March 30th, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Monday, March 30, 2009
I am writing this update from a hospital bed at St. Mary's at Mayo. I had not been feeling well for about 10 days due a atrial fib and atrial flutter so after church on Sunday I went to the emergency room. I was in a-fib, a-flutter and had a tachycardia around 150 bpm.
They put me on the machines and IV's and admitted me to the hospital. I was scheduled to have a transesophegeal echo and cardioversion this morning however during the evening with the aid of some IV meds I converted on my own. What a blessing!
Today they have started new meds to control the rhythm. I will be in the hospital until Wednesday so they can make sure I will be in a theraputic and controled state. I will leave hear with a few new meds but I am feeling much better that I am back in normal rhythm again. Thanks for walking this journey with us. Your prayers and presence have been encouraging and comforting.
Our prayers continue for our friends and families in the Moorhead-Fargo area that are battling the Red. Pray God's continued hand of protection for the whole valley as they brace themselves again for more weather and snow.
They put me on the machines and IV's and admitted me to the hospital. I was scheduled to have a transesophegeal echo and cardioversion this morning however during the evening with the aid of some IV meds I converted on my own. What a blessing!
Today they have started new meds to control the rhythm. I will be in the hospital until Wednesday so they can make sure I will be in a theraputic and controled state. I will leave hear with a few new meds but I am feeling much better that I am back in normal rhythm again. Thanks for walking this journey with us. Your prayers and presence have been encouraging and comforting.
Our prayers continue for our friends and families in the Moorhead-Fargo area that are battling the Red. Pray God's continued hand of protection for the whole valley as they brace themselves again for more weather and snow.
March 24, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The serendipitous nature of life can be a challenge for our faith. Praying for complete healing and restoration comes from the depths of our suffering. I rejoice this day that Connie H. and Don W. are out of the hospital and healing. Our prayers are with them.
I am praying for one of my dear colleagues I served with Pastor Conrad J. and wife, Marg.
After 95 years, the body is wearing down. I give thanks for the long and fruitful ministry Conrad and Marg have had. Our hearts cry out for healing as we would have it but God's will and ways will be according to His Word.
As for me, I spent the past two days at Mayo. I have been plagued with a recurrence of an atrial fib/flutter that developed seven days post transplant. It was dealt with at the time with medication and has been fine. After my hospitalization on March 14th it decided not to respond to the meds. After wearing a Holter monitor for 24 hours, an echo (echocardiogram) and ekg (electrocardiogram) it was decided that I should increase my current meds to see if it can be controlled. They mentioned hospitalizing me for a few days and we all agreed I have been in the hospital enough. I will monitor my pulse for a few days and see how it is responding. Pray it behaves itself and we can get on with life! So goes the daily walk...Thanks be to God for grace sufficient for each day.
I am praying for one of my dear colleagues I served with Pastor Conrad J. and wife, Marg.
After 95 years, the body is wearing down. I give thanks for the long and fruitful ministry Conrad and Marg have had. Our hearts cry out for healing as we would have it but God's will and ways will be according to His Word.
As for me, I spent the past two days at Mayo. I have been plagued with a recurrence of an atrial fib/flutter that developed seven days post transplant. It was dealt with at the time with medication and has been fine. After my hospitalization on March 14th it decided not to respond to the meds. After wearing a Holter monitor for 24 hours, an echo (echocardiogram) and ekg (electrocardiogram) it was decided that I should increase my current meds to see if it can be controlled. They mentioned hospitalizing me for a few days and we all agreed I have been in the hospital enough. I will monitor my pulse for a few days and see how it is responding. Pray it behaves itself and we can get on with life! So goes the daily walk...Thanks be to God for grace sufficient for each day.
Haakon and Grandpa after Baptism 2/08/09
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, March 19, 2009
We have the same "nose"....and about the same amount of hair!
March 19, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Journey toward Healing is not a straight shot. (Wisdom gain from this past year.)
God never promised the journey to be easy or short. He promises only to be there on the journey with us and around us. Your prayers continue to sustain all of us. Thank you!
My thoughts and prayers have been with Connie H. and Tom, Don W. and Deb this day. The "gift of life" has been given and we now pray for complete and full recovery for Connie and Don. Lord put your Holy Angels around them and hold them up and heal them.
