Post by Jeff Gerke on Dec 10, 2007 11:33:55 GMT -5
Over the years of raising awareness for Christian speculative fiction I have had the pleasure of getting to know many like-minded folks, many of whom have their own Web presence for this kind of fiction, and many of whom are themselves writers in these genres.
One of these great champions is Frank Creed, one of the founders of the Lost Genre Guild (www.lostgenreguild.com/) and the author of a speculative novel called Flashpoint. Frank is also a great encourager to aspiring Christian novelists.
I didn't know this, but several years ago Frank had a serious auto accident (as you'll see below) and lives in constant pain--and stress that he can't make ends meet.
Frank is at an all-time low right now and depression and pain and anxiety are closing in. Please read the following message about Frank and add him to your prayers.
Jeff
* * *
Please everyone, a prayer request for Frank Creed.
Frank has hit the lowest point ever yesterday, although it has been coming for weeks. His pain has become unbearable even with medication. His stress level at his day job has hit a new high and it has affected every thing else in his life, and he isn't sleeping, literally. He is unable to write and doing the basic email chores is beyond his ability right now.
He got an emergency appointment with a doctor this morning (after a lot of urging to do so . . . he wants to be strong enough to deal with this himself). I attended the appointment with him because Frank is not a good advocate for himself. Thankfully, the doctor decided rest and time off work was the first step, and not hospitalization. Of course, now Frank is worried about income which just adds to his stress level. His lifelong good blood pressure has elevated to about 160/90, finding this out also increased the stress. He is in a bad spot.
Frank needs to heal and needs to be out of the stressful work situation to do so. As well, the physical labour he does in deteriorating his already broken body. He needs time to recover, but what then? back to the same body breaking job. This is why he is pursuing a change in occupations.
For those of you who don't know, 9 years ago (and before I knew him) Frank was in a high speed head-on collision. He was medi-vacked from one of the hospitals in Lafayette to the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he lay unconscious for days. Besides a severe closed head injury, he sustained life-threatening injuries. His torso was cut nearly in two. He has a long length of stainless steel mesh that holds his body together along with a hip replacement. He has a steel pin in his right foot knitting the bones together.
It is in these areas with the steel implants that he experiences his pain. He takes the strongest painkillers available but refuses the next step which would be a narcotic. The painkillers take the edge off his ever present discomfort, but on bad days when the pain is debalitating, they do nothing. Yet, Frank insists on going into work and working as hard as he can because of his work ethic. When he does "call in sick" it is because he can hardly move. To go upstairs to bed, he has to sit on the bottom stair and pull himself up backward with his arms. But, he lives with it and never complains.
After he gained consciousness in the hospital, it was clear that his head injury was severe. For three weeks his behaviour was totally out of character. He was delusional,limited speech and what he did say apparently made no sense. Thankfully, Frank remembers none of the accident or the recovery. His first memory occurred with a visit from his pastor. As he learned later, his pastor had a conversation with the specialists and Frank's family outside the door before entering.
The specialists said, at best estimate, Frank would operate at 35% of his original intelligence -- he was brain damaged. His physical self would heal to a point where, with therapy, he would be able to walk -- but he'd be wheelchair bound in his near future. Well, the pastor entered the room and at that point, for the first time he had a lucid conversation with someone. He and the pastor prayed and talked. Frank considers it a miracle.
He has always looked upon his accident as a turning point in his life, and a positive one at that. It brought about many wonderful changes in his life. He is definitely a strong person and someone to be admired. His faith was never shaken -- it was strengthened.
But at this point, Frank needs your prayers for his healing. He is depressed that he can't cope and combined with everything else going on, this has manifested in further pain. The only bright spot for him is pursuing a career of writing and helping others with their writing. It is one reason that we are putting together a trio to offer manuscript evaluation services. He is also working writing articles, etc. for pay. He is depressed that Flashpoint is not selling better, but does realize he can't rely on sales to make a living. All he asks for is a minimum level of income to pay for the basics and I pray that with help and his determination and skill that this can be achieved. He needs to get out of the factory that wears his body down daily, but he's got only a 12th grade education.
