It's 10:40 PM and Jenny and I are just getting back to the hotel. This has been a long, hard day.
This morning I went to the hospital while Dad and Jenny went to the Union Church of Istanbul. They had a wonderful time being encouraged spiritually. The pastor spoke on the Rich, Young, Ruler. (Mark 10:17-31) While they were there, I went to the hospital to see mom. I had some good conversations with her, but her mind is just playing such tricks on her. She is convinced that her doctors and nurses are trying to kill her. These paranoid thoughts both cripple her and make her defiant. She refuses to take her medicine. She refuses to trust people. It is soooooo hard. She also refuses to eat solid food. The doctors have told her that if she would just eat her food, take her medicine and cooperate that she could be released to a private room. With her mind as confused as it is, she just can't cooperate. Please keep praying. This is a scary thing to watch, and it causes such pain.
Dad and Jenny came by after church and took turns spending time with mom. She was just as defiant with them as she was with everyone else. Although, she did let Dad try to feed her some dinner. And, she agreed to take her medicine when I gave it to her. But, these are just momentary victories. She'll eat a couple bites one meal and then skip the next. She'll take her medicine one time and then skip the next dose.
Now, Mom is wanting to pull out her final tubes. If she does, she will hurt herself. In her agitated state, the doctors felt it best to sedate her. Dad just couldn't bear to leave mom another night, so he talked the ICU staff into letting him stay. He'll have to sit up in a chair the entire night with her. He insisted on doing this. Jen and I will leave for the hospital early tomorrow morning. We'll catch the metro and go relieve Dad. We've become quite the experts on the Istanbul Metro System. If you ever visit the city, we'd be happy to be your tour guides.
Dad has decided that he wants to do whatever it takes to get mom home as soon as possible. He's been in contact with the doctors from International SOS. The SOS doctors will contact us sometime tomorrow or Tuesday with an evacuation plan. Please pray that if it is in Mom's best interest that God will open the door for this to happen very soon.
Mom has really enjoyed hearing about the people who leave comments on the blog. I'm going to print up all of your comments tomorrow and read them to mom in hopes that it will help her snap back into reality. (Randy and Lori, she's looking forward to those Michigan Blueberries!) Thanks for your love and concern!
Tired, but still trusting...
Jenny and Brian
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19 comments:
Bea & Gordon; Our hearts just ache for all of you in this tough situation. Evacuation plans sound good if Bea is capable for such a trip. It would be very comforting for Bea to be in a hospital here in the Chicago area. I will be praying along with you that this can be worked out soon.
I just got a call from Rusty's mom, Mrs Ingraham that Rusty had a good visit with all of you today.She said Rusty was very optimistic about the progress for you all. Gordon I really can feel for you in loosing you computer usage. What a bummer.
Bea we already had some blueberries last nite at Warren's house.
A good verse from Philippians 4; Don't fret or worry. Instead of worring pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. The Message.
With our love and prayers,
Way and Barb
Bea, Please know that so many from FBCG or praying for you to be well to fly home.
Brian, have you all annointed her hospital room? Ex. 40:9 "You shall take the annointing oil, and annoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils,and it shall be holy." Ish.10:27 " the yoke will be destroyed because of the annointing oil".
Annoint the doorpost & pray over her room inviting the HS to dwell there and crowd out anything that is not of God. Praying this for you. -sister in Christ
Hello Bea and family--We are praying for you nonstop as you muddle through this unexpected "adventure" together. We are specifically praying for uncommon strength and for that peace that passes all understanding! We look forward to seeing you all when you get home safe and sound.
Love,
Karna, Russ and girls
Gordon, Jenni, Brian, and Bea:
My prayers are offered numerous times a day on your behalf. It was so hard for me to leave you all in Istanbul, but I know God is there with you. I'll be so happy when I hear Bea is stable enough to travel. We'll have a lot of catching up and sharing to do. I enjoy looking at my pictures and remembering our time together.
My trip home went well. I really appreciated the direct flight. My back/leg is slowly improving. I see an orthopedic tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'm appreciating stronger pain meds; but when I wake up in the night, I know it's because you need prayer. My affliction has been a blessing in this.
Thanks for the daily news. I check the blog several times a day.
