Posted on 11/21/2001 6:40:21 AM PST by janee
The great Physician now is near, The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, O hear the voice of Jesus...
Sweetest note in seraph song; Sweetest name on mortal tongue,
Sweetest carol ever sung, Jesus, blessed Jesus.
The results of the surgery are enlightening. May the good Lord embrace Rick with His healing arms, ease the concerns of his family during this difficult time, and lead Rick to way to a healthy future. .
Thanks go to the surgical team who cared for Rick for those long hours. I'm sure their skill was guided by the mighty Physician on high.
Please keep us posted on how he is doing.
Here is the latest update on our friend and brother, Rick Bauer coming from another friend and brother Mario Gutierrez.
Dear Family and Friends,
I've just returned from Kansas City and being with Rick & Cindy for the past two days!! Our brother is doing pretty well and recovery is going as well as can be expected!! I have to let you in on a shared story from months ago that was about Faith..."FAITH being for things hoped for and not seen!" All we need is FAITH, and belief in our hearts that with GOD all things are possible!! The story goes that when the Believing Man was in the hospital, struck with sickness and disease and relying on his faith to make him whole,again; needles in arms and hands, hoses stringing out from everywhere laying on his bed, when the pastor of his church walks in. To his pastor, with a whispering voice he says, " I'm winning!" This is TRUE FAITH!
Yesterday morning (Thursday) at 7:30 when I was with Rick, we had all prayed with him, prayed with the doctor and his team over Rick, and left our brother to do his magic and allow God to prevail with Rick's life and surgery, as I leaned over Rick, as he was dozing off, he whispered in my ear, " Mar, I'm winning!" Boy, that touched me! I whispered back," Ricky, no fear!! I Love You!" As the surgery progressed and we were made aware of the progress, Rick did very well. As Kyle's e-mail shared all of his tumor and ALL questionable areas of concern being removed, and all tumor was easily peeled off when removed or cut. No tumor had invaded and attached itself to the brain or the eye! The bone was cleaned and a protective skin, tissue and fat were reconstructed and put in those vital areas around the left eye and cheek. There were no cuts on Rick's face, only underneath the top lip in his mouth and around his hairline on the top of his head. He's vitals, brainwaves, and heart was excellent during the 12-hour surgery.
We waited to see Rick after surgery at 11:30pm last night, the first response by the nurses that were bringing him in was, " We have never seen anybody recover as quickly from anesthesia, and getting along without the ventilator, etc. in a matter of minutes after being out so long!" The head of anesthesia was remarking how Rick kept laughing on coming out of it!! Saying he did not know what was so funny!! This is classic Rick!! The same guy who wanted to race me, with the luggage and bags, on our way into the hospital at 6:00am! As I approached Rick, when the bed came down the hallway, my brother looked beat, swollen, pale, and tired! He had a big bandage on his nose, turban bandage on his head, and IV's everywhere. As I leaned down towards him, I couldn't believe what would follow.. through his blood-dried, swollen crusty lips, and the corner of his swollen blood-shot right eye, Rick cracked a smile and whispered to a fade," I'm winning... I'm winning...... I'm winning!" I smiled back, held his hand, and said with tears in my eye," You are Ricky! Get some rest!!" And they wheeled him down to Neuero- ICU!
My friends, let this be a lesson to all of us of faith, courage, and determination to seek God in ALL our circumstances!! Rick left a sealed envelope for Cindy to read ONLY after the surgery, which I'm sure shares this deep faith in the God he serves, knowing to live is Gain and to die is Eternal Life!!! If I know Rick, he probably even questions Cindy if she waited till the surgery was over!!!
We saw Cindy & Rick this morning (Friday). He is tired and feels like he got hit by a train! His swelling is not near as much as it could of been! He has 25 ft. of packing in his nasal area to keep the pressure to the internal new skin so that it can adhere nice & quick! He has good movement in both eyes, and is recovering amazingly well. He will be in ICU for 1 or 2 more days, and in the hospital for a minimum of 6 or 7 days. He is to rest and not get too worked up by company & guests. This emotion will cause Rick to use up the energy the kidneys will give which should be used to burn up the fluid built up in his body, and thus drain him!! Cindy,too, is to rest, eat, and stay well in the process!! The doctor even gave Rick three tapes to listen to from his church in Kansas City, while he's staying still, healing, and recovering!!!
In closing, I first ask you to not cease praying for Rick, Cindy, and daughters...to ask God for His continued healing, strength, and grace for Rick and ALL who are in need of his loving touch! To allow some time to pass before you bombard the family with your physical presence, especially in KC And to NOT send flowers to his room, ONLY cards with your prayerful expression of love and encouragement! Thank you all for being part of my Life!!!
Love, Mario Saturday and Sunday - a few setbacks, fever and a surgery to reduce some swelling. Your continued prayers are appreciated.
P.S. You are welcomed to send/forward this email to all you know, that may want to know about Rick and the true strength that is in him!!
Bless You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Praise to The Holy Spirit--the Comforter. Thank You, God! Lord, You answer prayers, praise God. You are answering our prayers. Abba, Father. Alleluia! Thank You, Jesus. Heal this man and use him to promote Your Kingdom, Bless You.
Holy Spirit come upon ALL reading this. Burn in our bosoms, as the Spirit of God heals all, removes yokes, and lightens our burdens. We are free INDEED!, in Jesus Name,
Amen!
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