Children

Children
"God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
(1 Jn 4:16)

Monday, October 12, 2015

Where Do I Begin?

J.M.J.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love you!
Save souls!
I began the month of August thinking that I had so much that I wanted to write about: beach days, a friend's daughter's wedding, the Highland Games, and more. I was thinking about ordering curriculum and getting things in order around our house. August 5 changed everything.

Around 6:45 on the morning of August 5, I received a phone call from a doctor at a hospital in the city in which my husband works. The doctor stated his name and told me that he was calling from such-and-such a hospital. I replied, "Who?", thinking for a split second that my husband must have been hit by a car. The doctor repeated himself and went on to say, "I am calling to let you know that your husband has had a heart attack." He went on to ask a few questions, and then told me that they did not know if there was any damage to his heart or brain. The doctor ended the conversation with, "Make necessary phone calls and come."

I called our assistant pastor, our new pastor, and my father-in-law. Catherine facetimed my dad and my brother (Brendan was staying with him and his family in Switzerland/France). After which I asked Bernadette to come with me and kissed all of my other children goodbye. Bernadette and I prayed the Rosary on our way to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital, some of my husband's coworkers saw me and one of them filled me in on some of the details. Our pastor arrived, telling me that our assistant pastor was offering a private Mass for my husband, and then he asked the hospital staff if he could go back to the operating room to administer the Last Rites to my husband. Much to my dismay, the hospital staff would not allow him to do so.

Eventually, I was told that I could see my husband, but our pastor still wasn't allowed to do so. Before going into the operating room, one of the doctors came out to speak with me. He explained that they had called me back because they were still waiting on a bed. He explained that the team of doctors let my husband's left artery go in order to save his main artery. They placed three stents in the main artery, and two days later they placed a fourth stent in a right artery. While the doctor was speaking with me, we heard some noises coming from inside the room, and the doctor and two of the nurses went rushing into the room. I started to pray the Memorare, imploring Our Blessed Mother to not let my husband die without the last rites.

The doctor came out and told me that they had had to shock my husband back. One of the nurses followed and said, "I think that she should see him now." I was so thankful to be able to do so.

I know that Our Lady interceded for my husband and that God was with him the whole time. He couldn't have been in a better place when he had his heart attack, minutes from the medics and from the hospital. Our assistant pastor told me, "That's what comes from praying the family Rosary."

My family and I have been truly humbled by all the Masses, prayers, meals, and donations that we received from family and friends (including priests) near and far. Fr. Saguto, FSSP called the morning after the heart attack and told us that he was at the Carmel in California. He had offered Mass for my husband and had asked all of the nuns to keep my husband in their prayers. He called two or three times after that to see how my husband was doing and to let us know that he was continuing to offer Masses and prayers. Our pastor and assistant pastor brought Communion to my husband, leaving me feeling so thankful for good, holy, caring priests.

I am so thankful to everyone. With time, I will hopefully be able to complete all the thank yous that I need to write. My biggest thank you goes to God, and I am trying my best to thank Him each day.

Continued prayers for my husband are greatly appreciated. May God bless all of you who helped my family in so many ways!

8 comments:

  1. Oh Christine,

    You must have been terrified, but also comforted at the same time. What an experience. I will say a prayer for you and your family, especially your husband. May he continue to improve every day. Sending you a big hug!

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    1. Thank you, Eva. I was in shock. I couldn't stop shaking or crying. I think that the Rosary is the only thing that made it possible for me to arrive at the hospital safely. I love Our Blessed Mother!

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  2. Oh my goodness, Christine! I am so sorry to hear of the tremendous trial your family has had to endure. I can only begin to imagine the distress you must have been in after receiving such a call and I can't believe you drove yourself to the hospital under such duress. I do trust that Our Lord and Our Lady graciously received all that emotional suffering you and your family endured. Praise God that your husband got such good care and that he is recovering well! And yes, Deo Gratias, for our good and holy priests! (Although truly I can't believe they wouldn't let a priest in with his life so endangered. Perhaps your pastor can follow up with some sort of letter or something educating the staff on the religious needs {and rights!} of Catholic patients during such times.)
    On a happier note I must tell you we had the honor and privilege of meeting Fr. Saguto on Sunday while he visited our church. I told him how well you have spoken of him over the years. :-) Just from hearing his one excellent sermon, observing his genuinely humble mannerisms, and perceiving his obvious pastoral care for everyone he spoke with I could tell how very right you are. He also got an Eliza hug straight off. :-)
    Your family will remain in my prayers. God bless you all.

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    1. Thank you, Kimberlee. Your prayers and kind words are greatly appreciated. I am happy to hear that you had the honor of meeting Fr. Saguto. He must have been so thankful to receive Eliza's hug. We miss him so much.

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  3. Praying for so many blessing to continue to come your way! Praying in great thanksgving that your husband is recovering....Deo Gratias!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Diana. We appreciate the prayers.

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  4. Christine,
    I'm sorry, I just saw this post. How are you and your husband doing? God bless you all. I will pray for him.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. We are thankful for each day. May God bless you and your beautiful family too! We really appreciate the prayers.

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