My health

[George]

I come before you all again asking prayer for my health. As I believe I told everyone I have recently started a new medication. At first I got along with it well. Now it is just kicking my tail. The biggest problem I have developed is insomnia. There have been many nights when I get no sleep at all. This has caused me to be extremely exhausted. There are other side effects involved but this one is the most pronounced. It is really messing me up.

In Christ,
George

[Jim]

George,

I am very sorry to hear that. I will keep you in my prayers brother.

Love in Christ,

Jim

[Jerry80871852]

Prayers.

I know how that is. Since I had 2 neck surgeries back in early 99 them again in early 00, them later finding out it really can't be fixed or perhaps I should say not without maybe 3 more neck surgeries which the NS said might make it even worse, I've had trouble sleeping.

One thing that really comforts me, the best is yet to come, when the former things will pass away, Revelation 2:14.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:4 (KJV)

I find the sad thing is those without Christ what they have at present time is good as it gets, for when these former things pass away for them it will just get worse.

May the Lord Bless,
Jerry

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

[Brother Tim]

May God's Grace be upon you, Brother George.

[Upholder]

It's a horrible thing to be exhausted and yet unable to sleep. I pray that God's hand of healing will be with you during this difficult time, Brother George.

[Davo]

Yes Brother George,

I agree with all these posts,

May God comfort you

David

[IM4given]

I am praying for you brother.

I have a chronic, potentially fatal, illness, and decided to stop taking all my medications a couple of weeks ago due to all the nasty side effects - as I was no longer able to function. Today I feel great! The cure for my illness was far worse than the disease I have been diagnosed with. I would rather live a short, happy, energetic life for the Lord, than to live a passive, zero energy, day to day existence for many years ahead. Prolonging my life is not the same as living my life.

[George]

IM4given Wrote:I am praying for you brother.

I have a chronic, potentially fatal, illness, and decided to stop taking all my medications a couple of weeks ago due to all the nasty side effects - as I was no longer able to function. Today I feel great! The cure for my illness was far worse than the disease I have been diagnosed with. I would rather live a short, happy, energetic life for the Lord, than to live a passive, zero energy, day to day existence for many years ahead. Prolonging my life is not the same as living my life.

Thank you for your prayers Sister. While what you have said is true one aspect I have to look at in my life is that the Lord has had His hands all over me. The average life expectancy for a person with the disease I have is 5 years. God has provided, through doctors and medication, that I am now into my 7th year. The way I figure it and what I have been told by many others is that the work the Lord wants me to do in His behalf is not over with yet and if I have to take medications with side effects to prolong it then so be it.

I am truly sorry to hear about your condition. I shall be praying for you. In the medications I have been taking it used to be the norm to just let a person deal with the side effects. However now the norm is to prescribe other meds to combat the side effects. The effect of the meds is supposed to be to provide a certain quality of life. If the side effects over take my life then I no longer am able to enjoy that quality so therefore it is necessary to take other meds in order to restore that quality.

In Christ,
George

[Jerry80871852]

On this subject, it reminds me of some thought that I've had, especially dealing with people who are terminally ill, cancer for instant.

Many times with cancer, the side effects of chemo therapy are extremely bad. 2 examples

1. My wife's twin sister had Mesothelioma which is caused by asbestos, was diagnosed in July. There is no cure for this cancer, but they claim chemo therapy helps with the pain. I do not believe this, I think the side effects makes ones life so miserable that death would be better.

But her twin chose to take chemo, her life from the day she started chemo was took up by trips to the doctor, to the clinic to get chemo, stays in the hospital, 6 months and she died. There was no quality of life during that time, that is the number of times we could be with her and really enjoy one another company probably could be counted on one hand.

2. We had an elderly lady church member diagnosed with some type of lung cancer, surgery was no an option, they wanted her to take treatments. she said, no treatment, she lived just a bit over 6 months and I visited her many times in her home, we had some wonderful visits and she always welcomed visitors until about the last couple of weeks.

3. An elderly aunt of Linda's, she to had cancer, surgery was no choice, she chose no treatment, we stopped in her home several times and had wonderful visits with her, even visited with her the night before he died and she was very pleasant and fun to be around.

I could name several more cases. But the wife and I have talked this over, which we both know, we want know what choice we will make until we walk in those shoes. But we both agree if we had such cancer as these 2 had we hope we would chose no treatment. For the side effects are much worse than dying and going to be with our Lord and Savior.

With cancer patients, a certain portion of them, I feel the medical field try to squeeze every penny out of them they can get.

