Follow Through

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, The Apostles

Life is a journey.  We're all on a treadmill together encountering successes and failures, joys and sorrows, hardships and challenges.  It's a trip in which we're learning all about ourselves, who we are, our strengths, our weaknesses.

These are known as Life's Lessons. 

No one knows what's in store for us when we're born.    

One thing I will tell you though, that the old saying, "your life can change in a second", is true. 

A breast cancer diagnosis came like a thunder bolt on October 1 from my Dr. 

I even joked about this with him as October 1 is the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

How crazy is that? 

After two and a half months of biopsies, surgeries and radiation treatment I'm finally home, recuperating.  The good thing is the cancer was caught in its early stages (Stage 1) where it hadn't spread into the surrounding tissue.  I have to thank all the Drs., Nurses, Radiation Therapists for the speed with which they attacked this thing as Time was of the essence.   

What surprised me, though, through all this was the inner courage I tapped into.  It was like a latent part of me I never knew existed.  I had no idea what lay ahead, I had no idea what the pain would be like, or what I would encounter.  Yet I was determined to see this whole thing through, to the end  (Follow Through).   

My faith in G-d was instrumental in all of this.  Without His Grace and providing me with the courage to quell my fears and doubts, it would have been much more of an ordeal.   

Okay now you know my story.  I have a question for you.  When it comes time to follow through on something, will you?  When it comes time to listen to advice, will you?   When it comes time to meet life's challenges head on, will you?  When life throws you a curve ball will you cave or throw it right back?   What will you fall back on in order to move forward in success?

What do you believe in?   Is this belief going to sustain you when you need it or wither up and die when you ask it for help?

The answer to this question is vital to your health and success in life.  It may seem like no big deal to you at first but, in actuality, it may one day, save your life.  

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened".  Matthew 7:7
 

"What's Said in the OR Stays in the OR"

Hi All:  Well it's been a good week since my surgery on Oct. 5 and I'm back online (but only for a short time) so I thought I'd share some thoughts with you.

**Remember, no matter what life throws at you whether it's an illness, a challenge or something else, you have the courage to get through it.** 

I love the signs that say "Have Courage" but always wondered, "how do you know you even have courage"?  Well, the answer is, first you need to encounter something you're afraid of or don't have a clue how to handle in order to access the courage residing within you.    

I had a breast biopsy done on September 26 and on Oct. 1 I received a call from my surgeon with the results.  Turned out it was a tumor (Invasive Carcinoma Breast Cancer).  The good part is they caught it in time and I will be okay.

The innovations made in Cancer detection and treatment have improved greatly over the years and we only have those who went before to thank for this.

I cannot say enough about the health care community in this country from the General Practitioners, to the Nurse Anesthesiologists, Anesthetists, Surgeons, Oncologists and PA's.  They work as a team and provide the best care possible for their patients.

To show you the great dedication and sense of humour I experienced as I laid in my hospital bed on Oct. 5 is as follows:  Two Nurse Anesthetists who looked surprisingly alike but were not related walked into my cubicle and introduced themselves.  They explained that they would be assisting the Anesthesiologist while I was in surgery.  They had a twinkle in their eyes as they reached for my hand and said, with a big grin that they were known as the "Knockout Twins."

What a hoot.  I thought my sides would burst with laughter.  Then the Anesthesiologist parted the curtains and introduced himself.  A roly poly guy with a big heart and a big grin.  He proceeded to give me his life story as to how he became a Doctor and then told me his name.  "Why", he asked, would a father name his kid Rocky with the last name of Stone"?  Again,we were all laughing. 

I thought I'd tease him a little and said, in jest, "I'm a little worried about what I might say when I'm under anesthesia.  Are you gonna repeat anything I said like, you know, how may affairs I've had, or that night with so and so and what we did because, if you do, I'm gonna deny all of it!"

He looked me straight in the eyes and calmly replied, "what's said in the OR stays in the OR." 

Boy, was I relieved. 

Without these selfless and dedicated professionals we wouldn't have Savie Devices being used in Breast Cancer Treatment or the bionic devices being developed for critical injuries occurring on battlefields, car accidents and other tragedies.

I have more surgery (precautionary) scheduled for next Monday (Oct. 15).  Then another pathology report and radiation treatment starts on Wednesday (October 17).

I have the courage necessary to get through all of this and so do you.

If you're going through something that's worrying you and wearing you down, remember, "you have the courage to get through it.  Don't sell yourselves short.  You've Got What It Takes!

I should know as courage and I have met on the battlefield of life and we're now working together as a team.       

~ Blessings,
          Nightshade

Watchers

Angel on Watch also known as a "Watcher"

To My Followers:  A health issue has turned up in which I've been scheduled for surgery on Friday, Oct. 5.  It's gonna take a good 3 - 4 weeks to recover and I won't be able to post anything on this blog until after that time.  The Tarot cards (Talk to Me Tarot) for each week will resume once I get back on my feet.  I wanted to let you know because you would be wondering why there was no activity, etc. and why the things I normally update weren't being updated.

I had a young lady who just contacted me for a Tarot Reading and I got back to her with some questions but she now is advised that her reading is on hold.    

I will do a blogpost and let you know when I'm back on line.   

Thanks for your friendship and your loyalty.

     ~Blessings,
               Nightshade