In late June I found out that I had a GIST tumor (gastro-intestinal stomal tumor) in my stomach, which needed to be surgically removed. The beginning of August I underwent major surgery which removed the tumor, upper third of my stomach, and one inch of my esophagus. Thankfully, the tumor was benign. My family and friends have spent the past two to three months following my "story". There are many things which come to mind as a result of this learning experience. Here are my top two:
Past life experiences have forced me to "take charge" and "be strong":
- You can only imagine my distress when things started happening in my life which seemed coincidental, things I couldn't control, things I didn't really want to happen.
- I found myself unsettled and unsure.
- Through the first six months of this year I have slowly but surely given up control of my life, realizing that I don't need to be in charge.
- While choices are sometimes placed before me... God is in the drivers seat.
- I have found that God is an excellent driver and I welcome him as my "chauffeur".
This surgery was a gift in many ways:
- It made me slow down and be more soulfully reflective
- It made me take a deep breath and thank God for so many things
- It made me realize for the first time that there are many, many people who care for me
- It made me realize how much I am loved
