The Life is in the Blood: Consultants
Drawing battle lines and building encouragement with Dr J, Dr M, Dr C.
Dr J
My first face to face encounter with a consultant during Alan’s hospitalisation was with youngish doctor who professed to be “in charge” in a manner I found full of self-consciousness, so I didn’t believe him.
At that point I was battling feelings of stress and despair, without giving in to either. I feel for that doctor, as I look back, because I was intent on blocking any words of defeat, any proclamations of the possibility of Alan not surviving. I was not rude, but I was tough, and that — I expect — is not what he expected.
Consultants
I had many telephone conversations with doctors over the 10 weeks of Alan’s hospitalisation. Doctors would ring to give updates. Whenever I had a call from a junior doctor I knew all was well. To me, it meant the hospital staff were confident regarding Alan’s condition. Sometimes I rang to speak to a nurse and a consultant answered. Each was always willing to discuss Alan’s case with me. At no time did I ever feel rushed.
I had two particular face-to-face encounters with consultants which were particularly noteworthy, for those of you reading who are tracking my level of confidence in Alan’s healing.
Dr M
My first visit to ICU after Alan was put on a ventilator followed a rather testy time with the youngish doctor whom I will call Dr J. I had been invited to visit and expected to see Alan. There was a delay, followed by a doctor introducing himself as Dr J. That conversation, in fact that entire day is best kept vague, as I was in a haze.
A week later, I went to the hospital again, this time straight in without meeting with anyone. Alan was of course still unconscious. I stood by him, whispered to him, prayed for him, had snuck in anointing oil which I delicately and sparsely put upon him in no places of vulnerability. I even sang (very softly) to him one of his favourite songs, “Indian Love Call” by Slim Whitman. I was with him for 30 – 45 minutes before a friendly doctor I’d spoken to on the phone came along and said the consultant would like to sit with me. We were next to Alan’s bed.
The doctor had passed on my request that Alan have his vitamin D boosted.
The consultant Dr M and I had a lengthy conversation throughout which I was standing on God’s word to me that Alan would recover. Dr M did his best to answer various questions, confirmed that Alan could have his vitamin D boosted as it would do no harm, but attempted to persuade me that we really didn’t know if Alan would survive. I began, “If…” Then quickly interrupted myself with, “When… Alan is revived will he remain in ICU until he leaves hospital?”
He had nearly brought me to a point of weakness or confusion, but he hadn’t quite managed it.
These consultants want to do their due diligence, their duty of care, both to patient and family. Most won’t understand faith at all. But for me, to stand on the truth of GOD was most important, for Alan’s sake, and I suppose for my own mental and spiritual health as well.
Dr C
The next week, after a phone conversation or two with Dr C I was invited to visit the hospital again. This time I actually met Dr C who said it was special to meet a family member in person because with Covid, it was rare, just as visits themselves were rare.
I was guided into a pleasant private waiting room. This hadn’t happened before so I asked if there was a particular reason I was drawn into a room with Dr C, as well as with another woman who did not give her name nor her role. Both assured me Alan’s condition was stable and to discuss anything in a private room was for my comfort and no other reason.
Dr C was warm and pleasant, as was the woman with him. We spoke for 15 – 20 minutes before I would see Alan. Dr C wanted me to know Alan’s condition was “on a knife edge”. I said with absolute confidence, “Alan will recover” and intimated I was saying that for his benefit, to encourage him. It was not for my benefit.
This doctor encouraged faith and ventured to say “hope is a good thing”. That’s as far as he could go.
Doctors’ views versus my own
I think the longer Alan was in ICU in a horrible medical state, whilst I was praying at home with all vigour and a network of believers, the more confident I became that all would be well. And so I had the capacity in that meeting to have compassion on this doctor who was doing his best for the patient and also for the family member sitting in front of him.
I did not doubt.
And when Alan came to consciousness some days later, I so would have enjoyed meeting this doctor again. I never did. But I do pray that he somehow recognises that Faith is real and powerful and worth living out through Jesus.
