(Sunday eve, Day 8 of coma) Went to the hospital this morning at 6:30am. Could only fall upon my beautiful wife of 21 years and sob. The doctor came in and discussed long term coma situations that need my attention (such as tracheotomy) and the Dr was preparing to take Carol into surgery to drain more infection in her lung.
My heart breaks to see Carol in a coma and it is like a knife in the gut to know that my precious Carol is also continuing to go through these invasive surgeries. This Scripture has sustained me today: Ps 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Rushed back to pick up my daughters and off to church. I broke down while praying with my worship team and felt totally worn out just before service started, but everyone was so caring that it strengthened me.
During our prayer time, I gave a brief report of how things had come to happen with Carol but broke down again while remembering that exactly that time the previous Sunday I was in ER with Carol and a few hours later Carol had stopped breathing and went into the coma. But, I finally made it through that report.
Then, as I was preaching through Luke 15 my cell phone rings during my sermon and it is the Dr who needed my consent to do another procedure on Carol. Absolute torment. And the Dr. asked consent to do a tracheotomy today. I absolutely refused and was sick to my stomach with the direction things continue to go for my sweet wife.
Our church family was praying while I was on the phone and I was able to somehow regroup and continue my sermon. I really needed to continue my ministry of preaching to distract me from the emotional toll of Carol's pain and to focus on the Lord and to serve the church family. Only broke down once during the sermon.
Thank you to my sweet congregation for your patience and support.
This afternoon I was able to have a precious time sitting on the bed with my girls and we talked about Momma, answered their questions, prayed together. They wanted to know if Momma was going to die and if we would have to move. I let them know that we are a family and that God is good and we can trust Him with Momma whatever happens.
Tonight, Dr. just rang again for my consent for something else they need to evaluate with Carol. My poor darling wife. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, Pastor Craig
My heart breaks to see Carol in a coma and it is like a knife in the gut to know that my precious Carol is also continuing to go through these invasive surgeries. This Scripture has sustained me today: Ps 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Rushed back to pick up my daughters and off to church. I broke down while praying with my worship team and felt totally worn out just before service started, but everyone was so caring that it strengthened me.
During our prayer time, I gave a brief report of how things had come to happen with Carol but broke down again while remembering that exactly that time the previous Sunday I was in ER with Carol and a few hours later Carol had stopped breathing and went into the coma. But, I finally made it through that report.
Then, as I was preaching through Luke 15 my cell phone rings during my sermon and it is the Dr who needed my consent to do another procedure on Carol. Absolute torment. And the Dr. asked consent to do a tracheotomy today. I absolutely refused and was sick to my stomach with the direction things continue to go for my sweet wife.
Our church family was praying while I was on the phone and I was able to somehow regroup and continue my sermon. I really needed to continue my ministry of preaching to distract me from the emotional toll of Carol's pain and to focus on the Lord and to serve the church family. Only broke down once during the sermon.
Thank you to my sweet congregation for your patience and support.
This afternoon I was able to have a precious time sitting on the bed with my girls and we talked about Momma, answered their questions, prayed together. They wanted to know if Momma was going to die and if we would have to move. I let them know that we are a family and that God is good and we can trust Him with Momma whatever happens.
Tonight, Dr. just rang again for my consent for something else they need to evaluate with Carol. My poor darling wife. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, Pastor Craig
18 comments:
Your CC family is praying at all times. God is faithful. Your faith in him has lifted us all up. We are praying for your strength. Remember to talk to Carol. She can hear you brother. We are hear for what ever you need.
so many are praying in ireland. we love you and your family so much. -rachel
This is so sad. Miracles do happen and I pray that Carol's health starts to turn around.
My mother was in a coma for 10 days due to a bad reaction to chemotherapy. Her organs were shutting down. The Dr. gave her 3 days to live. She came out of it and slowly regained her strength, even went back to work. Don't give up.
Talk to Carol about happy things. The kind of stuff that would make her smile. Drain the lungs again and get rid of that pus. I keep praying that the antibiotic treatment starts to win this battle so she can fight this enemy off.
We are in constant prayer for Carol, you and your family. I hope you can find encouragement and comfort by the abundance of prayers that are being lifted for Carol's healing and we will all continue to pray for your beautiful wife and family.
Karin, Alexandra and Chloe Gault
Sovereign Lord Jesus, THE name above all names. You told us that we may come boldly into your throne room of grace in our time of need. Lord, on behalf of this family, I come in faith believing You have all power and authority to touch and heal Carol. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, invade Carol's every cell and wrap yourself around ANYTHING that is corrupting her body. May Your Spirit destroy all infection, and cause her physical body to fight back so she may return to her family stronger and healthier and completely WHOLE. May each cell find new vigor, hope and determination to act in perfect purpose as YOU created. Lord, this family needs their Momma. Please do not bring sorrow upon sorrow, but bring miraculous healing that would cause all to be in awe of YOU. Confound the wise Lord, encourage the faithful, and may ALL bring glory to you for Carol's return to health and her family. In Jesus' precious Name.
