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The Hospital Chronicles 8 - Conclusion

It's been a month since I was in the hospital and I think it's time for some closure. I want to thank God for his provision in my life and the people He used to show me his love.
I challenged many visitors with the question:

How has God helped you in your life?

Here are some of the responses I received:

"By sending my mother to show me how to be a godly person" David R., Illusionist

"He's given us certain gifts and talents to share with people" Elizabeth R., student

"God has helped me by giving me 2 kids and a great new husband" Melissa, Nurse

"God has helped me with strength, health, and has given me a savior" Rod, Nurse

"God has made me a stronger person through all the experiences I've had" Brianna, Nurse

"God is faithful at all times and milestones in my life" Erick, Nurse

"God has helped me by freeing me from thoughts, hobbies, and desires that once consumed me." Brian Joslin, Mechanic/ Handyman

"He helps me every day in every decision I make". Ioana Z., MomIf you are new to the blog, feel free to check out the other posts:

The Hospital Chronicles 1

The Hospital Chronicles 2

The Hospital Chronicles 3

The Hospital Chronicles 4

The Hospital Chronicles 5

The Hospital Chronicles 6

The Hospital Chronicles 7

The Hospital Chronicles 7 - Home Free

It's been 1 week today that I have been home from the hospital and I feel great. I was released Wednesday January 28, 2009 at 2:30pm. Jason Gonsalves came and visited before I was let go-- but it took such a long time to get the paper work and leave. Alina was ready to go home and rest-- which is the nicest way I can put it.
I was wheeled out of the hospital and went straight home. It's so weird to see the world after being in a room for 7 days. That night, Linsday Speece brought us some Chipotle-- wow. SO GOOD! We were a little worried that my body wasn't going to accept the antibiotics again-- but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I was fine.Friday Night, our friend Summer Goldsmith and her kids, Ashley and Ethan, came and brought us a wonderful chicken casserole! Summer and Lance are great friends whom we go to small group with.
On Friday, 1/30/09, our friend Carolyn Stout accompanied us to Shafter, so Alina could practice for her DMV driving test and so I could visit my work, Sequoia Elementary School. They were holding the first annual "Sequoia Bowl" in honor of Superbowl. So the whole school was out on the playground field-- the teams were 6th grade students against the Staff. It was quite a game! When we arrived I was greeted by many of my students and it was very good to see them again. They had written get well cards and had a great substitute for the 2 weeks I missed school. When I crossed the field, the rest of my students and others from other grades raced and gathered to see me. I felt like a star. Very special-- lots of hugs-- even a few tears. Alina ended up passing her drivers test and is now a licensed driver! AND while we were doing the hospital thing-- Alina became a resident of the United States of America! Woo Hoo!
The rest of the weekend, we spent with friends, church, and Alina's first Superbowl experience at Jason's and the last half at our good friend Jill Lowe's.
I started work on Monday (Feb. 2) and got to get reacquainted with my kids. I had really missed them and they expressed mutual feelings. It's funny-- before I went to the hospital, I was approaching the burnout phase-- but now, I feel recharged to be a teacher. Thanks to God for the new perspective.
During my time away, Jason Hutchinson, our principal, had challenged the staff to each give me a decorated water bottle-- to encourage me to stay hydrated. Starting Monday, they brought the bottle's into my class one by one-- and it was really great to see my colleagues. AND THE BOTTLES ARE SO COOL!
I met with the doctor after school and he said that I would stop the antibiotics and continue the medication I had been taking. Eventually, when my body is functioning normally, I'll just be taking the pills that suppress the condition in smaller doses (Asacol). He said I can eat anything I want-- just not excessive raw vegetables.Our friends from Small group have been great about bringing food over for us. Monday night Barbara Marthens brought us Chick-pot-pie and Scott and Lisa Harper brought a cool Kazakhstan chicken-rice dish. MMMMMMMMMMM!!!
So it appears that my hospital chronicles have come to an end. I look back and see all the places, people, and grace God has shown me and I am so thankful. I pray that he will continued to be glorified in my health, sickness, peace, and trials-- for the rest of my life. I'm very thankful for my wonderful wife, Alina, because she stuck by my side-- literally-- almost the entire time (with short rests-- which I required). I can tell she really loves me-- she stuck by through good and bad, sickness and health. I'm thankful for my friends and family who visited, prayed, and helped with food and rides.
I'll be making some last posts with pictures and also the experiences I collected from people I have talked with about the essential question:

How has God helped you in your life?

