So, last year on this date I
had a 7 hour brain surgery. My family (Big Daddy Earnest, Catherine, and
Camille) and a few friends {Allison and Annette) were there with me prior to
being rolled into the operating room. Including the doctors, we all were
clueless about what the outcome would be. We didn’t know 1) if I would survive,
2) if the tumor was cancer, 3) if the entire tumor would be removed, 4) what
else would be discovered.
Over the year I discovered
that I am loved by so many people across this country and abroad. THANK YOU ALL
for your support, encouragement, gifts, visits, and prayers. I have been
overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. I didn’t realize that “God was going to
make an example out of me.” I trust Him. I really do. So much so that I have
accepted what He has allowed.
The tumor was caused by
sarcoidosis. Bernie Mac died of this illness. Close to home, our church’s
outreach pastor’s wife died from the same illness during the same time I first
fell ill! She was hospitalized on the second day of my hospital stay back in
December. I attended her funeral. Oh, dear! The thoughts that were running
through my mind while at her funeral--- oh, boy!
The doctor told us that after
surgery, I would be moved to the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit. I would be in a
comatose state with a breathing tube in my mouth for 3 – 4 days. I went into
surgery at 7:00 a.m. I was brought to ICU around 8:00 p.m. The tube was removed
and oxygen was given through my nose. About an hour later I was talking to my
family and friends, telling them to go home and get rest. The next day, my
Pastor and Chief Elder visited, and to their surprise I was sitting in a chair
aside my bed in ICU. I still had the oxygen going through my nose but I was about
to eat my first meal. LOOK AT GOD!
January 15, 2015, I was put
to sleep so that what was threatening my life could be removed. 8 hours later I
woke up to, what I didn’t know at the time, a new way of living. That new way
will be posted tomorrow.
Last evening, I was driving
to a church where I was scheduled to minister. I began to think about this time
last year-I couldn’t drive and was home making preparations to enter the
hospital in the morning. I was crying so many tears of joy because I had looked
back and saw where the Lord had brought me from. I had to pull on side of the road for a praise
break!
I trust God and know He is
working this out for my good. He is my Healer. I have submitted to His plan for
my life. One day, I will live pain-free. One day I will no longer take
medication. To get to that day, I am obeying God and submitting to the process
of treatment that He has prescribed. It is The Great Physician that is working
through my doctors. Surely goodness and mercy is following me! As I have said all year, IT IS WELL WITH MY
SOUL! I’m going THROUGH to get TO my due season! God IS getting glory out of my
life!
