Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Family and Friends

One of the benefits of being hospitalized is time for reflection. For me, the role of family has been important for recuperation. It is the feeling of belonging. Although I have not lived close to family for decades, I have seen or talked with various strands of the family over the years. During my illness, I have received calls from family wishing me a good recuperation and telling me that they are keeping me in their prayers. This afternoon, my cousin Larry who lives in Philadelphia, came to spend the afternoon. The last time we spent time together was in May 2014 when he, Debra and I were in Paris, France. Larry and I discussed the importance of family that nurtured us.

I have also found that my friends, near and far, have been so supportive. Again, like my family, they have wished me well during my recuperation. Charles and Carolyn of Cleveland, OH have called  to check on my every evening. On Sunday evening, Thelma Williams who is the musician at Advent Lutheran in Cleveland, called. I was thinking about the concerts she put together for the annual Choir Concert when I served Advent. One of the pieces was "Jesus Christ is the Way." During rehab I would remember the words to help calm me. Music is an important part of the ministry of the church.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150, 6)

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Home, at last!

This is my first Sunday home since my ordeal with my heart. On March 25, Brooks Schramm picked me up from the ManorCare rehab and brought me home. I was never so happy to be in my home again. Although I didn't want to go to do the rehab, I can say that it was helpful in returning home. While I am walking slowly, I can get around the house and go up and down the stairs. Psychologically, I feel a lot better. The most difficult part of my return is to know that I am dependent on family and friends to get things done. That is different for me. On Friday, Pat Pasqual came up from Alexandria and brought several items that she had cooked. On Saturday, my sister and Robert arrived from New York. The Payne-Pasqual team got to work on the kitchen. Hilda was supposed to come and clean on Friday morning, however, I didn't hear the bell when she arrived at the house at 9 AM. She will come on Tuesday.

Today is Palm Sunday. Pat left at about 8:30 AM. Jeanie, Robert and I went to Christ Chapel, Gettysburg College. It was good to be with the young people. This Holy Week is particularly special for me. I began the heart issue at the beginning of Lent and now I return home a few days before Passion Sunday.  Resurrection gives humankind hope; it will be paramount in my reflections and reading this week.

Tomorrow, I will begin dialysis at the Littlestown facility. Dr. G transferred me to Dr. Ayola. That will save a lot of time and gas. Going to York Hospital is 32 miles from Gettysburg....Littlestown is only 7 miles away...a big difference. My time will change, too. rather than the first thing in the morning (6:30 AM), I will be in Littlestown in the early evening (5:30 PM). Crump and Schramm have scheduled themselves to taking me to and from Littlestown.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Setback?

I have just returned from dialysis. With the other treatments I returned upbeat, this time, I'm down. Dr. G...., the nephrologist indicated that my kidneys have not kicked in as yet. I think he saw that I was upset and said that "You knew you were at stage 4." I responded by saying the issue was that I wanted to return home and thought that I would be able to continue treatments at the Littlestown dialysis center. That will take place but he still wants to monitor me at York hospital. That means that I am still in ManorCare Rehab. I just have to admit that I am angry and disappointed. I thought at least I would be transferred. He asked me about my output of urine and I said that I was urinating. I think I'll keep track on my own. The 24 hour test of urine last week indicated that my kidney's were functioning at about 15%. I certainly would like that to improve but that would be a miracle. I just have to be reminded of God's promise to be with us and specifically me. I haven't lot faith our God of Promise. Lord, have mercy! Christ have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Connections

I am beginning my 11th day at ManorCare Rehab. The time here has been helpful in making practical connections between my surgery, measured actions, and my life upon returning to my house. At this point, I know that I can manage at home with all of the support from close friends and family.