More to come soon!

The Hospital Chronicles 6 - A New Perspective

A New Perspective

by Hans Tullmann
January 28, 2009, 2am

God has just given me a new perspective of his love, peace, and provision. I’m not sure if it’s from the drugs, the Holy Spirit, or both. I accept it. God has provided each of us everything we have ever needed. Imperative – eternal – indefinite – forever – always. We have the air, the organs, the nutrients, the food, the money, the jobs, the abilities, the brain, and our very existence—we have these things because God’s loving hand is on each of us. We breathe because he has faithfully given us the health and air to do so. Have you walked through a hospital lately? I have. I walked 4 rounds after breakfast and lunch. I walk past the hurting, broken, and the sick. People that can’t rightly breathe, walk, eat, move, or function in some way. I walked past them today. Not because was better or luckier or worked on being a healthier person necessarily—I walked because of the legs, stamina, and ability God gave me. The things that we have are from him—in fact, I couldn’t even say he gave them to us—because they are still his. EVERYTHING we have is his.
I read through the story of Moses and the Israelites escaping from Egypt in the book of Exodus. God told Pharaoh, “Let my people go”, and the poor guy just wouldn’t do it. God brought down the plagues on the Egyptians: Blood, frogs, lice, flies, dead cow disease, boils, hail, locust, darkness, and the death of all first born sons. As I was entranced by this story, I started to wonder how the God of love could bring down so much destruction on humanity. Then I thought – wait a minute… Everything we have is his. He created humans, animals, and plants. Who was around to question his ethics when he was forming man out of dirt? Would someone have said, “that’s not fair!” or “What a cruel thing to do!” When God breathed life into creation—it wasn’t creations’ life he breathed—it was his divine life flowing into life forms. The life and creation that live is his. The water is his—he can turn it into blood if he wants to. Our healthy body and immune system is his—he can break it, boil it, or even take it. It’s his. The food we eat, from the money we make, from the job we work at—are all his. He can take the food, ask for the money or eradicate the job, because these things belong to him. The people in our lives. Our relationships. We don’t own people—in fact, we don’t even own ourselves. We’re his.
Everything is God’s, but have you ever thought about how he’s met our needs? We need air, water, food, clothes, and shelter, among other things. For every one of these needs—God has provided. But not just on the first day we were born, but everyday since that time. God has always given us everything we need. Prove me wrong. Starving kids in Africa are still alive (who may appreciate their weekly bowl of rice more than we thank God for our American abundance). The paralyzed woman still has her breath. Every single person who is alive right now (reading blogs) is so because of two reasons: 1) Everything we have is his and 2) God has always given us everything we have ever needed.
Being in the hospital gives a person a new perspective. We live because God has given us life. But sometimes I live my life like it was mine and I am the one who provides for my own needs. I think the health, the job, the money, the food, and the life is mine—which must be the result of my labors and abilities. But what happens when God decides to take back what is his? My reactions can vary from being confused, hurt, worried, sad, or even outraged. However, it’s just a mix-up about who is who. God is the owner and provider—and we are the cared for property. Yes, property:

Property: a section of land [or dirt shaped like a man] that belongs to someone.

Why do we get offended being called property? Do we think we are above being owned or bought? Some agent, independent of us, has ownership of us and someone has paid a price. We like to dress-up and play games like we own ourselves. Then life happens. Your world unravels around you like layers of an onion, stripping away any safety or security or well being you thought you had. Things and people you depended on, fall away like pretend clothes. You are alone and naked, without protection from the stones.
Then we look up. God is reaching out his hand to us… but the thing is… he’s been reaching the entire time. He’s been reaching out our entire life. And in his hand—is everything we need. He has the love, food, shelter, job, money, and safety that we require. He longs to give us these things. God has the compassion of a father giving good things to his child. We’re his children and he’s stretching to reach for us. God waits.

American poet and songwriter, Bob Dylan, once asked the essential question, “How many times must a man look up fore he can see the sky?” What does it take for us to look up and see God’s hand? I think it’s different for each person. For some people it will take a conversation, an experience, a journey, a blessing, a curse, a thought, a feeling, acceptance, rebellion, and maybe even plagues. Whatever we make ourselves go through—God is there. He’s waiting. His hand is open. Everything we have is his and he has always given us everything we have ever needed. So my question is:

How has God helped you in your life?

