Just Breathe

A little about me...November 2018, I woke up extremely dizzy. I thought I had carbon monoxide poisoning. After a few hours of things not getting better, the entire right side of my body went numb and I was taken to the hospital.

On the way to the hospital, I stopped breathing. I could feel myself dying. Then I heard my daughter say, "Breathe in, breathe out," and I listened.

After hours in the hospital, the doctor came in and said, "Well good news, it isn't carbon monoxide poisoning. You had a mini-stroke, but it didn't cause visible brain damage and you have a brain tumor. Do you have any questions?"

We had lots of them. We found out, "slow-growing, non-cancerous, operable," were all good words. For months, I didn't do much except wait...referrals, specialists, and more doctors to see.

I struggled every day with memory issues and processing information. I slowed down a lot. I guess Heavenly Father wanted me to focus on the things which are truly important. I spent more time with my family.

I sat and pondered things. Not because I wanted to, but because it's all I was really able to do. Days flew by and I'm not sure I did much.

I still tried to write, but it was hard. I took naps often. Some days my brain just stopped and so did I.

________________________________________________________________

In 2020, I discovered Bright Line Eating. My body began to heal, my mind began to clear.

In 2022, I started writing again.

My tumor is still there, though happily shrinking from radiation. It rests on my optic and ear nerves. Which means my vision is wonky and my balance is not balanced. I have days when I'm too dizzy to do anything except sleep, but I'm still here. Still writing, still working, still hoping and dreaming.

I love my family. I am grateful for all the slack they pick up. I'm grateful for all the love they give. I'm grateful to still be here. I'm grateful I listened to the voice of my daughter and breathed in.