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| You Almost Lost PastorDATM |
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Seriously...
Last Thursday, I felt led to post this blog here. Many of you all have read it.
That evening, I had my second major stroke of my lifetime. My wife, Theresa, thought that I would expire. And I believe that only because she stood over me screaming my name to come back am I still here. I lay incoherent on my hospital bed at our home.
For me, I recall being in a "tunnel-like" perspective. I could see and hear my wife calling my name but she was sooooooo far away. Nothing spectacular. No bright lights, green pastures, etc. Just total peace in a time warp type environment. I can't describe it any better than that.
Anyway, I am home from the hospital. I have a very slight loss of control on my left side and my speech is slightly slurred.
All I can say is this. When I do pass on, it will be in total peace to a place prepared for me by Jesus Christ. I am positive that I am still here because of the fervent prayer of my wife who rode in the front seat of the paramedic unit that day. If nobody had been at home, I'm sure that would have been the end of my story.
I know that my time is relatively short and I am tidying up loose ends. Our doctor told us in the hospital to not put off any longer in signing the Living Will and final Will of affairs.
I only say this in case I do get Called Home, I pray that somehow you all will know I'm permanently gone. Pray for those I leave behind. But know that in time, I hope to be reunited with everyone.
God bless you all. Believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dave |
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Cheryl |
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June 29, 2008 at 3:35pm |
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blessings and love to you two...wow, we love you and are grateful God left us the gift of you!
Much love and prayers you two! xoxo |
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jam137 |
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June 29, 2008 at 3:44pm |
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| God bless you and your family. |
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Andrey, I am sorry this upsets you. I wish I could explain how this is really a cause for celebration. Please stay with us and perhaps, over time, both you and I will be healed of our woes. That would truly be cause for rejoicing. A total healing! In the precious name of Jesus! |
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Cathy |
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June 29, 2008 at 4:34pm |
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Dave !!! You got me freaking out! How are you now! I love you dude! |
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Cathy, I am well and content. I will tell you this about "freaking out." Of the many MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) that I have had in a closed MRI (versus and open MRI), I freaked out the moment I went into the small tube this time. I totally lost it but I was claiming protection in the name of Jesus for the entire 10 minute scan. When I came out, I broke down and sobed for two hours. The ER nurse actually had to sedate me. That has never happened before. I can tell that the MELAS disease that I have is changing me. But I remain in total peace about what is ahead. Dave P.S. I am at peace over future MRIs because my doctor has ordered that I be "put under" by an anesthesiologist before doing a closed MRI. TYJ! Of course, an open MRI with less detail is another option. |
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Janie |
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June 29, 2008 at 4:55pm |
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| PastorDATM I am praying for you and I am Thanking our Lord for your outlook and your Love for Him. Also thanking Him for sharing you with all of us. We love you My Brother |
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Dave, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Theresa, and your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Thank you for continuing to connect with your family here.. |
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In my prayers!  GoD'S, PeAcE aNd LoVe |
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Cathy |
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June 29, 2008 at 6:25pm |
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| Can't wait to see you tomorrow Dave. Prayer and Communion "crazy christian party", we will be bringing carry out and we will break bread together. We love you so much. Let's break out the Whomp It !!! |
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| Wow Dave, this is crazy. I'll be callin for sure tomorrow. I'd call now but it's too late. Life is busy but I totally regret not calling more often. (BTW, it was Andrey that pointed me to this blog!) |
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Hey my friend I'll quit having Strokes and TIAs if you do. lol. Well all I can really promise is that I'll try and stay more compliant on my meds.
Blessings,
David. |
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| I am so sorry that I had missed this Pastor Dave, but know that you were in my prayers all the same. |
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Sue |
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June 29, 2008 at 8:12pm |
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| We're glad that Theresa called you back here. And sure glad that the Lord heard her prayers. Because you are much loved and needed around here. You have done so much for the community. You are such a blessing! You staying with us is a cause for celebration! |
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jam137 |
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June 29, 2008 at 11:26pm |
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| For a few reasons, I thought of the "race" image in some of the NT epistles, and I remembered this song from a few years ago which I thought you would like. |
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Love & Prayers, sent to you and your family...
