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| Photina n., An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. v.intr., To rise to the surface, ready to flow; to rise or surge from an inner source. v.tr., To pour forth. adj., In a satisfactory condition; right or proper. interj., Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation; used to express surprise.dictionary.com |
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Friday, April 18, 2003 Christ on the Cross by Diego Velázquez posted by Heidi | 18.4.03 Thursday, April 17, 2003 A Letter From Al & Sally Kresta Dear Friends, We would like to, at this time, send an update to all of you who have been "storming heaven" on our behalf. Al's recovery from the "necrotizing fasciitis" began the moment his lower left leg was removed. The skilled doctors at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had judged correctly when they said it was the only way to stop this devastating infection in its tracks. The disease was progressing at a rate of an inch an hour. Thankfully, the prayers of God's people were blazing at two inches per hour. The surgery was necessary and we have not only come to accept it but even to rejoice in it as a "severe mercy." Suffering invites us to imitate Christ. Al is insistent that this time of suffering not be wasted and feels privileged to join his sufferings to Jesus' and His Church's, as St. Paul and John Paul II teach. (See "The Christian Meaning of Human Suffering;" John Paul II.) Al was in the surgical ICU for five days. He still had to fight off the poisonous infection in his blood, which was threatening to shut down several of his organs. Waves of prayer, and medical skill, slowly, but steadily, restored his health. There were no setbacks during this period, which we have been told is quite remarkable. In fact, the doctors scheduled dialysis one day but cancelled it because Al's kidneys showed real progress within a few hours. The second stage of Al's recovery came when they woke him from heavy sedation, removed the respirator and sent him to a step-down unit. He was somewhat awake and somewhat talking, which meant he was asking questions. The realization that they had amputated his leg came over a period of a couple days as his head began to clear. Though it was a hard reality to grasp, intellectually and emotionally, God and the prayers of His people provided the grace to accept this as a tremendous gift of life. As CS Lewis once wrote, "Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a dulled world;" a world which tries to lull us into complacency about the things that matter most. This whole mysterious and painful episode has been a patient call from a gracious God to enter more deeply into repentance and prayer. Al has never wavered in his conviction that trials of this sort are not just "medical" problems. They involve the whole person, body, mind, soul and spirit and require a spiritual not just medical response. In tears, he has described your prayers surrounding him as a precious buoy over these stormy waters. He owes his life to the Mystical Body of Christ. Without the stunning response of Catholic and non-Catholic believers across the nation and throughout the planet, he would be dead. The third stage of Al's recovery included a second surgery to close the amputated leg wound. In the two weeks that followed, we had some setbacks with infections, managing pain meds and changes in wound care. These were a challenge to Al for patience and continued trust in God. He had come so far so steadily, he just wanted to move on. We are now on to the In-Patient Rehab Unit at St Joseph Mercy Hospital. The doctors have finally said he is medically sound. He's ready to get strong, adjust to his new body and eventually to go home. We wanted to take the time to tell this much of the story to all of you whose intercessions literally delivered Al from death to life. Two physicians independently looking carefully at the case said they had never seen a person so ill go on and live. They then told Al that he must be alive for a reason. God hears the cry of His people and will be their salvation both in time and eternity. There are many stories along the way of God's hand being securely on Al's life and our family. We will someday tell how our daughter and her fiancé were able to fly out of a "blizzardy" Washington, DC the night of Al's surgery, how various saints were made known to us, and how God has placed helpful people in our path at just the right time. We also have a powerful testimony to share about how our family has been loved and cared for by God's people. You may have also heard of my (Sally's) illness. Let me update you on that. I came down with cellulitis three days after Al's surgery, also in the left leg. The doctors did a biopsy to make sure it wasn't what Al had. While it is related to Al's disease in that it also can be a result of a Strep A bacteria, in me, however, it decided to stay on a superficial layer under the skin. I was hospitalized for a week and was on crutches for another week. I feel that it was a gift from God to share somewhat in Al's trials and to allow our children to draw closer to their Dad. Oh, there is too much to say. Please continue to pray and let us know how we can pray for you. You can post responses and other messages to Al and Sally in the Karing for Kresta Guestbook on the Ave Maria Radio website. posted by Heidi | 17.4.03 Salvador Dali's The Last Supper Also, you can read Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II's encyclical on the Eucharist given today. posted by Heidi | 17.4.03 |
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