If you would like to share 1 sentence including your name and occupation, e-mail me at htullmann@gmail.com and I will collect your experience to share with others.

For example,

“God has helped me by bringing me from death to life.” Hans Tullmann, teacher

The Hospital Chronicles 5 - Tuesday 4pm

Today is going pretty well after breakfast + lunch. Alina went home to rest about 12pm and now I have a chance to release my crazy steroid energy. I stayed up until like 2am this morning because I'm so wired. Wow.

I'm in the book of Exodus and am just blown away by God's power. He delivers people from slavery into Freedom-- against all odds and belief. God has and will continue to reveal his power in life.

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them 2 that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD." Exodus 10:1

I had a visit from my friend Diane Lowry (an experienced nurse), who gave me some great feedback about my condition. The Doctor came and let me know I was doing well and should be discharged Wednesday. I also had a visit from my friends Jessen Nelson and Liz Hannah-- who are engaged! We talked wedding stuff and they watched me get a new IV. The fun is neverending here!

The Hospital Chronicles 4 - Monday 11pm

Monday 1/26 I slept pretty well, but Alina didn't. I'm making sure she gets to go home. I finally finished Genesis! Wow. What a great story of God's grace and sovereignty to his people. We received a visit from Mr. Don Kileen (who gave me some great advice on all things Mac).

After he left, I walked around the hospital, had my vitals taken, and had a visit from Dr. Bhikha (my G.I. guy). He has been a wonderful doctor. He said that I will probably be in the hospital until Wednesday if everything goes according to plan. He thinks I can get back to work next Monday. I hope so.




We had a surprise visit from Kristin Ericsson -- WHO HAPPENS TO WORK AT THIS HOSPITAL! Kristin and her husband Stacey share a special time with us-- since they were married the same weekend that Alina and I were married (East coast/West coast weddings-- 1 day apart).

Kristen Lowry has been with us since the beginning of this whole thing and has been extremely supportive and helpful with driving Alina home to get rest. Kristen... I solute you.

I'm on an oral steroid called Prednisone which is used to treat the inflammation of organs. I think I now know why steroids are not allowed in the Olympics-- I feel like pumping iron or doing jumping jacks or running up a flight of stairs... it's a strange feeling. I'm a pretty low-key guy, but these meds are a trip. My wonderful cousin Kimberly Weaver Olson sent me a classic 90's-ish YouTube playlist to match my mood. It's working!!! Here's a few of my favorites:

The Promise
Black Balloon
Closer To Fine

If you are at your computer and feeling a mood-- anything-- enjoy the relaxing sounds of nostalgia. Man I feel good! I've been eating solid food and keeping it down.

After the Doctor left, I had a visit from my favoritest family in Shafte r, CA-- The Coyles! (Pat, Lisa, Ben and Katie). I had taught Katie in her 2nd and 3rd grades and it was such a joy to have her in my class. Plus, her family adopted me for dinners on Back to School Nights and Parent Conference nights. They have been a continual blessing in the varying shades of my life the past few years-- and now the world knows about it!



I was lucky to have visit at 4:45pm from Jason Gonsalves! Man I love that guy! He brought me a basket of goodies like Hot Tamales, Men's Health Magizine, and... a Java Chiller from Sonic. Mmmmmmm... the nurse didn't like that very much ;) Shhhhh-- please don't tell! We had a great time catching up and talking about faith and life.

THEN, Gavin and Diana Jones strolled on in to keep me company. Wow. I'm not sure I have realized how many great friends I have-- friends are important. It makes me wonder if I've shown appreciation to the people in my life. Something to journal about and hopefully, it will lead to some letters.... Anyways!The last visitors were a couple from our small group-- came and shared their adventures about hospitals and health. They brought me puzzles and a very interesting fact:

Anti-Slavery Activist William Wilberforce: Christian hero
"[suffered from] painful chronic ulcerative colitis (large bowel disease),
for which he was prescribed laudanum
(a sweetened solution of opium and alcohol),
a strong painkiller for the time."

THANK YOU VISITORS!

The Hospital Chronicles 3 - Sunday Review

Sunday 1/25 Review
Wow! So many people are visiting me! It's great! I feel such wonderful encouragement from the body of Christ. As soon as I sent out the blog I had an onslaught of visitors! It was wonderful!

