Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Hey,
This is the sick guy again.
Today has not been a good day. While the on board liquid exhaust holding tank, with built in system redundancy, has begun to work; it has not been without substantial pain. Today i took a pain shot, the first since the day after surgery.
That means that tomorrow i should be as good as new. When this bump is behind us we will have merely to await healing and learn how to use my new system.
We have been trying to come up with some means of referring to my new system. What do you think about "anterior waste elimination system?"
Did i say that i had a pain shot? Maybe i need to keep still and quiet and let my infinitely better half keep informing you.
Regardless, the healing process should now be full speed ahead. I have asked about leaving a little early and there is a possibility that i might get out 2-3 DAYS early. Of course that will require a flawless reentry from this point on. The nurses tell me that the wicked nurse has been on vacation and will return tomorrow. The rumor is that she is strictly by the book. That will eliminate any chance of time off for good behavior.
Thanks for all your prayers. They have sustained us for these fifteen, overwhelmingly difficult, days.
We have another praise! Yesterday Denise shared about a young lady here. Her name is Beth. yesterday the outlook was grim. They took her for emergency surgery last night and due to a chemical reaction, they could not do the surgery. Today they made another attempt. To the surprise of the Doc and the praise of God, she simply no long needs the surgery! Beyond reason and knowledge is the power of prayer. Thank you for praying for Beth.
Blessings and love,
PA

25 comments:

Millie said...

Dear Aaron,
It is good to see you post a blog and see that your sense of humor was not removed along with the other organ. I am sorry today has been so rough, but praise God you are improving and soon you will be back where you belong. We miss you and Denise more than you know and can't wait to have you home. That is incredible news about Beth. God is Good! Love you both, Millie

Russ and Sandy said...

Yahweh Rophe is alive and well as we can see. What praises to sing to our Savior - for you and for Beth.

As we prayed at church tonight I realized just how much my faith has grown over the past two weeks watching (via computer screen) God work in you and through you - and now Beth. I pray tonight for more faith; for myself, and for the countless brothers and sisters in Acworth, Kennesaw, Boaz, Guntersville, Athens and other places unknown to me that are a witness to His work in that hospital this week. To continue with today's theme: 'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.

Moments after we learned we'd lost Jackson last February, as we lay in the ER in a huddled mess Sandy revealed through her tears that all she could think about were the words to "Trust and Obey". In that moment I KNEW that it was going to be OK. ... There is no other way ...

Tell the mean nurse that she has an anxious cloud of witnesses to answer to if they keep ya'll there one minute longer than absolutely necessary.

Praying for rest, peace and healing that He, and only He, can provide.

R

Jim and Denise said...

WAR Eagle Aaron and Denise,
I am trying to type this message again and hope not to made alot of mistakes.I know today sounded like a rough one. Just remember that we are lifting you and Denise up every day.Heal quickly we miss both of you very much. What a Savior!

dmiller said...

Good to see things are progressing although, we wish they were a little smother. We survived our 10th CPR. We were laughing about our first CPR when you slept in a pup tent with your head sticking out. Addie was walking by in the dark and you said “Hi Addie” and just about scared her to death by a talking head that appeared to sticking out of the ground. Memories!! Chris and I can probably come up with some good system names, but I’m not sure if we could reveal them on the Blogg……… you know, too technical for anyone else to understand. Maybe we will come up with some and share them with you later. Just wanted you to know that we are praying for you. Love, don and Diane

The Norton's said...

It's good to see you still have your wit. I was moved to hear that Beth is doing well and look forward to hearing more about her progress. I am also thrilled to hear that all seems to be moving in the right direction with you and that there was no infection. We will continue to pray for good reports. Regarding a name for the new system. I think AWE system (or even AWES) is good. Guess that military mentality never really leaves us. Rest well and love to you both, Carin & Darryl Norton

Houghs said...

I'd like to order a pain-free Wednesday. Just one day at a time...

We serve a risen Savior! No cows, statues or totem poles here. I'm so glad that we don't worship statues that I'm supposed to put food in front of every day; I'd live with the guilt of forgetting. (I'm not even good at remembering to water plants until they wilt at me.) I love knowing that our God is alive and well and very much in the healing business--healing broken bodies, minds and hearts. Isn't that awesome to know that right now, Pastor, your body is in His care. God's name is in invisible ink on that clipboard that they put right outside your door. How do you like that? "Aaron Johnson, patient of Dr. Garcia and God" Denise, thanks for allowing us to be part of your world. Another day down, a day closer to 75 North...

Lane McGullion said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lane McGullion said...

This will be my second post today - am I over my quota?

I'm just amazed at how good our God is. He rejoices at our birthday parties, cries when we say goodbye to loved ones, and puts a loving hand on our shoulders when the pain seems to much to bear. That's my God!

He holds the universe in His hand, holds all things together at the microscopic level, and holds our hands like a loving Father. Can we truly comprehend that level of majesty?

I've got a verse for you that seems very appropriate. It's Hebrews 13:7

"Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith."

Aaron, considering the result of your conduct through this trial, you are worthy of imitation.

Get some rest, hopefully it's downhill the rest of the way.

Lane

cmiller77 said...

Brother,

I couldn't help but rejoice to hear that your bladder has begun to process fluid once again. It's good that it finally started up. I was fixin-to (yes, that's a Miss-ippi term) have to ask God to prompt your Doctor through the Holy Spirit to read the passage about God telling Moses to strike the rock with his staff to bring forth water... :] You'd better keep at it, or he might come after you with a big stick!

After due consideration of your dilemma regarding an appropriate designation for your new organ, and having studied mass transport, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics, I propose the following: Precision On-board Ooze and Pressure Entrainment Relief system, or POOPER, for short.

