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March 27, 2003 - "Thank God for Pain
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
NEW Patriot Page: www.2theheart.com/patriot
Poetry Contest: www.2theheart.com/contestrules
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"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live." ~Jackie Windspear
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WRITING WORKSHOPS:
Get Published! This eight-week workshop guides you in perfecting your manuscript through to the publishing process.
Creative Writing! We now have two four-week workshops with in-depth exercises and guidance on bringing out more creative writing. Both the original CW Workshop and the Advanced CW Workshop begin next Monday and run four weeks each.
More info on all workshops here: www.2theheart.com/WritingWorkshops
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Sometimes a very unexpected blessing can come out of pain - if we only look for it and see it for what it is. Thank you to Betsy for this reminder!
"Thank God For Pain"
by Betsy Arnold
Thank God for pain. I have thanked God for many, many blessings throughout my lifetime, but never for pain. Until now.
This particular pain began in February 2000. It was sharp, constant, on my left side, and the left side of my back. Little did I know it would be the life I would know for over two years.
I went to doctors, who did many tests and never found the true problem. Then, just a few months later, that pain would be accompanied by a high fever, nausea, vomiting two to three times a week, and would last for 3 months. More tests. Again, nothing was found, so one doctor decided it was all in my head. (I have found out that some doctors like to say that to a patient when they cannot figure out what is wrong).
Eventually, after 2 rounds of antibiotics that I had to practically beg, borrow and steal from this same skeptical doctor, I had no more pain, fever or nausea. For two more months, I would remain pain, fever and nausea free. Then it returned.
By this time, however, my husband, Dale, had developed more problems with one of his two blood diseases, eventually having to have chemotherapy (I have written for 2TheHeart about Dale's story) in 2001. My concentration remained focused on my husband's health, all the while, my sharp pain, occasional fever and nausea were ever present. Despite that, for the next several months, God, Dale's doctors and I would all work together to get him successfully into remission.
Still having pain this time last year, I had made a promise to Dale once he was in remission, that I would finally go back to the doctor. This time, a new doctor, who not only believed the problems I had were real, he immediately set me up with a local gastroenterologist. A colonoscopy was done, revealing Diverticulosis (the cause of the sharp pain, nausea, fever and vomiting, as it had become infected and turned into Diverticulitis). Having the mystery of the few years of intense pain and all other symptoms cleared up was a HUGE relief. However...
I had this colonoscopy for another reason...a reason that I could not have possibly known about, nor, until the procedure was done, could the doctor have known. For there amidst the Diverticulosis, were several polyps. The doctor was very surprised to find so many of them in someone my age (I was 37 at the time of the exam last year). The doctor removed and biopsied one large polyp and burned the rest. The biopsy revealed that the polyps were PRE-CANCEROUS. A follow-up appointment with the gastroenterologist confirmed that it was quite possible that in a year...approximately now...I could have indeed had full blown colon cancer. Had I not had the pain, I would not have had the immediate need for a colonoscopy. Had I not had the colonoscopy when I did, the pre-cancer would not have been found soon enough.
God works in mysterious ways, and I truly DO thank God for pain.
Betsy Arnold copyright 2003
MusicArtist7@cs.com
My husband, Dale and I reside in Godfrey, Illinois with our 2 Cocker Spaniels and 2 cats. I am a professional pianist, currently playing the piano for our church, a local hotel, and for a local wonderful female singer. I am also a professional pencil portrait artist, having just started my own business. I wrote a 2The Heart story about Dale and our chemoangel, called "An Angel Named Kelly." Dale is still in remission, and although I will frequently be monitored for the colon cancer, now, with God's help, and the help of daily pain medicine for the diverticulosis, I am virtually pain free.
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TABLETOP FOUNTAINS! You have to see these gorgeous fountains at Candlemart! With themes of ANGELS (I bought this one!), Christian, Hummingbirds, Flowers, and a BEAUTIFUL Swan, these complete fountains are a fantanstic buy and make a perfect Easter or Mother's Day gift! (Click on "What's New" to see all fountains) http://www.qksrv.net/click-404250-55515
YAY!! 2THEHEART BUMPER STICKERS! They are finally here! I've waited over three years to get great bumper stickers and am thrilled with the new ones designed by Anne Goodrich! Order yours for only $3.99 here: www.cafepress.com/2theheart
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The Letter Box:
Maria,
Your grandson might not 'remember' all those things, but something far more important will have crept into his bones through your shared laughter, through the comfort and love he feels from your closeness, from your shared experiences, and through his eyes and ears, and will have invaded every cell of his being where it becomes part of the blueprint of who he is and who and what he will become. No one ever loves a child in vain or without significant consequences for themselves and for the beloved child. Know that you are engrained in his being and be at peace in that sure and certain knowledge.
Ronnie Bray
Dear Maria,
Logan WILL remember you and all the lovely memories you are creating with this little angel. He sounds like a grandparent's dream. I hope you have a lifetime of wonderful times with him -- it will help make him a great father and grandpop. What a lovely story! Sincerely, Lois J., TX
Maria - Logan WILL remember you. Love like that lasts and is not lost.
The only things I have from my grandparents are 3 pretty glasses that were in my maternal grandmother's bottom drawer. I treasure them. She died when my mother was 14. I didn't know any of them at all.
Now I have 2 grandaughters, living long distance, John and I visit when we can and telephone. I write poems for them and keep a journal so that, when they get older and I'm not there, they'll know something about me, how I lived and loved, and what I liked, what my challenges in life were.
The girls never knew their real grandfather, my first husband. John is the only one they know and they love him, but they have a photo of their real grandad and recently, when John bought new scriptures for me for Christmas, I gave my old Bible to them, where my first husband wrote in the front. They were excited to have it and can't quite understand yet what happened to have two grandads.
Life and love is precious. I wish I'd known my grandparents.
Margaret Drysdale
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