REALITY CHECK

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Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
272
83
#1
Doctor's visit today. He is happy that I'm maintaining my weight at 103 - and tells me not to worry if I do not gain. Weight gain should not be my focus now - just to maintain where I am. And for a month I've done just that.
The mucus in my throat can only be HELPED (or not) by trying different things (which I have done and am doing). So far nothing really has worked. From gargles to drinks to pills.


But he also told me that with all that I've been through with surgery and radiation doing the damage it did, this condition might probably be what I have to live with the rest of my life. I need to settle into what might be a difficult thing, live with it, and not grow impatient with expectations that it will be gone. He said this is something that just does not "heal up".


We all know that prayers do make a difference, and who knows how and what God will do. I value prayers that either pray for my throat to be healed, or a way to handle it that makes it easier for me. Eating is SUCH a difficult thing, with gobs of mucus because food is an irritant, and that makes more mucus. Shakes are easier, but even though I put calories in them, it does not take the place of food for weight gain.


I might not talk better than I do either, because of the "gunk". I do not answer the phone at all, but I can hear messages left for me.


I miss eating, yet can play the piano. I miss my "social" life with back and forth conversations, yet I can write. I will greatly miss my granddaughter's wedding, yet I thank God for videos. I miss sleeping on my left side, yet I can actually get a good 6 hours of sleep even though I wake up very stiff and sore. I miss eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas, yet I love my shakes filled with all the fattening stuff that you would feel threatened by.


I live for the "yets"! So, for those of you who are missing things because of whatever, I bless you with many yets.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,920
9,667
113
#2
Nothing shall be impossible with God. Luke 1:37 :)
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,090
2,123
113
#3
Doctor's visit today. He is happy that I'm maintaining my weight at 103 - and tells me not to worry if I do not gain. Weight gain should not be my focus now - just to maintain where I am. And for a month I've done just that.
The mucus in my throat can only be HELPED (or not) by trying different things (which I have done and am doing). So far nothing really has worked. From gargles to drinks to pills.


But he also told me that with all that I've been through with surgery and radiation doing the damage it did, this condition might probably be what I have to live with the rest of my life. I need to settle into what might be a difficult thing, live with it, and not grow impatient with expectations that it will be gone. He said this is something that just does not "heal up".


We all know that prayers do make a difference, and who knows how and what God will do. I value prayers that either pray for my throat to be healed, or a way to handle it that makes it easier for me. Eating is SUCH a difficult thing, with gobs of mucus because food is an irritant, and that makes more mucus. Shakes are easier, but even though I put calories in them, it does not take the place of food for weight gain.


I might not talk better than I do either, because of the "gunk". I do not answer the phone at all, but I can hear messages left for me.


I miss eating, yet can play the piano. I miss my "social" life with back and forth conversations, yet I can write. I will greatly miss my granddaughter's wedding, yet I thank God for videos. I miss sleeping on my left side, yet I can actually get a good 6 hours of sleep even though I wake up very stiff and sore. I miss eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas, yet I love my shakes filled with all the fattening stuff that you would feel threatened by.


I live for the "yets"! So, for those of you who are missing things because of whatever, I bless you with many yets.
Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this;
Lamentations 3:21 (NLT)

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion'" says my soul, "Therefore, I have hope in Him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

Hope is explained here as an expectation, and so hoping in prayer with expectation the LORD grant, not either, but both your requests as it is written, "Great is His faithfulness."
 
A

AuntieAnt

Guest
#4
That's such heavy suffering, Joi. Omigosh. Knocks the words right outta my head. And you're so gracious about it, dwelling on the good in the midst of trouble. You're such an amazing lady.

I've not stopped praying for you, Joi. My family is praying for you, too.


Lord, please let our sister be able to swallow without trouble. Help her, Father. We're asking for a miracle in Christ Jesus.

 
D

Depleted

Guest
#5
Doctor's visit today. He is happy that I'm maintaining my weight at 103 - and tells me not to worry if I do not gain. Weight gain should not be my focus now - just to maintain where I am. And for a month I've done just that.
The mucus in my throat can only be HELPED (or not) by trying different things (which I have done and am doing). So far nothing really has worked. From gargles to drinks to pills.


But he also told me that with all that I've been through with surgery and radiation doing the damage it did, this condition might probably be what I have to live with the rest of my life. I need to settle into what might be a difficult thing, live with it, and not grow impatient with expectations that it will be gone. He said this is something that just does not "heal up".


We all know that prayers do make a difference, and who knows how and what God will do. I value prayers that either pray for my throat to be healed, or a way to handle it that makes it easier for me. Eating is SUCH a difficult thing, with gobs of mucus because food is an irritant, and that makes more mucus. Shakes are easier, but even though I put calories in them, it does not take the place of food for weight gain.


I might not talk better than I do either, because of the "gunk". I do not answer the phone at all, but I can hear messages left for me.


