BOBBY CRISOL
On our last day of visiting our daughter and her family in Illinois at the end of August, I suffered a bad fall as I got out of the car after returning home from dialysis. I had taken just a few steps out of the car when I suddenly crumbled and hit my back on the cement road. It must have been due to low blood pressure. I could not get up as there was a stabbing pain in my back, and I felt weak. My wife, who was behind me, could not help me as she had fallen trying to catch me and landed on her wrist. The only other family member around was our 3-year old grandson.
As I lay on my back on the road pondering what to do, two ladies came to my rescue out of the blue. One was a nurse who happened to be driving by with her friend. The other was a lady military neighbor of my son-in-law who happened to be taking her baby on a morning stroll. Both ladies rushed to my side and gently helped me get up and wobble to the house.
When my daughter arrived home from work, she and my wife decided to bring me to the hospital, just a 10-minute drive away, as the pain in my back was unrelenting. On the way to the hospital, I was harboring fears of catching Covid-19 from the ER. Fortunately, there were few ER patients, and there was sufficient physical distancing in the ER lobby.
It took nearly 2 hours before the ER attending physician could examine me. I spent the time praying the rosary and asking for the Blessed Mother’s intercession. The ER gave me a battery of tests – EKG, blood works CT scan, and X-rays. Thank God I did not suffer any head injury. I did suffer a compression fracture of the lower vertebrae, but the doctor assured me that there was no need for surgery and it would heal naturally in 3-4 months. I just had to manage the intermittent pain for which he prescribed strong pain medication (unfortunately, the medicine relieved the pain but caused constipation which is another story!).
It was a relief to get home as it was a struggle to move around. Although the doctor cleared me for flying home the next day, I was worried that I would have difficulty during the 4-hour flight back to California, which was a bare 24 hours after my accident. I was also concerned that rescheduling our flight would entail costly rebooking and fare differential charges.
So after praying for God’s providence, I called up the airline and explained what happened. To my surprise, the airline agent agreed to reschedule our flight to give me more time to rest and recuperate. He waived all fees without even asking for proof of my ER visit for humanitarian reasons.
I safely made it back to California, surviving the 4-hour flight with pain medication, several seat cushions, and wheelchair transport to/from the plane. God’s goodness did not stop there. He ensured the middle seat in the row my wife and I occupied in the plane remained vacant in what was supposed to be a full flight so I would not be cramped.
Indeed God never promised that we would have a storm-free life. But He did promise that if a storm ever came, He would be at our side to help us go through the storm. This accident happened even as I am undergoing 3x a week dialysis (I just underwent my 430th session yesterday).
But I never questioned God for adding to my affliction. I just asked Him for the grace and strength to cope with what life confronts me. My faith and trust in Him remain steadfast, though there are ups and downs. As the saying goes, God will never take us to where His grace cannot cover us. That is what gives me peace in my mind and heart. God is good!
Yes indeed God is Good and He will make a way for us to heal and make us healthy again.
Thanks for this sharing Bob.. God bless you and GIRLIE.
Yes God is good all the time! Thank you for sharing such an inspiring testimony Bob. Thank you for using your God given talent of being a great communicator. You painted such a visual vivid depiction of your GOD experience. You sharing this story gives hope and inspires others.
Thanks for sharing, Bob! You have angels around you already, but there’s more hovering around! God always provides according to His Divine Will. There are good hearts around, they come in all forms of color, race or religious beliefs!
P.S. prunes will definitely help 👍☺️
God will always abide in you, Bob. And He will continue to hold you in the palm of His hands for you have remained faithful to Him.
Amazing, Bobby. You truly find God in everything! You are so attuned to God that whatever happens to you, you give Him, thanks, praise and glory. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Be well and be strong!
I believe in angels He sends in His perfect timing. Inspite of your regular dialysis which you have taken in stride , your disposition has allowed you to see good in everything that happened from the moment you fell. Praise God.
God works in mysterious ways, Bobby. Wish you speedy recovery.
Thank you for sharing. God is indeed good.
Finding God…in all good encountered, is grace!
You are BLESSED, indeed, Bobby! God will see you through!
God was embracing you Bob…. And continues to do so…be well and safe
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