This is going to be long, so … settle in with a snack and some hot chocolate.
It has been a crazy, crazy few weeks.
Several weeks ago, my husband started to feel sick. We assumed, based on his symptoms, that it was a new strain of flu virus going around. On the third day, he was still having fever and chills, and I was starting to worry that something more was wrong. I suggested a doctor visit, but you know guys . . . “I’ll be fine. Feeling much better.” In the words of our beloved Detective Marx, “Mmm hmm.”
This went on for about a week. There may have been some suggestions for hospital visits in there . . . you know, but anyway … on day eight, my hubby’s mother and I made the executive decision that he was going to the hospital regardless of his opinion on the matter. He hadn’t been thinking straight for days, his spatial reasoning was off, he was using words that didn’t make sense in the context he was trying to use them, and he’d had abdominal pain for a time.
Thank the Lord we took him to the hospital. From the time we got to the ER and the time he was admitted, he declined so much. He was almost constantly asleep and incoherent. We learned that he had (still has) three stones in his kidney, one of which is large and spiney, which (paired with the infection it sparked) caused damaged to his only working kidney.
While he was out of it, I asked the nurse what kidney function numbers were. Healthy kidneys function at about 90 – 100 (eGFR). Anything below 15 is kidney failure. Dyalisis, kidney transplant . . . kind of failure. His number was 12. I had to go outside for a while and . . . not have a meltdown.
That night, the doctor told us they would schedule a procedure for 7am to drain the infection from his kidney. This would also help reduce the toxins built up in his body from his kidney being impaired. He didn’t make it to 7am. He declined so much during the night that they rushed him into surgery at 4:55 a.m.
The procedure caused him to go septic.
I will never forget the feeling of my stomach dropping out when a nurse came out of the room and told us, “He’s in really bad shape.”
I thought I was going to lose my husband that day. Several of the nurses described me as amazingly stoic, but they didn’t see the tearful meltdowns between their visits, the pleading with God, the praying Psalm 91 over him all….day…long. They didn’t see me sobbing while singing worship songs because I had run out of prayers. They saw the compartmentalized me, the me who shut everything down but the logical side of my brain, the part of my brain that asked every question, demanded every bit of information, and made mental notes about his condition.
He was awake for maybe five seconds at a time, and when he was awake, he was delirious. He had more doctors than I had ever seen, from so many departments, trying to coordinate his care. Eventually, they came to the conclusion that he needed to be moved to the ICU.
The next morning, I was at home–frustratingly–because I have to prepare all of my food from scratch and find a way to keep it frozen until I’m ready to eat it (to prevent histamine build-up.) I can’t just eat in the cafe or from a nearby restaurant. I have never hated my health problems more than during this time.
That morning, I got a call from his phone. My heart skipped for a minute because . . . that didn’t make sense. The man I left in the ICU would not be calling me. I almost cried when I heard his voice on the other end of the phone. He was still out of it, but he was aware enough to call me, say good morning, and ask when he was going to get to see me.
Later that day, they moved him back to a regular room. He was still in kidney failure, but the antibiotic cocktail they had him on was beating back the sepsis. He was conscious more and semi-coherent. That evening, he started to show more confusion and mental difficulty. I was so scared he was going to decline again. The next day he showed so much improvement. The day after that, he was no longer considered in “renal failure.”
I firmly believe that prayer, that God, saved my husband. Nurses and doctors who had seen him at death’s door were amazed at how well he was doing just days later. He was defying expectation. The next day, they discharged him. Too soon, maybe, because the first couple days at home were a little challenging.
However, he was improving by leaps and bounds until this morning. A couple days ago, he started showing some coldness when he shouldn’t. This morning, he has fatigue and chills again. He can’t get warm, which was part of the initial infection.
We are back in the ER.