I miss eating, yet can play the piano. I miss my "social" life with back and forth conversations, yet I can write. I will greatly miss my granddaughter's wedding, yet I thank God for videos. I miss sleeping on my left side, yet I can actually get a good 6 hours of sleep even though I wake up very stiff and sore. I miss eating Mexican food and drinking margaritas, yet I love my shakes filled with all the fattening stuff that you would feel threatened by.


I live for the "yets"! So, for those of you who are missing things because of whatever, I bless you with many yets.
We're ordering from a new restaurant in town and I saw something on the list I bet you could do -- a fruit juice. The juice of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. (Note: no milk. Just juice.) It would give you flavor.

Lord, John's doctor told him the likelihood of him ever having control of his bladder ever again was 1-2%. He had control of it 16 hours later. Lord, the cardio said that he'd have to stay on four anticoagulants for the rest of his life for fear of another heart attack or stroke. The four were stealing his blood from his veins, and when he got cut, he'd bleed for 12 hours. Two hours later, they took him off of three. Lord, I ask you to give Joi more control over phlegm. And more imaginative ways to taste the foods she loves in liquid form.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,554
2,176
113
#6
[h=1]Serenity Prayer[/h] [h=5]-Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)[/h]

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.





Read more at Serenity Prayer - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot

[h=1]Serenity Prayer[/h] [h=5]-Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)[/h]

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.





Read more at Serenity Prayer - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
[h=1]Serenity Prayer[/h]
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

I know the prayer was meant for a different situation but after reading your OP this came to mind. Hugs sent to you and love for you as you live your day to day challenges. Many more hugs sent your way.
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
272
83
#7
Lynn, I put frozen berries into my shakes - strawberry, pineapple, and the berries. I can't drink liquids without lots of thickening, but still I do. And I use almond milk, soy milk an coconut milk sometimes. Also lots of coconut water.

Thank you all for praying for me. I do feel the love!
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
272
83
#8
I know that you think I am the most amazing person with the most amazing attitude. But what you don't know is that I post the positive thoughts and the "yets"for ME. Not to impress anyone with how upbeat I am. This place is where I bring myself to think things into perspective, find the humor and balance, and see the grace.


And as I begin to write, my feelings actually become more peaceful, I see and feel more clearly the "yets". Best therapy session at no cost to me.


Your affirming and encouraging words just keep holding me in that place. And because you are also inspired and given food for thought in your own struggles, it is such a plus+plus.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,920
9,667
113
#9
I LOVE coconut water.. :)
 
A

AuntieAnt

Guest
#10
I know that you think I am the most amazing person with the most amazing attitude. But what you don't know is that I post the positive thoughts and the "yets"for ME. Not to impress anyone with how upbeat I am. This place is where I bring myself to think things into perspective, find the humor and balance, and see the grace.


And as I begin to write, my feelings actually become more peaceful, I see and feel more clearly the "yets". Best therapy session at no cost to me.


Your affirming and encouraging words just keep holding me in that place. And because you are also inspired and given food for thought in your own struggles, it is such a plus+plus.

I understand, sweet sister Joi. And yet, it's amazing that you would find it in your heart to share yourself in the midst of your extreme struggles and even think of us here by posting the positive. You are letting God's light shine through you onto us. In spite of your suffering, you're able to change the world into a better place.

Love and grace and peace to you!!!

single flower.jpg
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#12
I know that you think I am the most amazing person with the most amazing attitude. But what you don't know is that I post the positive thoughts and the "yets"for ME. Not to impress anyone with how upbeat I am. This place is where I bring myself to think things into perspective, find the humor and balance, and see the grace.


And as I begin to write, my feelings actually become more peaceful, I see and feel more clearly the "yets". Best therapy session at no cost to me.


Your affirming and encouraging words just keep holding me in that place. And because you are also inspired and given food for thought in your own struggles, it is such a plus+plus.
Actually, I see you as the "I want to be like her when I grow up" model. And I don't see you having it down perfectly. But, if I have "Me in Christ" all the way warped up to 1%, 2% looks 100 times better than 1%. You're the Olympian athlete complete with scars to prove it wasn't as easy as you make it seem. BUT, you're still making it seem a lot easier than I'm doing it, so you're a goal to reach someday, knowing there will be new goals after that.

Besides, how long has the Lord been working on you? You got to admit with that much work he's been doing on you, it's finally beginning to show.
 

Didymous

Senior Member
Feb 22, 2018
5,047
2,101
113
#13
[h=1]Serenity Prayer[/h] [h=5]-Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)[/h]

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.





Read more at Serenity Prayer - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot

[h=1]Serenity Prayer[/h] [h=5]-Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)[/h]

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.





Read more at Serenity Prayer - God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
[h=1]Serenity Prayer[/h]
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

I know the prayer was meant for a different situation but after reading your OP this came to mind. Hugs sent to you and love for you as you live your day to day challenges. Many more hugs sent your way.
12-step programs only use the first four lines.