We have received so many kind notes, emails, facebook responses and are deeply appreciative of our friends all around the world who have prayed for me and provided tangible support.  It has made this difficult journey much more bearable.

I had a follow up visit today with the doctor who is managing my medical issues (he is from North Shore hospital). He said, I was making satisfactory progress--huge progress if compared to three and 1/2 weeks ago BUT I should not plan to be in the office for almost another three weeks-the conclusion of my antibiotics. He reminded me that I will be tested for several months after completion of the antibiotics, If the infection levels go back up, then surgery will most probably occur with extensive recovery. He reminded me that this is a very serious infection and I needed to take precautions because of the compromise of  my immune system. This week has been tough as I am having some kind of drug "interaction" (not reaction) with breakout on my skin and dramatic impact on the digestive system (I won't go into that :).

So the journey continues. This has felt like a huge setback and yet I know as well that God is using this to good purposes in my own life and will use it for the larger purposes of his kingdom. I may never see nor understand the results of this experience in this lifetime.

I must conclude that God loves me a whole lot. The writer of the book of Hebrews writes (chapter 12):

 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,  the author  and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,  scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”  

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."