Opie

"In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10

Charles and I came to North Carolina last week (Thursday, August 26th) to visit my grandparents (Omie & Opie) for a long weekend. They spend two to four months each year (since they retired when I was about twelve years old) in the mountains of North Carolina. My mom's side of the family has a longstanding tradition of vacationing together, one which continued after Charles and I were married. This year's summer visit started out like many before it, but unfortunately took an unexpected and frightening turn when my grandfather (Opie) suddenly became ill.

After arriving on Thursday to the Lake Lure country cabin on the farm where they are staying, we ventured into town for dinner at a local 'homestyle cooking' restaurant in Chimney Rock Village. We shared a pleasant meal on the open air deck overlooking the rushing waters of a stony creek (below, Opie peruses the menu).


Friday morning, Opie suddenly began experiencing what he called "stomach cramps", a cold sweat, and nausea. Assuming it was food poisoning from something he had eaten the night before, Charles and I went to the local pharmacy to see if there was anything we could get to ease his discomfort.

Upon returning to the cabin, we discovered that his condition was rapidly worsening; we made several phone calls to his doctor in Florida, a local physician, and looked into the nearest Urgent Care Center/Emergency Room. It quickly became apparent that he was too weak for us to safely transport anywhere, so we decided to call an ambulance.

Fortunately, the nearest dispatch station was just a few miles away and within minutes, two ambulances and a fire rescue vehicle, as well as a half dozen EMS workers arrived and took over. After being stabilized in the ambulance, Opie was rushed to Rutherford Hospital in Rutherfordton, NC. Omie, Charles, and I quickly gathered what we needed and followed behind.

We arrived in the Emergency Department and were immediately taken back to see him. Much to our utter shock and horror, we found his room teeming with doctors and nurses finishing up an ultrasound and prepping him for emergency surgery. A surgeon introduced himself to my grandmother and I and explained that Opie's ailment was not caused by food poising at all-- they discovered a ruptured aortic aneurysm in his abdomen. I, for one, had never even heard of this condition, so after some clarification, it was obvious that his life was truly in danger. I think my heart stopped for a moment when the doctor said to us, "Less than half of people with this condition survive the operation."

Dazed and confused, we could only step back into the hospital room long enough to say what we needed to say in case that was our last chance. After Opie was wheeled away to the Operating Room, all we could do was begin the long process of waiting, informing family back in Florida of the situation, and praying for God's guidance and mercy.

The hospital staff in the surgical waiting room kept us informed of his progress through the four hour surgery. The kindness, care, and generosity of the people of Rutherford Hospital has continued to amaze me at every turn. If not for their compassion, I don't know how we would have managed. Fortunately, their final report to us was a positive one-- although he was still in critical condition, Opie had survived the surgery. Praise the Lord.

Once they transferred him to the Intensive Care Unit and got him stabilized, we were able to go up and see him. Like my experience seeing my father post-open heart surgery, this too was unsettling. The humming and beeping of life sustaining medical equipment can be an intimidating presence. My mother and brother, who immediately made the 8+ hour drive up from Florida, arrived at the hospital and were allowed up to the ICU for a visit. Once we spoke to his nurse and were assured that he was in good hands, we returned to the cabin and settled in for the night.

Two days passed where Opie seemed to be making progress. Although he still had a ventilator tube down his throat assisting his breathing, he could hear every word we said and even respond a little by nodding or shaking his head. He even wrote a few words down on a piece of paper including, "Am I leaving?" Sorry Opie, not until you're much, much better!

The week since our hope-filled weekend has been much rockier. Lab tests revealed that he developed pneumonia and sepsis and he has continued to struggle with low blood pressure and one very scary episode of a fever and an irregular heartbeat. This week has been filled with trips back and forth to the cabin (about 25 minutes each way), lots of ICU waiting room coffee, and constant updates to our family back at home (my uncle, aunt, and cousins).

My mom is on emergency leave from work and Charles and I both work remotely for our jobs, so we have been accessing the internet with our laptops at the local library when we can. My brother is here, helping keep things in the house running and acting as occasional chauffeur for my Omie, who is not used to driving these mountain roads (that was an "Opie job"). Our dog, Holly, who came up with us on vacation to play in the fields of the farm is keeping Omie & Opie's dog, Molly, company. Charles is flying home this weekend to check on our house and get some clothes and things that will help us live and work up here for as many weeks as needed. My mom will be returning to Florida in a few days, as she will likely need to save her time off for when Opie gets home and will require her time and care.

So, here's where we stand. Just waiting and praying for Opie to get better. We're all learning a lot about patience through this situation. My grandmother is one of the strongest, most determined people I know and while she is having trouble sleeping, worries constantly, and is forcing herself to eat, she is enduring this crisis as well as can be expected. Things are still very much touch and go and all any of us can do it try to get through the hours as best we can.

My heart is touched and I am profoundly grateful for all of the caring and support that our family, friends, and coworkers have shown. If not for the huge network of support, we wouldn't have made it this far. You're the steam in our engines, so keep praying for Opie and for the people who love him!

I hope with all of my heart that the ending to this story will be a happy one. That being said, I trust with my entire being that God is watching over us and that there is sound reasoning in His will. I might be helpless, but I'll never be hopeless.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV