Easter Miracles

Easter Lilies

Necrosis is dead skin tissue, and it can kill if not removed.  It was on his right foot.  David had unbearable constant pain.  It had been hurting more and more for over 3 months.  He could not sleep.  There were daily doctor visits to a vascular surgeon with no sign improvement.  We had to pay for each visit and all medications.  I began to keep a binder full of papers from each visit and a ledger of his history.  Maybe we could put in a claim to our USA insurance later.  We discussed and prepared for David to lose part of his foot, and what life would be like after that.  I spoke with someone who had gone through it with a family member.  We talked about the process.  David entered the hospital on the Wednesday before Easter. He was at peace with the decision when he signed the papers to have his foot amputated. The admitting doctor explained they would decide how much to take during the operation. The doctor said David could not eat or drink. Surgery would take place in a few hours when the afternoon team made rounds and set their schedule.  David would be their first operation that day if there were no other emergencies. The visitor hours at the hospital are 3 to 5 and enforced.  One of our translators knew the head of the hospital and got me special permission to stay all day so I could be with him through the trauma.

The team of surgeons including the admitting doctor, who would do the operation, made their rounds. They looked at David’s foot and reviewed his case.  Then they did something unexpected. They took him off their list and said there would be no surgery without first trying to restore circulation.  They wanted him to try an expensive procedure to open his blocked blood vessels. 

David was administered IV meds to help with infection and pain. An aid wheeled him back to the vascular surgeon he had visited daily for another sonogram.  “What changed your mind about this vascular procedure?” she asked.  “The doctors” I replied, “and this,” as I handed her his new insurance card which arrived the same day he was admitted.  We had applied for insurance back in January after we started our business and paying taxes.  Our personal assistant called the government and said we needed the card immediately.  The surgeon scheduled him for the procedure to take place on Tuesday after Easter.  The procedure is very expensive, but it is now covered as is his hospital stay.

This week I was paying attention to miracles because I was in urgent need and prayer.

There were several miracles here.  The doctors changed the plan and reversed the decision.  They addressed the pain.  The cost is covered.  I was given special permission to visit all day. 

Miracles happen all around us every day.  Sometimes we may not notice.  I believe spring helps us pay closer attention as we see the flowers bloom and the trees bud.  I think of Easter and Jesus resurrection as I see His creation coming back to life.

We will be spending Easter in the hospital, but we are happy about that and grateful for the answers to our prayers.  Many of our friends and family have been praying.  When people pray the whole atmosphere changes and God works miracles where we may think all is lost.  The God who raised Jesus from the dead is still making miracles.

FOOT NOTE:  For anyone not previously following us, David is my husband.  We moved to Hungary in August to honor his heritage and look forward to traveling as we were healthy retirees.  A requirement to be allowed to stay was to set up a business and pay taxes so we set up a consulting partnership with the help of a relocation specialist and translator.  Things were going well until David's foot began to hurt; and at first we did not know why.  He thought he bruised or broke a bone.  Turned out he had a blocked blood vessel. We are very grateful with all the care and support of our Hungarian friends and the medical staff.  We also appreciate the prayer support from our USA family and friends!