I survived bacterial spinal meningitius as a 17 month old baby in the mid-60's. I was not suppose to live. God had other plans. I survived stage 4 cancer in 2007. I was not suppose to live then either. God had other plans. Keep your eyes on Jesus. He loves you and HIS perfect purpose will prevail.
My heart is breaking for you and your family and we are uplifting all of you in prayer constantly. Thank you for sharing your struggles, so we know how to pray. May our Lord grant you his peace that passes all understanding throughout this time.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Pastor Craig, many of our friends in San Diego know your family, and we have been praying for you, Carol, and your girls since last Sunday and we will continue to pray for you from Hawaii.
my niece Laurie has shared your story with me,and I have been praying for strength for you and healing for Carol,may God wrap his loving all powerful arms around you and Carol and your dear children, and make Himself to you in a way ONLY He can,and bring her home to you,with love and prayer,&e will sustain you ,and there will be rejoicing !
Dear Poston Family,
We are praying and will continue to pray for this great trial and storm that you are faced with!
I had an idea to put a request for Carol's healing on Brooklyn Tabernacle Prayer Request Board and also submitted to prayer team on CBN website. I am sure God is hearing the prayers of His children. We KNOW HE is Jehovah Rapha. We know His will WILL be done and HIS kingdom purpose will be fulfilled in ALL of your lives!
Below the response from CBN prayer team and I thought it was good enough to publish for all to read!
During the time of Jesus' ministry on earth, there was a government official whose son was very ill and about to die. The father was so alarmed about his son's condition that he traveled twenty miles to where Jesus was. When he found the Lord, the father begged Him to go and heal his son! After continuing to plead with Jesus to go with him, the Lord told the father, "Go back home. Your son will live!" (John 4:50, NLT). The father believed Jesus, and started the journey home. And the son's fever left that very hour.
Like the father interceding for his son, we encourage you to go to the Lord in prayer and petition Him for a miraculous healing. As you call on God, believe His promises to answer your prayers and to bring divine healing. Let God speak to your heart, and stand on the trustworthy promises He gives you.
The Bible records that when sick people were brought to Jesus, He "healed them all" (Matthew 4:24, NLT). What's more, Jesus "healed every kind of disease and illness" (Matthew 4:23, NLT). The Book of Matthew records, "He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases" (Matthew 8:17, NLT). There is no illness, disease, or injury, that the Lord cannot heal! So have faith that God will heal in this situation, also.
If you would like us to pray with you and encourage you on the phone, then please call our prayer line at 1-800-759-0700. There is someone here 24 hours a day to pray with you. May the Lord fill your heart with great faith and hope as you stand on His promises for healing. God bless you.
Craig,
The ancient hymns of our faith are a great comfort to all during a time of intense trial and suffering. "It is well with my soul", "Standing on the Promises" and ""Tis so sweet to Trust in Jesus" are just a few that I keep singing over your entire family.
We love you,
Vicki Ingrassia (for entire Ingrassia family)
Started the James study with my church...how appropriate....Pastor Craig You iare my hero....you perseveres and clings to the Lord; Glorifying him in all his ways; Leaning not on your own understanding; "Heroic Endurance" We LOVE you Pastor Craig! We can only imagine how broken you must feel but may all our prayers cradle you in this time of tragic circumstance. Let the JOY of the Lord be your strength!!!
Always in my prayers and thoughts.
The Guachenos
Lifting up Carol and the whole family to our Lord Jesus -from CC in Pennsylvania.
Nothing is impossible for God!
The "old guard" at Prestonwood Baptist in Dallas, TX, is praying for a miracle. We ask that God bring your lovely Carol back to you. We love you and are walking this prayer journey with you.
Blessings,
Amanda and Greg Rogers
Dear Pastor Craig and family,
Sending blessings from Morro Bay and lifting up Carol and your family to our Lord with prayers of love and comfort and healing.
May you draw strength from our Lord's promises to continue to BELIEVE!
Everything is possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23
CAROL WOKE UP!!! Just posted on Craig's Facebook!! Thank you, Jesus!! --Darlene B
Talked to Rick this morning and SO RELIEVED to hear of Carol's progress today! Praying all the more for her continued healing. Can't wait to hear more from you and am so excited! Such relief but no she's not out of the woods. continuing to pray! Love your family! love Carol dearly!
Bishop Creek Community Church (Tanya's church) has been lifting all of you up to our Lord! Keep clinging to our Lord! Love and prayers!
Hi. My name is Rachel. I am a member of the junior high youth group from Temecula Hills Christian Fellowship. This morning before school, my mom and I were talking about what your wife was going through. I was always praying that she would heal, but after this mornings talk, I silently prayed at about 8:50, that your wife would wake up today. When I came home from school, my mom went on this blog to read what todays update was. After we read that she had woken up, she burst into tears and I was shocked that God was actually listening to my specific prayer. I believe that God used your situation to minister to other people like me.I will continue to pray that your wife Carol feels better.
Jeremiah 29:11
-Rachel Haynes
Your friends in Fallbrook CA continue to pray for Carol and your family and we are spreading the word to others to lift you all up in prayer! Your strength is inspiring. In Christ's Love, Sue
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