One year ago this week, we discovered Jon had a benign brain tumor in his right frontal lobe. He was working out at the gym late Tuesday night, July 21, 2009, and the gym owner called to inform me that Jon had experienced a seizure and that paramedics were on their way to take him to the hospital!
I didn't know what to do. The munchkins were sound asleep, since it was close to 11:00 PM, so it's not like I could just leave and head to the hospital. I remember thinking I should pray but had no idea what to pray for or how to pray specifically for Jon.... all I remember doing is walking around in a circle and literally saying the word 'PRAY' over and over and over, as the tears started to flow. I had no idea what had caused the seizure, if he was OK, etc.
Moments later, the paramedics called and told me that my husband was OK. He kept reassuring me that he was OK, probably due to the fact that I was clearly crying and very concerned. Then, he asked for Jon's full name, address, and birthdate. The paramedic said they'd be taking Jon to the ER at the local hospital and for me to meet him there, but to drive slowly.
I got off the phone and wasn't sure who to call, since it was so late. So, instead of calling someone and interrupting their sleep, I logged onto Facebook and saw that our pastor was online, thankfully. Jon had just been to an elder meeting with our pastor earlier in the evening. I informed him over IM that Jon was going to the hospital because he had a seizure, and that I'd like to go, but needed someone to be here with the munchkins. He gladly came over as soon as he could... remember, it is now close to midnight on a Tuesday!
When I met up with Jon at the ER, he seemed a little out of it. He had bitten his tongue, a sure sign of a seizure, and kept saying that his back was sore (probably from the seizure.) The doctors did a CT scan at some point and told us that there was an abnormality on the scan and needed to do further testing to find out exactly what the 'abnormality' was. Once again, the tears started to flow. I thought, 'What exactly does that mean?' Jon was the one to reassure me this time. He said everything is OK and told me not to worry about it because we don't even know what it is! I was the one that was supposed to be there for Jon, yet he was the one comforting me at that point.
Jon spent the night at the hospital and I went back home to sleep at around 2 AM.
The next morning, the other tests that the doctors and nurses did, concluded that the abnormality was indeed a brain tumor and that it needed to be removed. Jon ended up staying at the hospital for the next few days before his surgery that was scheduled for Friday afternoon, July 24, 2009.
The night before Jon's surgery, I think I had an anxiety attack. (He was at the hospital and I was at home 'sleeping.') Around 3 AM, all these thoughts of him not making it through surgery flooded my mind. I thought, 'if this is Jon's last night here, I want to be with him and I want him to know how much I love him!'
I remember calling my friend Lauren, crying, saying, 'I think I need to be with Jon at the hospital.... I don't know what to do!' She said I should go to the hospital and be with him, so I did. He was asleep, of course, but at least I was there with him. Lauren ended up coming to the hospital a few hours later to bring me breakfast and just to sit with me. I was, and still am, so thankful for her and her thoughtfulness.
Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night!
Friday morning, Jon's sister and his mom were able to fly out to be here for his surgery and stayed for about a week. I was so thankful that they were able to be here for him. They were both a huge help to us.
Jon's surgery lasted for about 5 hrs. During Jon's surgery, we had several people from church stop by to sit with us while we waited. Our friend InShil also brought dinner to us at the hospital. We were so well cared for by so many people! God was so good and showed His love for us in very real and practical ways during this entire ordeal. I had such great peace, that can only come from Him, during Jon's surgery. I know several people were praying and fasting for us. I cannot explain how real and present God was during this time.
Our friends from our small group at church were absolutely amazing! They took care of our munchkins the entire time Jon and I were at the hospital and also for several days after he came home to recover. This was a huge blessing to us since both my family and Jon's family are out of state. (I made it a point to meet up with the munchkins each day for at least an hour so I could see them and so that they were, hopefully, reassured that everything was OK.) Our friends in our small group, in so many ways, are like our family. The Pulls, the Holmes, and the Glenns, you are all amazing! Thank you for taking care of our family and meeting our needs in the midst of chaos! We can never repay or fully express how grateful we are for each you! 'Thank you' is just not enough!
Several people from church came to visit us at the hospital, brought meals to us at the hospital and to our home, came over to mow our grass for a few months as Jon recovered, cleaned out our gutters..., the list goes on and on.
God took care of our family physically, emotionally, and spiritually during a time of uncertainty. He showed His amazing love for us through his people at our church and through our families and friends. He met our family's needs, comforted me when I was filled with anxiety and worry, and gave us His peace that surpasses all understanding. He is truly my Rock and Foundation. When our circumstance was uncertain, He remained faithful, good, and in control. He lavished His love on us in very real and practical ways.
I look back on this time with great joy. I was able to see God work, in so many ways, on my behalf. I am humbled and awed that the God of the Universe loves and cares for me so deeply. Truly Amazing love!
Jon with our munchkins after his surgery.
Jon and his Mom
Our munchkins with Aunt Tracey at the hospital.
Our friends, Joe and Trisha, brought us Chipotle at the hospital. Yum!!!
Jon and me with our friend, InShil
Our munchkins watching Daddy get his BP taken.
Here we all are last month.
After two more surgeries, (I'll talk about those in another post) Jon is doing great and feeling well! By God's grace, we have had another year of life together as a family. Thankful does not seem to adequately express how we feel.