Give them healing rest this night, Amen
This morning I was in the physician's office again. This time to do some labs and follow up on the pesky irregular heart beats that I have been having. After an EKG they increased one med at bedtime....so here I am ready for bed but no sleep in sight as it feels like my heart is "giggling and wiggling" inside me. I will pray awhile and meditate to seek God's hand of rest. May God bless you all this night and the days before us, Amen
God never promised the journey to be easy or short. He promises only to be there on the journey with us and around us. Your prayers continue to sustain all of us. Thank you!
My thoughts and prayers have been with Connie H. and Tom, Don W. and Deb this day. The "gift of life" has been given and we now pray for complete and full recovery for Connie and Don. Lord put your Holy Angels around them and hold them up and heal them.
Give them healing rest this night, Amen
This morning I was in the physician's office again. This time to do some labs and follow up on the pesky irregular heart beats that I have been having. After an EKG they increased one med at bedtime....so here I am ready for bed but no sleep in sight as it feels like my heart is "giggling and wiggling" inside me. I will pray awhile and meditate to seek God's hand of rest. May God bless you all this night and the days before us, Amen
March 16, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Monday, March 16, 2009
I'm updating my journey a few days early due to the events of the past few days. I had had a very good day on Friday.
Early Saturday morning around 3 am I woke with a fever that rose to 101.8 by 5 am. Nausea and vomiting accompanied the fever. We proceeded to go to our closest ER and I was admitted with possible C. Diffe infection and atrial fib. I had severe chills that included uncontrollable shaking. It was a long day but I eventually settled down as they worked to reduce the fever, take x-rays, monitor the transient afib, and do lab tests. It must have been an anxious night for Lois because she slept in a couple of chairs next to my bed. On Saturday and Sunday I saw a GI specialist and an Infectious Disease Specialist. It was determined that I had another (my fourth) C. Diffe infection. They begin treating accordingly and I was deemed able to be discharged around 5:30pm today.
I have begun another series of vancomycin. I will be having a follow up sometime later this week with blood work and consultation.
The toughest part of it all is that I missed a time of prayer for Connie and Tom Heinrich and Don and Deb Weber on Sunday after church. I have been told it was a wonderful time of anointing, laying on of hands and prayer lead by Pastor Jim. On Thursday, March 19th Connie is donating a kidney to Don. What precious act of loving kindness that is truly the gift of life. I ask you to be in fervent prayer for Don and Connie as they enter into this time of uncertainty and healing. Pray for the caregivers and surgeons as they miraculously perform these procedures.
As for me it is back to the office tomorrow. We have council tomorrow night and I preach Wednesday evening. God is gracious to give me renewed strength after these days. My prayer is that I continue to live it all one-day-at-a-time and it will be fine. So goes my journey toward healing.
Blessings
Early Saturday morning around 3 am I woke with a fever that rose to 101.8 by 5 am. Nausea and vomiting accompanied the fever. We proceeded to go to our closest ER and I was admitted with possible C. Diffe infection and atrial fib. I had severe chills that included uncontrollable shaking. It was a long day but I eventually settled down as they worked to reduce the fever, take x-rays, monitor the transient afib, and do lab tests. It must have been an anxious night for Lois because she slept in a couple of chairs next to my bed. On Saturday and Sunday I saw a GI specialist and an Infectious Disease Specialist. It was determined that I had another (my fourth) C. Diffe infection. They begin treating accordingly and I was deemed able to be discharged around 5:30pm today.
I have begun another series of vancomycin. I will be having a follow up sometime later this week with blood work and consultation.
The toughest part of it all is that I missed a time of prayer for Connie and Tom Heinrich and Don and Deb Weber on Sunday after church. I have been told it was a wonderful time of anointing, laying on of hands and prayer lead by Pastor Jim. On Thursday, March 19th Connie is donating a kidney to Don. What precious act of loving kindness that is truly the gift of life. I ask you to be in fervent prayer for Don and Connie as they enter into this time of uncertainty and healing. Pray for the caregivers and surgeons as they miraculously perform these procedures.