He still has a tube in his kidney that we have to monitor and take care of everyday, and he still has the stones that caused the initial infection. He has a second surgery ahead of him that will involve removing the stones. There’s only one doctor who can apparently deal with a stone like this, and it’s going to be an unusual surgery. We don’t know when that will be yet.
Things to pray for:
- That we can get his surgical appointment sooner rather than later.
- That doctors can get this infection completely under control
- That the tube in his body continues to function without issue
- Stress (that’s more me than him) and peace
- That God will help us deal with the Tsunami of hospital bills coming our way
I have a Gofundme set up. I’m not asking you guys to donate money–you’ve done more than enough for us–but if you wouldn’t mind sharing it, I would be immensely grateful https://gofund.me/fc5467f23
If you run into people who are uncomfortable with Gofundme, but would like to help, I have a thank you card donation option on my website.
Donation Thank you card
Thank you all for continued prayers.
I understand the stress you are under. God sees you, and hears the many prayers offered up for your husband. I pray today for both of you, specifically for the stress on you. Like I said, I understand it deeply as my husband is not well.
Dear heavenly father, Please wrap C.C in your arms today. Lord, you know the extreme stress that she is under. I pray that she is able to release some of that stress, so that she will be capable to continue this fight along side her husband. Wrap her in your loving, and strong embrace. In Jesus name, we believe that you will do this and that her husband will continue healing and get better each day. I pray that the surgery is soon, and that the specialists are equipped with the knowledge and that they’re hands are guided. Thank you Lord Jesus for that healing that has already begun!
We love you Lord. Amen
Rest in him today.
– Angela Hall
AMEN
AMEN!!
Praying. Please ask at hospital
Praying for all the above, friend! I’ve been through so many health rollercoasters with my husband (coming down from one at the moment, I pray, after a procedure last week). I can relate to all the feelings. I’m praying you feel Jesus near as I have (and do).
Prayers for healing, guidance and clarity for physicians, and peace that the Lord has this.
The other day you and your husband popped into my mind randomly and I just felt compelled to pray for both of you. It must’ve been when you were at a moment of crisis! God is good. Hang in there and I will keep praying.
My heart goes out to you. Praying for Gods favor and healing.
Praying for all of this!!!
My dear CC, I understand what you’re going through. A year and a half ago my husband underwent a kidney transplant. He also had heart surgery one month ago (Double bypass heart surgery). He’s doing well now on both accounts, but is now struggling with acute breathing deficits and is on oxygen 24/7. The Lord has been faithful as Hubby is making strides to better health. I and my family are praying for both you and your hubby. He is faithful!
Praying for you both!
Continued prayers for a quick surgery and healing! Prayers for you to have an ease to your stress! God will be with you and I know faith is sometimes the only thing that can hold us together when it feels like everything is breaking.
Continuing to pray!
Praying for healing and for wisdom and discernment that only Holy Spirit can bring. Truly, His peace sustains when we have nothing left. Side note: I’m learning about castor oil packs that can be placed on the back where the kidneys are located, or in his case, kidney. Maybe you can try it when he gets home. I’m amazed at what God has provided us with to help us heal our bodies. And yes, He also blessed us with Drs when needed. Praying for you both!
Ever since you shared about your husbands issues, I have been praying. Thank you for the update, and know I will continues to pray for both of you, and the requests listed. Praying also that our Lord will grant you His wisdom through all of this, His strength, and His peace as you guys move forward…lastly successful surgery, and a quick and COMPLETE healing. May our Lord continue to watch over both of you! -Nancy💜🙏🙏💜
I will absolutely continue to pray and I won’t stop until Warren beats this infection, has his successful surgery, his kidney function is in the healthy range and he’s back home, with you, where he belongs. I will continue to pray that you find rest, peace, comfort and strength in the arms of Jesus. Thank you for trusting us enough to make us a part of this with you.
Love you both so much and praying for good health and peace through this journey.
Prayers for both of you. Prayers for his healing and your peace and strength at this time.
Please ask for case Mgr for help.
