Saturday, April 11, 2009

Gooood Friday!

Sitting in a hospital bed this Good Friday, awaiting yet another gamma knife procedure (#5), and wearing my own ‘crown’ (a titanium frame held in place by four screws piercing my skull), I was reminded of the unbearable suffering our Lord must have endured.

Jesus was beaten and whipped within an inch of His life, mocked, spat upon, adorned with a crown of thorns, forced to carry His own cross, pierced with heavy nails through His hands and feet, and slowly suffocated to death while suspended between heaven and earth. Yet in the midst of His agony, He pleads on behalf of His torturers, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” [Luke 23:34]

Kind of a strange moniker for a day marked out by unbelievable torture and suffering, isn’t it? Yet we call it good, because in that day, and through that unique suffering of the God-man, we are forgiven. The consequences of my own rebellion were deflected from me to Him, absorbed by His broken body even as the ground absorbed His blood that day.

He was given no anesthesia, offered no intravenous fluids or narcotics, refusing even the paltry poultice of “wine and gall” [Matt 27:34]. With bittersweet emotion I take hold of the promise: “…by His wounds you were healed.” [1Pet 2:24] I remain in awe of His love, held captive by His goodness.

The mapping MRI done this Friday confirmed that there has been progression of the brain lesions, numbering at least twenty and several of these believed to be new. Given the time required to treat all these tumors, it was decided to target only those on the left side of the brain for this session. Even so, the process took the entire day. Thanks to great nursing care, a doting wife, and a little Dilaudid, I not only survived the ordeal but will enjoy taking the grandchildren to an “Eggstravaganza” (Easter egg hunt) at our church later today.

I am most grateful for all your prayers and genuine concern. May you too know His goodness!

Dan

PS – We will return to Charlottesville for another gamma knife procedure on April 20.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Dr. C: OOPS: You forgot your tie again.


    Kudos to Dr. Grosh and Linda.

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  2. "Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle." Psalm 103:2-3
    I love your picture, Dan; I see what a crown of the Lord's lovingkindness and compassion looks like. Bless the Lord, He IS good. We love you and Linda and offer continued prayers for the Lord's loving care, Tess & Bob

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  3. It was great seeing you baptize those two kids yesterday. I know you had a wonderful Easter. Praying for regression and healing.

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  4. Dr. Dan,
    You continue to be a source of inspiration and encouragment to many. Thanks for sharing your story.

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