Walking Miracle Part II

Somewhere down the line after this very difficult experience, I got an inflammation on the knee. I couldn't walk and had to be carried everywhere. This is where I am very grateful to my siblings they carried me from the room to the dining room and to the bathroom. When we went to the doctor I remember myself saying "not another one" when he mentioned that my knee needs to be operated if the antibiotics did not work. My mom being a God-fearing and faithful woman convinced me, the doctor and herself that I would not need an operation. After weeks of taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory pill and seeing no result, the doctor mentioned the operation again. My mom said no, she had faith that God would heal me. It took time but I did not get that operation and my knee got better.

While I am only mentioning these major health issues, the minor ones did not stop. I remember struggling with coughs so bad that it literally felt like I was coughing my lungs out. Several times I had such bad influenza that I had to remember to breathe. Getting into my teens and having so many health issues I kept asking God what his purpose for me was. Why did I see so many people die of the many things that I was struggling with but I was still alive? Oh, I remember once we went to Angola for the holidays. We were at church and the church doctor who had so often seen me in his consultation room did not believe that I was the same girl who was in and out of his office. I remember him telling me and my mom that it was a miracle that I was still alive. That day it hit me that I am a walking miracle and that is where the title of this blog came from.

In 2014, I began to feel a lump on my right breast but thought nothing of it. One day I was laying on the bed talking to my cousin and I mentioned it to her lightly. My mom so happened to overhear it. She then asked why I had not said anything and to be honest I was afraid of finding out the worst. She booked a doctor's appointment and well the doctor asked me all the questions he had to and then examined me. I remember his words so clearly as he removed the needle from my breast, 

"I was hoping it was soft tissue. If it was I would just suck the fluid out with a syringe and send it to the lab. Since it is a hard tissue we will have to surgically remove it." 

I don't know what I was thinking at the time but I said, "Oh, can I keep it?" with such excitement. 

The doctor smiled at me and said, "No, we will send it to the lab to make sure everything is okay." 

I was more saddened by the fact that I could not keep my cyst then the possibility that it could be cancerous. I had the operation and fortunately, it was a benign cyst but I have a higher risk of it recurring anywhere in my body. I did have one on my wrist in 2017 but luckily it was a soft one so the doctor just sucked the fluid out. It was painful.

Now that I am 25, I just thought that I really have a lot to be grateful for. God has brought me through so many health issues among other trials and tribulations. So many times when I hear about the passing of other people I look at God and say "You've spared me another day." Many of my doctors would be surprised that I have come thus far. The thing is that God's plans are beyond medical and scientific explanations. When He has a purpose for you He will bring you through rain and fire. In my blog post "Failure Part II" I speak about how I am not afraid to die and I think it's all these experiences that got me to that point.

I always tell people if your time has come you will go even if it's the flu. Which brings me to the pandemic we are going through now. Since the COVID-19 hit our shores I did not panic like many of the people around me did. I kept telling my friends that I am not following the Coronavirus saga, I don't know the stats and to be honest, I didn't want to be reeled into the panic. I am doing everything in my capacity to stay safe and keep others safe by staying at home and washing my hands. I don't want to worry about the things that I have no control over. To be able to celebrate such a milestone (being alive for a quarter of a century) in the midst of people struggling to survive is a blessing.

I want to end off with some words from the lyrics of a song that has a very personal meaning for me. This song brings tears to my eyes because it reminds me of the many times God has allowed me to breathe His breath. It's a reminder of how He has been good to me. I give myself away by William McDowell, here is the link if you would like to listen to it I give Myself Away.

My life is not my own

To You, I belong

I give myself

I give myself to You.

I could write a book and make a movie of my life just to inspire others to keep living. Everybody has a story to tell and we may not inspire all. That's okay because the point is to inspire just one. I thank God for making me a walking miracle and for making my life a living testimony. Here is to as many more years as He has planned for each of us.