The Small Stuff is the Big Stuff! - 09/17/2024

 The Small Stuff is the Big Stuff!

First & foremost, thank you for praying.  A lot of times your prayers do more powerful Holy Spirit work than you will ever know.  Can I hear an AMEN Trish Parker and Wade?!  Such a blessing to see you both!  It was such an unexpected blessing that day!

Did you ever notice that at times God gives us the blessing of really good news, before very turbulent waters are about to hit.  That’s exactly what He did for us.  We were so excited about the wonderful news that “I am stable!”  We were on the mountain top!  Even though I am afraid of heights, God has taught me that there are spectacular views up there but you need to just stop & take the time to fully drink them in.  You might guess that we did! 

Next, as my friend coined it, “the perfect storm hit”.   Is there any such thing as a turbulent, divine storm\trial?  Yes there is!  And this is where the deep roots of true gratitude can blossom.  Here is where very fertile, spiritual ground can be found too, as this is where you learn to plant your feet on the solid rock during the storm in a deeper way.  He isn’t going to make it easier during the next trial because we would not learn if it got easier.   Now back to “my perfect storm”.   Recently my mobility\pain had begun to be an issue again.  Needed not only my nerve pain medication but also Extra Strength Tylenol every 6 hours round the clock etc.  Hadn’t been here since last Jan\Feb.  It was a stark reminder of just how blessed I had been.  Then of course it was my 4 week injection time.  I had had my faslodex injection on Tuesday, Sept. 3’rd.   That typically puts me down for the count for a while (lots of naps etc.), but there was not time for that this week…  Thursday, Sept. 5th, we had a trip to St. John for me to receive my markings for “my super dose of radiation”, which I would receive the next day on Friday, Sept. 6th.  The girls that marked me were wonderful!  They had me down & up and placed me in lots of positions but I didn’t have to move once I was down.  They moved me around with the sheet & that was a blessing.  I did not know I was that flexible with someone else at the wheel.  Kind of like “Gumby & Pokey”.    Did any of you have them for a toy as a kid?  They were so flexible.  Not sure which one I was that day, but instead of green tattoos, it was  “X” marked the spots with a permanent marker.  Come to think about it, I never checked to see if I got those completely washed off.    Hey, it is a lot easier than getting branded like cattle do!  The Lord blessed me with a really good day on that Thursday.  I had had my “morning cafe time” so there was plenty of caffeine rolling through my system.  It was a sunny day, where I had extra energy and this was indeed a special blessing for me.  God placed people in our paths too.  It is a humbling place to walk but a day I was so truly very grateful for!   My heart knows that every encounter has a kingdom purpose, as my God always has a plan! & Thursday, Jamie & I had a great time on our ride to the Regional & back home.  You know one of those laughing & singing to the music trips.  I even got to get two errands done!  We’ve learned to take advantage of the really, extra good days that I have.  Jamie has all the stealth moves to see that that happens.  Did I tell you that he rocks as a care-giver & husband?   Now being really honest, I did suspect that going to Saint John two days in a row, after my injection might be a bit of a challenge.   Friday dawned with me waking up feeling beyond exhausted which is also part of this journey at times.  Remember, “It’s OK to be tired.”  And it is, when you don’t have appointments.  As I am sure those who have been on this journey or are currently on a health journey know and would attest to the fact that, when you have appointments you push through, as best you can.  I always want to get each appointment  off my list.  That is the teacher gene in me.  Well maybe a bit of feeling I am doing my part & a little like I am in control of something too.  There are peaks & valleys that is part of life.  Anyway my handsome driver, Jamie, drove me up to have my “super dose of radiation”.  With being extremely tired & the business of getting ready to go, I FORGOT to take the medication for my nerve pain that morning.       All the storms collided & it started to be a really rough ride home that I hadn’t expected.  It was 4:15 when I discovered I had forgotten my nerve pain medicine.   The first time I had the super dose of radiation last January there were no major side effects.  Somehow the combination of the injection and the “super dose” of radiation had created a nausea that I could not beat.  I praise His name that God allowed me to get home before I started getting sick Friday night.    I simply told Jamie on the way home that I couldn’t talk.   He finally got his genuinely, quiet ride home!  As you know that would be a rare event with me on any car ride.  Sorry to shock those of you who don’t know me with that comment and glad I made the rest of you chuckle.  Jamie also did make me chuckle once or twice on the way home, which he was almost very sorry for and almost lived to regret it!   Well he really found out when we got home.  Thank you Lord for running water, plastic buckets, bathrooms, toilets & Gravol suppositories.   Yes you heard me right, I was grateful for a suppository!  I know just know some of you have been there before too.  There are always things to learn in the valley.  I learned an additional use for my walker… it holds a plastic bucket really well for when you need it and you can still make a speedy get away to the bathroom with it in tow.   I learned that I LOVED apartment life even more!  Keeping it simple is perfect.  I learned that I do not need the Tylenol extra strength anymore & that I do really still need the medication for my nerve pain.  In my infinite wisdom when they told me I was stable, I thought maybe I won’t need to take that anymore.  Definitely wrong on that thought!  I learned that it’s amazing what we take for granted until we can’t do it!  I knew I didn’t have COVID because my sense of smell told me I desperately needed a shower!  .   I learned that I appreciate a shower more than I had remembered.  You know how sick I was, because I could not even take a shower for a few days.  We’ve all been through those seasons.  Finally on Sunday, I pushed through & got in .  I think I saved the planet with that move!  Now I know why they say cleanliness is next to Godliness…  and it after all it was Sunday too.  So thankful a Friend came over to watch the church service on-line with me, while Jamie helped in the sound booth.  Yes, I did not want to scare my friend away either.   Though I have found that Joy does NOT scare easily.  Come on, dealing with me is not for the faint of heart at times and is typically a unique adventure. 

