Tuesday, August 7, 2018

GROWING SEEDS: Do I Go East.....Or Do I Go West

August 5, 2018


"God does not promise to take us out of the 'valley of the shadow of death"; 
He promises to be there with us."
David Littell



We had church in Room 915 of the ICU this past week.   

We clasped hands, just as we do every week in our little church in Mt Vernon, and we each said a prayer of Thanksgiving.....a prayer of Peace......a prayer of Healing....and yes, a prayer of 'Even if He doesn't'.  


When you're at a crossroads......and you must turn left or you must turn right .....go east or go west....and you don't know which direction to go, the only direction to go is to your knees.  And we did just that a week ago today.  

Chuck hadn't been feeling well.....thought it was a cold....maybe allergies...maybe an MS attack.  But when he passed out and his color wasn't right and his skin was ice-cold and his already weak body was weaker, we found ourselves at that crossroad.  Do we go east to the closest hospital 30 minutes away.....or do we go west to his doctors in Dallas two hours away.  And that's when my knees hit the floor of the closet.  "Which direction Lord", I remember praying.  

The phone rang almost immediately.  It was a nurse at UTSW in Dallas.  "Go west", she said.  


And so we did.  We drove two hours to the Emergency Room at UTSW in Dallas where, after many tests, it was discovered this man I married 21 years ago had a very large blood clot in his heart.  IN his heart.  Our cardiology team said they had never witnessed the exact moment caught on a scan of a blood clot "in transit" through the heart..... and time was critical.  They needed to dissolve it immediately or it could mean sudden death.  They rushed him to ICU where they started a procedure called TPA - Tissue Plasminogen Activator - to dissolve this large clot before it could leave the heart and leave my husband dead. 


A team of 20 cardiologists and pulmonologists, as well as his MS neurologists, quickly conferred together.  They watched as the blood clot dissolved through the TPA procedure.  They saw his color return.....and they admitted; they witnessed a miracle.


The miracles were flying faster than we could keep up with them.....what if we had gone East to Mt. Pleasant instead of West to Dallas?  We would be planning his funeral today.  What if the doctors hadn't realized he had existing aortic valve stenosis and not done that echo cardiogram which discovered the unexpected blood clot?  We would be planning his funeral today.  That's the reality of it. The cardiologist said we had maybe hours at the most before this would have taken his life.  Most likely our East Texas hospital would not have done an echo cardiogram on Chuck and never known about the blood clot.

But yesterday, a week later, we came Home.  He's not out of danger just yet.....still has a large 8" blood clot in his leg and several small ones in his lungs....but today, as I type this to you, I'm listening to my husband breathe as he naps in front of me...his tired body grateful for more time.  His wife grateful for more time.....however long that might be.

And all the while......God proved Himself present with us through the valley of the shadow of death.  



"If God wants to perform a small miracle, He places us in difficult situations.
If He wants to perform a MIGHTY miracle, 
He places us in impossible circumstances."
Unknown


65 comments:

Martha Oxford said...

Oh, Liz, so grateful for miracles. Continued prayers for you and Chuck. God's blessings upon you.

Martha Oxford said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurie Justus Pace said...

So grateful to the Lord... the doctors, and both of you for listening to what your heart told you, which I believe was God.

Cherie Brown said...

WOW, praise GOD! That had to be so scary! I'm sorry y'all had to go through that, but so thankful the good LORD saw him through! Praying for continued healing and health! Love you my friend!

Carolyn Jones said...

Oh Liz, my heart goes out to you while I say PRAISE THE LORD.

You and Chuck are very dear people and I am so glad he will be around a lot longer.

Thank you for sharing.

Love both of you,
Carolyn J.

Carol Scott said...

Very grateful for this miracle.

Charlotte Allen said...

Soooooo sorry about Chuck, glad he is back home and pray the other clots will vanish. You have to be so stressed. If I can help let me know. My thoughts and prayers will be with you both. X O

PJ Flanders said...

God is good, all the time God is good, because it is His nature to be good. Praise God for miracles

Nanci Zachary said...

God is good. Soooo sorry Liz. Know you both sooo scared and worried. But I also know your love of each other and God will be your salvation. If ever, I can help, I am available. LOVE and Blessings to you BOTH.

Janet Browne said...

πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ˜‡ keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!

Sharla Price said...

