For the Voiceless

Can you imagine not being able to talk?  Can you imagine not being able to talk when you're in pain?  Or in a hospital?  Or with a foreign object in your throat?

A diagram of a Nasogastric Suction-it's not fun or painless, but it sure is helpful

 via

That was Ryan's reality during our last hospital stay.  He had a Nasogastric Suction which involves removing an obstruction from the stomach or small intestine by inserting a tube through the nose and suctioning the material through the tube.

He recently had another surgery and this obstruction in his bowel was a "normal" complication.  So they put a flexible tube through his right nostril, down his throat, and into his stomach.  He gagged, coughed, and vomited during and after.  Not only that, but his voice was literally taken away while the tube was in place.

There must be nothing scarier than to be voiceless, no direct communication options-especially when in a hospital feeling pain, helplessness, and total hopelessness.

 So my fellow spouses and caregivers...that is where YOUR crucial, God-given role comes in.

Be your spouses voice when they literally have none.  When they are in a procedure, with a tube down their throat, in surgery, consumed by pain, overwhelmed, or exhausted.  Be their strong and mighty voice who advocates for their health and well-being, not compromising care in the least.

It blessed my husband that I could speak to the nurses and tell them his pain just by the look in his eye or by a point of his finger.  He would point to what he needed and I would anticipate his needs.  I never left his bedside and gave him my fullest eye contact and attention.

Because when you do not have a voice-your hope is barely hanging on by a thread.

So today, I challenge you to be a godly, significant, strong, and confident voice for your suffering spouse when they need because of chronic illness.  Be the hands and feet of Jesus to them, take on the role of a servant, and love them selflessly with your heart and attention.  Nothing could be more empowering and loving.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper

1 Kings 19:12

With JOY,

Ryan & Carly