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One man's journey to find the way home |
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I am an American Baptist ordained minister. I began my life journey in Massachusetts, where I was called to help people understand what it meant to know a loving God. The call came during a time when I was wrestling with how to help my brother Kurt, who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia during my high school years. I was a new Christian by my senior year following trying to understand what it meant for me to care about a person like my brother who others tended to stay away from. After twenty three years in Massachusetts, God sent me to the land of Kansas City where I spent about 35 years of my life. I was a pastor, a resident chaplain, a supervisor in training and most recently a caregiver and security. Everything I have done vocationally has been with God in mind. That does not mean that I am totally comfortable with all the movings of the Spirit. I am now in Erie where I do not know very many people. I came here because of my wife. She is from Erie and coming here was the right thing to do. It just plain made sense. My kids had grown up. I did not like Kansas city in terms of climate and was looking forward to a change. I had become very frustrated vocationally and longed to come to Erie to get a second opinion, because I honestly believed that was what God had wanted for me. I left behind kids and grandkids who I loved!!!! I had two jobs that I enjoyed. They were both very appreciative of my skills and I was making more money with the two jobs than I ever had. I heard more than once. ARE YOU CRAZY? Well I can only say that I am in love with God's leading. I am starting all over again. It has not been easy. Maybe some of you can offer me some words of support. I am lonely despite the fact my wife is with me. She battles depression and has two siblings that are having similar battles. When it is all said I am in a depressed community with a depressed wife and her family. So I begin the conversation.... WELCOME!! |
| Cancer: have you ever battled for your life and wondered if it was worth it all. One dayI was walking ten miles a day. Then starting April 17th my life changed. My wife Sharon was dealing dementia. I was glad she told me to call the doctor. The doctor told me to go to the hospital in an ambulance. I am glad I listened. I was very weak and was given three transfusions. That was just the beginning of journey. Much of I now know took place after all my family raced to Shady Side cancer unit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There was concerns about whether I would live or die. Much of the time I was out of it, restrained for my safety , I was pulling out pick line and nasal tubes. I had no idea what was happening. I was tube fed for thirty days. Thank God after numerous procedures and x-rays, they were able to diagnose me with acute Leukemia. I dreaded the test and procedures. This was the first time I had experienced life as a patient. I was given a urinal after they my catheter was rudely yanked off by a nurse ready for vacation. I failed two barium swallow tests before I passed the third and was told to eat all I wanted. I made the mistake of doing this while bed ridden. Poop piled up blocking me up making it impossible to pee. I would go through numerous laxatives and stool softener before they gave me a colostomy enema. I pooped for 45 minutes straight and eventually would come out of my stupor get rehab and be discharged. . |
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