Oh so ever grateful for miracles! Continued prayers for you all.

Laurie Pace said...

Such beautiful testimony. God whispered and you listened...then he called and you went.

John Astrello said...

I know about those clots - really bad things. Almost got me about 10 years ago. Glad to see that progress is being made. Both you and Chuck will go on our Sunday School Prayer list.

Jo Greenwood said...

prayers continue for Chuck, you, doctors and staff.

Cherie Kranz Brown said...

Continued prayers for healing! How scary! God bless you both! <3

Darcy Force said...

So so grateful.

Elease Hubbell said...

Dear Lord, thank you so much for giving Liz and Chuck more time together. Truly a miracle!! We have no idea what the two of you have gone through throughout the years, but the good Lord does and only He knows when it is our time. Blessing to you both my friend.

Vicki Morgan said...

So thankful you are home again.... and so grateful you have the Lord to guide you through the hills and valleys. Love you guys!

Brenda Marshall said...

Liz you keep sharing such beautiful and powerful blogs. You are both truly an inspiration and I keep you in my prayers.

Mary Lee Knippenberg said...

So well written , you both are wonderful witness to our God's beautiful MIRACLE!!

Traci Dahle said...

Oh my, we are so sorry and so glad at the same time!!
Hugs to both of you, I noticed he was coughing when we where there but didn’t k ow if that was normal!
Glad you have him home and more prayers the other blood clot goes away!!
πŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌ

Judy Somers Bowles said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you both!

Ellen Louro said...

God !!! And I know you do. Love you both and you are in my prayers.
Miss seeing you. ❤️❤️❤️

Georgia Gibson said...

I am so happy to hear that Chuck is back home. We are in awe of God’s handling of Chucks condition and also in your listening to what he said to you about where to go. Miracles do happen and this is a big one. Call me if you need us for anything. Our prayers continue for both of you!

Jan Andrews said...

Prayers continue ...

Rex and Carolyn said...

Glad you chose West. Prayers! Rex

Meleah said...

Lord Jesus thank you

Ellen Caldwell said...

I wish you and Chuck would move back to the metroplex 😘

Erin Freeman said...

Praying for you both!

Diana Antoniella said...

Liz, I am so sorry you all are going through this! And, then, I am so grateful you all are going through this, rather than what could have been so much worse. Praise God for direction at just the moment you needed it! Praise God for UTSW and the gifted physicians who knew just what to do. Continued prayers as these clots are dissolved and Chuck regains his strength. Prayers for you, too, Liz, as you care for him. Love and hugs to both of you

Matt Melcher said...

Sweet Liz Calloway Etheridge, I’m moved by your words and your faith to seek Gods wisdom/direction. So many sweet memories of you guys rushed my mind and reminded me that it’s been too long since we have seen y’all. Hopefully that can happen soon, but in the meantime give Chuck our love and may God keep speaking to you in a way that reminds you that He is in control, He sees you, and He loves you.

Jaime Melcher said...

We love y’all & we’re so thankful for this miracle. Pls send Chuck our love, you’re both in our prayers.

Maaike Plantinga said...

Glad you are home, love you both !!!

Carla Melcher said...

Oh Liz....if only i had known, I would have been there holding hands and praying with you. I will text you. Love you both and praying for you both.😘

Lauren Herman said...

I am there is you need ANYTHING. He is so lucky to have you. What an ordeal. I never knew you could have a blood clot in the Heart!

Martha Oxford said...

LOVE to both of you.

Elizabeth Cheever said...

Dear Liz, I just read this. Working ICU for eight years, and being a nurse for 37 I fully understand the gravity of the situation you two faced. God loves you both soooooo much!! He for sure gave you a miracle!!! Love you girl!! Sending prayers for continued healing. Tons of prayers, Liz

Bonnie said...

I just opened and read your wonderful blog about your recent miracle with Chuck. I am going to say prayers daily for him and you, too. I’m praying for his body to dissolve the remaining blood clots quickly or slowly but surely ---we will be so thankful for any blessings you can give him.Liz this is quite amazing that I pulled up my emails this evening to let our friends know that Dick passed away Sat. Aug 4 at Medical City in Plano. He had spent the last almost 3 months in a rehab facility trying to get some relief from agonizing back pain. He was there only 4 days before he had a stroke. It was downhill from there on out. As a matter of fact, during this whole ordeal I thought of you and Chuck going everywhere on the cycle and the RV. It is quite an amazing story, Liz. Dick’s memorial will be held tomorrow, 8/8 at the Sparkman Funeral home of Greenville av. Guess what his donation requests were----the Humane Society of Richardson. I love you two and will be touch very soon to get updated on Chuck’s recovery.

