All I knew was that I was being shaken and my name called out and being loudly instructed to keep my eyes open. Soon, the several nurses and aides in the room were joined by many specialists with the RRT, Rapid Response Team. Several of them were heart specialists.
By God’s Grace, when I arose around 3 AM to use the restroom on my own without waking Kathy, a nurse was entering our room to take my vitals. Later, she and I agreed that my guardian angel had sent her at that exact time: (Martin Luther’s evening prayer includes the words, “Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your Holy Angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”) Nurse Jonie told me, “I’ll wait here for you to finish.” It was not long when I began to feel strangely. I called out for the nurse, “Ma’am!” Kathy had been sound asleep. The nurse rushed to my side as I collapsed onto the commode. I’ll spare you the gruesome details—I was as ill as I have ever been. The nurse pulled the red emergency cord, as my body, for lack of better words, tingled all over, and I began the slow walk towards delirium. I simply lost track of time and space. I did pass out, but the nurse pinned my body against the wall so I would not fall. More nurses arrived. The shaking of my body and the yelling in my face by the nurses allowed me to come back, and a special gismo—a very ingenious cart—allowed the staff to transport me from the restroom to my bed in decent order. The RRT arrived immediately. Through all of this, Kathy awoke, and though concerned, she knew she could do nothing physically to help. She told me later her prayer was, “Please Lord, don’t let him die like this.”
I was told my eyes were fixed, and my face was as white as a sheet. But now I am back to what is considered normal for someone in a stem cell transplant process. Obviously, I have had very little sleep. I have been hooked up to yet more machines. I have been put on oxygen. I have been visited by many specialists. I have had numerous tests run, especially for the heart. One of the major side effects of stem cell transplant is cardiac issues. My cardiac tests, minus the most recent for which I have no report yet, have all returned good. One of the main reasons I chose Methodist Houston Medical Center for my transplant is that it is one of the best heart hospitals in the world. I have now tested out their immediate response team, and they passed with flying colors. I will, however, be seeing another cardiac specialist tomorrow, in abundance of caution. God is good!
After watching online worship and a visit from a stem cell transplant specialist, I am ready for the day, maybe some sleep! My specialist informed me that my childhood bulbar polio quite possibly had something to do with my episode since the polio affected my lungs and nervous system. They will find out more as time goes by.
Once again to each of you—your prayers and encouragement lift up both Kathy and me! Awesome!
Psalm 34: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth…I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears…The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has a beautiful rendition of these words. Either YouTube.com Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Psalm 34-live-or ask Alexa to play Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir Psalm 34.)
Praise Report: That I lived for another day to praise the Lord and tell of His goodness! To God be the glory! Magnificent hospital staff!
Prayer Request: That my transplanted stem cells perform properly over the next nine days. (The following days are statistically the roughest days of the transplant process.) My stamina for the trials to come—that I plant my heart and eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.
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Your awesome ability to share your story so graphically, your tremendous faith and ability to share it — wow, God is using you in powerful ways to touch so many lives. We will be praying you through these next days, but only Jesus can be with you and bring you through this. We entrust you to His hands!
Wayne, Wayne, Wayne! I love your retelling…..You have been heavy on my heart and now I know why. Praising and thanking God for his angels. timing, staff training, RR team, Drs., and His plans for you. Your future ministry to others is growing exponentially. We will continue to pray for you Kat and the staff. Hugs. Diane
Oh, dear Wayne.So sorry, but you are right, God provides just what we need when we need it. We have been praying for an easy transition and now we will be thanking God for his placement of the nurse right at the perfect time. So glad you are still with us!!!!!Hugs, hugs,Pat and Tommy
Wayne it’s obvious that God is not ready to take you home, you have been such a wonderful pastor and servant sharing the grace of God to so many. I think he has more plans for you here on earth!!
Your faith and strength amaze me.
Mason and I are praying for you and Kathy.🙏🏻💗
My prayers are with you Wayne. ♥️
Continued prayers and best wishes. God will continue to bless and keep and give you and Kathy peace.
Continued prayers and best wishes. God will continue to bless and keep and give you and Kathy peace.
Yikes! What an experience, what a blessing! Love seeing the faithfulness of the Lord in extreme circumstances, as well as all the dear professionals around you who were there at just the right time. Continuing prayers for you and Kathy! Thank you, Holy Angel!
Praying for peaceful and uneventful next few days. Praising God for bringing you through this event.
Continued prayers for all that you are going through. God has been with you every step of the way. May you & Kathy have the peace that only God can give.
Oh my! So you’re going to be a tester of all medical processes and teams huh?! Stop that! God is indeed good! He is always watching and listening. I thank Him for His providence! Prayers specifically for strength and endurance and smooth days ahead. For both of you. ???????? Lorna
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Praying you will get some rest. I’m so sorry you had this scare. Praying the next 9 days will go smoothly. I am praying for Kathy as she goes through this process with you. So many people are praying for you and love the both of you.
So thankful God sent the right people at the right time and He continues to hold you in the palm of His hand.
“I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” III John 1:2
Praise Jesus for your Guardian Angel and Angel nurse! Prayers continuing to come!
Continued prayers for you and Kathy.
W O W! Thank you Lord for being with Wayne and protecting him. Prayers for both of you and prayers of gratitude for your medical staff. Kathy, I feel that you have a tinge of guilt for not being there for Wayne. It’s OK, you’re doing everything right. God’s in control and knew you needed sleep. No guilt needed! We love you both.
What an experience you have had. Isn’t it amazing that we cancer patients go through so much to be better. I was unconscious for 2 days after my brain surgery and I could tell the doctors everything I remembered about those 2 days.
You and God will beat this demon cancer. Our prayers are with you and Kathy during these trying times.
Praying for a strong heart to help you conquer the next nine days and beyond!!! You and Kathy our in my thoughts daily❣️
Keep writing Wayne! It’s truly a blessing to read. We will continue to pray. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
So many things to be thankful for in this story, and so many things to pray for as well. You are precious and loved by the God who created you and continues to sustain you, and by all who call you friend and pastor. Keep looking upward and holding onto the peace and joy that only He can give. Your present testimony is His work in you.
I pray that God will wrap his arms around both of you and give you His comfort and peace.
1. How good of you to test the response of the RRT. Sometimes I thought they got complacent.
2. How wonderful that Kathy slept through it, as she would have been scared to death.
3. Next time, I know you will call for help before you get up, even if you don’t want to be a “bother”.
We continue to cover you in prayer as you go through this, that the Lord will hold both you and Kathy in His loving and capable arms until you are fully recovered. We also praise Him that you continue to keep your eyes firmly fixed upon Him and the goal in sight, and that your loving spirit and sense of humor remain intact.
Prayers for your healing. Priscilla and Larry
I think of you both often and keep you in my prayers! You both have had a great impact on my life, more than you will ever know! ❤️🙏🏻✝️