He had Agent Orange. Agent Orange is a powerful chemical weed killer that the U.S. military sprayed over millions of acres in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War to remove dense plant cover. For years his health had been compromised, and he had undergone the best of modern medicine. He needed heart surgery, but was not strong enough to survive that. This was the second weekend he had ended up at the ER and being admitted to the hospital.
They were both so touched by the presence and kindness of a petite female doctor making rounds on Saturday morning. She had a complex name, so his wife just called her Doctor Mickey.
He had lost one kidney to cancer, and his remaining kidney had failed and was bleeding. His hemoglobin was so low…. he felt weak and was having difficulty breathing. He needed transfusions. The kidney could not be removed due to the condition of his heart. They were facing the limits of what acute medical care could do. Saturday evening Doctor Mickey came in to talk to them about hospice. She found out he was a Veteran. And they found out Doctor Mickey is the main person from the VA that handles hospice! He was discharged from the hospital that night.
They knew it was time to have his care managed at home with the VA hospice. A few days later, follow-up visits with his primary physician and oncologist were tearful thank-yous and good-byes. They had been so blessed with excellent medical care. He would still be transported Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to receive dialysis, and any needed transfusions would be done right next door. He would continue to receive the processes that were giving him the best quality of life.
Now they could do the things they enjoy and spend time with those they love.
Thank you, Doctor “Mickey” and thank you, Jesus! The way had been prepared. They were being guided and blessed. The Lord had them….
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. ~ Jeremiah 29:11
(The photo snip is of him sharing this news with his brother using a humorous filter!)