Becky
Bea,
Remember the few times a year that my family and I would come up for dinner with the family? Those were exciting times for me because not only was the food the best ever, but I enjoyed the encouragement from just being around you. The unbending faith you always had in God was an encouragement to the typical confused adolescent teenager. Being older and a little more wise now, I see how much love and faith you had in God and how you showed that in everything you and Gordon have done for our family. The time spent with your family was the happiest of the year and I still hope that when this is all over, we can somehow get together again so you can see my son, David as you saw me when I came home with my parents for the first time. So get well soon as you will be in our prayers and those of our families with hopes to see you soon.
Jonathan & Lisa & David (by proxy) :-)
All,
Have composed a letter of encouragement much too long to post. Is there an email that I could send it to? Have been waging war alongside you in prayer, and look forward to sharing. You can let me know where to send at kbarbelfam@sbcglobal.net.
In His Power,
Tracy Barbel from FBCG
Bea, Gordon, Brian and Jenny:
Our hearts go out to you. We pray for healing, strength, rest, comfort, wisdom and courage for all of you. We know God has a reason for all of this and He holds you in His Might Arms! With much love and prayers,
Joe and Linda Dinges
Bea we are praying that the Lord will heal your body and you will recover quickly. Today our pastor spoke on how Nothing is Impossible for God. A perfect topic for what you and your family are going through. Whenever doubts creep in and you feel like you will never get better remember that - NOTHING is impossible for God. He can do anything.
GORDON & BEA--I WAS AT CHURCH TODAY AND LET MY PASTOR KNOW MORE ABOUT BEA AND HER PROBLEMS,AND MY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS ALSO KNOWS AND HAS YOU ON THE PRAYER LIST.
I WAS REALLY SHOCKED WHEN DICK CALLED ME LAST WEEK,AND FOR THIS TO HAPPEN,REALLY PUT ME INTO A DEPRESSED MOOD,BUT AS I WAS PRAYING FOR YOU AND BEA,I FELT A PRESSENCE THAT JUST LIFTED MY SPIRITS.
I CALLED DAVE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND LET HIM KNOW. WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS, AND PRAY FOR A FAST RETURN TO HEALTH FOR BEA AND BACK TO THE US.
YOUR COUSIN=== RON ANDERSON
Bea,
Keep up the good work of eating bit by bit. We miss you at church.
Gordon, Jenny, and Brian,
You are in our continual prayers.
Rest in Jesus. We love you guys and pray that God is using this experience to bring about His plan and. Can't wait for your homecoming! Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.
Katie and Shawn
Thanks for keeping us all informed. (It is a small world.) You have all been in our thoughts and prayers. It is so good to hear the progress ... even little by little.
Andy, Nicolle, Ty, & Ellie
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" - Phil 4:7
Bea and Family,
I just wanted to let you all know that you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I can't imagine how difficult it must be, but I am praying that God's love and protection washes over all of you. One of my favorite Psalms is 103. I would type the whole thing, but it's a bit lengthy. It's one that I go to when I'm not feeling well. Again, you are in my prayers. I can't wait to see all of your faces and hear all of the things God has done. God bless.
Love, Amanda Wallace
Bea and Gordon,
The Care Group prayed for you last night and we have been lifting you up several times a day. Having been there last year,I know the spiritual warfare that is needed. I am binding fear, asking God to heal your body and to give the family strength and wisdom to handle each day. 2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.
Maelynn
Gordon, Bea & family,
I just received an email today with the news of Bea's illness. I know from experience that God is in control of every situation we find ourselves in - and He will provide the strength and answers through it all. I have so many happy memories of our times together over the years. I'll be praying for all of you.
Love, Louise (Strombeck) Warren
Hey Brian,
I'm so sorry to hear about the setbacks that you're encountering, and how difficult it is to watch your mom in this state. I wish I had better words to give you or even a good verse, but I've racked my brain, and Bible..and have come up short. So while I can't directly identify with what your family is undergoing, I'm praying for your mom's health, and for you, Jenny, and your dad's peace of mind and heart during this matter. I'll also deffinatly be praying to bring her to another hospital where she feels more at ease. I hope that you have the chance to see God in a unique way in the next day or two. Your in my entire family's prayers. We miss you, and love you!!
In Him,
elizabeth z.
This is a note for Bea and Gordon from Marv Johnson, Karna Chrusciel's dad and a childhood friend of Bea's. You are in our prayers that the Lord will restore you. I know that your Mom Helen (and her friend my Mom Marge) would say. "Bea, eat right, take your medicine and get well and mind what your doctor says."
