"...6 months in medical institutions lay ahead of me"
(Rev. Dr. Nicholas "Nick" Marica is a 69 year old pastor who was diagnosed with Covid-19 and Diabetes on Christmas Eve, 2020. He spent the next 6 months in three different hospitals. This blog tells the story of the struggles that he and his family endured.)
We cannot begin to express our appreciation for all who supported us. We want to thank the congregation here at Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison Heights, Va. as they pulled together to support us in countless ways. We also want to thank Kathy’s workmates who came to our house and did a ton of yard work. To those who cared for our vehicles we thank you. To Tina and the food bank here at Solid Rock, we thank you. We thank our daughter Erin who came up from her home and family in Texas and spent 3 months supporting Kathy. We want to thank Kathy’s friends who gave of their time and expertise. To the thousands of people who prayed for us we express our unlimited gratitude. To the medical professionals who cared for me we thank you. To Dr. Cook at Centra Health Services who advocated for us when no one else could or world, we thank you. All these contributions were significant in helping us get thru these long months.
Finally, I want to express my love and admiration to my wife, Kathy. Her love, loyalty and faithfulness were inspirational to me. Day after day she came bringing her smile and endless love. She came whether I was awake or not. She snuck in treats that I wasn’t supposed to have. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for her. 3 times she could have said yes to terminating my life. She could have reasoned “He’ll be better off in heaven”. But she said no 3 times. She thinks she’s weak but her incredible courage and determination say otherwise. Time and time again she advocated and protected me when she was the only one who could. Many times “Mama Bear” would surface when she would march down to the nurses station. (You don’t wanna see the claws!). She cried with me and laughed with me. I am alive today largely because of her.
I want to note here that I remember virtually nothing between Late December and Late February. What I’m about to tell you as reported to me by Kathy, my Pastor Dr. David Cash and various medical personnel.
Little did I know that 6 months in medical institutions lay ahead of me. Two nurses who cared for me in the first 2 months later told me “...trust me - You don’t want remember”.
NEXT: "MERRY CHRISTMAS..."
Rev. Dr. N. Patrick Marica contributes incisive Christian commentary on this blog on a regular basis. He is the Vice-Chancellor of Amherst Theological Seminary, and a D. Min. from Amherst Theological Seminary. He has his MA from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of the book: "The Walk Applied". He has also written "The Fasting and Prayer Handbook". He has been married to Kathy since 1985. They have 2 adult daughters and an adult son.
Contact Nick at amhersttheological@gmail.com
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