CONTENTS
Foreword
After being a hospital chaplain for over twenty years I found it
really hard to find myself on the other side of the bed.
Nine months in and out of hospital with a debilitating and life threatening
illness tested every aspect of my life. Yet, In the midst of this darkness
God revealed to me aspects of life, death, and suffering that I had never
seen or experienced before.
In the early stages of my Illness I kept a daily diary. Later, I simply
took mental notes of the things happening around me resulting in the writing
of this book. I do pray that whether you be patient, pastor, carer, friend
or family that God will bless and equip you through the Insights of this
publication.
Don Herbert
I n April 1994 I was admitted to the Canberra Woden Valley Hospital. After
three weeks of intensive investigation, which included two minor operations,
I was diagnosed as having a rare and serious lung disease called BOOP,
(Bronchiolitis Obliterating Organising Pneumonia).
This disease both inflames the lungs and causes them to be covered with
fibre which reduces the oxygen exchange to the body. This condition incapacitated
me to the point of being bedridden for a very long period of time and on
numerous occasions it has nearly caused my death.
As I write this book I recognise that resurrection healing could be a very
real possibility for me before I finish it, as I have just had a relapse.
This backward step has caused the oxygen saturation in my body to degenerate
to such a degree that my skin has turned a light grey. Time to turn up
the oxygen concentrator and type faster.
In the crisis stage of this disease, I was unable to breathe without maximum
oxygen from the hospital system, coupled with special life support equipment.
I could not roll off my back, eat, stand, sit, toilet or wash myself.
I was totally reliant on the hospital nursing staff to assist me with practically
all of these things. For the most part I was so ill that I was unable to
receive visitors, as I had difficulty in concentrating or putting more
than three or four words together at a time. My future prognosis is uncertain
as little is known about the course of this illness.
One thing is obvious, only limited mobility and function are available
to me unless a reasonable amount of healing is received. However, the spiritual
lessons I have learnt from this experience have been of inestimable value
in my life and ministry. I believe for me personally (an iron headed stiff-necked
man), there could have been no other way that I could have learnt them.
I have been able to genuinely thank God for the experience, even though
the suffering has been great. My prayer is that I will be able to use these
lessons in life and not lose them in death. This power however, lies within
the sovereign will of God.
Nevertheless, in agreement with the Apostle Paul I can say, "We can
rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they
are good for us--they help us to learn to be patient. And patience develops
strength of character in us and helps as trust God more each time we use
it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." Rom 5:3-4.
(LB.}
I have written this booklet for three reasons:
(1) For myself personally, so that I will not forget the lessons I have
learnt.
(2) To give the sick and suffering encouragement and direction.
(3) To give those who minister to the sick and dying, insight into the
feelings and struggles of those with chronic illness.... (please
buy the book to read more)