Cape Sebastian Oregon by Linda Tanner

Stream of Consciousness Saturday-To Heal

34 Replies

“Some people see scars, and it is wounding they remember. To me they are proof of the fact that there is healing.”
 ― Linda Hogan

There are many synonyms for the word heal. Recover, be out of the woods, get back on your feet, bounce back, feel oneself again, pull through, and restore, are some. I have felt wonder and gratitude for my body’s ability to heal. There is nothing better, after having a bought of illness, than to feel myself gaining strength and feeling good again.

I have had some major challenges to my health and had to undergo major surgery two times and literally gone off a cliff in a car. So I have some good examples of our body’s ability to heal. I feel vulnerable writing about this because I do not want to be seen as damaged.  I know people turn away from those of us who have had cancer.

I underwent major surgery for lung cancer two times in a 4 year period. In between those times my husband and I were in a major car accident which could have easily killed us both. I was terribly wrenched and bruised with 3 broken ribs from that accident. Each time I underwent surgery I was very frightened. Even though or maybe because I was a Nurse my fears were magnified. One brother-in-law, who is a MD, told me after the first surgery that this type of surgery is one of the most brutal and worse than cardiac bypass because of what they do to the body during the surgery. I am glad he did not tell me this before I went into surgery. I remember asking one of my RN friends about how they operate on the lung when you are breathing. I was not familiar with how the surgery was done and she worked in ICU and knew about these surgeries. She told me they put a tube in your windpipe and collapse the lung before they start. The recovery from this type of surgery is rough. But even a few days after I felt my strength and would get up by myself in the hospital at night to go to the bathroom.

About 4 years later, after the second surgery, there were several wild fires in the LA area. The location of one of the fires was not too far from the hospital I was in. During the second night, after surgery, I could smell the smoke coming into my room through an air vent. I thought this is so great for someone who has just undergone lung cancer surgery. I asked if something could be done. They could not move me or get ahold of anyone in engineering. Hospital beds are on wheels. So I got up and moved my own bed away from the vent.

The recovery from the second surgery was harder as I had been told it would be. I think part of that was my stomach does not tolerate pain medication. I really needed the medication but it wrecked my stomach and I ended up with trouble sleeping not only because of pain but because of terrible heart burn.

But I did recover from both of these surgeries. My body healed.

I do not have to go through major surgery to appreciate my body’s ability to heal. I do appreciate it even when it heals from minor illnesses and injuries. It is a kind of miraculous thing this great strength and ability to heal with which we are born.

My husband has pointed out to me that the visible scars of my lung surgeries have faded quite a bit. Another demonstration of the body’s healing powers.

 

|LindaGHill|

socs-badge

 

34 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Saturday-To Heal”

  2. Dan Antion

    What a great response to the challenge this week. I am not put off by your sharing stories about surgeries and injuries. Instead, I am impressed by your strength, both in being able to get through the process and being able to write about it. I am happy that you’re doing well and I love the picture you chose to support this post.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  7. JoAnne Silvia

    I love this! The quote, the stories, even the photo! Thanks for reminding me about how amazing our bodies can be when it comes to healing. Even when we don’t heal all the way, it’s still miraculous what we can do. I laughed out loud in admiration at the image of you pushing that hospital bed! Woohoo!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  8. Fourth Generation Farmgirl

    Wonderful quote and story. I admire your strength. About 15 years ago, I fell & broke the radius & ulna bones in my right arm (compound fracture complete with plates & screws) while walking our dog. I was so upset worrying about how it would turn out; I remember my husband’s grandfather who is a physician saying, “You can’t stop the body from healing.” His words comforted me, and he was right. Thank you for sharing your amazing story; so happy you are well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
      1. Fourth Generation Farmgirl

        It was. One of the bones actually splintered. I felt silly when people asked what happened, and I had to say that I was just walking the dog. My dog began to run, & I didn’t let go of the retractable lead in time. I ended up airborn. Anyway, I’m fine now. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Silver Threading

    I am so glad that your body healed! What an ordeal. My husband had stage 4 bladder cancer. I understand about healing and how long it takes to mentally heal. It is always a shock when our bodies betray us. You are a lovely, kind woman to share your trials with us. I agree with Kimcalreaction… you are intriguing because of your stories. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      Thank you Colleen. ❤ I don't know how I got the cancer but my body and spirit were able to fight back and I am grateful for that. The second time it showed up many of the doctors did not give me much hope. I was lucky and it did not grow too fast and I found some doctors finally that did offer me hope.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      1. Silver Threading

        I am so glad. Much the same case for my husband. We had to get radical and remove the bladder (he has a neo bladder) and the prostate gland. That was 11 years ago! Cancer free is a blessing for sure! ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  14. annanolan2014

    I’m so sorry to hear of your ordeal, Deborah, but I am, of course, delighted that the operations were a success and that you have healed. Yes, our body is an amazing system and its ability to heal remarkable. The older I get, the more I appreciate this and try to do right by it in terms of my diet and lifestyle. Yes, I am aware that many cancers are down to pure bad luck (they say some 40%), but I’m trying to be kinder to my body than I have been in the past. Warm wishes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  15. Sandi

    I found myself marveling at so many things as I read this post, Deborah: the medical expertise that could heal you, of course, but also your determination to be healed — especially when the cancer returned. I’m so glad you pulled through all three crises!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

Comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.