Dealing with Illness Through the Holy Spirit

I've spent a lot of time on my knees lately with my husband going through a serious illness. One of the most difficult things to do is to watch a loved one in pain and know you have no control over the illness. It's humbling.

During the ride from the doctor's office to the emergency room, I prayed for God to keep hubby wrapped in his arms and to guide the doctors in bringing relief from his pain. Since the doctor had called to let them know we were coming, I thought we'd be immediately received. No such luck. We had to sit in the waiting room for our turn to be called. When a nurse called us for the check-in, I asked for a wheelchair. At least hubby didn't have to walk, and that was a small relief. But, then we were asked to go back to the waiting room until we were called. I watched my husband's face and knew he was about to give up. His hands were cold and his complexion was waxen. I wadded my coat and let him use it as a quasi-pillow to rest his head. I held his hands and prayed. His body shuddered and I realized he was trying not to cry. I continued to pray. I recited the Lord's prayer and the 23rd Psalm over and over between asking God to help us get into a room.

After we were escorted to a room in the emergency section, a doctor, nurse and tech arrived immediately. My husband's bladder was completely blocked and had been for three days. His bladder had swollen to eight times its normal size. While they catharized him, I continued to fold my hands and pray. They drained a liter of liquid and capped off the catheter to avoid his body going into shock and we had to wait for a half hour. My husband's worst pain had subsided, and he held my hand and tears rolled down his cheeks. "I saw you praying," he said. I assured him that God was with us and that He would see us through this setback. He replied, "I feel God is dealing with me right now." He cried, we cried together, and continued to pray. My husband has always believed in God, but he hasn't felt the presence in his heart like I have. This was his moment. In his weakness, he experienced the Holy Spirit working.

He is home now and we will see the doctor on Saturday to have his catheter removed. We are praying that he will not block again as we wait to see a urologist. And we continually thank God for his healing mercy.