A Word About My Health and the Pandemic
The nurse knew I was irritated…I don’t hide that well.
She worked for my cardiologist who was too busy to see me and too busy to know I’d had two “mini-strokes” and too busy to have scheduled the cardiac ultra sound I’m supposed to have every six months.
I also noted how much I’d loved my former cardiologist…in comparison, of course, to the one I had now.
She asked who that might have been…turns out the nurse had worked for my beloved former doctor and loved her too.
Instant bond.
I needed that bond of trust to accept that I need my heart valve replaced as soon as possible and face my deteriorating condition.
She needed it to explain why things are, as she delicately put it, in a “state of transition”.
The medical system here is in chaos.
Medical professionals are leaving in droves after being over worked, over stressed, and beyond burned out.
There aren’t enough doctors, nurses, or rooms available because of the Covid 19 pandemic.
To make matters worse, much of the public and patients do not believe such a crisis exists.
When I asked how long the process would take that ends in my surgery she noted that there were over a hundred patients in line in front of me.
She did offer that if I blacked out in public, I would move closer to the front of that line.
Some patients respond to this wait by threatening the medical workers.
The reception area had to be encased in plexiglass to protect the workers from thrown objects and irate patients.
A gun has been pulled and pointed.
Much of the public has been convinced that the whole thing is a hoax or a political stunt or it’s just the flu.
We are all paying the price for such lies.
I tell you this for two reasons.
I will be here when I’m able…as long as I’m able.
Some days are better than others.
This week has not been in the better category.
Second, if you believe these lies and your “freedom” is worth more than your neighbors life, this site is not for you.
I will ban you, block you, and if I have any strength left after that I may cuss you as you leave.
We need to have real conversations about Covid 19 mitigations and their impact on society…but those conversations have to start with acknowledging a plague exists.
Pray for our medical professionals who have already given their all and there’s not much left to give.
Pray for those who are waiting for care…and that there will be someone there to care for them.
Michael, know this…you are a beacon of light in the darkness. (Overused term but it fits you 100%). I pray for your stamina and strength. When your time comes, you will one day hear/see the impact you have had on lives. It can be a challenge to fight the fight…but you fight the good fight (another overused term but fitting you 110%). And my daughter thanks you since she got an emotional support cat last month…and understanding more how her relationship with the cat can connect with her understanding of the Gospel…well done good and faithful servant.
prodinov,
You humble me with your kindness.
Thank you, my friend.
Continuing to pray for you, Michael.
Thank you, CK…
The medical profession has been considered an entitlement by many Americans for too long–that access to appointments, procedures, and surgery is taken for granted. The reality is that poor people and minorities are generally excluded & only access the system in emergencies and then only at the emergency room. The Covid crisis has decimated the medical community more than any other group–including small business–by the relentlessness of the demands and the ongoing lack of respect and cooperation of the general public. You have accurately identified this issue before & again today–and personify the affect to many who otherwise would be untouched by the dilemma. I have grave concerns about the future of medical care in the US, but also presently grow increasingly worried about its viability short-term. Your chronic challenges remain in my prayers, as, apparently, the Great Physician is the one most accessible.
fil,
Well said…and thank you, my friend.
Thank you for sharing. I am among the many who are praying that God will heal and sustain you.
I am not a pandemic denier, but I strongly believe that the response in many states has been misguided and devastating, especially to young students and their families.
Jim,
I appreciate your prayers.
The pandemic has been devastating to all of us in some way…but I don’t believe that embracing conspiracy theories is helpful.
My belief is that we didn’t know how to handle this, handled it as best we could, and made a ton of mistakes.
We can try to find out who the villains were after we’re safe again.
Michael,
Thank you for sharing.
You’re in my prayers.
Your site really is a beacon to a lot of us.
Thank you, bob1.
I’m encouraged that it will all work out.
