Emma: Tough Times and A New Appreciation

I am writing today with a new appreciation for life.

I’ve always considered myself an advocate for life, and an eternal optimist always seeing the light when it was darkest. God must have needed to give me a reminder of just how precious our lives are.

You may have noticed my absence from the blog in these last few weeks. I have a good reason I haven’t been blogging about day-to-day life. On June 8 I got up around 6:30 a.m. and wasn’t feeling that great, but naturally thought nothing of it. I went on with my morning working on combines, but things weren’t getting better. I felt shaky, sick, and felt like I had a fever. When I asked Vincent to feel my forehead he told me I was cold and I knew something was not right.

Mom was out getting groceries, but my sister, Marie, was there. She has experience in the medical field and told me that she thought I needed to go to the emergency room fearing appendicitis. When Mom got back home I felt kind of foolish getting in to the car to head for the ER – but I went along anyway. I guess this is why you have loved ones, because if I hadn’t gotten in the car, I may not be able to write today.

When we arrived at the ER I was checked over and by 4 p.m. I was in surgery. I didn’t have appendicitis. What I had was an abdomen full of blood due to an ovarian cyst rupture. At 24 I was laying there wondering if I would ever have children, or even make it through surgery. I was comforted when our priest was able to see me before the surgery so that I could receive the Sacraments.

Following a three-hour surgery to try to stop the bleeding, about two pints of blood lost, and a six inch incision later – I was recovering. God wasn’t ready for me yet I guess, but he did give me a wake up call and a reminder that life shouldn’t be taken for granted.

I spent the next five days in the hospital in and out of touch with the world. It seemed everything that could go wrong, did. God gave me the greatest doctor I could ever ask for in Dr. O’Daniel. By the fifth day I was awfully tired of staring at the ceiling and eating Jell-o.

I look back and I know what got me through those rough days were my family. My Mom never left the hospital and slept on an uncomfortable couch. Dan and Vincent came to see me to lift my spirits, even making me laugh although it kind of hurt. August was also there. It was special that they made such an effort because when you’re hot and tired after a long days work, you aren’t exactly looking forward to an hour drive to the hospital and back, but they never missed a day. Knowing just how much they care about me has helped me grow stronger.

They’re weren’t the only ones, and I thank the Lord I have so many special people in my life. I am truly blessed.

I have to say that coming home after such an ordeal was tough. I lost about a quarter of my blood supply and it wasn’t only physically draining, but emotionally draining. I had no idea I would be that weak, and food didn’t even sound appealing. One food did though, an old standard passed down from Grandpa Green – milk toast.

So these days I’m not in the field, and I’m recuperating at home. They have me eating lots of high iron foods and trying to get more energy, oh, and I’m also trying to work on this pale complexion. I have to remember to keep my sense of humor! I also have to remember to keep my chin up and pray to the Good Lord for guidance and strength. He will always lead you down the right path if you let him.

The Misener’s have a little saying that always makes me smile. “When it’s just too hard for everyone else, it’s just right for us.”

I wanted to share two prayers that have really helped me through these trying times. Maybe they could help someone else, too.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You,
knowing that you love me, care for me and will never abandon me.
I want to be like Mary, who, in spite of her sorrows and great pain,
was able to enjoy peace of mind in the midst of her suffering,
confident that God was at her side to give her courage.
Help me to know that my suffering and pain too will pass,
as you guide me along the right path and that only goodness
and kindness will follow me all the days of my life.
Jesus, heal my heart and grant me peace of mind.

Be safe and God bless!

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and Syngenta
Emma Misener can be reached at emma@allaboardharvest.com

12 Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.