So glad, God left you stay here with us! :) |
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Thank-you everyone for your prayers. Please continue to tell your friends here on MyChurch about this blog and, if you would, try to add me to your church's prayer chains. While at the ER for the first 14 hours, I could not raise my left arm off of my chest. At this point in time, my left arm is 98% functional again. Yes, we have a miracle working God. Thank you Jesus! For Dave (hopefienddave) and based on your experience with strokes and TIAs (transient ischemic attack), you are hereby ordained into the club of stroke survivors. I hereby charge you, as I have been likewise charged to do, to seek out other stroke victims and comfort them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. God bless you all! Dave |
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| Pastor DATM. Reality and actuality can appear to be true but truth is not based on what we perceive it to be but on the TRUTH which is Jesus Christ. Waiting to die is not the same as living for Christ. The Apostle Paul knew that at any moment he would be killed but he never stopped writing and encouraging the believers in spite of being in prison. When it is my time I want everyone to know that my life has been complete and that I fulfilled my purpose. I wrote about my friend Steve that suffered through pain but his demeanor would never let on to his condition. Even before he died he had that bright smile which is what I will always remember. |
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jam137, I cannot hear words to any song due to my 80% loss of hearing due to nerve deterioration caused by my MELAS disorder. I will say that I tried to follow the words that you had written which I guess are the song's lyrics but had a difficult time following the words to the video. Nevertheless, both were awesome. Just as the Apostle Paul spoke about, we strive for the prize by finishing the race. In high school, I ran track & field in the 2 mile event and in Cross Country. I am thankful that I have that experience because I can better relate to what it takes to win a race. Thanks for sharing! Dave |
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Pastor, I'm praying for you.....my hubby has also had a stroke, which led to them finding MS. He had to learn to walk again and to use his left hand again. Doctor said it was uncommon to gain back as much as he did.....nahhhhhhhhh, it wasn't, it was God!
Again, I'm praying for you and for your wife :) |
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jam137 |
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June 30, 2008 at 5:54am |
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| Yes, the words are taken from the song. Keep "running the race"! |
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| Prophet Jay, you hit the nail square on the head! My online ministry at http://datm.org has been transforming into a site of hope, information and fellowship. While I have been having trouble with the re-coding of the site due to some lost marbles in my head, I already receive numerous E-mails from all over the world asking about the disease and how I can keep such a positive, forward moving attitude. We all know that answer, of course. God is awesome and I praise Him for the new ministry that He has given me. Thank you for your comment! Dave |
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| Cindy Lou, what encouraging words you have about your hubby. What many physcians here do not understand is that we have another Physician that is in the miracle working business. I just love it when things like that occur because it opens doors for you to share the Good News to your neighbors, your friends and even your physcians. One of the most successful and honored brainn surgeons is right here in Baltimore. His name is Dr. Ben Carson and he himshelf has experienced cancers. But he knows Who is really guiding his hands in brain surgeries because he is a Spirit-filled, full Gospel believer in Jesus Christ. One of my favorite books of his is called "Gifted Hands." It is a worthwhile read if you can get a copy of the book. Dave |
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| jam137, thanks for the clarification. God bless you! Dave |
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| I will continue to pray as you continue to let your light and love of God shine!! Even though you are staring death in the face there is such a peace that eminates from your postings. I am grateful that you are one of my friends. My hope is that you stare death down. |
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| Pastor, God has sooooooooo been in hubby's illnesses, from meds to healing.....on good days you would never know that he has anything wrong at all.....and on top of MS, and stroke....he has diabetes. We're blessed, truly blessed! He's working, 3 1/2 years till retirement!!!!! |
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Coreena, I plan to stare down death until I am totally freed from its existence; everlasting life in His presence! Cindy Lou, in many aspects of the disorders, MS and my mito disorder (a cousin to Muscular Dytrophy), the symptoms are the same. Even to look at me right now, other than my wheelchair, you'd think I was a lazy bum soaking up government Social Security funds. NOTE TO ALL: Since Cindy Lou reminded me of this... The next time you see that "perfectly healthy person" using or receiving some "benefit" of being disabled, please give them the benefit of the doubt. Both Cindy Lou's husband and I exhibit similar traits. For the most part, I do not look terminally ill at all. My life could end before I hit the send button for this comment or I could live another 30 plus years. My life is in God's Hands. But again, the next time you think somebody is abusing disability "rights," please give them the benefit of the doubt. If they are abusing the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, may they be caught and dealt with appropriately. If not, keep them in your prayers whenever you see that disability sign. Thank-you. 
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God Bless you, dear brother in The Lord.
It's another day in the life of the flowergarden. We bloom where we are planted, and you seem to have bloomed beautifully well.
You encouraged me with your calmness about your situation.