Brian Joslin was able to join me-- along with Josh Leftler and Erin Been. Great talks about speaking the truth in love and stuff. Then my good friends David and Elizabeth Reichelt came by-- and later on Summer and Ashley Goldsmith brought me a beautiful rose! Alina had just come back with out camera-- so now-- you get the pictures-- WATCH OUT!



I don't know if it's the steroids their putting me on, but I just have a lot of energy and feel great! I would like to think it's all the prayers of friends and family. I don't think staying in the hospital is supposed to be this fun. I was wide awake at 11:30pm Sunday night and had zero desire to sleep. So, sandwich + milk + sleeping pill + 30 minutes of tossing in bed = I eventually slept.

The Hospital Chronicles 2 - Sunday 1pm

Sunday 1/25 Went to bed last night with a sleeping pill, which upset my stomach, but put me out for the night. I've started collecting video footage for a v-blog-- the purpose of which is to keep me from watching TV and going bored out of my mind). Alina doesn't sleep very well, so my goal is to try and send her home to rest once a day.












I enjoyed my liquid breakfast and 2 laps around the hospital wing. I'm trying to read through the bible in a year (based on Hank Hanograff's Legacy Reading Schedule-- check it out if it appeals to you). The doctor came to visit and said if the bleeding lessens and I can handle solid foods, then I'm might be able to leave in 48 hours (Tuesday). Kristen Lowry just came to visit-- a great friend to have-- and took Alina home to rest. That leaves me to cut down my e-mails and facebook feedback. Then, to the video!

Wow lunch just came-- real food-- if hospital food goes under that category. Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, veggies, tomato soup, bread, apricots, and apple juice. yummmm... I hope it goes ok. Thanks to Ann Weaver for leaving a comment-- and yes, I remember the winters of Minnesota with fondness and chills ;)

MORE TO COME

Hospital Chronicles 1

Warning: May contain medical and disturbing material which may be to intense for little babies.

Who: Hans

When: January 21-24

Where: San Joaquin Hospital

What:

• Friday 1/16 I had stomach pains and diarrhea with blood (gross).
• Saturday 1/17 drank tea, ginger ale and read the bible at Starbucks. Still didn't feel well.
  
• On Sunday 1/18 and Monday 1/19, I went to NW Urgent Care (which ironically turned out to be neither urgent or caring :() They took tests, labs, and other unspeakables to analyze. They weren't much help to my condition.
• Tuesday 1/20 morning I went to a GI specialist (Gastrointestinal), Dr. Bhikha, who scheduled a colonoscopy for Wednesday morning. I was only to drink liquids and bland foods. That night I had to drink about a gallon of solution between 5pm and 7pm. I made it to 6:30 and threw it up. No liquids after 12am. The stomach pains and dia. continued.
• Wednesday 1/21 8am I went into the Truxun Surgury Center for my colonoscopy. I had a "midnight" anesthesia, means I stay awake during the procedure. It was only about 10-15 minutes, but wow. Painful and weird-- especailly when they have screen with the camera's view right in front of you. Afterwards, the doctor admitted me to San Joaquin Hospital with a clear liquid diet, antibotics, and a medicine called Asacol for patients with ulcerative colitis. Which is my diagnosis. Basically, I have ulcers in my colon. It's a painful inflammatory bowel disease that comes and goes, and is treatable.
• Got to the hosptial with some help from our friend Diane Lowry, was admitted, and drank liquids the rest of the day. Alina was with me through the entire thing and was a great support for me. Jill Lowe, Rob Ryerson and Kristen Lowry. I recieved some very encouraging "get well" cards from my students. I went to sleep with some great pain medicine:)
• Thursday 1/22 spent the day watching tv eating soft foods like pudding, soup, etc. Jared and Mary-Beth Dragoun visited us as well as Summer, Ashley and Ethan Goldsmith (with wonderful cards), Brenda Hall and Kristen Lowry (whose classrooms made very nice get well cards/posters), and Myla U.
• Friday 1/23, after eating some solids for breakfast, the Dr. let me go home! However, that night I threw up my anti-bodics, had a fever, and started the diarrhea with blood again.
  
• Saturday 1/24 After a painful and sleepless night, I threw up some more of my medicine and we went to the emergency room. I was readmitted to San Joaquin Hospital and have a new room on the 5th floor (room: 5211), a great view, and internet access. Kristen Lowry and Jill Lowe came to releave Alina from her post, while I had a nice chat with Jill.
  
• MORE TO COME