Usually, in the midst of a major illness, we do not consider the possibility that out of this situation, GIFTS can emerge! But they CAN AND DO, which helps in our healing. In our house, we first struggled to cope with my husband being hospitalized three times in eight months! Then came my scare with possible breast cancer, followed by collapsing on 5/3/20 which resulted in Post Concussion Syndrome. Testing then revealed I have two leaky heart valves and major sinus problems (I am recovering from sinus surgery). So what gifts could come out of all this?! More than I could ever imagine!
*Normally my husband and I are very independent. Illness changed all that. I had to help him in his recovery and then to help him stay on track with his health issues. Then he was there for me through all my trials. Result: *Through all this, we all have been brought closer together, are more of a team, and our love has deepened.
*Our rescue dog BO has PTSD and has had a love/caution relationship with me. During my illnesses, he has become my Comforter-In-Chief, staying by my side as I became a couch potato, offering me unconditional love as only a fur baby can do!
*The Post Concussion left me with a totally dented memory, vertigo, headaches, many other symptoms, and most of all, a loss of who I was. The gifts out of all this?!
*First, in desperation, I went online and was led to the PCS (Post Concussion Syndrome) Legacy Foundation, which validated my symptoms, and provided invaluable webinars, information, and support.
*The crack medical team of my own primary care doctor, cardiologist, neurologist, and ENT each helped provide pieces of my medical puzzle, followed by what to do.
*I reached out to others via social media and text, which has been unlike me in the past, and received great support!
*It seems my lifelong issues of worry, anxiety, depression, and difficult memories were partially knocked out of my brain and being!
*This has created space for new skills to come in: More common sense, ability to “think out of the box,” and to be more creative! Instead of losing myself, I have found a new sense of self.
*I had to TOTALLY SLOW DOWN, SURRENDER, DO NOTHING AND DEPEND ON OTHERS AND GOD. It has helped me be more understanding of others going through illness, and to have more patience and acceptance of myself to be WHERE I AM IN ANY GIVEN MOMENT!
It is still an ongoing journey as I may never get all my memory back, but the GIFTS are such a BLESSING (even through a Pandemic) and for this, I AM GRATEFUL!
BLESSINGS,
Carolyn
Fantastic insights and blog! So impressed! A wonderful gift for me