I pray that your week is very blessed!
cathy-forgiven |
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Deb |
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June 30, 2008 at 11:51am |
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| Dave, so glad that you are still with us. Will be praying for you and your wife. I hope God isn't finished with you here just yet, but know this...we appreciate you and all you have contributed to this site. I will miss you. Blessings to you, and in case we don't talk again this side of heaven, I will see you there! |
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| I'm glad you're still here!! I'm praying for you and your family! |
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LaSean |
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July 01, 2008 at 6:00pm |
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| Good Grief Dave, I will definetly be praying. I really can't think of any thing else to respond to this other then that I am glad you are saved. |
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Thank-you everyone for your prayers. It seems that I have had two or three major "aftershocks" since last Thursday's "Acute Ischemic Stroke" as is documented on my hospital papers bearing the diagnosis. Last night was no exception in more troubles. When my wife came downstairs at 6 AM this morning, I was sitting in my powerchair with no glasses and confused. We don't know if I had sat there all night or not (the seatbelt would keep me from falling out of the powerchair. The papers that I had printed out that showed my favorite over-the-bed table (shown below) were crumbled into a tube as if used to swat something. Here is the picture of a Hill-Rom PatientMate, the over-bed table that I want: 
That table would be ideal. I am supposed to stay in bed from lunchtime until the next morning for pressure relief. The Dell laptop that my Jeep club purchased for me is great but it requires an assistant to help set it up and take it down. With this particular Hill-Rom PatientMate table, the laptop could remain deployed and another leaf comes out while eating. It also has a personal hygiene section for bathing. I have not had a bath or shower for months; just sponge-baths. At this time, we do not have an accessible bathroom. More home mods and $$$s are needed for the bathroom remodeling. One other thing on this Hill-Rom PatientMate table is the storage bins which is exactly what I need! Ask Mike of Mike & Laura since he saw the amount of clutter that I have that needs a home. LOL That table is my dream of dreams. Actually it is a dream because of its cost. I am waiting to hear from my DME (Durable Medical Equipment) supplier. I feel almost certain it will be $300 plus. I should know soon. I wish my money tree out in the back yard had not died last season. :eek: LOL Anyway, back at the farm, this morning, my wife found me in my powerchair, no glasses and incoherent. Neither of us know if I was up all night. The crumbled up paper is a mystery. To make a long story short, my wife is very, very concerned and I fully accept the doctor's wisdom when they speak to us about end-of-life preparations. I am doing more and more crazy things on a more frequent basis. I'll always say I don't plan on checking out anytime soon because I feel that God has a lot in store from me. Sooooooo... I'm tired. I'm going to go lay down. I wish that I had that Hill-Rom PatientMate. Anybody on MyChurch work for a hospital or Hill-Rom
that might be able to get me a discounted price on this table? Thanks and God bless all of you! Thank for being here for me. And finally. please keep my wife in your prayers. She is not handling this too good. Dave |
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Dave, if someone gets you the Hill-Rom table, will you promise to stick around for a few more years???  |
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| Mike, you might have to take that up with the Man... :eek: LOL Dave |
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Hello,
I cannot assure that this will work, but my daughter is an RN, and I'm going to ask her about this tonight. She may or may not have any info., but I'll ask.
cathy |
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Thanks Cathy, that is similar to what I am doing but without much success. The tables that the hospitals discard seem to either be non-repairable or the hospital is concerned about liability if they give me a Hill-Rom PatientMate. I even told one of the administrators that I would sign a release and they could use the donation as a publicity stunt. Still no go. LOL I still praying for one; new or like new preferred so I won't just have another headache to deal with. As for now, I need to get back in bed for the rest of the day. Once my wife gets home this evening, she can set up my laptop for me to use. God bless you all! I don't know what I would do without my MyChurch family. Dave |
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You are ready if called, but since you are still here you will glorify God! Phil 1:21 |
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| You are definity in my prayers. I love ya bro!!! |
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| Blessings to you and your family- may the "getting things in order" be a time of peace and salvation of any lost family and friends (& strangers), by the Spirit's grace & power, hallelujah. |
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Cathy |
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July 11, 2008 at 8:40am |
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Hey dude!
How ya feeling today? |
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Thanks for honoring the family of God by sharing of your life so intimately bro and for being my friend.
For those who are seeking HIM and praying for you and yours as to how HE would have us love you and yours in the Lord... can you offer us other examples via a blog, of how the body can serve you and your family bro, during this season in your life and the seasons which are to come? (having just met you, have not read all of your blogs and comments, so you may have already done this, if so... please refer me to that blog)
Is your wife on line? Was touched by her faith... and love for you. My heart is going out to her... as one who not only loves the Lord... and understands how wonderful it will be to be with HIM face to face... but as a wife/mother who loves her hubby/family dearly in my now and has been comforted during seasons of grief.
Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
sis bren
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So glad you are still with us here in this life.
Blessings,
Shannon |
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Thanks everyone for your continued prayers. My wife is confident that I was almost called Home. It is amazing at the outpouring of well wishers. This I would ask all of you. Is there somebody in your area that you have not blessed, somebody you have not called, somebody that you are mad at? Please treat them like they would not be here tomorrow. Life is short and longevity is not a given. It does not do any good to "pay your respects" to an empty shell in a coffin (if you know what I mean). It is infinitely better to tell them what they mean to you now; not after they have passed (that's what I mean). LOL My Point? Don't put off blessing somebody. They may not be here tomorrow. Dave |
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