Tuberculosis Cured!

As Josh set the trebuchet arm, he coughed briefly.
"Sorry," he said, "I'm just getting over tuberculosis."
His other event in Science Olympiad is Disease Detectives, where he is cramming his head full of information about various diseases.

"Are you sure you just don't have bronchitis?" I asked.
Last week he told Asherel that her symptoms were likely anthrax poisoning, which, he warned, was fatal with no cure. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

With my little knowledge about Alzheimer's, or the whole system that helps folks with this illness, I called a nearby small Assisted Living Center.

"Can I help you?"

"I don't know. I hope so. I have a couple of old friends," I told her,"And the wife has Alzheimers. The husband needs assisted living care. Right now they are in a facility where they are in separate buildings, far apart, and it is breaking both their hearts. Is there any facility where they could be together? Might your facility consider such an arrangement?"

I thought she might just laugh at me, the way I laughed when Josh told us he was just getting over tuberculosis. However, she said, "Possibly. It depends. We have done that in the past." She asked me to tell her a little about the couple, and then set up a time when I could bring them to meet her, look at the place, and they would all have a better guess about the possibilities.
"We could do it on a trial basis. But if the same room won't work out due to their health needs, the Alzheimer unit is attached to the assisted living. They would just be separated by a kitchen."
I called Comer immediately. He wanted to check it out without his wife first, concerned that Evelyn might be too upset by the whole unfamiliarity. He was interested, but this weary 93 year old man did not relish the idea of moving again.

As I recounted the story to Asherel, I told her the daughter, having moved her parents 4 times in the past few months had told them she was not moving them any more.
"Why would she have to move them?" asked my sweet girl.
I smiled at her, "You're right. If he wants to move we will get friends, and trucks, and vans, and we will move them ourselves."

While I waited for Asherel to get out of Gavel Club,  which is held in our church, I sketched a lovely blooming tree. It had been planted purposely on the church grounds, and its blossoms were fitting and beautiful against the stained glass window. But I noticed that the same lovely tree dotted the fields nearby. It grew wild and brought dots of beauty all across the surrounding forested area. I thought of the lady at the Assisted Living Home I had spoken with.
"Do you think Evelyn's symptoms are worse because she misses her husband?" asked the nurse.
"I am not a doctor," I said, "But it sure seems that way to me." It had been my thought from the beginning but I found it too obvious, too silly to voice. And a nurse had spoken the same thought, like the trees in the field bursting with blossoms.....
And pollen.....

I sneezed, as Asherel got back in the car.
It's ok. I'm just getting over tuberculosis. But I'm hopeful I will make a full recovery.

Psalm 147:10-12

 ¹⁰ His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
¹¹ the LORD delights in those who fear him,
   who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Job 11:17-19

¹⁷ Life will be brighter than noonday,
   and darkness will become like morning.
¹⁸ You will be secure, because there is hope;
   you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
¹⁹ You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
   and many will court your favor.