this new year I am also facing the prospect of a change in my physical life as well. On Tuesday I met with a surgeon, Dr. Yee, in Vancouver to set the wheels in motion to get a Diaphragmatic pacemaker:

A diaphragmatic pacemaker, in medicine, is a surgically implanted device used to help patients breathe following complications from spinal cord injuries. For a full discussion of what is involved in having a Diaphragmatic pacemaker check out the article in Wikipedia.

Since my accident I cannot breathe without a ventilator. This means that, at my bedside or on the back of my wheelchair I have a machine that breathes for me by forcing air into my lungs. The diaphragmatic pacemaker allows me to breathe more naturally by stimulating my diaphragm. The advantages:

I will not be as susceptible to pneumonia.
My senses of taste and smell will return.
I will not need the ventilator all the time.
My voice will be stronger.

So, am I excited? YES
I am expecting a call for the operation this summer.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

A New Year ... Renewal

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
(Revelation 21:5 KJV)

As I set forth into another year it does my heart good to read that God is in the business of renewal. Each year as we end with the wonderful story of God renewing His relationship with us the sense of a fresh start fills me with new energy. So I have decided to restart The Minister's Cat. In this year my focus will be on one of the names of our Lord:

Often I tend to focus on the name "Jesus" which means "Savior" but this year I am going to focus on what my Savior saved me for. Yes, I mean "for" Stay tuned, more to follow.

The Minister's Cat on YouTube

Over Christmas I amused myself by viewing several versions of Charles Dickens "Christmas Carol on YouTube. (my favorite is still the black and white one with Alistair Sims) However, the 1970 version with Albert Finney has the guests at Scrooge's nephew's party playing the game. It is around the 1hr 11 minute mark. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7cPJmlQmNI The adult version is competitive. When playing as family I suggest cooperation.

Calm in the storm - blessings and praises

1 ATV was on the trail minutes after Johns accident. He was able to get help ASAP while Laverne was able to stay and assist.

2 The cement blocks had been removed from the beginning of the logging road so that the ambulance could back in right away.

3 The nurses at the hospital were the right ones. One worked with John and one graduated with Laverne. They were Connie and Ellen.

4 Good friends Lee & Don, Bob & Pat were at the hospital quickly.

5 Laverne was able to fly with John on the Medivac helicopter as this is unusual.

6 In vancouver Beth Sykes a Cascades church friend was coming on shift on ICU after a week in Mexico.

7 Tom Freeman a friend was in town to Visit John the first day.

8 The many prayers and help. Those who have helped by taking DVBS, feeding cat, gathering belongings, (and bringing them down), and getting the bikes home.

9 Karen from 100 Huntley St called out friend Patricia and said she sensed that a close friend needed prayer.

10 Sister Eleanor was able to get a quick flight and be there before surgery.

11 John was able and ready to get a tracheotomy in good time instead of days or weeks later.