LOVING MY BALD BABY!
Carla and Jerry
My husband and I have been through a lot together. We will be celebrating our 27th anniversary later this year. I’ve known him for the majority of my life. I was only 17 when we began dating. We have been through highs and lows, mountains and valleys, good and bad, ups and downs, births and deaths, peace and war. We’ve been through it all! But this week, I experienced something I never have before.
Jerry had a pretty minor medical procedure on Monday and it really was a simple thing. However, it did require him to receive anasthesia and sedation. They called me once the procedure was over and he was sent to a recovery room. He was still under sedation and I saw him as I’ve never seen him before. He was just laying there, in a hospital gown. He was still. He was hooked up to oxygen, IV, heart monitor, etc. He was okay, but this wasn’t the vibrant man I knew. His eyes weren’t fully closed, buthis eyes did not see me. He was glazed.
I went to him, touched him, rubbed his back, touched his cheek, rubbed that bald headI love so much, and kissed him. He knew my touch and began to move and respond to me. He knew that I was there and began to perk up (however, he now doesn’t remember much of what happened when he was coming out of the anasthesia). But seeing him like that really threw me. I’d never seen him in such a vulnerable place. It took a lot to even get him to have this procedure done, and to see him let down walls and to completely put himself in the hands of others was something to see!
I loved him more than ever at that moment. I loved him because I knew that he did this for us, he did it for his family. He loved us enough to strip himself of that pride and stubborness. So to see him in that condition drew me even closer to him. It also revealed my own fears because I was concerned and not sure of what the results would be. Hearing the good news was such a relief. I’d held up and was strong all along the way because I knew that I had to be there for him. I had to be strong. I had to be a rock for him, as well as for our family. Ilearned later just how strong Jerry was being also. When the doctor showed me the pictures and shared the results with us, Jerry began to rejoice. He kept saying “Praise God, praise God for that!” The thing is, Jerry now doesn’t remember the doctor giving us his findings, and he doesn’t remember responding. The way he praised God, and knowing that he doesn’t remember, lets me know that this was genuine praise that came out of his heart and subconsciousness. As we talked about it later, he told me that yes, he was concerned, and he kept thinking of us. Particularly the kids, and especially our youngest.
I am just so happy, grateful, and overjoyed that Jerry is ok. I thought we’d been through it all. Seeing him like that also reminded me that I never want to be without him. I’ve been hugging and kissing him like crazy since the procedure (much more than before), letting him know how much I love and appreciate him.
AAAWWW….. That is so sweet…and I am in tears too!!!! Sometimes we forget about how blessed we are to have family and firends in our lives. Tomorrow is not promised and we have to let those we love dearly know just how much they mean to us.
This is so amazingly raw and tender, I feel like I’ve watched a lifetime movie and walked away touched in a powerful way , that only through knowing and experiencing the love of Christ could explain….thanks for sharing….Christine
Carla:
This story was so touching not simply because I could feel the love vibrating in your words and the true to life happenings–but also because I too will be celebrating my 27th year of being married to a man I met when I was 17. Two months later I turned 18. My mother died when I was 36 years old. Fortunately my husband was able to meet my maternal grandmother before she died. Unfortunately my father and younger brother had already passed when he came into my life.
Writing this I realize that in less than a decade, Inshallah–God Willing–I will hopefully have been with him longer than I was with my mother.
Isn’t God a blessing.
And like your story reminds us the miracle of God–by whatever name we call Her or Him–is most often standing right in front of us–looking us in the eyes or as you so eloquently describe opening them from a vulnerable place of having undergone a procedure.
Let me say I have been with my husband when he–a surgeon–mind you–underwent a procedure to correct something with his heart.
Although very minor and easily taken care of, it was still scary. He left the hospital within hours after waking up from the 90 minute procedure.
My husband has also had day surgery performed on his sinuses–another very minor procedure. Yet and still both operations required anesthesia. And that my husband performs surgeries on others twice to thee times every week didn’t make it any easier. Nor did it help that I am a trained medical technololgist who worked in hospital blood banks during the outset of our marriage when he was in medical school.
Our knowledge of the medical system–albeit generally good–left us feeling like anyone else who has a family member undergoing a procedure.
We are all human.
That’s the common thread.
And love is what holds us together–something that clearly you and yours possess.
Thank you for this lovely story.
Your story was very touching. My husband & I have been married 30 years this June. Four years ago, he had congestive heart failure, and it does make you think, “What if?” He’s doing fine, now, and I know that our God is healing him everyday! But I know, now, that life is more precious than you know. I guess getting older gives you more wisdom! We still have our moments, but they are not as significant as they used to be. Life is too short! We are put here on this earth for a purpose. No matter how many trials and tribulations that we go through, they’re nothing in comparison to what Jesus went through! He is our healer and our deliverer! He is our all in all! I am thankful that nothing was seriously wrong with your husband. Love him, don’t take him for granted, and be thankful for each day that you have together. As I’m reading this, I know that I need to take my advice once again. Because I don’t always listen to me, but I do listen to God!