Monday, October 20, 2008

From Doozy to Dozing

Jessa's pain is back under control, but it has been a doozy of a day. She woke up about two-thirty in pain. At first she thought she could make the pain go away by adjusting herself in bed. When it didn't she called me in, and I gave her some pain medicine. I slept on the couch in the living room the rest of the night waking up every hour or two to give her some more pain medicine. This morning though when Jess rolled to one side so we could switch night gowns (which is a normal thing) she found herself in incredible pain. I called nurse Kathy and she told me which medicines to give her. Her pain dropped and she slept for a bit-- but it was still too high. Now here comes the really cool part: with hospice, medicines are delivered to your door, so within hours a brand new pain medicine arrived, methadone. No trip to the ER this time! Now Jessa is sleeping without the little pain creases in her forehead she gets when she is not sleeping well. I plan on sleeping on the couch again tonight just to make sure she gets through the night OK.

So what amazing thing did Jess decide to do the first time we went out? Well, I was going home to see my mom and coming back after the Christmas break. I didn't want to leave my car in airport parking that long, but I couldn't find anyone that wanted to pick me up from the airport when my flight arrived late on... New Year's Eve. When I mentioned it to Jess, she agreed to pick me up. As Jess will tell you, I'm not a very good planner, but if I had planned my trip better Jess and I might never have started dating. Tomorrow, I will tell you about the prophecy of the waitress.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey guys ...
I sent you an email to Jess' account. I know you haven't been checking email quite as often lately Jess, so Jake, if you get a chance would you check it? It is really to both of you.

Just another reminder that God goes before you...
I woke up this morning with 2 Chronicles 16:9 on my mind. "The eyes of the Lord range to and fro over the earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." As I was praying for you, I began focusing again on that verse. He was prompting me to pray for the very strength He knew you would need to get through this doozy of a day.

For His glory and His fame...

Wendy Smith

Anonymous said...

And when words failed me, God reminded me of a song ...

"It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God
And I surrender to your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will share eternity with You

It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God
And I surrender to your ways"

Enough said.

Wendy Smith (again)

Anonymous said...

OK... So I'm on a roll now. I am sitting here in the dark thinking of how I would love to sit by your side and sing over you ... I started singing (see song below)and that reminded me of Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you,he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

"When the night is over,
and the day is done
I can hear You calling, "Come!"
I will come, while You sing over me

When the night surrounds me,
all my dreams undone
I can hear You calling, "Come!"
I will come, while You sing over me

When the night would hide my way,
I will listen until I hear you say,
How I love you child! I love you!
How I love you child! I love you!
How I love you!"

Singing ... and praying you can hear Him -

Wendy Smith (over and out for tonight!)

Anonymous said...

What wonderful stories Jake - thank you for sharing these touching moments.

I am so glad that jessa's pain was able to be managed - huge hurdle.

Thinking and praying, like always.

Love, Janette

Lynne said...

So glad Jess is more comfortable. Hospice is really amazing.
The "boy meets girls" saga goes on...we love it.

with prayers for a comfortable day,
Love Lynne and Dave

Anonymous said...

Hi Jake and Jess,

I'm Jake's Dad's cousin Angella. My mom and Jake's grandma Sandy in CA are sisters. Anyway, I just want to send lots of love from Portland, OR. Thank you for sharing your amazing life/love story. You are an inspiration.

Love,
Cousin Angella

Anonymous said...

Travis and I also met at UTA...it sounds like the beginning of some of the best 'love stories'. I am enjoying the reinactment of the events as they took place...many years ago. It sounds like love at first sight for sure.

Isn't it amazing how God knows our heart and has that special person in mind for us even before we are even born. Jake, you are surely a Godsend for Jessica...and Jessica, you are surely a Godsend for Jake. What an awesome God we serve and what an awesome love story as it has certainly been orchestrated by the Great Orchestrator.

Your love reminds me of the following verse:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
~I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and in truth."
~I John 3:18 (NIV)

No one can deny the love that you share. Thank you for being so transparent and giving us all a true picture of what 'true love' really is...

Praying Diligently,

Lisa Smith

Anonymous said...

Hey guys,
It's funny that Wendy has had a song(or two) on her heart for you. I have also been thinking about music for Jess. Not just CD's, but live. Music calms the spirit and brightens the light for your day! I am not a good singer, but I'm sure you have many friends who are...To have someone sing(prayer in rythm) over you would (to me )be the ultimate praise. Just a thought. I will pray on it.
Sleep tight, love you!
Misty Kauffmann

Anonymous said...

Jake and Jessica -
You probably have no idea how many people are like me, reading your blog every day but never posting a comment. Not because I didn't want to, but just because I didn't know what to say. I know there's probably not a lot of comfort in words right now. Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much reading your blog inspires us. Your love for one another is truly what marriage is about. I can't imagine being in your situation but thank you for letting us "peek" inside your lives during such a difficult time. You inspire us all.
You're in our prayers!
Jessica & Michael Strength

Carla said...

Your memories make me chuckle! Thanks for sharing them - please keep it up. And that Bryn is hillarious!!!