During the period of time from my 1st neck surgery to my 2nd one, a period of 1 year, I had to be taken to the hospital because I was in pain several times, 2 of those times I was in so much pain all I could do is lay down and moan and groan, at those times all I wanted was relief, if there had been no relief death would have been welcomed.

I might add, what choice a person makes, I fully respect it and will support it, in such times as that we have to make what choice we think is best for us, whether to take treatment of not take treatment.

Thanks be to God's mercy He has show us, His grace, and the precious gift of Jesus, the best is yet to come.

May the Lord Bless,
Jerry

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

[IM4given]

I think we all have to deal with illnesses in our own ways. I am NOT -repeat NOT - simply going to curse God and die. Job did not take that route and neither will I. I contracted my illness through a surgery I had 15 years ago. The illness itself does not feel so bad - practically no ill effects at all. However, the medications that I take for the illness has horrible side effects, and the meds they gave me to combat the side effects had side effects of their own. I was basically drugged out and living my life as an invalid on the couch. Without the drugs I feel absolutely fine and in no pain what so ever, but it also means I am very susceptable to opportunistic infections. So I will probably catch pneumonia and die from it because I did not take my medication. I am sick and tired of going to see doctors, of filling out all the paperwork every 6 months because I dont have the money to pay for my medications, and I am unable to work because of the medication - not the disease - so I cant even draw disability. So without the medicatioins I can do all my cooking, cleaning, and sewing that I want to do and I am generally happier, even though I am flat broke and not able to pay bills.

I pray for all people who are having to deal with the ravages of disease and the modern medicine that they have to take. The Pharmaceutical industry is both a blessing and a curse, and I can fully understand why there are some people who refuse modern medications for religious reasons. When it is my time to go, I want to go with all my senses intact and my heart full of joy to meet the Lord.

[Jerry80871852]

Janet, Most people who enjoying good health do not know how fortunate they are. I recall several years back talking to a man who was over 80 years old, he stated, he had never had a headache, never took and aspirin. At least we who suffer from some sort of problem, we have something great to look forward to. that time of no more pain sounds very good to me. But in the mean time God's grace is wonderful.

Sometime we think we have it bad, but when I see situations like this, it helps be to be mroe thankful to my Lord. Baby Elizabeth and family are going thru some very trying times.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68039540756
May God Bless,
Jerry

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:6

[George]

You are exactly correct Brother Jerry. I sincerely look forward to the time of my glorified body, to the time where there is no more pain, no more suffering, to the time when there will be no more cancer and no more tears. Oh what a wonderful day that will be, Jesus is coming again.

In Christ,
George

[Mongol Servant]

Prayers, Bro George.
Keep us up to date.

[Jerry80871852]

The way your post is written reminds me of a dear lady who has gone to be with the Lord who was a fellow church member before I became a pastor. I recall talking with her many times, I loved the way she use the word, my glorified body, that you just used. I can just nearly hear those words from her right now and see the smile on her face as she says, "My glorified body."

One day she was at home and had a heart attack, she was rushed to the hospital, shortly after the doctor informed her family there was nothing that could be done. The family gathered around her in the intensive care room, she was laying there with her eyes shut breathing shallow.

They had been standing around several minutes, her eyes opened, she glanced around seeing everyone, them from one to the other she made eye contact with each of them one by one, smiling at each of them, them looked up towards the ceiling, them glanced back over towards them glancing at each of them said, "The angels have come for me, its time for me to go." She them looked back towards the ceiling with a beautiful smile on her face, closed her eyes without ever taking another breath of air.

Luk 16:22 "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom..."

Yes, I firmly believe that angles come to escort God's children to heaven at their death.

I must be bit foolish to some people, for I just happen to believe this verse is true also.

Psalm 116:15 reads: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

May the Lord bless,
Jerry

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Romans 4:7

[Upholder]

George Wrote:You are exactly correct Brother Jerry. I sincerely look forward to the time of my glorified body, to the time where there is no more pain, no more suffering, to the time when there will be no more cancer and no more tears. Oh what a wonderful day that will be, Jesus is coming again.

In Christ,
George

It's a wonderful thing that God has given you the grace to be able to say those things, George!
I met a young boy once who had lost half of a leg in a tragic farm accident. This young lad was a true believer, and he looked at me very seriously and said: "When I go to Heaven, I'll get a new leg!". Praise God for simple child-like faith as this! The athiests have nothing to compare with the peaceful hope of the believer!