Marv and Kathi Johnson
Bea,
Bless your heart, you never fully leave our consciousness, as we frequently are prompted by the Lord to stop and call on God on your behalf. We have several prayer warriors to whom we call and e-mail reports on you. One of them, Joyce Jensen, the sister of author, Margaret Jensen, does not have a computer, so we call her and read the reports to her. Often in tears, Joyce Jensen has agonized with the Lord most intently on your behalf. She now says that she feels she has gotten to know you and your family real well!
Bea, after all the hours you have spent in prayer looking into the face of Jesus over the years, we know that He knows who you are; He knows your heart and He will not abandon you!
We're grateful that Gordon, Jenny, and Brian are with you because I have learned first hand that when I was sick, it was so helpful to have someone else around who loved me and could think more clearly and objectively than I could as a patient. Aren't you glad that God has worked it out for you to put your trust in Him, as you trust your loving family whom God has placed with you to give you wise counsel. May His peace be yours as you lean on Him!
Bea, we are fully confident that God is going to heal you in such a way as to bring great glory to Himself!
We are in touch with Bob and June Gray and many others who deeply love you and Gordon, and are praying for you.
Love, Jim and Jean
Brian,
I check your website every day for new messages on your mom. Thank you for taking the time to post the updates... there are so many people who are concerned and care about your mom and family. It's a very scary thing that she is going through... especially so far away. I am glad you, Jenny and your dad are able to be there with her. I pray for her and your family every day and hope she recovers from this very soon. When you speak to her tomorrow, please tell her I am thinking of her.
Love,
Your cousin from CA- Wendy
Bea, Gordon & family; May God comfort you and hold you in His loving arms. Amen.
While St. Charles, Illinois and Istanbul, Turkey are many miles apart, I assure you that your friends in the Gideons are beside you in spirit, praying for healing and continued progress and recovery.
I would like to offer some words of encouragement and hope. As it says in Romans 8, "neither death or life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor tings present nor things to come, nor heights nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Now, the nature of God is love, and if we cannot be separated from Jesus, we cannot be separated from that love. Abiding in that love, we do not need to fear. For God loves us, and His plan for us in all times and places is founded in that love. While we may face many difficulties, we do not need to be anxious or fearful.
God also commands us to follow Him and obey Him. It is easy to follow God when the path is clear and the way is straight. Your mission trip to Turkey may have seemed that way at first. But God had other plans. As we start a journey, we do not know what challenges will present themselves, or what obstacles Satan will devise, but we do know this: Obedience to God is always the correct path through. You are all brightly burning lights for the Kingdom of God, even from a hospital bed, unfamiliar commuter train, or bed-side vigil. We love you, care for you, and are proud of you as you face and overcome this time of trial with courage, hope, and determination.
Bea, I understand that you may be uncomfortable at times with some of the things which are happening to you and around you. If a small boy or girl gets sick at school, the most important thing for them is to be somewhere familiar: their own bed, their own room, and held by their own mother. The teacher or nurse may have all the love and concern in the world, but that child will not want to rest easy until they are home.
But that child may not be able to be home right away. His or her parents may be at work, or travel may be disrupted by bad weather or the child's illness may make them hard to move. It is then that the child must have courage, strength, and trust. Courage to overcome their fears, strength to face and make it through each moment, and trust that those who are caring for them will do their best, and do what is best.
Bea, your situation is much like that child. Much of what you face and see each day may be strange and unfamiliar. When you are sick, you want all to be familiar and as normal as possible. But its not. The language is different, the food may be different, and even little things like getting a glass of ice water may be different. Your challenge is finding your own courage, strength, and trust to pass the test and heal to the extent that you can come home.
To do this, you must listen to your doctors, listen to Jenny and Brian, and listen to Gordon. They all have your interest at heart, and they all want you to heal as soon as possible. God will guide them, and they will guide you, and you will get through this trial.
When I look back at the messages I have received here in St. Charles, I can see that God's hand has indeed been guiding and caring for you. You can count as blessings each piece of good news such as a favorable diagnosis, or successful treatment. Having come so far, the task remains to finish well, and get well enough to return home.
The Lord bless you and keep you in His loving hands;
Jeff Studer
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