I'm trying...
I have missed a few blog posts so today I will post three. First, I went to Cleveland Clinic, had my surgery with Doctor Gustman, then flew home with Eric to recover. I'm getting good at this. I do not like the pain medicine, Eric gets upset if I don't take it, but I try to muddle my way through without using it.
I received an email message from one of my physicians who reads this blog, so this is for him... "You made a mistake on your blog, which was your 21st surgery in less than 5 years" "Well excuse me for the miss count, btw your nosey" "No, just want you to be exact" So there you have it, yes, I have nosey physicians. It's a good thing I love him enough to care that he was kind enough to correct me and that I never say anything on this blog I wouldn't be proud for them to read.
I want to add this little tender mercy to this blog post because it is another one that truly took me by surprise. I have been involved with a company I feel the Lord placed in my lap a year ago for a reason, He knows how much each of us can handle, and knowing what was about to make a life-altering change to my life, He knew I needed to be with people and circumstances that could bless my life, and it has in such a precious way. I have made lifelong friends, who never knew me before my paralysis or cancer diagnosis. Most don't know my story.
I recently was invited to listen to a conference call by a woman who I had already admired, for her down-to-earth, funny, humble way of telling the story of how she and her sweet husband have gotten to where they are today. Like always I was sitting on my bed with my phone in conference mode with my notepad ready to take notes and learn something that may also help me in my venture. I was not prepared for the emotion I would feel when I listened in. So many who have followed my story know I use the word HOPE so much, I have studied it, pondered it, lived it, and tried to wrap myself up in the warmth of that word. Mariel began to speak with her team, (everyone on the call is muted) that's a good thing because it was not a minute or two into the call when I began to blubber like a baby. It was as if she was speaking to me directly. (This is not the case she had about eight hundred people on that call) I am not going to go into all my notes, mostly because I stopped taking them at this point. She was directly delivering her message to me. Gracefully and gently, she spoke of HOPE. Giving HOPE to others during a time in life when so many just need to know there are people in the world who care, and who want to help make a difference. It's been 6 months that I have dedicated myself to doing something kind for someone every single day, I have been successful in doing this, and it has changed my life. It doesn't take away my own needs and realities, but it has helped me to become a better person and to learn that when I fall, I can be lifted and reminded of my potential. I've been reminded once again time after time as I'm guided to people daily that I have so much to work on, so much to learn but by taking the hand of others like Mariel and Frank I can be led and guided with thoughts of goodness and mercy and do it with humility and grace.
I had a few days off for recovery after surgery but started back to work last week. I love my job at USAirways. I really had a breakthrough last week while working. Not the place I thought this would happen, but anymore I am never surprised at what, where, or who touches my life in a significant way.
I was taking a reservation for a man, just doing my job when out of nowhere he asked me if I was OK. Not knowing exactly what he meant I asked, "Yes I'm OK, does it seem I am not doing my job, or have I offended you?" "Oh heavens no, just the opposite you are lovely to talk to, and today I feel grateful it was you who answered the phone" A little stunned I thanked him and finished up his reservation, when I asked if there was anything else I could do to help him he said "Yes, you can" thinking he was going to either change the reservation, have me send him to rental cars or add his dividend miles number, you can imagine my surprise when this is what he said "Did you recently have a stroke? I don't mean to be nosey but your voice sounds a little staggered" for the first time I was finally able to hear the truth from someone, a stranger and for the 1st time a light went off in my head I replied "No sir, I didn't have a stroke but I do have partial facial paralysis and sometimes it is difficult to speak clearly, I'm sorry if you had a hard time with me today" I felt this sweet peace come over me, I am healing, from the inside out.
Facial paralysis has been by far the most challenging misfortunate obstacle I have had to come to grips with. I've felt so many times that I just can't do this anymore, begging for relief, for complete physical healing. I have felt broken, alone, and misunderstood. To finally say aloud to a perfect stranger "I have partial facial paralysis" may seem so insignificant to other people, but for me it was HUGE. My physicians have been perfectly honest with me. Right now, there is not much hope for a full recovery without more surgery, which I was told from the beginning. I like to think I want to hear the full truth, the bottom line, then I can deal with it. Boy, was I surprised at how much I didn't comprehend my own understanding of what difficulty was?
I have so many people say "...but you're beautiful" for some reason that ".... but" hesitation has penetrated my heart too many times. I know there is not one person out there that has said those words to me who is comfortable saying it, but I've come to discern they love me and just don't know what to say, and that is OK, I don't know what to say either. The absolute truth is, my soul, is trying to heal, and it will take some time for me to be ready to accept this new life I have been offered.
