Friends, Faith and ” Souper” Serendipity

Dear Reader:

This past weekend was a strange roller coaster ride of emotions. Thursday I went and got my flu shot-finishing up all my COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots! I felt on top of the world- ahead of the game!

With my annual physical and Prolia shot slated for this Wednesday… I decided to go ahead and get my bloodwork done early-and last Friday sealed that deal! I was clicking along.

It wasn’t until late Friday evening that I realized a message had been left from the Primary After Hours Care Clinic. ” How odd?” I thought but by then it was quite late so I went to bed.

Saturday morning the phone rang and now I recognized the number as the same as last night. A voice came on calling to let me know that my bloodwork white cell count was ” critically low” and they wanted to switch my doctor appointment to Monday instead of Wednesday.

I was trying to gather my thoughts-finally squeaking out that I have breast cancer and just finished going over my bloodwork two weeks earlier with my oncologist and all was well? Something didn’t seem to add up!

I asked her if the flu shot might have distorted the results but she didn’t know-not a nurse-just a caller.

Well you can only imagine how all the good air was pulled out of me and my weekend. Worry crept in as hard as I tried to rationalize the message.

My mind started creating all kinds of scary possible scenarios…as I watched football games come and go in a daze! Would I have to start infusion chemo or other treatments locked up in my memory bank?

Then I tried to pull a 48 hour health marathon-One of my thoughts was to start drinking water-as much as I could drink-was told one time it helps bloodwork outcomes. So I started drinking and exercising ( running back and forth to the bathroom. )

Then I thought ” I need protein and vegetables-lots-surely that will bring my white cell count up” but the thought of going to the store was more than I could bear. Just then I heard a noise coming from the other apartment so I ran out on the porch-it was Susan dropping off creamy chicken/ rice soup chopped full of vegetables! ” Manna from Heaven!”

Susan and Ady had just left and I went inside only to hear the doorbell ring-it was Vickie bringing bean soup and a tremendous slice of cornbread! ” This soup is filled with protein… guaranteed to cure any ills that come your way! ” Serendipity at its best! Two friends, perfect timing and no doubt a God Wink!

I had everything I had asked for-God sent two guardian angels when I needed them-my faith was restored.

So yesterday with a nervous dry mouth-despite all the water I drank over the weekend- I prayed silently in the waiting room. As soon as my amazing doctor came in-I knew all would be good. She was shaking her head as she read her folder and said” I am so sorry for all you have been put through but all is well. Obviously, comparatively speaking, your white cell count remains low because you have cancer and are on oral chemo BUT your numbers have remained constant year after year and is an acceptable number for the medication you are on.” You should not have gotten that call. I am so sorry this happened and kept you worried-so I am taking care of everything right now so you don’t have to return until your next Prolia shot! Six months!”

So until tomorrow-Bring on Thanksgiving, bring on thankfulness, bring on life!!!!! Celebration Time!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

And speaking of Winnie… Guess who is one year old?

Happy Birthday Winnie!

Janet Bender has a great idea concerning the ” Telephone of the Wind” -will share with you tomorrow-we need some brainstorming ideas! ❤️👍

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.”
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6 Responses to Friends, Faith and ” Souper” Serendipity

  1. Honey Burrell says:

    Oh Becky! You have been on my heart and I’ve been meaning to call. Life sometimes gets too busy. Oh how thankful your appointment turned out well. As I was reading your blog I was thinking about what I should do! I was ready to pack my bags and head your way!
    Yes, Happy Thanksgiving! Love you so much!❤️

  2. Rachel Edwards says:

    Praise the Lord. So very grateful and thankful that all is well. I have been told by a person who draws blood that drinking lots of water does help so I was reading as fast as I could to see how your appointment turned out…bless your sweet heart…I can only imagine how relieved you were …too much so to even get angry over the anguish you went through…so happy you are ok…we are out of town but I will be by when we get back…love you lots…🙏❤🙏

  3. Beth says:

    Whew! That “worry” feeling is such a helpless feeling! Glad results were good! Happy Thanksgiving to you.

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