As for me it is back to the office tomorrow. We have council tomorrow night and I preach Wednesday evening. God is gracious to give me renewed strength after these days. My prayer is that I continue to live it all one-day-at-a-time and it will be fine. So goes my journey toward healing.
Blessings
March 12, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, March 12, 2009
Well it's Thursday and time for the weekly update:
It has been a little up and down but overall a good week. I believe the C. diffe is subsiding and the shingles are better. As soon as I say that to someone my side starts to ache and I wonder if I will ever be rid of these shingles.
I did manage to catch my first cold from my wonderful grandson, Haakon. He is much better and I am recovering too. My doctor told me on Monday that I can expect to get everything that I come in contact with because of my suppressed immune system. Oh well..."so be it" as my mother-in-law Elsie used to say with a deep sigh.
I have the privilege to assist in training parish nurses for Concordia College of Moorhead at the seminary this week. There is nothing like a parish nurse. I have been blessed by everyone I have worked with and known. It is a joy to be a part of this time of training and equipping them for ministry in the church.
My hair is growing out and feels a little like "cat fur". I will have to post a picture soon.
Blessings and thanks for the continued prayers in these days of recovery and rebuilding of my body.
It has been a little up and down but overall a good week. I believe the C. diffe is subsiding and the shingles are better. As soon as I say that to someone my side starts to ache and I wonder if I will ever be rid of these shingles.
I did manage to catch my first cold from my wonderful grandson, Haakon. He is much better and I am recovering too. My doctor told me on Monday that I can expect to get everything that I come in contact with because of my suppressed immune system. Oh well..."so be it" as my mother-in-law Elsie used to say with a deep sigh.
I have the privilege to assist in training parish nurses for Concordia College of Moorhead at the seminary this week. There is nothing like a parish nurse. I have been blessed by everyone I have worked with and known. It is a joy to be a part of this time of training and equipping them for ministry in the church.
My hair is growing out and feels a little like "cat fur". I will have to post a picture soon.
Blessings and thanks for the continued prayers in these days of recovery and rebuilding of my body.
March 5, 2009 Day +143
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, March 05, 2009
I have decided to go to a weekly update at this time considering I am at Day +143.
I have continued to be treated for C. diff. Today was my last dose of antibiotics to combat the infection. Our prayers are that the meds have done their work. I continue to hold in high regard anyone who has had shingles. They are humbling and persistent. I will survive them too as others have so praying for relief in the near future.
Yesterday was a wonderful day. We had services afternoon and evening services that were well attended and meaningful. We offered the opportunity at the evening service for anyone who wanted prayer or foot washing to come forward after Pastor Jim's message on Experiencing God through the sense of Touch...we had lines of people waiting in the aisles for prayer and foot washing. It was awesome. God is good and faithful. As we seek weekly to Experience God through the five Senses I would invite to come and participate. God is "Surprising" us again this Lent!
"Then Jesus said…'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" – Matthew 16:24
I have continued to be treated for C. diff. Today was my last dose of antibiotics to combat the infection. Our prayers are that the meds have done their work. I continue to hold in high regard anyone who has had shingles. They are humbling and persistent. I will survive them too as others have so praying for relief in the near future.
Yesterday was a wonderful day. We had services afternoon and evening services that were well attended and meaningful. We offered the opportunity at the evening service for anyone who wanted prayer or foot washing to come forward after Pastor Jim's message on Experiencing God through the sense of Touch...we had lines of people waiting in the aisles for prayer and foot washing. It was awesome. God is good and faithful. As we seek weekly to Experience God through the five Senses I would invite to come and participate. God is "Surprising" us again this Lent!
"Then Jesus said…'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" – Matthew 16:24
Feb 26, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, February 26, 2009
We had a good start to our Lenten season with a midday service and lunch. It was a new venture for our church family and well received. The evening service was well attended and includes our mentors and students during this season. The mentoring relationships are focusing on Experiencing God through the Five Senses. There are always wonderful "Surprise Me God" moments during this season. The Lenten season provides us the rich opportunity to examine ourselves and our relationships with God and others. We are called to return to God and be reconciled to God and others. Pray for this season to change us and shape us to be faithful followers of Christ so we might "Be the Surprise".