Please pray for Frank.
--cyn
One of these great champions is Frank Creed, one of the founders of the Lost Genre Guild (www.lostgenreguild.com/) and the author of a speculative novel called Flashpoint. Frank is also a great encourager to aspiring Christian novelists.
I didn't know this, but several years ago Frank had a serious auto accident (as you'll see below) and lives in constant pain--and stress that he can't make ends meet.
Frank is at an all-time low right now and depression and pain and anxiety are closing in. Please read the following message about Frank and add him to your prayers.
Jeff
* * *
Please everyone, a prayer request for Frank Creed.
Frank has hit the lowest point ever yesterday, although it has been coming for weeks. His pain has become unbearable even with medication. His stress level at his day job has hit a new high and it has affected every thing else in his life, and he isn't sleeping, literally. He is unable to write and doing the basic email chores is beyond his ability right now.
He got an emergency appointment with a doctor this morning (after a lot of urging to do so . . . he wants to be strong enough to deal with this himself). I attended the appointment with him because Frank is not a good advocate for himself. Thankfully, the doctor decided rest and time off work was the first step, and not hospitalization. Of course, now Frank is worried about income which just adds to his stress level. His lifelong good blood pressure has elevated to about 160/90, finding this out also increased the stress. He is in a bad spot.
Frank needs to heal and needs to be out of the stressful work situation to do so. As well, the physical labour he does in deteriorating his already broken body. He needs time to recover, but what then? back to the same body breaking job. This is why he is pursuing a change in occupations.
For those of you who don't know, 9 years ago (and before I knew him) Frank was in a high speed head-on collision. He was medi-vacked from one of the hospitals in Lafayette to the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he lay unconscious for days. Besides a severe closed head injury, he sustained life-threatening injuries. His torso was cut nearly in two. He has a long length of stainless steel mesh that holds his body together along with a hip replacement. He has a steel pin in his right foot knitting the bones together.
It is in these areas with the steel implants that he experiences his pain. He takes the strongest painkillers available but refuses the next step which would be a narcotic. The painkillers take the edge off his ever present discomfort, but on bad days when the pain is debalitating, they do nothing. Yet, Frank insists on going into work and working as hard as he can because of his work ethic. When he does "call in sick" it is because he can hardly move. To go upstairs to bed, he has to sit on the bottom stair and pull himself up backward with his arms. But, he lives with it and never complains.
After he gained consciousness in the hospital, it was clear that his head injury was severe. For three weeks his behaviour was totally out of character. He was delusional,limited speech and what he did say apparently made no sense. Thankfully, Frank remembers none of the accident or the recovery. His first memory occurred with a visit from his pastor. As he learned later, his pastor had a conversation with the specialists and Frank's family outside the door before entering.
The specialists said, at best estimate, Frank would operate at 35% of his original intelligence -- he was brain damaged. His physical self would heal to a point where, with therapy, he would be able to walk -- but he'd be wheelchair bound in his near future. Well, the pastor entered the room and at that point, for the first time he had a lucid conversation with someone. He and the pastor prayed and talked. Frank considers it a miracle.
He has always looked upon his accident as a turning point in his life, and a positive one at that. It brought about many wonderful changes in his life. He is definitely a strong person and someone to be admired. His faith was never shaken -- it was strengthened.
But at this point, Frank needs your prayers for his healing. He is depressed that he can't cope and combined with everything else going on, this has manifested in further pain. The only bright spot for him is pursuing a career of writing and helping others with their writing. It is one reason that we are putting together a trio to offer manuscript evaluation services. He is also working writing articles, etc. for pay. He is depressed that Flashpoint is not selling better, but does realize he can't rely on sales to make a living. All he asks for is a minimum level of income to pay for the basics and I pray that with help and his determination and skill that this can be achieved. He needs to get out of the factory that wears his body down daily, but he's got only a 12th grade education.
Please pray for Frank.
--cyn
