Health Care in America – Our Story
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand upon his person.” Job 1:12
This is a story of suffering, heroic efforts, and prayer.
Copyright John M. Kingery 2012
In January 2011 at this time, my wife Ann and I were just starting the most difficult year of our lives.
Ann is without irises in both eyes and is very sensitive to light – a condition called aniridia. During her life, she has endured over 50 surgeries including cataract, glaucoma and corneal transplants. Corneal transplants in her left eye were lasting a year or less. Her primary ophthalmologist at Devers Eye Institute at Good Samaritan Medical Center recommended an artificial cornea as a last resort.
Ann elected to have the surgery, and it was performed in December 3, 2010. Dr. Li and Dr. Jones were pleased with the outcome and we proceeded with follow up appointments to check her vision. It started with a 20/80 and then down to 20/60. A haze was still there. Ann prayed it would go away.
The haze did not go away. We prayed her vision would improve as we were told. After Christmas, Ann was experiencing severe inflammation without any infection. She began taking take strong anti-inflammatory medications in hopes of decreasing inflammation.
Her medical team methodically began investigating possible causes for the inflammation. Dr. Bailey another member of the team thought a fungal infection might be the cause. The rest of the doctors agreed and Ann underwent another surgery in late January 2011. Unfortunately, he was not able to get enough tissue to grow a culture and confirm what was happening.
We waited and as David wrote in the book of psalms, “How long, O LORD? “. This was our last resort. Still the inflammation did not subside. Ann is a very consciences patient and continued with her medications as directed. Another surgery was scheduled in mid February, 2011.
On February 17, 2011, that time table was significantly altered. That afternoon at 2:00 pm, I received a call from my sister in-law Gina. Ann was in the emergency room at St. Vincent Medical Center after suffering a seizure. Satan did not lay his hand on me, but on the person closest and dearest to me!
To be Continued.
Peace,
John