That night none
of us could sleep as she battled with a recurring stomach pain all through; she
had at least two sessions of diarrhea. It was April 16, it was a Saturday night.
Earlier, days
before then, she had gone to see the Doctor and, to best of our knowledge, had
received adequate treatment. So when the stomach upset started again, we placed
a phone call to the same, and there was a reassurance of some sort. He said it was
adverse effect of the drugs prescribed. He advised that certain ones be
discarded for the moment, and that one be continued; we did accordingly and
there seem to be calmness for all. Everyone slept very well afterwards for the
shorter part of the night that was already close to dawn.
Dawn set in and
we got up, got up to a Sunday morning that was ordained to be memorable. We
urged her to take some pap and were encouraged by the quantity she was able to
ingest. Till that time, every food nauseated her – once they get in, she throws
them up again; but this time was different. She took the pap slowly and it
stayed, we were so glad about that. The ache also has disappeared; now that is
another reason to rejoice. She sat up on the bed and we joked about all that
happened through the night – it was fun to reminisce on past unpalatable events
of the night. She became her normal lively self again.
It was a Sunday
morning and I was supposed to have been in the Church at six, but due to
prevailing circumstances, I decided to stay a while back to monitor the
progress before setting out. I sent words ahead that I will be coming for the
second service only. At nine, while I was getting prepared to set out, the pain
suddenly picked up again. I helped her to the restroom and she threw up; this
time, there was almost nothing to throw up. Until that time, she had been
reluctant to go to the hospital, I was not so eager either especially because
of the continuous reassurance we were getting from the Doctor, but now she
requested that it is best we leave if only for the purpose of re-hydrating on
all she had lost, I obliged absolutely; and preparation commenced immediately.
I went in to get her dress so she could change up; her Mum was also around to
lend a helping hand. I went downstairs to arrange for a ‘Keke’ to convey us and
I was fortunate to get an empty one on time. I went up to pick her but she
advised that I urge the Keke into the compound so as to reduce the walking
distance even if it is by 5 meters. I went down to do as bidden and came up
again. Many things happened very quickly afterwards.
While I was
holding her by the side trying to help her out of the house, she cried out that
I should carry her quickly as she cannot explain how she was feeling. I carried
her in a hug-style her head hanging on my right shoulder with the purpose of
making the most of the narrow staircase. Then suddenly, she started convulsing;
she threw up again and went silent afterward – she fainted. This was totally
unexpected.
For a few
seconds, I was a bit confused as to what to do next. During the convulsing
stage, her legs had dropped off my arms, it was her Mum who noticed that and I
urged her to help lift them up, then I carried her like a Baby with both hands
now that it was no longer possible to maintain the old style since she was unconscious.
And, somehow, I managed to get her down the narrow staircase and into
the awaiting ride. As events unfold, I fought hard to resist the voices in my
head saying ‘Look, she is no more breathing; there is nothing you can do now’ – voices from hell, I ignored them completely. I kept my mind solely on the promises of God for us.
Just before
entering into the ride, she came back again - it is obvious she wasn’t going
without a fight; so, with her head laid over my laps, she started confessing in a
barely audible voice what she has learnt and believed over the years:
“I shall not
die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord in the Land of the living”
And
“With long life,
the Lord satisfies me, and shows me His Salvation”
I was encouraged
by this act of faith and I could see she said them genuinely – I think I can sense
when confession is said in fear or unbelief – so I urged her never to change
her confession. I also joined in using you for I, directing the same words to
her while the driver of the tricycle charges down to the hospital at a horse’s
speed realizing the need for the moment.