We will continue to pray that your systems, new and old, function properly in God's time, and that God continues to tinker with your "heart" as well.

Blessings,
CWM

Rebecca said...

What a blessing to see that even through pain you have such a wonderful sense of humor. God has blessed all of us who love you by your strength through out this process. Just remember not to laugh to hard or at least keep a pillow handy to try to splint some of the pain. We love you and keep up the great work.
Love you guys,
Rebecca McCartney Montgomery

Canyon Shearer, DMin said...

Dear Sick Guy,

Glad things are coming online and that your sense of humor is working. What a blessing to hear about Beth's progress.

What would you call the new system on a car? "Other than OEM"? "Aftermarket"?

Are you now a bionic pastor?

-Canyon "100% Numbers Matching" Shearer

Traci and Jeff Edwards said...

Praise God about Beth and Praise God for pain medicine! We will be praying that the wicked nurse will
turn into the nicest nurse in the world... I believe God is reading this blog daily and he will take care of that, too! So do not worry about her! We are praying for a great Wednesday... one day at a time!

Love ya!
The Edwards Family

Ted Melko said...

Dear sick guy, from another sick guy. How about "self contained effluent conductor and storage device" Here is something to make you smile. http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/cxtX0Hu2A1HYDE6Y
Copy that into your browser and enjoy.

Glad to hear (or read) that you are regaining that timeless sense of wit about yourself, it is a good God sign!

Blessings and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Carin/Darryl gave me an idea--how about Anterior Waste Elimination System, Orifice Medially Extended? Then it's AWESOME, or at least a reminder of the One Who is...

We love you guys!!

Luci1 said...

Rick and Sandy Galloway are praying for you and your family! Your in our thoughts and prayers each and everyday. God Bless and continue to give you rainbows of blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-posted by their slightly more technologically advanced daughter-in-law (somehow they emailed this comment to me!)

Anonymous said...

Glad things are finally working better.
You haven't been far from our thoughts over the last few days.

Yes, we survived another CPR weekend. We had lots of help so we were not as tired as usual. We kept up with your blog via a blackberry that had cell service!!!

love you
debbie and chris

Luci1 said...

Thanks for the giggle--- I do love how pain meds completely level the playing field!

I'm sure that if ANYONE can charm the 'mean' nurse, it will be the two of you!

Thankful to hear such good reports-- keep thinking Niagara Falls!

Luci

Teresa Putnam said...

I like your name for your new system. Isn't good to have a sense of humor even in pain.

My heart is full of joy over the news about Beth. I am moved to tears sometimes when I think of the goodness of God.
I would love to send her a card to encourage her. Denise will you find out her information if it's not too much trouble?

Maybe the wicked nurse will come back with a new outlook after her vacation. We will pray for your early release.

Love you guys,

TAP

Kent Back said...

Aaron and Denise,
I have just learned of your illness and know I am in prayer for you. You hold such a dear place in my heart! I pray God's strength and comfort for you both and that you indeed get to go home soon. We love you and are remembering you in prayer.

Jim and Lissa said...

Aaron,
L.McGullion says you are worthy of imitation. I agree. I would like to add that Denise is also worthy of imitation. I have added her to my "list". I have always said that the two women I would like to be more like are my late grandmother, Margaret Sawyer, and my mother-in-law, Ann Brown. Denise is now added to that list! What a woman.
Jim and I check on you two every day and are continuing our prayers for your recovery. I'm so glad that things are going well, especially that there is no infection!
Love you both,
Lissa

Hugh and Linda Ward said...

Dear Aaron and Denise, It is Wed. morning and I am just getting to read Tuesday's blog, I was out of commission yesterday. Your todays update is not yet available. I pray that everything (bladder) is still "flowing" as planned. Hannah (our oldest granddaughter) read the blog with me this morning and she was real concerned about the catherer and other medical terms that had to be explained. She prayed that you are not in a lot of pain. It is to much info for her. Hope you both had a good night's rest and will be looking for a new update today. Thanks for sharing about Beth and how God works in others lives. Pastor, I know you want to get home but please don't push too hard because you may need those extra days to just gain strength and have a couple of feel good days before leaving. Praying for a good day for you. Love, Hugh and Linda

Russ and Sandy said...

Since Lane has now set a precedent, I'll post again. Most of the folks here know I never miss an attempt - I said ATTEMPT - to be humorous. The door is open so here goes, with some help from previous suggestions ...

Top 5 Names for the Newest Addition to the Johnson family:

5. POOPER (hard to improve on that acronym ...)
4. "What's Left of the Feed" Bag
3. AAA - Aftermarket Anterior Apparatus (lots of other "a's" could have been used here, but I figured I'd better be good)
2. Plan B
1. RING - Reminder Internally of Neverending Grace

The McFadden's said...

Aaron,
I was sitting here reading your postings and was led back to our special prayer time in Garmisch. I will never forget that evening and your intercessory prayers for me and my family. Thank you for all your words of wisdom and your friendship! I can tell from the many blogs that there are many folks in the prostrate (hope I spelled that right)position praying for you. Karin and I are a part of that group. We love you and Denise and can't wait "bis wir uns wiedersehen"...until we see each other again.

Jay & Karin McFadden

Piperkei said...

Aaron,

Great news with the progress, but I hate that it is not without pain. We praise our loving Savior for His work with Beth...He continues to amaze!

Steadily praying for parts to be running with all possible efficiency...of course without pain!

Love,
Keith & Jennifer Piper

Unknown said...

God is so good, he knows what we need before we ask. Stay strong and lean on Him. I wish I could come up with a good "name" like some that I've read. Oh well, I'll keep thinking. We love you and we're praying for you both.


Ronny Hough