Praying for your husband, you, and all of your concerns.
Praying for you both.
Thank you for the update, Crystal. May God supply your every need and heal your hubby quickly and completely! And may He give you both an abundance of peace, comfort, and rest. Sending love and hugs!
You, hubby, his mom and we, your readers, agree in prayer for wise discernment , keen minds to comprehend what is going on in his body, miraculous healing. That God would supply all your needs and He will receive the glory.
Continued prayers. God be with you and strengthen you both and heal his issues completely!!!
Father God please continue to meet this husband where he is and draw him near. We pray healing over his body and peace for his soul. We thank You that You see him and You love him very much. We place him in Your capable hands and trust that You will care for every need. In Jesus’ Name amen
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to You. May He turn His face to your husband and to you and give you both His perfect peace.
C.C. – I know what you are dealing with regarding food for yourself. I have an autoimmune disease and don’t eat anything I don’t fix for myself at home because I can’t trust it to be made the exact way my body needs it anywhere else. I am so sorry you are dealing with that stress while you need to be there for your husband! I will pray for you to find the pockets of time you need to make your food, that they would be more productive than you planned at the outset, and that your body can acclimate to each phase of this challenging experience. I wish I could be there to cook for you!
You are both in my prayers.praying for complete healing and recovery and that you can both be at peace ❤️🙏
Prayers for all your needs.
Crystal, thank you so much for your updates. You are such an amazing wife! I love Warren dearly and Rob & I are praying for him and for YOU! I read the part where you started singing worship songs because you ran out of prayers. That’s the best thing you can do. It keeps the enemy far away from your husband. Hang in there, my sister in Christ. God will use all of this for your (and Warren’s) good & His glory!❤️
Where 1 or 2 are gathered, god is there. Praying over ya both. An complete healing over him and u! God works on the sick. God’s got this! Trusting in him can be hard sometimes. But continued prayers an Trusting completely that God’s got this battle all figured out! In Jesus mighty name i pray u both will come out better an stronger than ever! Miss ya!
Crystal, the same God who cast out demons, healed leprosy, cured a bleeding woman, and raised the dead is watching over Warren. We are all praying that He will heal him. He gave His disciples that power, too. Praying that he will give that power and wisdom to Warren’s doctors. I understand the meltdowns. When I couldn’t stand the pain for another moment, I reminded God that He promised not to leave us comfotless. He would come to us. He did. Every time! He gave me peace, and dried my tears. We continue to pray for you both. When Warren is well, we will all brag on our God who can do all things. We will give Him all the glory, and tell of His greatness!
Amen! I agree with you!
Oh Father… this has been and is overwhelming! Thank you for the care You have given this precious couple. We agree with all that CC is requesting for her precious hubby… a sooner surgery date… a successful surgery… financial provision… I’m going to add physical help (maybe a friend to do her laundry)… the best care from the doctors and nurses… continued forward recovery… unexpected blessings… mercy and peace and comfort and healing – both physical and emotional from the trauma they’ve been through. You are our Healer. You are our Provider. You are our Wisdom. You are our Comfort. Bless CC and her hubby and family with all they need. Let them look back on this time in amazement and awe at how You answered every prayer in such specific ways! Cover them with Your presence! Tangibly! Thank you Father for your goodness and mercy! We love you! In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen
With love from North Idaho,
Pris Phillips (mama pris)
Praying for both of you.
I’m praying for you and your husband. May you both continue to persevere in the Lord.
Praying for healing! I understand a lot of what you are going through. My husband had stage IV cancer for almost 11 years. The anxiety builts, bills to pay and so many Dr appointments. Chemo pills for 28 day treatments time was like into the thousands of dollars. Arguing with insurance companies and staying on the phone literally 2-3 hours at a time telling everything to each one they would put me on the phone with. In and out of the hospitals the last 3 months during the big C virus. Oh it’s all so hard to go through so I hope your husband gets better quickly.