Working through medical roadblocks
For those who know me well, hearing a cough or a wheeze or even a squeak on the other end of the line as I struggle to catch my breath is a normal occurrence. Breathing has always been an issue for me. In school I could run the mile in track, no problem. I'm competitive and I wanted to win. But my face would turn bright red and I wheezed and scared the coach, which led to my leaving the team.
As an adult, I've been diagnosed with several chronic illnesses including pleurisy, asthma, Sjodgren's, chronic bronchitis, and so on, and those illnesses have thwarted my ability to maintain the lifestyle that I enjoy. I'm naturally athletic and love the outdoors, but when the temperature drops, a simple walk to the mailbox is sometimes too difficult to make.
It's during times like these that I need some inspiration to keep me going so that I don't crawl back in bed and wait to feel better. It's times like these when a spark of hope can ease the symptoms.
Yesterday my mom told me that while doing a ct scan to find the best way to remove the tumor in her shoulder cage they found a second tumor on her kidney. My mom has never been in the best of health and I've always wondered how long she would be able to be put through the surgeries and treatments the doctors give to her and still remain in good spirits. Needless to say, she was freaked out when there was one tumor. You can imagine how she's feeling now.
Mom's health reminds me that life is so short. In the blink of an eye any one of us could be gone or we could lose a loved one. How do you balance hope and a passion for life with fear of dying or losing someone you love? These are thoughts that run through my mind these days and I realize that we only have one shot, one chance to live our lives. Our successes and failures are OURS and nobody else's. What we do in our professional and personal lives comes back to us in positives or negatives. I've been blessed with plenty of positives in my life, but have I put enough time and effort into enjoying the life I've created and the people who surround me? Has my mom accomplished everything she dreamed of as a young woman? At what point do we stop dreaming of a different future?
Grandma Moses began painting in her 70's and went on to become a celebrated painter whose art is displayed in museums around the world. She changed her life from a hard working farm wife to a world-renowned painter. From her 70's, until the time of her death at 101 she produced over 3600 works of art. At 70, most people consider retirement and look forward to their quiet years of simply enjoying life - not Grandma Moses! She obviously enjoyed what she did and she created a legacy from her hard work. People like Grandma Moses give me that spark of hope. She is proof that it's never too late to dream of a different future, a better life, and a life filled with something you love.
My mom will pull through; I'm maintaining a positive attitude that the tumors are nothing and she will be fine. But if you have some extra prayers you can send our way, we'd appreciate them. You can never have too many prayers.
As for me, I already do what I love. My life is more than what I dreamed it could be, but that will never stop me from dreaming.
Thank you for reading my blog and may you have a blessed day.
Jody
Your writting is awesome. You truly put me in a place where I so saw myself. I feel for you my friend.
Life is not always easy but I have learned that our days are what we make of them. To wake up everyday is such a blessing. To take that first breath, be it a long or short one, is a gift that we must all learn not to take advantage of.
I too often wonder if all my dreams will be accomplished here in my lifetime. I have decided that I will continue to dream no matter what life brings to me.
You are an Awesome and true person and I am so glad that you were "presented" into my life.
Love and Light always
Ginger
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