One of the interesting developments for me during this time of illness has been the connections with family and longimte friends. The telephone calls as well as the visits from family and friends reminded my how my life has been rooted in communal interaction. The depth of the relationships is more than I ever knew.  Charles and Carolyn Jackson, my friends from Cleveland, call me every evening to find out how I am. I received flowers and fruit decor from Gettyburg Seminary, Advent Lutheran Church (the parish I served in Cleveland), Weni from grad school, and Preston and Jean (from grad school). During the pre-op Michael Cooper-White, president of Gettysburg Seminary also came to visit.

I am trying to recall from family and friends but I cannot pinpoint the pre or post-op on the timeline. Jeanie and Robert (my sister and brother-in-law) came the weekend before my surgery and returned the weekend following my surgery. Ricky and Teri (cousin and wife), came to York after the  operation as well. I think that I grew up appreciating strong family ties. These ties certainly are important duirng this period of my life. Hearing from the younger generation in the family (Kianja, Kilolo, Marric, and Martez) reminds me that the Strobert family ties continue to be strong. Patricia Pasqual, my good and longtime friend, took the bus from DC to York to visit me one Saturday when I was in York Hospital.  Bob Musser a classmate who is a pastor in Fox Chapel, PA came to visit me as well. That was a 4 hour trip for a few minutes of conversation. My colleague, Leoanard Hummel stopped by ManorCare to visit me while I on his way to Gettysburg from Baltimore. I am overwhelmed by such gestures.

My Gettysburg connections are stronger than imagined. Anthony and Margaret are Nicastro have kept up with me pre and post op. They also have been able to take in my mail and give me practical advice. They brought me a hospital bag with toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, lotion, cotton tips etc. when I arrived at York Hospital. Crump, Schramm, and Stjerna continue to be an awesome trinity. Stjerna left for Bologne, Italy, a few days after the visit and will return with great cuisine ideas. I look forward to some of the Italian dishes she might prepare and share.

I go through my ups and down feelings but I have to say that the gospel continues to sustain me through the pre and post-operation issues. The gospel that calls us into "mutual conversation and consolation" continues nourish me. Peter Kuhn, Manager of Spiritual life and Education at York Hospital has been a true spiritual guide. Although we have been friends in Gettysburg, his pastoral side has been so helpful to me. He is a gift to public ministry. With Jospeh and Beverly Donnella, I have share good conversations with their visits. Beverley has brought me the eucharist which strengthens me through my ups and downs.  The communal Christian life is powerful. I have talked about the importance that being connected to the outside world has been for me with my iPhone and iPad. Participation in the eucharist has kept me connected with the church catholic. That gives me such strength and hope. In addition, knowing that there are friends and family who continue to pray for me sustains me. I am not in isolation.

Friday, March 20, 2015

The Unexpected

It is now two weeks and one day since my open-heart surgery. Let me share the events of last three few weeks. I woke up with a pain in my chest at about 6 AM on Tuesday 24 February. I waited until Dr.  Miller's office opened and called to describe the pain. The nurse told me to go to the emergency room at Gettysburg hospital. Rather drive myself I called my friend Eric Crump and he was able to take me. I arrived late morning and after x-rays, EKG, etc. the doctor informed me that the issue was my heart and that I would have to go to York Hospital.  With that news I was taken by ambulance to York Hospital. On Thursday 5 March I had open-heart surgery. On March 12 I was transferred to ManorCare rehab center in York, PA. While I was disappointed that I was not returning directly home, I have benefitted from the occupational and physical therapy sessions. In addition to rehab, I also am on dialysis which began two days before my surgery. At this point, the doctor does not know whether I will continue to have dialysis. I'll just wait and see what the tests indicate.

I am impressed by the therapy team here at ManorCare. There are times when I'm not in a pleasant mood but their high energy and commitment to their vocations gets me smiling.

This time of hospitalization and rehab makes me reflect on various parts of life, my life and the church. My prayers times have me humming or reflecting on the words of familiar hymns reminding me of God's unfailing graciousness. In addition to meditating on the Romans 8:31ff texts, I have also used Letters and Papers from Prison of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Although I read the work many years ago, his remarks are helping me in this recuperation period of my life.