If you come to visit me at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria you will find me in the Burn Unit. (By the way, you are all welcome, just don't all come at once.) It's not that I am a burn victim. But in this unit they deal with skin grafts that are part of various surgical procedures including, in my case, cancer. This is a wonderful oasis of treatment and healing. The nurses and doctors are outstanding.
Skin grafts are something else. While you are under the anaesthic they lift healthy skin from some part of your body (usually a leg or thigh) and place it over the operative site. So far my big right leg has 'donated' (that's the word they use) about 40 square inches to my shoulder and back. Then the healing power of God in the body takes over. It's another amazing example of how our bodies are 'fearfully and wonderfully made.'
But when surgery is over and the anaesthetic wears off, watch out! Every day the nurses have to change the dressing and that process exposes the nerves to the air and then to new, sterile
bandages. It's a painful experience like none other I've ever experienced. Some of you have been there and will know what I'm talking about. It makes you want to scream. Many people do. Some of the nurses have told me they have had to be excused from this responsibility from time to time. It's just too hard to know you are putting people through this experience.
Carol Burnett was once asked to help men understand the pain of childbirth. She replied "take your lower lip and stretch it over your forehead." Skin grafts are at least that painful.
On Friday I will have another (hopefully the last) surgery for the Drs to go after any remaining rogue cancer cells surrounding the site of the original surgery. I shared this development in my last blog. And there will be another skin graft. I need say no more about the need for prayer.
My greatest desire is that my attitude and reactions will emit "the fragrance of Christ" (2 Cor. 2:15-17). I'm no strong man or hero. I may not scream on the outside, but on the inside... The Burn Unit feels every bit as much like a mission field as the Kibera slum in Nairobi. That's my next instalment on this blog.
Thanks for walking with me through this journey. God bless.
KEN
One of my favorite metaphors for the influence of the Christian life is "fragrance".
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Pastor Ken and Shirley
ReplyDeleteI know you don't know who I am, but I'm beginning to feel that I know both of you through this journey you are sharing with us. I was "introduced" to you through the PAOC frontline intercessor prayer line, and what a blessing this meeting has been for me. Please know that your mission field isn't only in that Burn Unit, but also through these words you write. The Fragrance of Christ reminded me of the verse describing the prayers of the saints rising before the throne as incence. I'm no saint yet, but I believe there are a number of saints praying for you both today and that those prayers are incence before the throne. And that frangrance will fill the room you are in, both as a comfort and as a testimony and as a peaceful healing balm.
God Bless you both
Hope Klein
Ken and Shirley,
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog and all of us here on the PAOC field have been praying for you during this trying season of your life. Your attitude has really touched and encouraged me as Sharon and I have had a trying year and have taken great strength from your words written in this blog. God bless you both as we continue to trust the Lord for peace, strength and healing, in Jesus name.
Will Radford, Dakar, Senegal
Hi Ken - thanks so much for you sharing your story. It helps me pray and helps me feel. You and Shirley have constantly been on my heart in my prayers over these past few weeks, and we continue to pray as a church family. If there is anything we can do, please don't hesitate to call. Darcy & ET Family
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