Unique Perspective

UniquePerspective

I just gasped to see the date on this sketch. Gheesh! I am amazed at how long I’ve been battling this disease. And so glad it is now cured. Symptoms began just before Christmas, though they were mild then. As the disease progressed and symptoms worsened, I tried to get an appointment to see my gastroenterologist whom I had seen a few years ago for proctitis. But I was told the earliest I could have an appointment was April 15th. What? I called a few weeks later to tell them I was getting worse and really needed to see him, but was told the only thing they could do was to put me on a waiting list. I was never called.

Not only is your body battling a disease, but your mind and heart are also doing battle. You want to keep your head above water, stay positive, try to see the benefits you may be experiencing, or the beauties that are underfoot. This is crucial to enduring any kind of health issue. Some days are more difficult than others, and that is where I find such comfort in having friends who pray for me. I was able to make it through the most discouraging days because people were praying, sending healing thoughts, and just encouraging me in general.

Eventually, I was desperate, and took myself to PrimeCare and begged them to get me in with a gastro doctor anywhere, but ASAP! That was a Friday, I got an appointment for the following Monday, was in for a colonoscopy on Wednesday and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in over half of my colon. I went home thinking “I’m going to get better now!” having medicines in hand that were supposed to put the disease in remission.  The medicines seemed to help for a few days, but then I began to get worse. And thus started a pattern that would continue for a couple of weeks: trying new meds, I improve a bit, and then worsen. We had talked with my doctor about hospitalization. And soon it became apparent that this was the next step.

We are only given the little patch of the path directly in front of us. And that’s the little patch we have to take in and deal with, trying not to worry about what’s on down the path! This is very difficult for me! I am a worry wart! I realized the only way to go through this journey was to concentrate on TODAY, this patch of the path, this moment, this bit of information we have and just BE there.

I am still learning this as I recuperate. One day at a time, one moment at a time, one baby step at a time. This is the perspective I need. This is the perspective to healing.

0 thoughts on “Unique Perspective

  1. Dr Cornelius Snorter says:

    Hello Jennifer,
    I didn’t know you we ill – it sounds terrible. You are right, focus on today, you can’t allow yourself to worry about tomorrow.
    I’m recovering from bowel and lung cancer. Thanks to the bowel cancer, I spend a l o n g time in a unique perspective 🙂
    Getting the right treatment is so hard isn’t it. I should be starting five years of checkups including a CT scan, a colonoscopy and an appointment with my specialist. I had my CT scan a couple of weeks ago and I have now found out that due to government cutbacks I won’t be having the colonoscopy or seeing a specialist just a nurse. As you know, a colonoscopy is not the most pleasant of things but essential for discovering if the cancer has come back and if not, peace of mind.
    I will be sending all the healing thoughts I can muster. In fact I will look down the backs of chairs, under the microwave and anywhere else I can think of to try to find extra healing that might be hiding there.
    Get well soon Jennifer – you will be in my thoughts.
    Stew.

    • jenpedwards says:

      Oh my goodness…I am so sorry to hear of your cancers! I will be thinking of you and praying for healing and comfort for you! I do hope they are able to provide all the necessary follow-up so they can be sure they got it all and it isn’t coming back. Thank you for the healing thoughts! I’ll be sending them your way as well!

  2. Joy Corcoran says:

    Found your blog post through Everyday Matters on Facebook. Thanks for sharing your perspective and your insights on your illness. I think have a source of creative energy and an outlet to bring beauty into our lives is the difference between being well and being ill, no matter what our physical circumstances. Good luck as you heal and keep drawing! We love it!

  3. Diane says:

    I really wish you well. You seem to have the ability to draw so much hope and comfort in your life. I hope I can do the same when faced with problems in my life.
    And I do thank you for the lovely and joyful drawings and messages you so consistently post. They have been an entertaining and encouraging part of my life for the past several years. You have so much to be proud of!

    • jenpedwards says:

      Oh Diane, thank you for this sweet message! I am not always full of hope…but I do have something inside me that says, No! Do not lose hope! And then with friends praying for me…that is the biggest thing of all. Thank to again Diane!

  4. Leslie says:

    Thank you for your perspective, Jennifer! I did chuckle at the sketch. 🙂 But your viewpoint is right on target and will be good for me to remember when the next crisis hits. Thank you and God bless you!

  5. freebirdsings says:

    It’s hard to imagine you couldn’t be seen by the doctor. Glad you finally went elsewhere and got on the crooked, it seems, road to recovery. Hope can be both a fragile and a strong thing can’t it? During a period of time when Mother Teresa lost faith and hope she said she was so glad her sisters held onto it for her until she got it back. We really do need each other.

    • jenpedwards says:

      Hi Timaree! You are so right about us needing each other. Thank you for sharing that story about Mother Teresa. I hope you are doing well and finding time to draw a bit! Thank you, as always, for visiting!!

  6. Emie says:

    Was a GI nurse in my past life… finding the right meds for each person is a challenge but hang in there.. it will happen. Sending healing prayers your way.
    Emie

  7. Serena says:

    What an ordeal! I do hope things just keep getting better for you from here on. Yep, live in the moment….it’s just a waste of energy to worry about the past or future. One day at a time, one moment at a time, one step at a time. Btw, well done on the sketch!

  8. Caatje says:

    Sorry to hear about this. It’s hard to stay positive when your body doesn’t cooperate and it can really narrow your world and focus. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it sure isn’t an easy thing. Wishing you the best of luck with your health issues and…the sketch is lovely.

  9. Sandra Torguson says:

    Well bummmer! It’s bad enough that you are so sick, but to spend time and energy getting the doctors to pay attention is so maddening. Certainly hope that you are feeling better.

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