I am here to agree with you, and to pray for those who just do not get it. I have been angry more than once with the cavalier attitude displayed by some regarding masking up or even acknowledging that a pandemic exists. I wish that my anger helped the situation, it doesn’t. So I am left to pray, and that doesn’t always help either, but it is better than nothing. I pray for your health and well being, I pray for my family’s wellbeing and I pray for my coworkers and others who work in healthcare. I have not much hope anymore, but prayer indicates that hope is still there is some measure…pray for us all to have hope!
Cathy,
I think you have hit a sweet spot…if we are hopeful we can bear anything.
Anger destroys even the hope of hope.
Praying for new hope, indeed.
God bless you, Michael.
Xenia,
Thank you, my friend…
Amen to all the above posts…..
Lord we stand in prayer against the evil one. Send Your assets, Father, from heaven to be the protection Michael Newnham needs now. Thank You, Father. Our hope is in Your grace and mercies to us.
I am glad that you and the nurse were able to bond. Sometimes in the middle of tough, what we may deem to be unfair situations, we can find that small bit of light and blessing. I am praying for it all to be resolved for you and for you to be on the road to recovery. Also, thanks for the invitation to deniers of the pandemic to leave!
I just watched the landing of Perseverance on Mars and the celebration at JPL. I was thinking how these bright, intelligent, educated people are using their capacities for the good of humanity. I also contrasted that scene with those who use their minds and hearts to embrace and promote idiocy and conspiracies. May we have more of the former.
I will continue in my prayers for you, Michael. There is a light at the end of this tunnel; I’m convinced of it. My husband received the Covid vaccine here in San Diego last week – the same day my 93-year-old father was vaccinated in Wisconsin. I am not old enough yet to be vaccinated, but it gives me hope that people I know have started the vaccination process. I hope you get vaccinated soon Michael. Neither my father or my husband had any bad reactions to the vaccine – just a slightly sore arm for two days. My son-in-law in the Army also got the vaccine, and he didn’t have a bad reaction either. So get the vaccine if you can! It sounds like you could use a shot in the arm! ( pun intended ) Spring is around the corner, as well but I know what it’s like to ‘ hit the wall” dealing with all of this. I was feeling pretty hopeless myself just three weeks ago thinking I would never see my grandchildren again. At 12 months my new grandson is so gosh darned cute it breaks my heart not to be able to hold him and hug him.
I saw my MD this AM. He felt it is very important to be vaccinated because this has been so devastating.
However, he felt I should not recieve the second dose. A vaccine’s purpose is to activate the immune system, and that’s a problem for me.
I am convinced any person, not having an active illness caused by an underlying autoimmune, should definitely be vaccinated for your protection, as well as the protection of others.
Michael. I will pray for you.
Thank you for your thoughts and regards when mentioned I was struggling after being vaccinated. It’s been two weeks and I am improving this AM.
Michael
I have advised less stress… Ignored!
I have advised a better diet… Ignored!
I have advised frequent check-ups… Ignored!
I will, despite being ignored, encourage you to rest in the love and prayers of this somewhat eccentric community of faith. Love you, my brother!
Michael, I am continuing in fervent prayer for you. I know where you’re at healthwise, I’ve been there myself.
Reading your post makes me desperately wish there was a way to bring you up here – given your condition, you’d have surgery in about 3 months at most (mine was just under three months after my diagnosis). And I wasn’t getting quite as weak as you seem to be, either.
Praying for strength, health, and a miracle for the moving up of your surgery.
Thank you, Em!
DavidM,
Well said.
This bonding with the nurse was a huge blessing because I felt recognized as a person, not a problem.
There’s a message there somewhere…
Bride of Christ,
Thank you for your prayers.
I want to get vaccinated, but the rollout here has been slow…looks like spring for me.
Nathan,
We’ll continue to pray for your complete recovery…and that one shot will be enough…
Duane,
I did follow your counsel about an evening cocktail…they say rum will help me in many ways.
I said amen…
Love you much, my friend.
Owen,
Thank you for your prayers.