Kathy Rachal said...

Wow, Liz. I'm just slap jawed! Whoa what a testimony. I'm so grateful you have more time together on this planet. I've had y'all on my mind lately. No wonder.

Well I will beef up the prayers about the rest of the clots. So sorry y'all have been through so much. Please keep sending updates. You're in my prayers too. You must be exhausted. Take care of you too!!

Love you...
Kathy

Frosty said...

Omg! What a miracle! Chuck hope your feeling better soon! Liz stay strong my friend!

Frosty

Dorothy Thompson said...

Liz, so glad you went west and he is improving. Miracles do happen and Chuck is living proof of that. If there is anything we can do please let us know.

Barb Olson said...

Oh my goodness! God is so good. Prayers for healing for. Oth if you.

Blessings

Jeanne Laurie said...

Only God is all I can say, Liz. He has something else for Chuck to learn or do or teach. So glad you two have each other a little longer – that’s God too. Love you. Jeanne

Jack Wallace said...

Oh Liz, thank you for blessing me with your words and the update! Prayers for sure.

Jack

Angie said...

Hi there Liz and Charlie,

So glad you shared this, will continue to lift you both up in prayer. GOD has incredible plans for us all, as along as we have breathe left.

Love you, Angie

Tomek said...

OMG, bless your (and Chuck’s) heart! So sad to hear about additional health issues…Glad to hear he’s doing better and under great care in Dallas. Give him a big hug and I’ll keep both of you guys in my thoughts and prayers here in AR.

Helen McMichael said...

Thank you murphys mom for keeping us aware of chuck. You are both in my prayers

Tommie Smith said...

What a beautiful love story of total commitment to God & to your precious Chuck May God continue to use you both to inspire others , for God’s Glory πŸ™

Betty Williams said...

Praying for you both! πŸ™πŸ»❤️πŸ™πŸ»

Robin's Nest said...

I am speechless on so many different levels...Thank you for sharing your story in such a vivid way...it is truly amazing!!!!! The Liz and Chuck story of being faithful followers isn’t over yet...there is so much more to be added to their story!!!

Pat Hudson said...

Praying for peace and comfort for both of you. Hugs to you.❤️

Beverly McPherson said...

So glad you are home, praying all goes the right way

Pam Little said...

Thank God for His mighty miracles! Love y'all and praying for both of you!

CHERYL Hickman said...

Thank you for sharing this miracle of lifeπŸ™πŸ». Praying for strength for both of you.

Cheryl Lewis said...

Truly a miracle and God’s handiwork πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡ praying for Chuck’s speedy recovery πŸ™

Kristin Simmons said...

Praise God for the Holy Spirit interceding and telling you what to do. I am praying for you both! Love you, sweet friend! ❤️

Ken Dahl said...

Very humbling and reinforces are faith in God. Tell Chuck our prayers are with him for a full recovery and as always with you also.πŸ™

Take care Ken & Traci

Shelley Mulcher said...

Liz, I just found out about Chuck. I am glad God provided this miracle for you and Chuck. If you need anything please call me. 972-358-4536.

Betty Fabor said...

Liz I am sorry to hear about Chuck, but the Lord is on his side and will see him through. God Bless you both. Praying for you both.πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

Ray Baker said...

Thanks and praise to Jehovah Jira! He is our provider and healer. Thankful for improvement in his health situation. Prayers for y'all.

Judy Hammock said...

Praise God for his goodness!!!

Cheryl Godfrey said...

Truly a miracle and God’s handiwork πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡ praying for Chuck’s speedy recovery

lynn said...


Love and Prayers to YOU Both! So thankful for the miracles God gives us at just the right time.

Cindy Fulton said...

Goodness goodness - this was a beautiful read. Love you so much and thankful for miracles.

Vincel said...

Lizzie...you know how much I love you and Chuck....I have been praying every day that a miracle would come and thank you Jehovah for watching over the both of you. If you need anything...Ray and I will be here. Call me when you can...just want to hear your voice. Love you...and give Chuck a kiss for me.