May 25, 2018
By Eric Rudert
Are you a pop, soda, or even a soda pop? One may be able to tell certain geographical origins of others by the term used for our beloved carbonated soft drinks. These terms can cause confusing dialect for those who move into new areas. We’re mostly a pop here in Michigan, BTW.
My POP is an acronym for Power Of Prayer. I’ve been on quite a journey, and would like to give testimony regarding some of my experiences and blessings. I’m convinced that I wouldn’t still be alive and able to write this article without the power of prayer, and of course, God’s grace. I’m also still alive due to a few miracles. There’s no other explanation for my survival other than prayer and God’s intervention.
Last October, I was coughing a lot, and many prayed for me. I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Those who work in coal mines, sawmills, with asbestos, etc. are more likely to get PF. Plus, go figure, I’m a non-smoker. My condition was called Idiopathic PF. When I first heard “idiopathic,” I wondered if the doctor was calling me an idiot. Idiopathic means “no reason.” Whew! But there was no “whew” last October when this disease hit me fast, and hit me hard. Think about the times that the wind was knocked out of you, or when you mis-timed emerging from under water. Most of us have experienced a certain fright of being out of breath. The Bible mentions breath several times, as it’s obviously important and can be used in teaching since everyone can relate to breath, or the scary lack thereof. My lack of breath turned into a rapid decline in my health. I didn’t take the “why me” road very often, but became very concerned as I kept having to “kick it up a notch” on my oxygen machine with attached nasal cannula hose. Soon I had the notch cranked to the max, and my certain fright wasn’t from a quick occurrence, but rather to a noticeable lingering slow decline in being able to breathe.
As my condition worsened, the first miracle was when my wife Michelle had the sense to call 911 vs. taking my (typical guy) response that I’d be OK. This started more serious health observation and treatment. This was also the continuance of more prayers amongst family, friends, business associates, and of course, churches—maybe even yours. I then went to a university hospital located in Ann Arbor, MI (Go Green, Spartans) for a dual lung transplant work up. They more or less kicked me to the curb and I felt I was basically being told to go home and die. From several discussions with others in “my shoes,” apparently the protocol for the university qualification criteria lung transplant list puts emphasis on potential recipients to be younger than I am (63) so that the use of the lungs lasts longer for the recipients.
More serious prayer requests were again initiated. I talked to Rob Appel, and he inquired about putting my name on the SDB Pastoral Prayer Chain. I replied “Yes, please.” Cards and well-wishes poured in. Funny thing how a few of them said “thinking of you.” I coveted the “praying for you” statements.
Another miracle happened when my son Elliot’s wife Lindsay, who is a doctor, looked at a website designed for those who are moms and doctors. She made an inquiry about lung transfer opportunities. A wife whose husband is on the Spectrum Health ( Grand Rapids, MI) Lung Transplant Team responded. I was referred to and accepted by Spectrum the night of November 5, 2017. PTL! My health continued to decline over the next three days and I was in need of a donor. We were at the saying good-bye stage. My stepson Mike flew in from Florida. While I was in lots of pain, and on medications, I remember looking into the tearful eyes of many loved ones, and sharing my faith, encouraging them to keep their faith, and even to some (hospital staff, too) to accept the Lord as their Savior. I obviously couldn’t sing, but had a friend’s ear close to my mouth and managed to whisper these familiar lyrics to him: Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
My loved ones told me that they would not stop praying for me, even though my condition was failing. I was put on POP continued from previous page ECMO, a complicated machine that oxygenates your blood. I guess I was sort of half dead and half alive. I had 9 tubes and lines going in and out of me and 14 medication and feeding IVs. Photos of this time period of my journey are frightening. After 12 days on ECMO, the medical staff told my wife that I had about three days left. The next day was the best miracle—they found compatible lungs. Wow! Thank You again, Lord! My transplant date was November 20. I am now slowly recovering.
I should mention one unique circumstance that happened while I was in the hospital. Michelle and Elliot were praying outside of my room with my 1978 vintage NIV Bible, a hand-me-down from my mom. A gentleman was walking by and must have noticed the particular type of Bible and asked, “What are you reading?” Guess what! It was David Zondervaan of Zondervaan Publishing Co, the publisher of my Bible.
There IS Power Of Prayer. Looking back, I’ve tried to tally all the people who were praying for me. I figure it’s into the thousands, ranging from the White Cloud SDB church to international prayers. One of my college friends had a friend who was going to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. He sent me a picture of the prayer request paper that was placed there in one of the cracks in the wall. There were local churches and various prayer groups throughout the USA. People around the hospital and well beyond have told me “So, you’re the one we were praying for.” Thank you to all of you who prayed for me. I couldn’t have survived without all of the prayers and a God who listens to prayers and wants us to talk to Him—and especially submit our warranted and sincere prayers to Him.
My going forward action steps are to try to take the Lord with me more throughout each day. In doing so, I will pray more, reciprocate prayers to others who prayed for me, and pray for unbelievers, strangers, and those whose circumstances I had often ignored or looked the other way. I will also continue to pray for “SDB Nation,” Christian Nation, and for International Christians. My obvious closing thought: let’s remember Ed Cruzan’s 2009 Conference theme—1 Thessalonians 5:17, PRAY!
P.S. Please let me mention my wife Michelle, who spent countless hours by my side, which turned into days and weeks. I want to thank my family members who were also by my side. With limited visitation opportunities due to my health, there were several church family members and friends who waited and prayed in lounge areas during the serious stretch of time. Then, of course, there were/are all the prayer warriors (maybe even you) I wish I could list—but the list would cause this article to be too lengthy. Many thanks again to all. Be Blessed!