Although Alan did not survive, he did revive. I am not playing with the LORD’s word to me. He did say, “Alan will recover” and Alan died. I don’t know what happened in between that led to Alan’s death, but I do know it was not for lack of faith of thousands who stood in the gap for us both.
Request
As time passes, I want to be sure I am composing and posting this general journey of Alan’s hospitalisation to those who are interested. I’d so value a comment or email which gives an indication. If no one is reading, that’s absolutely fine. But if there are those reading, I want to continue the story.
Every blessing.
16 replies on “The Life is in the Blood: ICU Second Phase of Covid p3 Consultants”
Definitely reading and really grateful for your beautiful words <3
Bless you, sweet sweet sister! I seek to encourage others in their walk. You have encouraged me in mine.
Shalom and GOD BLESS.
Thank you Sarah! Reading your account today this makes me even more careful to hopefully not get Covid. It’s awful and must have been such a stressful time for both you and Alan.
Proverbs 3:5-6: May the LORD steer you from Covid as He directs your path. Bless you.
Amen. May we all grow more aware and more alert to whatever comes, so that we continue to be the light shining in the darkness. Bless you, Janet.
Hi Sarah, please do continue your blog and the story of Alan’s hospitalisation your faith journey through all of this is an inspiration and a education to myself and I am sure many others.
God bless you & keep you.
Bless you, Brother. That’s been my aim, but as time passes, one likes to be certain the effort is still on track. Thank you!
Sarah reading your experience is a special lesson on keeping on being bold strong and courageous. Especially when expressing your beliefs to educated non believers.I am very grateful for all you have the courage to share.😍
Bless you Sarah. We prayed for Alan and your wee family during his illness. We were so blessed over many years through his insightful bible studies via Rev TV. Recently we have been watching the study on Second Peter with tears in our eyes. Alan is with His Saviour and what blessed fellowship he will be enjoying – all those questions answered. It is just hard for you and your family who must miss him daily. God bless you all.
Thank you for your wonderful prayers. They have been very powerful indeed, and the LORD has given us abundant strength. Over the summer my son and I plan to have some good studies, listening to Alan over Bible Study and Three Mile Cross (https://tmc-church.org.uk/sermons/#preachers) recordings of Alan’s. Yes, the LORD has given us great strength. But we miss him so much. In His love and care, thank you, Sarah
Dear Sarah my original message was lost. Your testimony is powerful and encouraging all, who are going through challenging times. Stay blessed dear sister in Christ. Sheila
Bless you and for taking the time to reinsert your comment. I know all of us seek to be a blessing to others as we go through these challenging times. In His love, Sarah
Thank you Sarah…for your amazing and poignant blog….I was praying for Alan and yourself before I read that Alan had not survived..It has been such an encouragement and wonderful testimony of your faith in the Lord..and a very courageous and thoughtful thing to do..
I pray you will be lifted up and strengthened by the Lord ..may He bless you and keep you and your family in His loving embrace
You, Margaret are such an encouragement to me. Thank you. GOD is supernaturally protecting us from despair. We are well in our family, thanks to the LORD and the praying family of saints in Jesus.
Thank you Sarah for sharing so openly and courageously about your difficult journey during the time when Alan was so ill and in hospital. It is not just ineteresting reading , but also, something we can learn from your experiences in the face of critical/ terminal illness, suffering, and eventually, the loss of a loved one. Our faith in God is certainly tested and challenged in these times. We may not know why our prayers are not anwered, but we must still continue to trust that our God is Sovereign, and He still has a purpose and good plans for us
Alan is in a better place now and you will see him again
I was enormously blessed by his contribution in the Revelation TV weekly bible study.
Do continue to share your blog as it encourages me .
Blessings to you and your family , and may you continue to know His strength, comfort, peace, and care for you and your family
It is my aim to have this experience serve others in their walk with the LORD, something I’m sure Alan would agree with as well. That you have confirmed it is so heartwarming. Thank you!