Two weeks ago from today, Mom was admitted to the hospital. Hard to believe it’s been that long already. Yet it feels like months have gone by.
Yesterday, Mom sat in a chair for 30 minutes. While sitting in a chair may sound like a small thing, it’s big deal when you’re in the hospital. The nurses have been slowly weaning Mom off the sedative medications though she still has some onboard. We’ve been praying for Mom to have peace and it seems to be working. She’s less agitated.
On the other hand, she now has a total of six infections she’s battling with – CMV pneumnia, PJ pneumonia (from BAL), enterococcus pneumonia (grown from tracheal aspirate), fungal infection (positive fungi tail), C Difficile colitis, and herpes simplex type 1 (cold sore on the lip). She’s still intubated and still fragile. But I believe we serve an Almighty who’s not finished with her yet.
The Question
For the last couple days, I’ve been thinking about a question. Since posting about Mom I’ve had 2500 people visit my blog where usually I get about 100 people. Mom is not a doctor or a speaker or a performer. She didn’t have a major platform. Yet her life seems to have touched so many of you. During her time of need, many of you have reached out and contacted us in a variety of ways to let us know you are praying for us. What is it about Mom that caused you to care and pray for her?
My childhood friend, Michelle – now a concert pianist – tells me, “When your Mom has her funeral, which I hope is a very long time from now, that church is going to be so packed there won’t be any sitting room.”
Mom’s life has resonated with so many of you. Please leave a comment because I’d like to know why.
14 Comments
Love is the reason your mom has resonated with me and everyone she encounters. To start with, she loves food. Her out of this world cooking is legendary. In fact, the last time I saw her she cooked enough food for an army- and Mary Ann and I were her only guests. All this despite being hampered by her illness and recent treatment. She loves friends. Anyone who encounters her is immediately attracted with her engaging friendship. She loves fun. Her distinctive laugh is infectious. When you are in her presence all negativity is erased. Most of all- she loves family. This has been certainly evident in all she has said and done. And she loves you Andrew. May her love and God’s Love sustain you.
I do not know your mom. My interest in her is born of my acquaintence with Deborah and her husband Stephen. The attend our church (Memphis 1st SDA) when they can. Deborah with her many talents has provided special music for us many times. Stephen is a guest teacher in our SS class many times. Most of us have learned to love them and to support the future plans as mission doctors.
So, you can see, a woman that raised a daughter like Deborah must be a wonderful person. Plus, yoor Mom is a Child if God and we are all brothers and sisters. I will continue my pursuers for your Mom and for her family.
Wayne Guthrie
How interesting to see the rippling effects of Mom’s life. My sister is a remarkable woman as is my brother in law. I’m glad they can be a blessing to you. I appreciate your prayers for Mom though you’ve never met her.
Uncle Sam, that visit you and Auntie Mary Ann made to Mom in Houston was so special. I saw the labor of love of removing all the pomegranate (and another similar fruit) for ease of eating. And yes, Mom would notoriously overcook for her guests. And thank you for the reminder that love – both divine and human – have sustained me.
We continue to pray for your mother’s full recovery. If it were against God’s will, so be it. We are all humans, fallible and broken.
There are numerous reasons why we love your mom and I am not sure if I can enumerate them all here but here’s a few:
•She has the most infectious (contagious) laughter which we, her close friends call “bahakhak “. Gifted with a great sense of humor, she can change an atmosphere of gloom into a rapturous chorus of laughter.
•She is a leader without even recognizing it! We simply want to follow her lead because we know that once we are in any of her group – we will be blessed.
•She is the most giving person I know. She doesn’t demand nor expects anything in return for any act of kindness she has done (which is plenty) . She gives because she loves to give. It is her desire to help anyone in need.
•She’s selfless. She’s always thinking of others first before herself!
•She’s a fighter and encourager – so now as her friends we now want to return the favor and we will FIGHT AND ENCOURAGE HER in any way we can!
•I first knew your mom at the hilltop! I was still in the MVC-Academy but she’s part of my uncle Eugene Llaguno’s group of friends called The Wild Bunch (I think) and I have always looked up to her and fascinated with her sense of humor! Then her younger sister Connie became my classmate in the School of Nursing and eventually became my BFF – so obviously I became part of your mom’s and your family’s extended family!