Do any of you have asthma?  Have any of you ever had an asthma attack or real difficult issues with breathing?  Those that have or do, might appreciate this on a little deeper level.   I have 4 issues with my lungs… a story for another day.  Well, the other night, just before going to bed it hit me hard and I was having a major issue trying to breathe.  When I was in the bathroom & I knew I needed to just sit down immediately… so kind of like musical chairs, I sat on the nearest seat which was the great white porcelain throne.  The good news is that there was no competition for the seat, as Jamie wasn’t there.  Guess that means I won.   This breathing issue was also taking place, while I was recovering from having had the injection & the super dose of radiation… so this attack hit me particularly hard and was wrapped with very strong, painful bronchial spasms.  Where are the pipes I used to have when I was a cheerleader, right Marcia Jackson!    Confession, I did NOT need a megaphone.  

When I caught my breath I said, “Jamie can you get my chamber & inhaler?  I am having an asthma attack.”  You see, I had taken my chamber apart that morning & Jamie had washed it for me.  He also washed my AreobiKA another device for daily use for my breathing.   

He did not respond like he usually does.    I do not know what he thought I had said.  A few minutes later when I caught my breath again, I asked him again. 

He said, “I’ll get it in a few minutes”.  When I caught my breath again, I told him I really needed it now.  Then I repeated that I was having a strong asthma attack. 

Then he quickly went & got it for me.  I mouthed the words thank you and immediately used it & waited for it to take effect. 

Just before going to bed, after I could breathe again, I sarcastically said, “I hope no one ever asks you to get their epi-pen”.  We both cracked up laughing.  

As you get older, your hearing isn’t quite as sharp as it used to be and Jamie & I have chuckled many times over what we thought the other one said.  There could be quite the humorous book written about this alone. 

When going through rougher waters, my favorite quote is, “This too shall pass.”  Some attribute this quote to Abraham Lincoln… he said we could apply it in any & every situation.  Biblically it says, “The things seen are temporary…” 2 Corinthians 4:18. So I like to apply this when in rougher waters.  Sometimes the waves have seemed so high that I said, “I am going deep sea scuba diving with God as my oxygen.”  You know He has never failed me. 

Oh yes back to the hearing.  I am off to the Regional to have my hearing tested tomorrow and then to see my ENT doctor.  You wonder if I am concerned about anything regarding my hearing? Well true confession, I am concerned that Jamie will find out that I have “selective hearing loss” & not actual hearing loss.     I do hope they will find out how to answer the phone  for the constant ringing that I have in my ears  Oh pardon me, I forgot that depending on your generation you can now choose the correct emoji.  So I will let you choose your own:     Another true confession, I remember party lines & rotary phones.  Maybe it’s not my age, just that I am well educated.    If you aren’t one my of my past teachers I will let you decide that for yourselves.  Isn’t that what they call creative writing Miss Mulholland?  Oh wait, maybe that’s the “choose your own ending” writing concept.    Ok, well I’ll let you decide that too.  Sorry for all the decisions I am asking you to make today.  

On this journey, you get tired of all the appointments & really appreciate when you can see a span of only one appt. or the blessing of NO appointments that week.   Well I was stepping in to that today thinking about next week when my phone rang (you choose)… surprise it was my bowel specialist calling me to schedule my 5 year colonoscopy.    You know, “The great wipe & swipe.(no that is NOT a chocolate kiss).    If they truly decide to go through with this I am guessing I can miss at least one, “Bottom’s Up Cafe” that week.  There is always a bright side if you look for it.  I told her the current journey I was on, so she said she would check with my bowel specialist & call me back.  Here’s hoping my recent CT Scan was enough! 

Well I am grateful to say that I am feeling better now.  That week was quite a week of  but God came through everytime.  I once told Jamie that I could not talk about food or watch any food shows.  Do you know how many commercials involve food?  The good news is that Jamie got extra quiet time.  Just imagine this ADD cheering voice being quiet & sleeping a lot.  That is an adequate picture.  Jamie also made special use of that time & made me homemade applesauce & homemade chicken soup (my favorite comfort foods) for when I could eat.  Now I am back in shape to step into the race again.  In the Bible Paul told us in Ephesians 6:18,  “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” When God nudges you to pray for someone, just do it.  God tells us always to pray one for another, there may be reasons you don’t even know for the need of those prayers but God does. Again thank you for your prayers, messages & Friendship.  On this journey it makes such a difference as I am sure Trisha Parker & Lisa Richardson can say Amen too.  We are here to walk with each other in the strength & love of Christ.  We feel so blessed to have Family, Friends and our Church family.  Always remember that it is the small stuff that really is the big stuff.  When you put the small stuff together, it is what makes the big picture… we are to simply to walk with & love the people God places in our path and this makes up His divine picture.