Nattie Writes

(Dictated June 4, 2007, to Daddy)
Through this illness I have realizeed the importance of the gentle touch, whether it is rubbing hair away from forehead, or even the prick of a needle.
Yesterday I rerealized even more the value of the touch of a familiar hand.
My blood pressure dropped to zero. All I could see around me was white, and all I could smell were clinical smells. If not for the touch of my mother’s hand, tethering me to reality, I don’t know if I would be alive today.
As I gripped her hand fiercely, I also recognized how much her hands felt like her mom’s. Im sure I squeezed life from those little hands, but they were so precious to me–that link between Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter.
Those hands returned my squeeze, while their lips softly sang old Gaither tunes.
Never undereestimate the power of a gentle touch.

Natalie was transferred to ICU with an elevated heart rate early this (Sunday) morning. As she had a blood clot in her lung a couple of years ago, that was a concern. Accordingly, CT scans were ordered. Her mom also asked that they do abdominal X-rays in hopes of detremining the source of the back pain that has plagued her for almost a week.
Sorry this is rushed, but that is all that I know this morning.
Marie, and others: I cannot tell you here and now whether Nat would appreciate visitors, though my guess is probably not for at least a couple of days. The best thing I can tell you is, if you know where she is, call her room and talk to her mom. If she has stepped out of the room, please try again later. At thte very least, she will relay your message.
Thank you, everyone! Don’t stop praying now!–Nattie’s Daddy

(Note: Although Nattie is still in the hospital in Indianapolis, she dictated the following this afternoon for her daddy to share with you.)
“While my mom was reading to me from my Bible, she came across a highlighted passage–Isaiah 61:3. There, God talks about trading pleasure for our pain, and to this truth I’ll hold.
“I have people praying for me from coast to coast and around the world. I want to thank you for being some of those people.
“No matter what happens, it’s going to be OK. This is just a twinkling of the eye, a mere moment of pain..In a little while we will all see our mourning traded for ‘oil of gladness.’”

Got some time with Natalie this evening. She is to be moved from the surgery floor to the oncology wing, probably tonight, and chemotherapy could start as early as tomorrow. It is good to hear from doctors with positive plans.
She is still very weak and uncomfortable. Of course,that is to be expected just three days after major surgery, but we who are demanding miracles would like to see one soon!
Nattie wants to see her children, and they need to see her…well and strong again!
Still, she has not lost her resolve to fight with whatever strength she–with your help and God’s–can muster.
We also need to thank everyone who has been such a help to all of us lately. Some of those I can remember are cousins Allen, Jill and Joy; aunts Anne and Marty; Wes and his family, Karla and Elaine; Pastor Mark and Tammy Deimer and their entire praying congregation, and especially her mom who flew out from California the day after she got the news, and is staying as long as she is needed, even though her vacation days are long gone.
And all of you who continue to stop in here and leave your words of encouragement, and pray for Natalie’s strength and miraculous healing. Don’t stop now!
Thank you so very much!–Nattie and her Daddy

Yesterday, Natalie was under the influence of drugs, and could not be reached for comment, leaving her helpless Daddy no choice but to listen to her doctors and update you accordingly…silly me!
When they returned this morning and repeated their verdict for the patient, she chased everyone out of the room for a few minutes. Then she laid down the law.
“There will be no crying in my room. I want no one’s pity. I am not going to die. I will fight this thing until I beat it.”
Just returned from a nice long visit. She is very tired and weak. Regardless of the outcome, she did have major surgery with appropriate painkillers. But she is already promising to shave her head rather than let the hair fall out in clumps, and find some scarves that Jonathan and Anna can’t use to pick up dead animals.
This is where the real praying work begins! Thank you! –Nattie’s Daddy

The surgeons report that Natalie

Nat went to the operating room at 8:00 o

Just thought you’d want to know that Natalie spent Thursday night in the local hospital for observation and hydration. Although her blood pressure was elevated at the time of her admission, it had retreated to proper levels by Friday afternoon. She had lost another six pounds in the last couple of days, so she also benefitted from intravenous fluids overnight.
This evening she is being transferred to a hospital in Indianapolis. It is hoped that they are better equipped to obtain the scans that the surgeon wants before beginning his work
Please continue to pray for my little girl’s healing, and that you will soon be reading her words, here, again.
Thank you, from Natalie, her family and friends!

I saw the oncologist today. He was very kind. It turns out he was my mother in laws oncologist when she had breast cancer 8 years ago. I already knew that my kind of cancer is rare or uncommon as he said in a woman this young. He also seconded that the way to treat this is remove it if possible.
So I am to see a surgeon asap for a consult. There is some good news…my blood work is showing that it has not spread to my liver as of yet. More news as soon as I get some.
Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes. I know I wouldn’t be so calm right now if it were not for those prayers.

I don’t know a whole lot more yet about my cancer. But it is cancer. And it is not lymphoma like previously mentioned. It has a name. And I won’t put it up here because you’ll google it and get all the horrible statistics.
I’ve never liked statistics. I’ve never been a conformist (apparently this cancer is commoner in non-american black men over the age of 65). I’ve always walked to the beat of my own drum. And I will continue to do that now. I know who holds tomorrow. And He holds me in His hand.