I continue to take my medications, yogurt and pray that the C. diffe infection will subside. I am half way through the course of treatment so hopeful in the final result. I have a deep appreciation and empathy for anyone who has had shingles. In the past I was sympathetic but did not realize the discomfort that others had endured with this condition. If you are eligible for a shingles vacination I would highly recommened it.
Surprise me God, O great deliverer!
I continue to take my medications, yogurt and pray that the C. diffe infection will subside. I am half way through the course of treatment so hopeful in the final result. I have a deep appreciation and empathy for anyone who has had shingles. In the past I was sympathetic but did not realize the discomfort that others had endured with this condition. If you are eligible for a shingles vacination I would highly recommened it.
Surprise me God, O great deliverer!
Feb 19, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, February 19, 2009
Just to update what has been happening this week. I have been to Mayo Tues and Thurs. I have a recurrent C.diffe infection due the long term antibiotics I have been on. My suppressed immune system is a factor in determining the course of treatment. I am not a good candidate to take probiotics other than ones in yogurt. So I am eating a lot of yogurt. I started a course of Vancomycin for 14 days to clean out the gram negative bugs (C.diffe) and let the normal bacteria (flora) re-establish themselves. Pray that they do what they are supposed to do and the meds are effective. It is frustrating and painful. I will continue to work as much as possible. It helps to take my mind off the rest of this stuff.
My son-in-law, Brian was with me today. He is such a neat young man. I am so blest to have him in my life. He is in the job search mode and we pray daily for something to open up for him at this time. If you would pray for him too in his search I would be grateful.
I find prayer to be challenging yet rewarding in these days of trial for so many. As Pastor Jim said on Sunday the Psalms have a way of speaking into our lives at times like this. The Word of God is a living document meant just for seasons like these and for all seasons of our lives. Jim quoted Psalm 88. Maybe it will have something for you. Read around it and you may find a Psalm that has your name on it?
Blessings!
My son-in-law, Brian was with me today. He is such a neat young man. I am so blest to have him in my life. He is in the job search mode and we pray daily for something to open up for him at this time. If you would pray for him too in his search I would be grateful.
I find prayer to be challenging yet rewarding in these days of trial for so many. As Pastor Jim said on Sunday the Psalms have a way of speaking into our lives at times like this. The Word of God is a living document meant just for seasons like these and for all seasons of our lives. Jim quoted Psalm 88. Maybe it will have something for you. Read around it and you may find a Psalm that has your name on it?
Blessings!
Feb 15, 2009
Tedd Ostrem - Sunday, February 15, 2009
Pastor Jim in his sermon this morning put forth a profound truth about life. "We want to live and die knowing that we are wanted." Oh how true this is.
The Scriptures reveal God's desire for us to know this truth fully, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." – John 3:16
We have experienced a week of death and loss at Prince of Peace. Several of our long time members passed away this week. As we said good by to those we loved and lived with it was clear that God's promise in John 3:16 was holding us together.
"We want to live and die knowing that we are wanted..." The loss of a loved one only deepens that longing in us. We fear that it might not be true in our case but the truth of God's Word pushes back the fear to reveal a hope that can only be experienced in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son. We are wanted and loved! The Cross is proof of how much God desires us, loves and cares for us even when death draws near us.
This week we have heard the words of assurance of God's mercy and goodness for us. We have heard the Word of Promise that in Christ we have life eternal. In Christ we have been sought out and found, chosen and brought into the everlasting love of God. We are wanted and loved by God!
The Scriptures reveal God's desire for us to know this truth fully, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." – John 3:16
We have experienced a week of death and loss at Prince of Peace. Several of our long time members passed away this week. As we said good by to those we loved and lived with it was clear that God's promise in John 3:16 was holding us together.
"We want to live and die knowing that we are wanted..." The loss of a loved one only deepens that longing in us. We fear that it might not be true in our case but the truth of God's Word pushes back the fear to reveal a hope that can only be experienced in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son. We are wanted and loved! The Cross is proof of how much God desires us, loves and cares for us even when death draws near us.
This week we have heard the words of assurance of God's mercy and goodness for us. We have heard the Word of Promise that in Christ we have life eternal. In Christ we have been sought out and found, chosen and brought into the everlasting love of God. We are wanted and loved by God!
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