Yes I LOVE and admired your mom!
We will continue to pray for her as long as needed! We know God in His perfect time will do wonders for her according to His divine will!
Hi Auntie. I love that detail of Mom belong to a group called “The Wild Bunch.” Thank you for your continued encouragement and prayers. I God will ultimately bring healing to her life.
Andrew, I first met your mom in Orlando when I went there to help care for my Aunt ( Aurora Boyer) who was battling cancer. Your mom brought food and arranged for you guys to play music for Auntie Auring. We became better friends when she frequented Loma Linda. She cooked “out of this world” cuisine for everyone that entered the house in LL. Her friendship is genuine, unpretentious, contagious and raw. Genuine–she accepts her friends for who they are. Unpretentious–she’s humble and makes you feel important. Contagious–her laughter, her jokes…makes the fellowship enjoyable. Raw–her expressions of feelings of love, emotions, intentions, desires to give the very best specially for her children. I’m honored to have met her and for her request to be part of yours and Deborah’s wedding. She showed us her genuine love, unpretentious fellowship, contagious laughter, and raw emotion when we visited her in November. She is not just an “out of this world” cook BUT an ” out of this world” friend. Praying for God’s mercy and love to give us all ” peace that passeth understanding”. We love your mom and holding your family close to our heart.
Auntie Auring was someone special to both of us. I’m glad she blessed you and Auntie Auring during a special time. What a great description of Mom as “raw.” Truly it was this kind of authenticity that drew you in. You and Uncle Sam have been such a blessing to us. Thank you for your continued prayers for Mom.
Pray without ceasing🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😇Under his wings I am safely abiding that’s the song for your Mom. Behind the clouds the Sun is always shining. God Bless your family ♥️❤️♥️
Andrew, I don’t know your mom. I started praying for her when you requested prayers from the Idaho Hayden Lake SDA church. I love you and your wife and son, and pictures of your daughter. I ride with Evangeline and Andor Molnar on Tuesdays to Tai Chi classes, and they share their love for your family. I appreciate all that you share about your mom. I have had doctors who pray with me. I am alive 3 years after Stage 4 Colon Cancer, 6 surgeries, chemotherapy, using a wheelchair, and I attribute that to prayer. I completed my bucket list of touring Israel. I will continue to pray for your entire family!
Hi Joey, You don’t have to introduce yourself. I remember you! Your backstory is incredible though. What a testament to how God can bring healing to us. This gives me hope for my mom. Thank you for your continued prayers.
First of all, I pray for her because she’s family. She’s the wife of my favorite brother. You know how close our family is, and if not for this COVID-19 we could have rushed there already to be by her side, your dad, you and your siblings praying and comforting with one another. At first I was getting updates from Natalie because of Inday but when I came across your blog, The Christian Doctor, thru my email, I got hooked on it because you kept on giving updates of your mom’ situation. Thank you for doing so. I feel like I’m a part of the health care team but as a prayer warrior. My family and AOY continues to pray for Nida’s recovery. I specially ask Father Yahweh to do to Nida what He did for King Hezekiah ( read II Kings 20:1-11). I hope it happens and if it does, To Yah be the glory!!
I thought I will share how I appreciated and love Tita Nida. I met her through Dr. Anna from Guam. She’s a neighbor in our Guam condo, SDA and told me to contact Tita Nida. She did not know me that much but she went out of her way to come to my aid that day when I was needing it. It was the time when I do not know anybody here in Florida. During the time when I have nobody to call for help and cry for rescue, and she drove from Winter Haven to Winter Garden to be there for me in my deepest sorrows. The time when I needed a Mommy who can hug and comfort me battling the worst nightmare of my life with my kids. She’s been my confidante those months and my adviser, she put me grounded and continue to have Faith in Gods plan whatever it may be. To this date, Yes i am still in that hole. But I am more resilient and tough. Tita believes on me. Guided me to be strong and have that heart of a mother and still consider to look after what is best for them than being bitter and resort on twisting and using them against their dad. Tita Nida is Gods blessing to me. His way to let me hear side of a Christian mom and a faithful servant. I love her. And I respect her. Thank you for hugging me Tita when I needed it. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you. I am praying for you. I am hoping I can still see you and we can talk hours on the phone pa rin. Mahal Kita. Meriam