Tests going through a COVID pandemic

Well, God has done “IT” (He does a lot) once again. If you’ve read my previous two testimonies (Health care during a COVID-19 pandemic & Part II - Health care during a COVID-19 pandemic), you will note that I’ve been going through hell and I wasn’t about to stay there.  My last bout with the devil was as if I was being “punk’d” by him. I had to get a full “Skeletal Survey PTV” which is a series of X-rays from my head to my feet (26 films in all). It took an hour and a half. Let me take a moment to thank all who prayed for my healing and recovery without asking a lot of questions.

As some of you might know, an Oncologist specializes with your blood, and is also associated with cancer related matters.  Sure, the enemy tried to put fear in my mind, but I’ve been taught not to allow the devil have any power over me.

I believe that God is continually with us as we go through unfamiliar territory in order to be a blessing to others who may need help in building their faith; just as He did with Job in the Bible.

As it stands, I’m slowly gaining my weight, and overcoming some minor equilibrium issues. The doctor will see me again in December to make sure my numbers continue to be positive and hopefully he’s not trying to maintain a paycheck from me. I’ll be going back to the gym real soon, as I continue to live my life through this 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and beyond. #TBR and #FollowMeAsIFollowChrist.

I also need to give God the glory for supplying all my needs according to all that He possesses. We received a portion of the hospital bills, lab results and numerous doctors. God blessed my husband to have served in the military and have great insurance. I’m grateful that my mature age also allots me to collect the monies that I earned through social security. God creates many avenues of blessing, yet He is our source.

Van went with me to the Oncologist (October 20, 2020) to get the results of the Bone Marrow Biopsy, the urine test (I had to collect my urine for a full 24 hours - I had over a gallon and a half to take to the lab), Numerous blood tests, and a couple of consultations.

Call me crazy, but every time I see a butterfly cross my path, I praise and thank my God for LIFE!  Been doing that for many, many years and will continue to appreciate God speaking to me in this manner. OBTW, the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to go on and my bubble of protection remains steadfast and unmovable.

The Ends and Outs of Getting a Massage!

Updated: September 28, 2016
Some people are leery of things that they don’t understand.  If you’ve never experienced a professional massage, then you might not understand what goes on behind closed doors.  You may think that massages are luxuries, yet they are therapeutic for the triune man.  Your Spirit has a chance to slow down and communicate with God while your soul (mind, will and emotions) has the chance to learn from your Spirit.  Your body benefits from muscles being loosened, and pain being relieved.  There are different types of massage (hot-stone, deep tissue, mineral wraps, facials, etc.); your salon will explain the difference and you’ll discover what works best for you.

You should go to the restroom before you go into the room to begin your treatment.  The Massage Therapist uses oils that don’t have a strong aroma, but is very oily.  Your skin will be soft until you wash it off - and it doesn’t get on your clothes.  The massage person will leave you alone in the room to pin up or cover up your hair, remove your jewelry (post earrings may be left in place), remove your clothes and get under the sheet and blanket.

With your legs, one is exposed at a time and the sheet is tucked between your legs. Only one leg exposed at a time with modesty during the entire time.  Some people have a hard time removing their under garments and your therapist will adapt, but you won’t get some muscles massaged, especially on your upper and lower back.  My therapist starts with me on my stomach, arms to the side with a pillow roll under my ankles, head is in a head holder on the massage table.  When it’s time to turn over, they will hold the covers up (giving you some privacy) while you flip to the other side.

The room is usually has dim lighting with music (no lyrics) playing softly in the background.  Some therapists also use a sound machine (birds chirping, ocean waves, rain, soothing sounds).  If you want to talk, make sure it’s before your technician gets started.  They may ask if you have any problem areas on your body.  Sometimes there’s a floor fan, but you won’t be cold.  It may be to keep your massage therapist cool.

This is time for meditation, prayer and maybe a nap.  It’s time to clear your mind from all the frustrations that might come your way.  It’s your time.  If you get a ‘chatty cathy’ man or woman, you may want to change people.  It’s up to you if you are more comfortable with a man or a woman touching you.  Most men prefer women to massage them because a man-on-man may not be welcomed.  I’ve had both, nonetheless, I prefer a woman.

When I was younger, massage was a luxury (special occasions); now, it’s a necessity.  I budget a one-hour, hot-stone treatment (a good therapist massages with her stones and doesn’t just lay them on your body), once a month as I do my manicure and pedicure.  If you don’t take care of yourself (don’t go into debt, but cut back on other luxuries) then how can you take care of someone or something else.  Massage chairs found in a mall doesn’t count as an authentic massage.

At the end of your massage, it’s very important that you drink lots and lots of water to flush the toxins from your body.  If you exercise, some people choose to go before, others go after the gym, and some don’t go on the same day of the massage.  I choose the latter.

Thanks to Beth at Hand and Stone Massage & Facial Spa for enlightening me on things that I didn’t know about the massage trade; and to 10, 000 Waves for giving me a wonderful resort experience and knowledge.  Resorts and cruise ships offer rooms for you and your spouse to experience the relaxation of therapeutic massage.  If you have any questions, ask me in the comment section.  OBTW, if you have a little flatulence (gas) during your massage; just say, “Excuse me”.  It’s only you and your therapist in the room and somebody did it.

Overcoming obstacles, God’s got it!

Living a Christ-centered-life does not make one exempt from trials, but knowing Jesus Christ insures that you get through any situation that may come your way.  We’ve got to remain prayerful and trust Him.

Recently, I encountered another trial on my life.  As recorded earlier, starting in 2008, there have been numerous attacks on my body and God has delivered me through all of them.  There was Skin Burning, a Broken Ankle, a Pinched nerve that required Back Surgery to relieve the pressure on the Sciatic Nerve (Laminectomy), Shingles (without pain), diagnosis of COPD & in 2011 the first experience of Diverticulosis.  If it weren’t for the promises of God, I would have ‘lost it’ a long time ago.

