Thanks to all of you who pray. What a special night!
Well, I cannot help it. I have to write something to explain why this is so big - so HUGE!
Andrew has so many health issues. You can read back through the blog if you want to see some of them. His biggest issues right now (trying to share without making Andrew cringe) are seizures and immune system issues. He had a couple of days in the last week where he suffered with double vision and dizziness. Of course it was over a holiday weekend, so we did not go to the doctor since it all went away. I had talked to one of our doctors, and he said to keep Gatorade in him; and that seemed to really help. I know something was off. And I was hating that a seizure might be lurking. It's been since October this time, and we are so thankful for that. We don't want any more seizures. Ever. At all.
Then he has been doing his infusions every two weeks. He does them himself now and has for a while. And yes, it's stuff a nurse should do. With a pump and needles and extremely expensive medicine that has to be primed. This keeps his immune system pumped up to ward off upper respiratory infections. He can get bronchitis any time. Suddenly. It can mess with his running and training.
His lungs are great. They should not be. They have suffered bad infections and a lot of them. And because his infections could not be diagnosed for what they actually were, he had them longer until other issues were discovered. His pulmonologist tells us his lung function is great and not that of someone with his history. A miracle and a praise. We just went to his doctor a couple of weeks ago, and he reminded us again. And I let that praise to God roll over me. I needed that reminder in the midst of all else going on.
For these reasons and others, I call Andrew my miracle runner. He has run (and won) races after nights that would have put me in bed for a while. And Pete has said he himself would not have lived through nights Andrew has had. It's all God. He gives Andrew strength and makes a way that seems to not be there. Andrew has run when he should not have been able to run. He works hard, but it's God. He makes that way. We are blessed that Andrew runs for Appalachian, just like his dad did. He is coached by one former Appalachian runner who ran with his dad and also one of his dad's coaches. He was a Sun Belt Conference contributor this spring in the 10,000 meters in Outdoor Track in Gulf Shores, AL. He ran a PR a couple of days after Pete suffered a stroke. I wanted to be there so badly, and Pete had his stroke just a few hours before I would have been on the road to Alabama. I am so thankful I had not left, and I am so thankful Coach Curcio texted me right after the race to let me know the great news and to check on Pete.
There are so many other reasons that made his win a wonderful encouragement to those of us who have known him through these rough times. What a testament to God's mercy and grace and healing and love.
And one more little thing. To hear his dad's voice over the phone. What a wonderful thing to hear. Going up to Grandfather would have been too much for Pete (still recovering from that last stroke). But he was so happy when Andrew talked to him. It was a wonderful boost for him. Pete ran The Bear when there were only 70 runners He has worked the race for many years. So it holds a special place for him.
Thanks for praying for us.
I need to try to round up some Bear t-shirts to send to some doctors who had a hand in this. I know God has guided us to special ones. And I wish I could send a Bear t-shirt to all of Andrew's faithful prayer warriors! We appreciate those prayers so much ~ every single one is heard and matters! We know that firsthand and without any doubt at all.
One of our doctors' wives left this verse on my desk last week. I love the reminder. What a wonderful thing to know.
" The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
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