05/18/2024
Good morning Shiloh!
Shannon and I both have received many prayers over the last couple of months due to my recent hospitalization.
Here is a quick recap of what was going on.
Sunday March 10, 2024 I woke up feeling not so good, but I was determined to preach that morning. I had a rough night, but I was determined.
My fever when Shannon checked it was 103. 7 then after an hour and a Tylenol it went up to 104. 1 and by then my oxygen level was dropping.
Shannon called for an ambulance, but I was still determined to preach. The EMT told me if I could walk to the stretcher just a few feet away that she would carry me to Shiloh. That didn't happen, my oxygen level 78%.
I was admitted to Helen Keller Hospital for double pneumonia. After many tests, it was discovered that I had both bacterial and fungal pneumonia and I was having difficulties keeping my oxygen level up even on the nasal cannules and up to 6 liters of oxygen. So I was transferred to the Pulmonary Care Unit and place on bipap.
The bipap forced oxygen in my lungs and pushed the carbon monoxide out and if that didn't work I was going to be on the ventilator.
I honestly cannot remember much of what was going on, but I do remember Joyce Ingall, our piano player saying a prayer over me.
I spent days in PCU before I was stable enough to go back around to the 3rd floor and I steadily improved enough to be transferred to Red Bay Hospital on April 20th on a swing bed status to receive further care a lot of therapy to get me up and walking. From April 20 to May 3 I was in Red Bay Hospital.
I came home May 3rd with home oxygen and home health nurses care and physical therapy.
I'm still weak, but I was able to meet the goal of returning to Shiloh on Mother's Day. I wasn't able to stand and preach, but I did deliver a Mother's message sitting in a chair and using portable oxygen.
I'm going to be there in the morning Sunday April 19. I will be preaching in my chair and using portable oxygen.
I hope to see everyone there.
Sunday School starts at 10:00 and Sunday Service starts at 11:00.
I have missed being behind the pulpit and its my goal to be able to stand up and preach behind it soon.
Thank you all so much for your continuous prayers. Also thank you for your calls, texts, and Facebook comments.
To the congregation at Shiloh Baptist Church, you all are the best congregation that any pastor could ever ask for, I am proud of each and every one of you.
I love you all.
Bro. Randy Pike