DECIDE…

 

Dear Reader:

Every morning when we arise…the first decision of the day lies in wait until our full consciousness is awakened. We have one decision to make, as a contributing member of the human race, what kind of attitude are we taking with us into the next 24 hours?

Are we upbeat or downtrodden?

Most of us forget about this most important decision as we allow ourselves to get swept along, like a fast current, into the day by events that happen along the way. We play the “wait and see” game as the day unfolds…but by doing this we are turning our personal steering wheel over to circumstances instead of taking charge of our own life and destiny.

Yesterday, as soon as my eyes opened, I know immediately what day it was…it was a day for medical results beyond my control…whether my Cat-Scan would show my tumors had enlarged or worse metastasized in my chest, abdomen, or pelvis.

It was one of the those situations we discuss a lot on the blog post…the out-of-our-control situations …the ones we have to turn over to a Bigger Power than ourselves.

My silent prayer was ….”God You have been with me along my long journey and given me time and life beyond anything I could have expected…and through it all You have held my Hand…I pray for positive reports today but regardless…my main concern is just that You continue to lead me in Your Path and never stop holding my Hand. Your will be done.”

Everything seemed to be clicking in a positive direction even before I got to the Charleston Oncology Center. When I checked my on-line banking account…it was up and working again (had been down for five days for some “maintenance” issue)…and to my delight my federal tax return was already in my account! 🙂

*I had been warned that the IRS was running behind this year so it could be closer to a month before I saw my federal refund…it was exactly one week yesterday when I signed off on all the tax forms.

I found myself humming a little tune…there was very little traffic,  a beautiful, gorgeous morning and my favorite song of songs…Louie Armstrong’s “It’s a Beautiful World” played while I happily sang the lyrics.

The difference in the waiting room line between Monday and Wednesday was like night and day. I felt like I had the room to myself.

There was a standing joke going on between me and the staff member who was taking temperatures before being allowed to enter the waiting room.

For some weird reason…(she thought the thermometer machine was broken) my temperature this past Monday was 94.4. She kept staring at it…I thought I was running a fever the way she was still shaking her head…she took it three times with the same results.

I told her not to worry about it…I always ran lower than normal temps (usually not that low but still low) so I told her to just call me “Miss Cucumber”….as in ‘cool as a cucumber.’ 

When she took my temperature yesterday she stated….‘You’re not Miss Cucumber” today…you are up to 97.4…you’re downright hot today!” and she started chuckling.

I didn’t wait even 10 minutes until I was called back for my visit..I had my vitals checked and Dr. Jeter entered with a smile…the biggest conclusion from the scan was ” No evidence of metastatic breast cancer within chest, abdomen, and pelvis.”

I didn’t realize I had been holding my breath until she read the findings and suddenly my breath came rushing out from under my mask. Whew! I felt like the little child inside me again who moved just in time not to get hit with the dodge ball. Double Whew!

Living with “little c” can be nerve-wracking at times…but on days like yesterday…HOPE is still alive and well.

Thank all of you for your well-wishes and prayers…I went in yesterday in full armor…prepared for whatever lay ahead of me.

I treated myself to some more flowers for the garden, a delicious barbecue sandwich for lunch and sharing the happy news with family and friends.

And to  add “icing to the cake” I got my Spectrum Cable Bill… there was a note stating there had been a “readjustment” to the monthly bill…(I was already growling when I blinked)…it was a $17.03  decrease off my current bill.

I broke out laughing….”Now God… You are just showing off!” :)

So until tomorrow….

When I got home there was a box filled with flowers, candies, and garden items….It was from Harriett Edwards on the very day I got the results. I think you have a sixth sense Harriett….you made my day!

I really love the poem on the plaque!

“When events of the day cause your poor heart to harden….always remember there is a garden…”

I rearranged flowers and had the happiest time doing so yesterday…the results are below.

Thank you dear readers for your prayers…I felt them and quite honestly…I really felt like I was pretty “cool as a cucumber” ….for me! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

7 Responses to DECIDE…

  1. Honey Burrell says:

    What wonderful news to start my day! You are in my prayers everyday, but on medical appointment days, extra prayers are lifted!
    Today I hopefully get my first vaccine. I’m a little anxious, but know all will be well.
    Have a beautiful day! Love you lots😘💕😘

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Prayers for you and Mike today with your first vaccination…hope you have little side effects if any and are enjoying the sun there too…can’t make myself stay inside.

  2. Jo Dufford says:

    God is so good all the time. I won’t forget to thank Him since he had heard your name coming out of my mouth so often this week. To add to all those other blessings you noted yesterday, just take a walk outside and see what a beautiful day he gave us to celebrate this wonderful report. I can’t help but note that the solar jar you gave me was especially bright last night even though I didn’t know, at the time , about your results. I have been soaking up the sunshine today.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Life just doesn’t get any better than this…a taste of the spring to come, light from the sun and from God shining down on us…and God still in charge of the universe. All is right with the world.

  3. Rachel Edwards says:

    Praise the Lord…we are out of town with family so I was late reading the blog…God is good…

  4. mshieder says:

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Oh, Becky, what an absolutely wonderful day and beyond wonderful news! What happy news! My heart is giggling with joy!

Leave a Reply