TAKING OUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED
This past week there was a comment left on the blog from one of my sweet readers. She had suffered a bad break of her ankle and found out really fast how much we take things for granted. Being mobile and being able to go and do for herself came crashing down with one small accident.
Most of you have read that my daughter has left Alaska and is heading home for the winter. In order for her to bring her car from Juneau, she had to go by ferry to Washington State. That leg of the trip was at least 3 days long. She finally made it to Seattle and called me because she wasn’t feeling well. I encouraged her to go to an after-hours clinic and they were afraid that she was trying to pass a gallstone. She ended up having to stay in the hospital overnight and is having a couple of tests run before they will determine if they will let her leave.
Like my reader, it was not something that was in the plans for her trip. And, like my reader, her life was brought to a grinding stop all at once. This event has left me feeling helpless but also so grateful for so many things.
I am very grateful that she has her friend, Andy, with her and that she is not alone. I am very grateful that she didn’t get really bad sick while she was on the ferry and instead it waited until she reached a large city where she could get good healthcare. I am grateful that the hospital is being very thorough before letting her leave.
Taking our health, and the health of our loved ones for granted is something that most of us do daily. We truly don’t give it a second thought until something happens. A fall can result in a break that takes away our mobility. A diagnosis can rob us of our sense of well being. A surgery can knock us out of work and have a huge impact on our finances.
November is right around the corner and that is the month that we all stop and start to think about all of the things that we are thankful for. Today I am asking each one of you to take a few minutes and think about your health. Do NOT think about what is going wrong with our health. Instead, start at the top of your head and move down thinking about all of the many things that are going right with us and what we should be grateful for. Don’t forget about the internal parts that you can’t see such as your lungs, your heart, your kidneys, and your veins and arteries. You are a walking miracle and today we want to thank our dear Lord for breathing life into us.
I hope that Ashleigh will be released from the hospital today but I would appreciate everyone saying a quick prayer for her. That would truly be amazing!!!
Have A Blessed Day!
Happy to hear your daughter is healing!! I just saw this post. Our daughter in law is an emergency room nurse at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle (the large trauma hospital there and it is also near the ferry terminal). Your daughter would be in no better place if she was at Harborview! Praying for the remainder of the trip home – for journey mercies and angelic care!
Tania, I just saw this post. I sure hope that your daughter is feeling better. I will be praying for a speedy recovery and that she will be home soon. It’s crazy how long it takes to recover from a broken bone. Thank you Gwen for your prayers! I’m still in PT, have a hitch in my get-a-long, but thankful!
I am glad to hear that you are doing so well in the healing process. It is hard to keep a good girl down!
Tania, saying prayers for your daughter and her safe return! I was the one that sent you a picture of your daughter’s apartment when we were docked in Alaska on our cruise in August 2017. I too can relate to the reader that broke her ankle and the turmoil it can cause to your everyday life. I am not elderly, I am still in my 50s and have run 1/2 marathons in the last 7 years. March 5, 2018 I had a life changing event. The following was written on my FB 4 weeks later. As a result of this, I see everyday differently than before. I thank God everyday for the privilege to enjoy each day, for the ability to put my feet on the floor, go to work, and to cuddle with my husband at night.
Four weeks ago, my life as I knew it drastically changed. Chest pains at work brought me to Metro Hospital. A day of tests found nothing. They were releasing me to go home in the afternoon when I presented stroke symptoms. More tests finally resulted in finding an aortic dissection. Metro is not equipped for this type of surgery so I was transferred to Spectrum downtown for emergency open heart surgery lasting over 7 hours. Surgery went well repairing the dissection and replacing a valve. A week after surgery I suffered a setback and found myself on a ventilator for another three days. I spent two weeks in ICU and another week in a regular room. I was finally sent home to have 24/7 care. This has been a truly humbling experience. I need help with everything from bathing and walking. Most of you know that I am a very active and independent person so this is very challenging. I don’t post all of this for your pity or sympathy. I just want people to realize how quickly things can change. It might not be a heart condition, but it could be an accident or a cancer diagnosis. I am thankful that God isn’t finished with me yet! So many circumstances, if handled differently, would have been a different outcome. This Easter season has me reflecting on the great gift we were given in the death and resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal life. Be sure you know where your health is at and where your heart is at with your relationship with God. Words can’t describe and thank the many friends that have helped so far on this journey. Prayers by friends, family and even strangers have brought me to where I am now. This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Dean has been my hero thru this as he cares for me and I love him all the more for that. I continue to ask for prayers as I continue on this path of recovery.
May Ashleigh and you feel God’s presence thru this time. Hugs to all!
Oh my goodness! How scary all of this had to have been, Beth. It would truly be humbling to have to rely on help from others to do everything. I am thankful that they found the issue in time and that you are on the mend.
Prayers for your daughter!
Prayers that they discover what is wrong with Ashleigh quickly and she feels better, and hugs tomyou, Mama, as I’m sure knowing that she is in the hospital without you is hard.
Prayers for Ashley’s quick recovery and her safe trip home. God bless all of you.
Prayers and big hugs to Ashleigh and her momma!
Sending prayers your way!