AN UBELIEVABLE ROLLER COASTER RIDE
Milton, here for Kristy:
It is too hard to imagine the damage that brain cancer does. I can't adequately describe what is happening to Kristy, or to us for that matter.
Riding a rickety, broken down, wooden roller coaster half off the tracks with our hands lifted high in praise to our mighty God is one way to express what is happening to Kristy and our family.
Hanging on to the Lord, having loving committed faith-filled support, and Kristy's humor are the only saving graces.
Wednesday afternoon she was struggling with her thoughts. She couldn't remember names. Her mind was breaking down. Confusion was setting in again, and all of a sudden she said, "I need a joke."
Norma said, "Let's call Ronnie Dale." So she called her husband in Wilmington, N.C. and said, "We need a joke. Tell Kristy a joke."
Ron thought for a moment and drew a blank.
I drew a blank, but thought out loud, "We've got joke books in the office. I'll go get one."
In a flash I returned with a book with 10,000 jokes in it and said, "This ought to do it. I'll read a few from this book."
With a smile, Kristy said, "Yeah, read it 'cause some of us can't read anymore."
She laughed and we couldn't help but laugh with her. She had lightened up the place again.
That's how you make it. That and lots of prayer and lots of love and faith from dear family and friends.
***
A new nurse's assistant came today. After being in our home a few minutes she told Norma, "There is peace in this house. I have worked for over ten years in situations like this and this isn't the way most homes are. There is peace in this house."
When Norma told this to me I thought, "There is peace in this house. The Prince of Peace is here. We know the Peacespeaker. We know Him by name. His name is Jesus."
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 9:15 AM
19 comments
19 Comments:
Although not to the degree of your family, we all feel the roller coaster, too. We laugh, we cry, we praise, we hope, we feel peace. May you all continue to sense His presence and walk in His strenth. God is so good.
I can sense that all who are following this story feel what we are going through. Your empathy and encouragement are a blessing.
Milton for Kristy
Milton & Kristy, thanks for sharing your journey - my prayers are with you and your family - I'm so glad we serve a God that is with us not only on the mountaintops, but also in the valley. You are living out God's wonderful peace on a day by day, minute by minute basis. God bless! Peggy (Vero Beach)
Still praying!
I'd like to invite all of Kristy's friends, fans and family to stop by my blog tomorrow to share some of her writing and everyone's love.
I can't imagine what it's like to have someone lucid one moment and the next very confused. But I love Kristy's sense of humor even in circumstances many would call dire. Laughter is the best medicine :-).
And how special of God to make His presence so known in your home that even the home nurse senses it when she walks in.
I remember my friend witnessing to her hospice nurse when she was just day's away from her homegoing. As I've said before I feel as though I'm seeing another witness of how handle such a situation with dignity. Only God's presence can account for that.
I believe that the love we all feel for Kristy and her family just flows right into your home and the nurse felt that. I remember when you wrote about the neighbor walking by your house and she even felt it from outside. I know how hard it must be for all of you, but you have all shared love all your lives and it is coming back to you now when you need it.
Love, Lynne from California
All I can say is hallelujah and amen. He is Jehovah-Shalom.
I praise God that Kristy has her humor. I think that's what I'll remember most, along with her great love. She loves life, she loves her husband to distraction. She loves to laugh. She loves people. When I look at Kristy, I see Jesus.
continuing to prayer - with love - shana in seattle
I'm still praying for a miracle healing - but praise God for seeing you through regardless of the outcome.
Here's a joke that I thought was cute (it's came with pictures of each of the Artist named):
A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre.
After careful planning, he got past security,
stole the paintings, and made it safely to his van.
However, he was captured only two blocks away
when his van ran out of gas.
When asked how he could mastermind such a crime
and then make such an obvious error, he replied,
'Monsieur, that is the reason I stole the paintings.
I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.'
See if you have De Gaulle to send
this on to someone else.
I sent it to you because I figured
I had nothing Toulouse.
Please let Kristy know I just finshed reading her novel,
The Heart of the Matter in Florida
Wedding.
I DEARLY LOVED IT!
Could not put it down. She is so gifted!!!!!!!!!
You All are still in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless You.
Jackie
Dear Milton and Kristy,
Laughter is good medicine. I am glad Kristy could enjoy some jokes with you. I am praying His peace will continue to surround you and carry you through.
Sending love and prayers,
Carrie in NJ
Your rollercoaster ride has become mine, as I follow this blog daily. You and Kristy have inspired me to live life more fully, and to realize that this life is only the beginning. LIFE after life is the destination of us all. What would we do without Jesus, our Savior & Comforter?