We got to the
hospital and I paid for the ride, and then bare her in my arms again to the
reception. At the reception, a dramatic event happened. The Nurse on duty was
quick to attend to us and she started taking her vital signs. I was not
impressed by that protocol especially in the face of such an emergency, and I
voiced my mind; but she replied that this was just as important as anything
else, so I let her be. While the nurse was about being through with her
protocol, she slumped backwards on the chair again, I holding on to her and the other ladies around, two of them,
whether they were patients or visitors I cannot say, clearly panic-stricken,
started shouting while snapping the fingers and hitting their palms against
their legs… ……”Hey…Hey!!! You will not die……..Jesus…Jesus….hey…hey” Their
reaction, if it wasn’t in a serious situation, was laughable, but no one
laughed. Rather, somewhat calmly, and very confidently (Only God knows where
the strength came from) I started confessing again….”You will not die, but
live, and declare the words of the Lord”. By this time the Nurse was done with
her protocol – misplaced protocol I could almost say, so I lifted her up again
taking the lead, being familiar with the place, as we made haste to the wards
upstairs.
The personnel
all did their best; they administered drugs to stabilize her while I was told
to make arrangement to move her to a Teaching Hospital as the situation was beyond
them. They carried out many tests that could make the heart quiver the more….very
low PCV, low Blood pressure, high this, high that. I had resolved in my mind
that I will not be moved by anything – not a single inch! She was obviously pale, and frail.
Pale, so I
heard, is the colour of death; with that kind of awkward colour, who will
choose death? Why would anyone choose such a lifeless colour when we have so many beautiful colours in the world. Life is colourful, I choose
life. Life is good, life is beautiful.
It was extremely
difficult to locate a vein through which water could be passed to the system,
but with much effort, one was eventually located. Lying on the bed, she passed
out several times and came back again with same words on her lips. The Pastor
kept calling speaking words of faith and agreeing with her confessions. After doing all that was humanly possible,
with God’s intervention in the background, she got a bit stable.
A good neighbour
of mine brought his vehicle to convey us to the General hospital; I carried her
again downstairs into the waiting car. The traffic somehow favoured us as we
got there in good time. Even though she was a bit stable – at least, more
stable than before, she could not still walk due to the pain and weakness, so I
carried her again into the Casualty ward of the Teaching Hospital, a place
where many entered and never came back.
**************************************************************************************
Through the
valley of the shadow of death you went while Saints offered sacrifice unto the
Most High, and God kept you.
I still wonder
where the strength came from, strength of the mind I meant, not strength of the
arms. But that is just a normal saying because I do really know where the strength
came from – the Lord Jesus Christ is my Strength and Shield.
Thanks to Family
and Friends who stood by.
On Sunday the 24th
of April, exactly one week after the incidence, I held you by the hand
while we walk side by side through the places you have been carried, out of the
Teaching Hospital and into our house. Our God is ever faithful.
On our wedding
day, the oath we swore to was that of Togetherness and staying forever. Even
though forever is not really attainable here but in the hereafter, togetherness
is a certainty. And the togetherness in health and wealth is going to be a long
one, 70 years being the least. And if ever there is going to be any going, I
should take the lead (another possibility is that we transit to glory same time
at ripe age), but be assured that I’m not going anywhere anytime soon; like I
said, 70 years from now I’m still kicking.
Sunday, 1st day
of May was your Birthday. One Sunday you were down, another one you were up,
another one you were up and doing; now, tell me, what other life is worth celebrating
more than this? A life that was gone now returned. We give glory to the Giver
of life.
The clouds, though horrible, come with its benefits. Having surmounted this challenge, we
have acquired more strength to overcome others; that is the Silver lining
beneath every cloud.
What do you see
behind the Clouds? What do you see beneath the dark patches up in the sky?
I see long life
long and Prosperity, I see health and wealth. I see an ever radiant sun and a
great galaxy of bright shining stars. I see you celebrating the hundredth year
in the midst of Children’s Children, and Children’s Children’s-Children if the
literary community will permit me to use such words. I see you testifying to
the faithfulness of God in the Land of the living.
For now, and for
many years to come, I will commit myself to writing on commendation, recommendation,
celebration, graduation, solemnization, convocation, appreciation, and all other positive 'tions', for my loved ones.
I will never write an epitaph on any one (save the very aged) as it doesn’t
even fit in all of the foregoing groups.
This is for my
beloved wife, Elizabeth Oluwaseunlafunmi Bamidele, on her Birthday.
(May 1st,
2016)