The other big blessing is that if my anatomy allows it…I will have the TAVR procedure instead of open heart surgery.
That…helped me mentally a lot.
I’m thankful to be in a country with a strong public health system and where the virus was kept under control.
We’re starting vaccinations next week: First the frontline, then the vulnerable, then the oldest, then going down through the age groups. We’re not in any danger – we never got as far as having to wear masks – so I even feel like we should be letting other countries start their vaccinations before us.
Eric,
That’s amazing…one of my doctors said yesterday we’ve got at least another year to go…mainly because people buck all the preventative measures here.
There are times I don’t know how to pray. To be honest the thought of praying “Thy will be done” scares me because what if His will goes in the total direction of mine??
My prayers have always been for you Michael.
I find drinking ice cold, sugar free almond milk does wonders!!
God bless you brother
Erunner…good to see you!
I’ll stick with rum, though… 🙂
My last post should read
“There are times I don’t know how to pray. To be honest the thought of praying “Thy will be done” scares me because what if His will goes in the total OPPOSITE direction of mine??
My prayers have always been for you Michael.
I find drinking ice cold, sugar free almond milk does wonders!!
God bless you brother
Michael….. it’s good to be seen! I prefer schnapps!!! 🙂
Maybe almond milk with a bit of rum? 😀
Michael, I have been praying for you this afternoon in between classes of very busy fifth graders. The surgery is important so slow down enough to be at your best when it happens. And, thank you for taking a truthful stand on all things pandemic. One of my church friends messaged me yesterday that her whole family is ill. They have insisted on attending our open (but shouldn’t be) church, and I am concerned about them.
Thank you, Linn.
I’m not pretending that this pandemic doesn’t present complex and difficult issues…but we’ll never solve them by denying that the danger exists.
There are plenty of places online where people can do that…this will never be one of them.
🤗💕🙏
Michael, that would be ideal, let’s hope.
Is it the aortic valve? They had to crack my chest for mine, but I have read they were able to do that procedure for some cases.
Michael,
Words so true. I will keep praying for you.
Will be in prayer for you Michael!
Prayers going up now for you Micheal.
Our mortality binds us together no matter what we separate over. When a brother shares his own mortality story we enter into that as we have with our brother Michael. And Michael points out to us how our mortality might better cause us to give thought to one another.
And I add my blessings to the others, this is a long standing community and we love Michael and pray for his extended life.
Kevin, Gan, JD, BD…thank you.
We live in a time when we should recognize our common mortality with more clarity than in generations past, and that should indeed bind us together…but it hasn’t.
Something is broken…
Love you, brother.
Josh,
Love you too, my friend….
Praying for you Michael…my Phoenix Preacher friend.
pslady,
Thank you, my friend…
Michael, even though I’ve never been much of a prayin’ man you have my thoughts and prayers too.
Thank you, Muff…you’ve been with us a long time!
Michael…I’ve been on this forum for a long time and you have brought light to circumstances and promoted healing for so many. I am joining many who are praying for you (dare I say, for you to black out in public?–only partially kidding). Much love to you and prayers for healing.
Thank you, Linnea…you have been a friend for many years and I do appreciate you!
Michael,
You are a warrior who has stood in the gap for so many that are broken and hurt. I also, am not a prayer warrior, but praying for you, that God’s mercies would abound.
Thank you, McGarret!
I’m sad to read this on so many levels. I ‘ll just borrow from Duane in recognition of our common experience and sentiment.
“I have advised less stress… Ignored!
I have advised a better diet… Ignored!
I have advised frequent check-ups… Ignored!
I will, despite being ignored, encourage you to rest in the love and prayers of this somewhat eccentric community of faith. Love you, my brother!”
ok rant over, love you bro!
pstrmike,
Love you, my friend…at least I followed up and went to the doctor… 🙂
Michael, I pray for you, Love you, my brother.
Mike,
Thank you.
Love you too, my friend…