Heart thread - 04/28/2009 - updated

First off, let us keep Roseann in our prayers. I read the following post at Mimi's (same info chez le Prêtre Fou) and I called Roseann just after I left work. What a gracious lady! Being a California foodie, I am offering special intercessions for delicious food and an appetite. I know that sounds superficial, but I long for her to be nourished in body as well as soul

From Roseann:

This is the latest and I'm sorry to say it does not look good. I think I told you that the blood cultures came back positive and I know I told you about the persistent nausea. The really scary thing is now I am wasting. I am losing muscle mass at an alarming rate.

Dr. K told me I can eat whatever I want. I told him I wouldn't get anywhere trying to eat hospital food so he said forget hospital food and eat what I like, when I want. Gary is going to have Whole Foods fix me some shrimp cocktail, filet with hollandaise sauce, and chocolate mousse for dinner. My goal will be to eat at least a third of that tonight.

I've been with people who were wasting from AIDS and it is not pretty. Please pray that we can get this under control. It seems like things were looking up but now, not so much.

My phone number here at the hospital is XXX-XXX-XXXX. I would like for anyone to call me even to just say hi. Anyone from OCICBW or Common Round. If I can't talk for some reason I'll be honest and ask for a call back later. Our phone number at home is XXX-XXX-XXXX if you want to call Gary.

I'm very, very lonely and depressed and so is Gary. At least he gets to go to work and see his friends there but truth be told, we both are at a point where we want to just sit and cry. The dogs have even given up on trying to get Gary to play hedgehog. (all toys are named hedgehog)

Sorry to be such a downer but that is just where we are right now.

Love, R

Get prayin', y'all, or meditating or holding good thoughts or whatever your brand of loving an upholding prefers.

David@Montreal nous informe aussi de quelques-uns qui ont besoin de prière. Sorry, once I type "Montreal" I want to go all French. David also informs us of some folks in need of prayer. We are asking prayers for his beloved cousin Frank and his dear neighbor Robert under-going procedures in their battles with leukemia. These are very serious procedures. And for David who cares for them, of course.

UPDATE:
David gave me permission to share more details of his request so here you are:

Frank D.
my beloved cousin in Vancouver BC who has gone into hospital for a truly serious treatment during which they will be wiping out his immune system and infusing him with new genetic material which is being donated by an absolute stranger in Wales, which of course is where my people are from.Frank has three adult daughters, a wonderful wife who is also a dear friend of mine, and several grandkids. Frank and I have been as close as long as we've known each other, perhaps he's the closest thing to the older brother I never had, and his late parents were both my God parents. Frank will be hospitalized for a minium of five weeks and then has to go into long term rehabilitation. This is the last medical chance he apparently has. His morale and spirits are incredible.

Robert J.
Willie and I just came back from a walk, during which we were stopped by one of our neighbors down the street, waiting for us on his front porch. Robert is a 37 year old gay man who has already known very real pain in his life, and who has in the last 24 hours been diagnosed with leukemia also. His platelet count was assessed as being so low today that they are operating tomorrow. The great love and joy of Robert's life is his Burmese Mountain dog- Junior. Ironically, Robert had been offered his 'dream job' as Branch manager in a largely francophone bank in Toronto yesterday, and with this news he has had to decline the offer. Tomorrow they will be removing Robert's spleen and in the following days beginning gamma ray radio therapy.

Let us remember those affected with swine flu throughout the world, the ill, those who have died, those who love them, those in danger, and those working hard to protect the citizens of the world and to find cures.

Jane R has a lovely post of la Morenita (Our Lady of Guadalupe) "With thoughts and prayers for the people of Mexico as they face the swine flu epidemic and the aftermath of an earthquake."

For FranIAm who was in a "crashy smashy" today (and is OK), that she may be kept safe and be blessed with all she needs in her suddenly changed vehicular circumstance.

For Kirstin, who was diagnosed with melanoma a year ago Sunday and for her adjustment after July 26 when she no longer needs to inject herself with interferon.

For newlyweds in Iowa that their relations may grow and deepen.

For Ellie, who wrote this on Sunday:

The psalm appointed for this morning's principal service is Psalm 4 which begins like this:

Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

It is a good prayer for me right now because I am certainly "hard pressed" and in need of a "defender of my cause". I imagine that's true for many right now - perhaps even some who may happen to read this post.

For those killed or injured in the tour bus crash in California this afternoon.

For peace in Sri Lanka.

For my neighbor N. going through a very tough spot at work.

Continuing prayer for MP and the Missus.

For the unemployed, the underemployed, the overworked, and the work-addicted. For those in any circumstance who do not know where their next meal is coming from. For the homeless, refugees, and exiles.

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--BCP, page 261

--the BB