Diverticulosis  Try to imagine blood coming from your rectum like running water – that’s what happened the first time I had a bout with this ailment.  This time it was darker blood, yet it was blood.  I’ve had difficulties with my bowels since my youth, and have been told to increase my dietary fiber.  Now, there’s got to be a change in my eating lifestyle.

is what I experienced once again, and was hospitalized for only two days.

I praise God that I didn’t have to get a blood transfusion as I did the first time.  I also thank my God that I didn’t have to have a colonoscopy, even after drinking the prep. solution.  Did I forget to mention that in each occurrence, I was always in the F.O.G. (favor of God); private rooms, courteous staff and knowledgeable Doctors.

Sure I was a little apprehensive because my maternal Grandmother died from rectal bleeding; nonetheless, my Husband, children and a few others prayed and assured me that God is faithful even though the natural eye may see things as a little scary.  Thank You God for Your Words on healing found in the Bible.

 

In Jesus’ name, this apparent generational curse stops with me through God’s healing touch, because “I Got a Lot of Living to Do!” (I like “Bye, Bye Birdie” – don’t judge me).

Sometimes people need to know that they’re not the only ones going through an illness, a trial or a test.  All of us do.  Be encouraged, you too can overcome menopause, arthritis and other sicknesses.  Don’t give up on yourself.  Continue to TBR (Trust in God’s Word, Believe that what He say, He will do and Receive His healing touch in your life)

When Things Look Bleak – Stand!

Ms. "V" & Van enjoying life

It started with a visit to the Doctors on Aug. 29^th when what appeared to be gas below my shoulder blade, didn’t subside.  The pain was enough to cause me to seek help.  After an examination, my Doctor scheduled a Chest X-ray.  I hadn’t had a CXR since 2001.  There was no coughing.  I don’t smoke, nor was there any other problem.

The X-ray report showed something that concerned my Doctor, yet he didn’t tell me anything.  He had also ordered a CT Scan about a few days later.  The original pain was almost gone, but I was troubled with no one giving me any diagnosis.  The Chest X-ray had shown a “nodule” on my left lung, but my pain had occurred on my right side.  I still had reviews to do for my column and life was still going on.  During my trials, my dog also developed a cough & he was put on antibiotics.  Every time he coughed, it reminded me of what my body was going through.

CT Scan

I called to cancel another appointment to see my regular physician until he could receive and review the results of the CT Scan.  He called me back very concerned.  I reaffirmed to my Doctor that I believed in the power of God and prayer.  He was sincere when he said that I should add my name to a prayer list.

Sure, I’m in my sixties, yet God has promised me – “Long Life”.  I was in the process of moving into a new home and the enemy was filling my mind with dread & doubt.  That’s when I got mad.  I was not preparing a place for another woman to enjoy.  I’m not leaving this world anytime soon.  My Granddaughter had recently lost her Great Grand Mother and I know that I needed to be here on this earth for my children and my children’s children.  My work is not finished.

The result of the CT Scan was in and now my primary care Physician let me know that he could not be sure if the nodules in my lung would be cancerous or not.  Because he wasn’t sure, my Doctor sent me to a Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialist.  She began to diagnose by drawing numerous vials of blood.

New Home to enjoy

By this time it’s October and every “Cancer” commercial, relay and story were highlighted on television and everywhere.  My mind had gone through numerous scenarios, nonetheless, my Husband kept me focused on God’s Word, watching what I confessed and remembering everything that I had learned.

I listened to my Doctor & Specialist, yet I kept focused on the report of our Lord despite what it looked & felt like.  God also directed so many butterflies across my path and the butterfly is a symbol of “life”.

There was another test that the Pulmonary Care Doctor scheduled: A Pulmonary Function Test which showed that my lung capacity was low.  To diverse a little, during my childhood and young adult life – I had asthma, yet through my trust in God and prayer, I overcame the symptoms.  The specialist ruled out Lupus, and the CT Scan showed some arthritis in my shoulder (still don’t feel any pain there).  I stand strong and bind-up these symptoms, in the name of Jesus.

My next scheduled test by the specialist was a PET Scan.  This test consisted of some radioactive fluid injected into my body and then a machine scanned me to see if there was any cancer.  For the next 24 hours after the test, I could not come near any children or pregnant women, so I was very careful.

Too much to live for

My mind went through, “What If’s” and “What Might”.  During times like these, I never turned my back on my faith or on God.  God has a purpose for my life, and He’s brought me from a mighty long way.  In my lifetime I have overcome: Asthma, Skin Legions, Phlebitis, Hepatitis C (from a blood transfusion after a C-Section), lower Back Surgery (Laminectomy), Shingles, lower GI Bleeding and a Broken Ankle, just to name a few.

The findings came back that there is NO CANCER and the report has given me a new respect for Cancer patients and survivors.  My next exam will be in Jan. 2013.  I believe that by that time, God will display a miracle in my body that the Doctors will recognize that He has established the healing.  I was given an inhaler that made my breathing easier.  Oh, by-the-way, COPD was also mentioned by the doctors, nevertheless with the grace of God - I am overcoming that too.  (as of June 2013 breathing is better without inhaler).

I was compelled to write this testimony in order to help someone else who may be going through a similar situation.  If you have something troubling you, and you can believe that God is willing and able to heal and deliver – then put your trust in Him, live your life’s purpose & STAND!  #TBR1 (Trust, Believe, Receive).  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Heb.11:1.

To read more - get the book: “Where Did That Come From?” by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)


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