Sunday, May 24, 2009

Though deepening trials...

It's been a while since I've written in my blog. I've been through a lot. I experienced a couple of small vacations. One to Provo, Utah another to Palm Springs and then school and work seemed to consume all rest my time. I had to complete a ten page essay on the joys of the liberal media for my on-line English class. It took two weeks of intense research to finish. Now I hope for at least a passing grade.

On Mother's day, I had a situation that presented a bit of a challenge. As a woman, especially one of my age, I had hoped and prayed the days of the month "curse" would pass and pass unceremoniously. However, such was not the case in my life. By the end of the first week I was seriously concerned with light headiness, dizziness and my heart beating out of my chest. So I sought for my doctor's care.

Through blood tests and exams I learned I'd bled out one half of my body's blood supply. Not a good thing if you want to stay alive. On Tuesday evening, May 19, I was admitted to the emergency room at St. Johns/Pleasant Valley Hospital for an emergency blood transfusion. Not an experience I recommend. Just to test and type and cross match took hours. The drip of a unit of blood took even more time and then I got a second unit. That was to bring me up to just over half.

I guess blood is pretty essential to sustaining life. And I never really understood before that the blood in the body is manufactured in the bone marrow. Interesting what you can learn through medical problems. No I face enema and edema and a life time of pill taking.

Wednesday I had an exam by an OB/GYN specialist and a biopsy to rule out certain conditions or to confirm others. Now I wait. Pills were prescribed and actions recommended. New pills cause other problems and in the midst of all these trials--my neck and shoulder decide to slip from their moorings and further add to my discomfort.

So Sunday morning as I was moaning and groaning "poor me", I happened upon the following video from the church about going through hard times. It inspired me, strengthened me and caused me to think about my trials as "being a small moment" and "this too shall pass". That last one was my mother's favorite thing to tell me. She was a wise woman.

Please watch and take comfort.




When upon life billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost
Count your many blessing name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

May the Lord bless you all in whatever life hands you. Trials prove you're love. Sometimes I wish I wasn't loved quite so much!!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your being sick. Physical trials are definitely among the hardest. I hope all goes well and you can make a full recovery.

Thanks for the video. It was very inspiring and uplifting. It seems like I need that constant reminder of the 'big picture.'

CMalone said...

Thanks for the well wishes. My doctor is so comforting. He says at 50 is when women start to break down and die. Men start around 40. So like the video says, when we're down, it's best to reach out to someone else. Somebody out there is always worse off than you.

anelieze castrejon said...

Hey, Sister Malone, please let me know if I can do anything for you! That's some scary stuff. :) But you're strong and I admire you for it.
-Anelieze

Debbie said...

You're in our thoughts and prayers...thanks for sharing your experience in your blog!! love, Debbie Freitas