2022…A Year in Review
The year is coming to a close and as I sit here on this negative degree day, snowed in, and praying I’ll get out for Christmas, I wanted to recap the year that was…or almost is over. This exercise helps me remain thankful during the moments when I don’t look at what I have, but what I don’t have. And, my friend, Paige encouraged me to do this exercise. She had her PhD, so you listen to those folks.
January - I began my year in ICU after coding and almost dying. I had an ileus and my body was shutting down. On top of that I rang in the new year with the amputation of my right leg above my knee. The days following the amputation were a time of grief and mourning for me. I knew life would never be the same, but coming so close to death, I grieved not being with Jesus. I came so close to being with Him and was so ready, but He saw fit to keep me here. I moved to acute rehab on January 11 and began the work of building back my body. I had my 13th surgery to revise my amputation for healing.
February - The month of love was spent loving on my caregivers at rehab. From nurses to aides, to my physical therapist and occupational therapist, they all had my heart. I was gaining strength and could finally sit up on my own. I endured three hours of therapy a day which kept me busy as well as strengthening me. One of my nurses decorated my room for the Valentine’s holiday which helped my room feel cheery. I felt so much love from my two designated visitors, Beth and Jaylynn, who brought me outside food and plenty of Icees to help build up what was lost from my deathly sickness. I had my 14th surgery, another revision, that would be the final surgery, I hope, for a very long time.
March - As I grew stronger, I was ready for discharge. In ways, I was scared to go home, but knew the time had come to take the next step of recovery. Paige came to stay with me again, as she had done twice before, and I love her to pieces for being there to help me navigate my house from my wheelchair. While I was in rehab, I had new flooring put down and my church family all pitched in to help move furniture and all my junk - and I have a lot of it! - so the new floors could be laid. I was speechless when I saw my house for the first time. My return home was better than expected. Paige said I seemed stronger than ever before. I didn’t believe it because, hey, I lost a leg! But clearly that was the root of my problems.
April - I started what would be a long process of healing once again. Though I’d had two revision surgeries, my residual limb hadn’t healed completely. I had flashbacks of a year earlier when nothing would heal. I couldn’t imagine going through that again. My home health staff was amazing. My nurse and I bonded as she came three times a week and my physical therapist came twice a week. As I was healing, my PT was helping to strengthen me.
May - After two other failed attempts, I was able to participate in a writing cohort. Finally I would be able to work with a literary agent and team of fellow writers to accomplish the goal of shaping a book proposal. May was simply magical! Of course, I struggled with thinking that something would happen at the 11th hour to keep me from participating. But not this time! I spent my days writing, editing, collaborating, and ending up with a 42-page book proposal. After a long, arduous journey, I was seeing one of my dreams come true. For so many years, I dreamed of being a writer and author. This was the start.
June - I returned to church for the first time in more than a year so this was the beginning of something in my life returning to normalcy - church! I looked forward to every Sunday to be with my family. The ones that prayed for me and loved me. I met so many people I had never met that had prayed for me and I was left speechless to understand the breadth and depth of God’s Love through His people.
July - After receiving encouragement from the consultants in my writing co-hort, I started a podcast with my friend, Heather. To date, we’ve produced 13 episodes and have 4400 downloads. I’m in awe. Another dream come true for me. When I was a little girl, I would dream about being a talk-show host and loved the microphone from the young age of five. Now I get to do it all the time!
August - I was still struggling with healing and thought that surely I never would heal. By the end of August, I had healed enough that I could move to being fitted for my prosthetic. Along with that news I’d waited six months to hear, our Wednesday Discipleship program started back at my church. I had the privilege of co-leading a group with my new friend, Whitney. That group of women were a balm to my soul. Now I not only longed for Sundays, but Wednesdays too.
September - I began the prosthetic process by being measured for my first socket. Would I be able to wear it and walk? The doubts came flooding in as Little Miss Worst Case Scenario assumed I’d be the one person who couldn’t walk in a prosthetic. I have enough challenges with my rheumatoid arthritis; maybe that would prohibit me. But after measurement, I had my first test fitting, of what I was told would be two - three test fittings before final production. Miracle of miracles, the prothestist was ready to fabricate my socket after one fitting. Unbelievable. I would get my leg just days before my birthday, complete with a Winnie the Pooh designed socket.
October - I began outpatient rehab this month back with the old gang where I did inpatient rehab. It was rewarding to share in my victories with those who had cheered me on for so long. I was able to be paired with one of the best physical therapists, Kraft, and the first session went remarkably well. By session two I was on a walker, which Kraft told me was unprecedented for an above knee amputee. Normally it takes three weeks. Now the hard work would begin. I became a published author! Not my own book, but as a participant in an anthology entitled, The Life of An Unknown Author. Having my first real piece published was a motivator to keep writing.
November - Lots of adjustments had to be made to my prosthetic leg. The socket had to be cut and shaped differently, the leg portion shortened, and new Brooks shoes to help give me better stability in walking. It took almost the entire month to finally have a fit that wasn’t painful. Rehab continued and being Type A had me thinking I wasn’t doing very well, when truth be told, I was. I’m continuing to learn that this journey is a marathon…after already running a triathlon the last three years.
December - The joy of this month came on the one-year anniversary of my 11th surgery. I was asked to speak at our church’s Women’s Christmas Gift Exchange. I shared a 10-minute devotion that I hope blessed the hearts of the ladies in attendance. It felt like another “normal” had happened to be able to publicly speak again. As a surprise, my church family built a ramp so I could be on stage for the event. My sister friend, Beth, took me to see it before the day of the event and I cried and cried. So much love I don’t deserve. This is by far the best Christmas present ever.
I don’t know what 2023 will bring. But I haven’t known what any year would bring when it starts. I ordered a Peanuts Planner for the new year…the last one I ordered was for 2020 and we all know how that turned out. I pray that 2023 continues to shine with more blessings. Some may look at my past year and not see many blessings. But writing this out has helped me see the sunshine through the rain. For the record, there are so many more blessings I could share, but the blog would go on endlessly.
As you reflect on 2022 and look forward to 2023, be mindful that our lives our short. Live them to the fullest. Lay down your grudges. Repent of your sins and follow God.