Thumb's Up Again and the Power of Prayer

It's late and I'm tired, but I feel like relishing through the details of the past two weeks.
Two weeks. Those two words have resonated in my mind all day today. I am so happy to say where we are on "this side" of two weeks (as opposed to where we were initially) is much better. There are still a lot of uncertainties. There are still all the unknowns that lie ahead. There is much work to be done. But, in two weeks time, I have watched Frieda Hudson battle for her life. She has made it quite clear she intends to stay around with us. I am glad for that.
We all knew that Frieda is a fighter...but watching this type of fight is a different matter entirely. I have had all kinds of questions. Does she know anyone? Are you sure of what you're seeing? Is that what she really means? Are those just reflexes when she squeezes? I guess those are perfectly legitimate questions...for someone who hasn't had the priviledge of watching Frieda. I have quizzed her on names. Some, her eyes light up, others she frowns and looks puzzled. Tonight she scribbled on the dry erase board. Nothing more, nothing less. Just scribble. The key point to note here is that FRIEDA made it clear that she wanted to do that. She also simply wanted to hold the pen. It didn't "click," and she rolled her eyes. I need to say to you how beautiful that scribble was! Is it fair for me to discuss how thrilling it is to watch Frieda even know what a PEN is? I say yes. I say that EVERY tiny little thing is worth celebrating. I say every frown, eye roll, grin, nod, every everything is worth mentioning if I am going to portray to you things as I see them. Otherwise, making these posts would be useless. I am trying to convey that we are spoiled as humans. We want instant gratification. We have no patience. We want what we want when WE want it and on our terms. Well, these are FRIEDA HUDSON'S terms. She calls these shots. I convey them to you.
I know what is ahead. I am no stranger to catastrophic illness. For example, my mother has Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease also claimed the life of my grandmother. The difference here is that Frieda CAN improve and has no way to go from here but UP. That, sadly was not the case for my grandmother and we're still pushing for research for my mother. I can make a difference in this situation by working WITH Frieda. As I said before, I am so honored to be by her side and I will help her in any way that I can.
As for the thumb's up....it was right there waiting for us today. I was thrilled by it too. And consider this...I told Frieda that folks probably didn't believe she could even MAKE a thumbs up. She did it right away. I said, "Hey...let's pose for a picture of just our hands just to show the world you're really doing this." There she went...THUMBS UP! So, I joined her. The pictures are posted for you to see, enjoy and reflect on.
Yep, this is going to be a long haul. I have nowhere else I would rather be than beside my friend, being a friend and helping my friend. Thank you all for the emails and most of all for the support and prayers. Prayer IS a powerful, power means of sending love, healing energy, support and faith to others. Prayer in itself sends ENERGY to those we are praying for. That is a physiological fact. So, please keep praying.
Prayers are appreciated by many, as I will demonstrate.
Presidential Press Secretary Tony Snow is an incredible man. He battled cancer, went into remission and now the cancer is back. Yet, he continues his job, he continues his positive attitude and he continues his total faith in God and in prayer for his healing. Shortly, I will share with you an excerpt from an email I received from him today. I think you will see that prayer is something we should all use to send energy to ANYONE, ANYWHERE who is in need, having health issues, etc. There is a simple slogan that says, "Prayer works." You'll get no argument here. Prayer does work. I've been witnessing that for a long time, but most recently, during my time spent with my wonderful, dear friend. In the presence of great medical minds, great abilities and great medical care, have you ever heard one person say, "I'm getting such great care here...just save those prayers for someone else." I know I've never heard anything like that. I personally don't know anyone that brave or fearless!
I sat and prayed this evening for a family who had to make a terrible decision to take the father off life support. They were calm, they were at peace. Was the man ill? NO! He had come in for routine tests and he had a reaction the dye used for his medical tests. Their priest was with them and they went as a family for their loved one's last rites. I prayed for them for comfort as they made decisions as to what organs were viable enough to be donated. This family was STILL calm, loving and GIVING, even in an unexpected death. I prayed and thanked God for the wonderful things I have seen, including the incredible strength of the human spirit. I've watched families supporting each other, friends rallying for each other, medical professionals doing the myriad of jobs that they do, including comforting all of us who "wait."
I know that things could have been totally different today, on this 'two week mark,' if any little thing had been different in this story.
(This is NOT political. This is from the heart of a man with a potentially deadly disease. Consider prayer and how he looks at it and ask yourself if you have "helped" anyone today. Everyone thinks they have no time to help anyone...just too busy, too crazy at work...whatever...but truly, are we? Prayer is available at anytime.) Tony wrote:
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate you thinking of me and raising my name in prayer. Prayers have enormous power. They're good medicine - and they certainly have lifted my spirits. I feel as if I have been borne on the shoulders of thousands of friends, all of whom have made the ride easier than I ever could have imagined. We're blessed to live in a land where people just want an excuse to do something good for someone else. Thanks for taking advantage of that opportunity with me. Please encourage others to do it closer to home for other friends in need. Kind words, notes, emails, and small gestures have a way of lightening the load, while making our own lives richer and more rewarding." -Tony Snow emailed 8/10/07
Think about that when you say you just don't have enough time to do the things you'd love to do for others. Pray.
Enjoy the pictures Frieda and I have taken for you. We loved making them and I am so thrilled to share them with you. And Tony, we're still praying for you too, my friend. Hang in there.

|