Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Olivia Update
After a horrible day yesterday, when every sign pointed towards me having to say goodbye to Olivia today, we have received some very positive news this morning. Olivia has started to respond to treatments, her liver is recovering and, while we're not out of the woods yet, the vet is "cautiously optimistic".
I will still count it as a tremendous blessing if I get to take Olivia home after this ordeal, but this is the first real sign of hope that I've had since she fell sick on Saturday afternoon. And, for now, I'll cling to it. Many thanks for all your sweet comments and notes. I have been reminded how lucky I am to have such amazing friends, family, coworkers and blog readers.
In the interim, please continue to pray for Olivia's recovery. And of course for my cousin Patrick, who continues his fight in NICU after suffering serious head trauma during a terrible car accident two and a half weeks ago. A family friend has been sending around daily devotionals for Patrick (and for my cousin KB who is serving in Afghanistan as a surgeon). Today's was particularly poignant for me.
Psalm 23 is one of the most famous passages in the Bible, and its first 3 verses read as follows:
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases verse 3 in a way that really spoke to me today:
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
I do not know yet whether we are past the storm or merely in its eye, but today I am grateful for this moment of calm to catch my breath and collect my thoughts.
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10 comments:
Glad to hear Olivia is responding. I imagine she knows you need her, and she'll fight on. Take Care.
I'm so glad that Olivia is doing better today, and Patrick continues to be in my thoughts and prayers too.
I love the paraphrase of that verse. What a comfort. Thinking about you today, Averill, and hoping that today brings only good news on every front.
Prayers continue for all in your family, including your particular darling Olivia.
I'm so glad to hear that you've been given some hope. The fingers and paws in our house are crossed for Olivia!
Oh Averill, I am so sorry to hear about Olivia and your cousin. Your family is in my prayers. Sending lots of love your way. xo
I'm thrilled it looks like the worst may have passed, and I'm still thinking of you guys!
Oh, so sorry. I'm just catching up. I hope all your family, four footed and two footed, recover soon.
I just found out about this! I am so sorry to hear about Olivia. I am glad to hear that she is doing better and will keep her in my thoughts! Please let me know how things go!
Oh Averill I am so so very sorry to hear about Olivia. Nothing worse than feeling so helpless. I'll be thinking about you and your family. Hoping things continue to improve. Keep us posted. Kara
Averill, I have been out of the loop since my mom had brain surgery last week and I had had a baby. But, I am really sorry to hear about both your dear Olivia (my "General" is 12 and I cannot bear to think about life w/o him) and your cousin. Everyone tells me God will not give us more than we can endure. Thanks for sharing and I'll keep you all in my thoughts.
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