Happy Anniversary to Me!
Happy Anniversary to me!
It was eight years ago today—April 11, 2011—when my life’s journey took a turn. This was the day when I had brain surgery to remove a ginormous tumor from the front-top quadrant of my brain.
After that, life changed. Days of running up and down steps with ease were gone forever. Forgetting how to say words became commonplace. Putting together jigsaw puzzles with my husband was a thing of the past. One look at them made me anxious. Weakness on my entire right side has never left me. I don’t know if that was from the surgery or becoming paralyzed from the grand mal seizure I had on April 1st. But that seizure—while traumatic—was the reason they found the tumor. That’s why they decided to do an MRI of my head.
But nonetheless, I am celebrating. Why? Because I know that each moment since that surgery has been a gift.
The doctors were clear—they could not give me any guarantees that I’d survive the delicate and lengthy operation. They had to cut my skull open and remove and try to replace a sizable section of bone to get to the tumor. Then there was therapy: physical, occupational, and speech. I worked diligently for months with therapists who encouraged me to do the simplest of tasks: walking without assistance, standing and not losing my balance, learning to pick up coins one at a time, and repeating words and phrases after they were said to me.
But I celebrate because God was with me every step of the way, and I’ve tried to never take life for granted again.
“ …‘you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13-14 NIV
Thumb-thumb.
Feel that? It’s your heart beating. It could stop at any time, but instead, it keeps on going. Not because of anything you’re doing, but because it’s God’s gift to you.
So celebrate with me. I’ve had seven years of appreciating and trusting God’s gift of a day—one at a time. Let’s celebrate yours.
Robin speaks to women’s groups on trusting God through adversity. She’s also written a book, “It Started with a Brain Tumor” recounting a life filled with scars, yet a life lived under the watchful eye of a loving and non-intrusive Heavenly Father. Watch for it!
17 Comments
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Thank you for your testimony of God’s grace! It is an encouragement!
Thanks, Kim, for taking the time to comment. I truly believe each day—each minute or second—are pure gifts from God.
Blessings,
Robin
Hallelujah! To God be the glory!!
Amen! Thanks for the response.
Robin
Daddy is so good! One day we will receive our perfected bodies and all the physical and mental struggles will be gone forever.
Keep it up. His Kingdom is coming soon!
Blessings
Boy, won’t that be grand? Thank you for your response. It touches my heart that my writings can connect with others
Blessings,
Robin
Amazing testimony to God!! Thanks for sharing 💕
Thank you for taking the time away from your day to respond to my post. That means more to me than you know. God’s blessed me with an incredible journey. There have been bumps along the way, but I’d never change a thing.
Blessings to you!
Robin
Happy Anniversary!! So happy for you! God is so good. 🙂
What an amazing testimony! I am so glad that God left you alive to share it with others.
Thanks, Carla. What a sweet thing to say. I love sharing with others the glimpse of goodness He showed me. And understanding it was only a glimpse! He has great plans for his children.
Thanks for taking the time for responding.
Robin
Robin, you are so welcome and you are so correct; God does have great plans for His children. I was just reminding my 29 year old son this morning of how life is not promised to anyone. In May of 2003, l almost died because both of my lungs collapsed due to asthma. In August 2003, my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was surgically removed in September. In November 2003, my mother died due to heart failure. In August 2004, exactly the same day of the previous year, the tumor came back in my father’s brain and he died May of 2005. I had to remind my son of how life can change each day quickly from the time when we wake up; that is why we must love one another, forgive, put the past in the past and allow God to heal our hearts, as well as our hurts and to also allow God to deal with our issues so our issues will not eventually end up dealing with us, and destroying our lives. Robin, you are truly a blessing. Keep allowing God to use you.
Reblogged this on Brandon J. Adams and commented:
Amazing story about recovery from brain cancer. Also, why aren’t you following her blog already?
Hi Lynne!
Yes! You have been an incredible friend over the past few years and I will always be thankful for you. I’ve enjoyed celebrating life with you.
Thanks for the comment … and your love.
Hugs,
Robin
Happy Anniversary, Robin! That means it was close to seven years ago that you and I met! You’ve come a long way, dear friend. And you’ve been a shining example of trusting the Lord with each new day you’re given.
Thanks, Brandon, for responding. Restoration is a great word, right?
Keep writing!
Robin
Wow. What a story! God is definitely in the business of restoration.