November 2017 began pretty rough for Stew. Within a few days of Ben returning to Tennessee, Stew began battling a 102-103 fever even with Tylenol. It came on totally unexpected.
We knew, and so did our team, that he had been experiencing more stomach pain, muscle pain, and that his energy level had been decreasing but it was thought to simply be where we were in the process. But, when we went to sleep one night and I woke up feeling as though a furnace was against me alarms went off inside my head. Fevers that do not go away and are unexplained are the dreaded complication that no one wants to have.
Stew had experienced them at night before. He had even had night sweats. But nothing like this. No matter what we tried, or the on call doctor suggested, we could not get the fever to break. (And, of course this was on a weekend.)
So, late Sunday evening found us driving to Medical City Dallas Emergency Room. Somehow the 35-45 minute drive seemed to take so much longer than it normally did. They quickly took him back to a private room and began doing tests.
At 4 am, after multiple tests and an IV, it was determined that Stew possibly had something viral. They released us to return home with the instructions to see our doctor in the morning. Stew slept off and on as we traveled home and I alternated between prayer and talking out all my feelings to the Father.
Once Dr. B. and Katie saw him later that day they immediately made arrangements for his admission to the hospital. By this time he was in so much pain that it hurt him to even move his head.
Stew ended up remaining in the hospital for 8 days. His fever went up to 103.8. None of the initial tests indicated anything definite as to a cause for the high temperature, bed drenching sweats, or the pain.
When ever Stew was able to fall asleep, the chapel became my place of rest and a few tears. I could sit there and "Be still" as the Father's peace flooded the room and me. The minute I entered, the prayers of so many before me could be felt along with His Presence.
And God in His infinite mercy continued to make His love known to us in many many ways. My sis and Amy were lifelines for us. Dawn made arrangements with her boss to work from our home. She came and stayed at the house for 6 days taking care of dogs, doing things in the house and visiting the hospital each day with goodies for me to eat. Amy, Shi, and Noah helped out wherever was needed, too. Their love and the visits from people who were faithful to be there made things a lot easier. Homemade chicken soup with fruit was even brought to us by dear friends.
We were strengthened by the amazing care of nurses, assistants, and those in housekeeping. Stew's room became a place where prayers were offered and life stories were shared...theirs and ours. One nurse said she felt peace and hope whenever she came to see him. Even the dietitian intern who visited our room for a satisfaction survey shared with Stew some of his life which led to the discussion of a common faith in God.
At the end of a long and sometimes painful hospital stay we all knew what had happened. The targeted therapy pill Stew had been taking (our strongest remaining possible door opener for a stem cell transplant) had become toxic to his body. Once they discontinued it the fevers began to drop and pain lessened. It meant though that there was no other available treatment for Stew at that time.
Not things we wanted to hear, but we were so so thankful he was well enough to go home that we chose to let gratitude and joy flood our hearts and block fear from filling our minds. How could we not be thankful? He had entered the hospital in a wheel chair and he was leaving walking on his own!
God was continuing to add to our days!
P.S. Two weeks later a new targeted therapy pill was released from clinical trials! The hand of the Father and the prayers of those who are faithful (you) continue keep the doors open for miracles.
With love and gratitude,
Stew and Deb
https://youtu.be/uHz0w-HG4iU
Great are You Lord by Sons and Daughters
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