The Healing of Kasey

There needs to be a record of significant life events to pass on to future generations.  God thought it was important and instructed the children of Israel to place stones as monuments for what God had done for them when they crossed the Jordan River into the promised land. Like the Israelites, it is important that we include in these life events those where God performed miracles.  Kasey is one of these.

Kasey is a border collie.  We bought her in December 2005 at 7 weeks of age.  She became a healthy, active, gentle and intelligent pet.  She was especially loyal to Eddie who spent time grooming and exercising her, mostly on 2 mile walks around the neighborhood.  We have concluded more than once that she is one of the best pets we have owned. 

In the summer of 2010, Kasey's nose began to drain thick bloody mucus.  At first we thought it could be a nasal infection due to allergies, but it did not stop after a couple of weeks.  We took her to the vet at the beginning of August 2010 and she concluded Kasey did not have an infection but there appeared to be a mass that they could not accurately detect with their x-ray equipment.  Kasey's gamma goblin levels were high indicating it may be cancer.  The vet referred us to a critical care clinic in Richmond with a specialist and special equipment to examine Kasey.

After extensive testing, scoping the nasal passage with a camera and biopsy and care overnight, the specialist in Richmond said she found a tumor in Kasey's right nasal passage that appeared to be cancer.  She confirmed what our vet concluded but added she would send the biopsy to a lab for further examination.  That lab came to the same diagnosis adding it was aggressive cancer and gave Kasey only 8 weeks to live.  The specialist had researched treatment options and related to us that surgery was not an option and the only treatment was radiation therapy.  This would have to be done out of state and would only give Kasey 2 more years.  We chose not to do it. 

We brought Kasey home from Richmond, placed her on our bed, laid hands on her and prayed for God to heal her.  After that every time Eddie cleaned up her nose (several times a day) he would thank the Lord for healing her.  We gave her only the regular dog food and no other vitamins, medicines, etc. Kasey progressively got worse and displayed several symptoms the specialist said we would see including bleeding from the tumor spreading to the left nasal passage.  Eddie found a place in the yard to bury Kasey since the situation appeared to worsen, but several times a day as he attended to Kasey, he continued to thank the Lord for healing her. 

Sometime in about the 7th of the 8 weeks, Kasey's symptoms disappeared and never returned.  After 12 weeks, our vet called "to ask about Kasey".  I thought she was so diplomatic and gracious in the manner she asked.  I told her Kasey was symptom free but she needed to talk to Eddie.  They never were able to connect, but 3 months later he took her in for her regular check up, shots, etc.  The vet was so shocked to actually see a living Kasey that she could not contain herself.  Eddie shared the entire story with her and she labeled her "our miracle dog".  She was declared perfectly healthy and had even gained a couple of pounds.  It was documented in the vet's  notes and she shared it with everyone in the office.  Each time we have taken her in for shot, etc. the vet shares Kasey's story with all those there once again.

It has been 3 years now that this story began and Kasey continues to be healthy, active, gentle and intelligent with no signs of any illness.  We don't understand all about miracles and healings or why God choses to heal some we pray for and not others, but we know He can and does heal. This event is once again proof that God's love for us is so great and that He cares about the things we care about.

Organizing Tips for July

 

      It is July and it is hot and humid as always.  I wonder if we spend as much time in air conditioning in the summer as we do the heated rooms in the winter.  Since we are enjoying our living rooms, family rooms or dens, let’s get them organized this month.  Here are some tips that might be helpful to you.

• Arrange electronic items such as televisions, CD and DVD players and video games in one area so the wires and cables can be contained together.
• Label each end of cables and wires related to the computer and other electronic equipment.  It will save much time in connecting or reconnecting
• Use wire baskets that can be mounted under shelves or cable ties to contain wires.
• Purge videos, CDs and DVDs that are no longer used.  Sell or donate them to a local charity, nursing home or hospital.  If you want to locate one again, they can be rented or borrowed from local libraries.
• Renting or borrowing movies and games is an excellent organizational choice and sets a good example for your children in managing finances and spaces.
• Store CDs and DVDs in their case vertically on shallow shelves or if space is limited, they can be removed from the case and placed in notebooks or cases with plastic sleeves.  Sort and arrange by category.
• Videos can be stored vertically on shelves or in shoe box type containers.  Do not stack flat as accessing those on the bottom is more difficult.
• Remotes and game joysticks should be contained in a basket, decorative box or container designed specifically for them.  Keep them within easy reach of the chair or sofa.
• Place a table or shelf near every seating area.  Large coffee tables can take the place of several small end tables.  Choose one with storage shelves, cabinet doors or drawers.
• Provide an area for playing with toys if you allow that activity.  A lower cabinet can be used to store those items or they can be taken back to the bedroom in a tote box or rolling crate.
• For reading areas be sure to have a comfortable chair with adequate lighting and a place to store books, magazines, newspapers, etc.
• Books should be purged from bookcases.  Keeping fiction books that you have read serves no purpose except to prove you own them.  Sell or donate them knowing you can borrow it from the library if you have time to read it again.
• Non-fiction books should be grouped by category.  Since information is always changing, using older books as reference many not provide recent findings.  Let them go and use the Internet to find the latest information.  The books are not your brain and letting them go will not cause you to forget what you have learned.  (Old age, however, may cause you to forget.  I speak from experience once again.)
• Sets of encyclopedias are dated the moment you get them.  Use the Internet or library for research.  Use their encyclopedias if you want to teach your children how to use them.
• Make friends with the library.  It is a wonderful place of knowledge and entertainment for your children and prevents book clutter from residing in your house.  Most offer excellent programs for adults and children.
• Mix books, plants, attractive storage containers or photographs on bookshelves for more interesting arrangements.
• Upper bookcase shelves and over the window shelving can be used to display collectables and photographs.
• Collections of similar items are more attractive when grouped together in displays.
• Keep an attractive container with pens, pencils, note pad and scissors in a convenient location in case they are needed.
• Card tables can be used for board games, craft activities or other projects.  When you are finished it can be folded and stored under the sofa, behind large furniture or in a nearby closet.
• If the family office is located in this room, reserve a space for a table or desk.  A drawer or attractive containers can hold desk supplies. 
• If a computer will be located in this room, consider placing a wireless system in your home to eliminate having to connect all of the components with cables.