It has been a blessing to pray for your family.
I must agree with the previous poster. Your rollercoaster ride is being shared by so many of us.
I am so blessed to have come to know your family through cyberspace.
Praying for you every day, in Christ, my soul has been soothed by the deep and abiding love that Milton and Kristy have for each other, for their family, for everyone they have encountered.
And especially their love of God. God is indeed good.
How wonderful that Kristy asked for a joke - - Praise the Lord! As the Bible says in Proverbs 17:22: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. ~ ~ I will continue praying for Kristy and all of you.
Trusting in Him,
Patti Moore
(from Georgia)
Great joke!
I like it...Kristy will too.
Milton
Our continued prayers for Kristy and her beautiful family. We watched the youtube video of "church" in your home and we were so touched. We smiled when Kristy conducted music with her hands. I cried, too, because I can't imagine having such a beautiful going home party at my bedside when it's my turn to journey hom. I hope that's not selfish, but I'd love to have a choir of believers who loved me surrounding my bed before I go to meet Jesus.
Thank you for sharing this journey of God's love, your faith, your love for one another. I know the Lord will see you through come what may.
Still believing for a miracle. Our God is able!
Hi, here's a joke for you. I suggest you read it through, then, if you wish, cut and paste to see the illustrations:
How To Give A Cat A Pill
If you have ever tried to give a cat a pill you know how difficult it is. The following instructions are foolproof!
http://www.mamarocks.com/couchkitty.gif
1. Pick up the cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm
as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either
side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while
holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth.
Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
http://www.mamarocks.com/misty.gif
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from under chair. Cradle cat
in left arm and repeat process.
http://www.mamarocks.com/catstalk.gif
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away.
http://www.mamarocks.com/dresser.gif
4. Take a new pill from foil wrap. Cradle cat in left arm holding
rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill
to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl http://www.mamarocks.com/joshfish.gif
and cat from top
of wardrobe. Call spouse in from garden.
http://www.mamarocks.com/dandi1.gif
http://www.mamarocks.com/garden.gif
6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between the knees. Holding
front and rear paws, ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse
to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler
into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.
http://www.mamarocks.com/a_cartoo.gif
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap.
Make a note to buy a new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully
sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set aside for gluing later.
http://www.mamarocks.com/johangin.gif
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with it's head
just visible from beneath spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking
straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down straw.
http://www.mamarocks.com/jokitty4.gif
9. Check label to make sure that pill is not harmful to humans. Drink
glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm
and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
http://www.mamarocks.com/bandaid.gif
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in
cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force
mouth open with spoon, flick pill down throat with elastic band.
http://www.mamarocks.com/cat22.gif
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply
cold compress to cheek and check records for last tetanus shot.
throw t-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
http://www.mamarocks.com/hobbes4.gif
12. Call the fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road.
Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid
cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.
http://www.mamarocks.com/fireactn.gif
13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly
to leg of dining room table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from garage.
Force cat's mouth open with small trowel. Push pill into mouth followed}
by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint
of water down throat to wash pill down.
http://www.mamarocks.com/catboxgm.gif
14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room. Sit quietly
while doctor stitches finger and forearm and removes pill remnants
from right eye. Stop by furniture store on the way home to order
a new table.
http://www.mamarocks.com/anidr.gif
15. Arrange for vet to make house call.
http://www.mamarocks.com/catwash.gif
http://www.mamarocks.com/catline.gif
The Lord's Shalom to you all.
That's too funny!
Kristy will like it.
Kristy hesitates sometimes in taking pills and we have to work with her to get them down.
Sometimes she is confused.
Sometimes she is just so diligent she wants to know every pill that goes down.
Sometimes she is ornery, just a little. Ha!
All the time she gives glory for God's goodness. It is just that she needs a little help with pills all along.
Milton
Lynette from South Australia here : I have no idea how I came across your blog months ago but have been mightily blessed by your witness and amazing peace that God has given you all!
I have a father who had brain surgery nearly 14 years ago. Anyone with brain traumas are never the same balanced person they were prior to trauma. We have just accepted that we have a different dad and husband and sometimes in the most unexpected moments, my "old" dad shows up - telling jokes, stories and a lovely smile. At times we thought we were the one with a personality disorder but over time we finally realised... and the Drs confirmed this can happen because our brain is so intrically and wonderfully made and not meant to be tampered with!
Hang in there. Dont look back but look ahead minute by minute!
Praying for you each day and night.
Lynette from South Oz!
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