Mary has made it through this first day after surgery, the most difficult day of her life in terms of physical challenges and their accompanying emotions. And she did it valiantly.
Hospital beds no longer find patients resting for hours on end without interruption. A post-op patient, even only a few hours post-op, is questioned, pestered, poked, and prodded on a steady basis, woken from sleep every few minutes, asked to perform certain tasks.
Less than 12 hours after surgery, despite Mary’s insides still being “angry” from extensive scalpel and stitch work, she was asked to get out of bed and take a walk. Never mind the 6 tubes with accompanying computerized screens that had to accompany her. It was time to rise.
But by the end of this long, arduous day, she had earned 8 smiley faces on her status board for 4 successful episodes of sitting in a chair and 4 energetic walks down the hall and back with her pole of tubes and screens.
Though she was feeling woozy, battling severe nausea, and suffering from abdominal pain, she refused to let those irritants hold her back. “Pushing through” to excellence is one of Mary’s character qualities, and though the nursing staff was astounded by her determination, the rest of us knew she’d approach her post-op challenges in exactly that way.
All of us will bump up against major challenges in this life. The question is, how will we find courage to handle them? I, for one, find it by watching someone like Mary: “If she can, maybe I can, too.”
It’s helpful to observe the good examples of others who are determined to triumph over difficulties. Paul of the Bible made this point repeatedly. “Follow my example,” he said, “because as far as possible, I’m following Christ’s example.” Mary is in Paul’s camp.
Ultimately, though, the one we should be following is Jesus. How did he handle the never-ending challenges that confronted him in his life as a human? For one thing, he never said “no” to any of them. For another, he didn’t get angry at God for allowing them into his life. Also, he faced them head-on while experiencing the same emotions we feel.
Jesus felt sadness, disappointment, joy, frustration, anger, satisfaction, you name it. If we feel it, we can know he felt it,too. So as we come up against the mountains we’re forced to climb, we can study what he did and say to ourselves, “He showed me through the pages of Scripture how to handle life, so I should try to follow his example.”
Following the exemplary examples of Paul and Mary in pushing through struggles is a good idea, but following Jesus’ example is an even better one.
Paul wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Mary’s prayer requests:
- For the nausea and abdominal pain to lessen
- For a good report from pathology
- For safe travels as Mary’s children come and go to visit her
- Gratitude for each person who has been (and still is) praying
What excellent news! I have been thinking about what a wonderful witness Mary (and the whole family) is to the doctors and staff. I’m sure they wish EVERY patient was just like Mary, and if they stop to wonder why she is different, they will see Jesus.
I remember the terrible nausea I had after surgery and will be praying especially focused prayers on that! We all rejoice with you and the whole family. Thank you for the updates!
How true that there is little “rest” in the hospital. One thing Mary can do if needed when she is medically stable, is to ask the nurse to put a sign on the door to check with the nurse before entering–this can cut down on some unneeded intrusions. Continued prayers for recovery. I have many patients say that the first 3 days after abdominal surgery are the toughest –of course everyone is different. Blessings to Mary-determined and sturdy!
As my son would say Mary is a total rock star as far as being a post op patient. I imagine her “light is shining’ as she does what the nurses request. May God continue to lay His healing hand on her. Still praying.
Way to go, Mary!! Thanks, Margaret, for keeping us informed and for specific prayer requests. All of us Laceys/Lotts are praying for Mary and the whole family.
This is exactly what I expected from Mary! Praising God for His faithfulness to her and smiling, thinking of her soldiering down the hall, tubes and screens notwithstanding! What a shining light she is!!!
I am so very thankful to hear of Mary’s successful surgery and not at all surprised by her determination to get up and walk. Thanks, Margaret, for keeping us informed and guiding our prayers. They continue!
Praise God for the strength and determination He is giving Mary! All for glory to His Name! This is indeed the power of His Spirit at work in us. Go Mary!!! Will continue to pray for ease of pain and nausea and an excellent recovery.
I am praying for continued strength, and for good results from the biopsy. Thank you, Mary, for showing us how to walk through difficulty, because the Lord is with you.
Mary, Glad to hear you are recovering. My prayers are with you. See you at Bethany this summer. Rick
Thanking the Lord with you for every step you take Mary!! We are grateful to learn from you and your family, and praise God for the healing that has already begun! Love to you.
Seeing Mary post-op makes me miss her, and also my nursing days, on a Med Surg floor, where we cared for many post op abdominal cases. Nurses love to see their patients walking in the hall, and using their Voldynes, hourly. Mary will do very well. Nausea will subside, and soon, the pain will be a memory. Healing Hugs across these many miles.
Even though was going through my cataract surgery on the 2nd eye that day, I was still praying for Mary and trusting god to see us both as a ‘success’….and we were!
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS! When Terry told me of the great news about Margaret, it was just one more thing to thank God for, on my long list! I pray for a speedy recovery for you, Mary, and with your determination and faith, it will be!