Lent Came Early

 Dear Friends and Family,

It's been a few weeks that I've been home from the hospital. I have a quick story for you basically about how Lent has come early for me. Some people might think that sounds really depressing since Lent is often thought of as a time of penance or of self sacrifice, but I've learned that Lent is about taking time to grow closer to God and there is so much SPIRITUAL PEACE AND HEALING there!

 While I was recovering in the hospital I decided not to turn on the TV. Instead, I prayed, read, wrote, and attended daily Mass virtually. On my last morning in the hospital, my nurse came in and told me she would be helping me get ready to go home. Then she wrote her name on my room board, A-M-E-N. Her name was Amen ! I just smiled and my heart knew God was with me in this unplanned retreat and that He would be with me as I headed home. 

God definitely works through others. The flowers, cards I received from my students and friends, my friend's cleaning lady who came to clean my house, and the amazing meals from church friends, including God's food, the Eucharist, were delivered to me with so much love and support.

The kids welcomed me home with poster and balloons and Winnie stays by my side!

Here's a picture of one of my amazing meals - I have learned that when I sign up to bring meals to people, I should step up my game. (Below: That's a sirloin roast! That's special occasion food!)

The saga continues. I understand that it's boring to hear about other people's medical woes, but I feel compelled to write about it. With this in mind, please feel free to skip the story between the dotted line. (Simply put, I'm still standing after a blood clot, allergic reaction, and COVID.)

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My amazing husband has continued to look out for me. I was home for a few days and excited about becoming quite mobile, even going for short walks and stopping into work for a few hours. But I complained to Chris of a sore calf (hoping he would rub my legs and feet). Chris instantly started researching while asking me to describe my soreness. Me, in my frustration at not getting the massage I hoped for, replied, "It's just in my right calf and it runs up and down from my ankle to the back of my knee." I found Claire's heating pad and put some icy hot on it realizing there was no rub coming. Moments later, Chris looks up from from his research to inform me that I likely have a blood clot and massaging it is bad.  

Me: What? Are you kidding?

Chris: No, this is serious. You need to schedule an ultrasound tomorrow.

Me: Ok, but I hope you aren't right. 

The next morning I call my surgeon's office to make sure they agree about the ultrasound. They quickly side with Chris and send orders over to the Radiology office. I get an appoint for 12:30pm. Chris leaves work to join me for the appointment. The sonogram tech asks me why I think I have blood clot (my legs look normal). I tell her that my husband thinks I have one based my the description of my calf pain. After her test she tells me that she was surprised that she found something, but she can't give me more details. A report was sent to my doctor. 

A few hours later, my surgeon's office calls and tells me that I need to go back to the ER because I do have a blood clot and only the ER can give me anticoagulants. Chris and I are devastated that this is the the only way to be treated and decide for the sake of time we will go back the ER where I was incorrectly diagnosed and poorly treated. 

The bad news: the ER is packed and I have a three and a half hour wait. 

The good news: While waiting, I share encouragement with some fellow sufferers, cheer them when their names are called, and when my name is called I jump up and say, "It's like winning the lottery!" This makes the others around me laugh and they cheer for me. 

More good news: my nurse and doctor are helpful and compassionate. They also praise Chris for his ability to diagnose the blood clot so early.

Even better news: my sister and brother in-law are really intelligent and helpful pharmacists and they get me a special pharmaceutical card that lowers my meds from $500 to $20!

The next morning, I take Winnie for a walk and this time we do the whole island. Just as I'm feeling excited about this new accomplishment, I start to itch. As I'm taking off my coat, I tell Chris that I feel very itchy. The itch spreads EVERYWHERE and within minutes, I am shaking and begging Chris to douse me in hydrocortisone cream. My amazing allergist brother in-law answers my call for help and tells me to take extra anti-histamines (with dosage recommendations). While Chris and I think I might be allergic to the new medication, Kes points out that I haven't been taking my anti-histamines that I've been on for at least the last 5 years daily. Quitting cold-turkey has allowed my body to have an allergic reaction from a vigorous walk in nature. My wonderful Mom/former nurse tells me that my T-cells are trying to help my body heal and my walk was like shaking up a soda can. The anti-histamines quickly work and the itch is gone. Whew.

Another week goes by and I am excited by my healing progress. The calf feels so much better, my range of motion is greatly improved, I can sleep on my side at night again, and with the anti-histamine, my walks don't result in extreme itch. Then I get a little runny nose...the next day it becomes exhaustion and chills...I take a COVID test...positive. 

Good news: It's a holiday weekend and we have no plans.

Better news: I only have one night of chills and exhaustion. The next morning I feel great!

Great news: I'm still getting meals from Church, and now I definitely won't get COVID in Aruba

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God has been with me through all of this. The increased time spent waiting and recovering has forced me to put up my feet, enjoy reading, and to spend more time studying the Bible and praying. 

Today is Ash Wednesday, and although my quarantine has ended, I'd rather not risk being in crowds. 

Fun Facts about Ash Wednesday:

1. The ashes you receive are actually from left over Palms from Palm Sunday which have dried and are burned down to make the ashes.

2. Since receiving ashes is sacramental but not a sacrament, any baptized person can distribute ashes!

The kids and I started our day by watching a few great YouTubes on what Ash Wednesday is all about:

What is Ash Wednesday? For kids

The Significance of Ash Wednesday

We then listened to the daily readings on my favorite prayer app: AMEN - it's free check it out!

https://amenapp.org/

Yesterday, I burned the old palms I had from previous Palm Sundays down to ashes (Little did I know that I was saving them for just this reason). I collected the ashes in a glass container. 

This morning Will and I took turns putting ashes on each other's forehead acclaiming, "You are dust and to dust you shall return." AMEN

Claire opted to receive her ashes after school today. I tried to convince my middle schooler to do it with Will and I, reminding her that this was her #AshTag, her mark that shows everyone that she belongs to God, but she said, "I'll happily receive it after school!" 

I hope you all have a wonderful Lent. Fasting doesn't have to be about giving up food. God just wants us to do something for Him. Even better if that "thing" helps you talk to God more. When we do this, God sets fire to the bad things in our lives and turns them to ashes so we can rise up to be that best version of ourselves and live closer to the one who loves us more than we will ever know.

Love,

Bethie

What is God asking you to do this Lent?

A few ideas

Let God Nourish you at Mass

Pray more

Trust in Him

Unburden yourself in Reconciliation

Reflect more on your blessings than on regrets or disappointments and be thankful

Give forgiveness

Follow a Podcast to learn more about your faith

Download that AMEN app! 😉