Instead of Interstitial Cystitis becoming a curse for me it has become a life-changing gift.  I was devastated and angry when first diagnosed in 1983.  Then I was relieved to have a name for what plagued my every waking minute and interrupted my sleep.   In-between potty breaks I decided to fight rather than give up.  I went back to school and got my Master’s degree in Social Work.  I opened a holistic private practice and began to counsel among others, “IC” patients offering them hope and encouragement.  Creative ways to deal with pain emerged.

On August 28th while going through a divorce I was diagnosed with colon cancer and required surgery. While working to quickly close down my practice, I suffered a number Transient Ischemic Attacks (“mini strokes”) requiring carotid artery surgery a week after colon resection surgery. I was grateful I made preparations for such a crisis, but I also realized how unprepared I was.

In 2009 I was diagnosed with colon cancer, heavy metal toxicity and chronic Lyme’s disease and had five “mini-strokes”. I feared my days of serving others were over. Not so. You might ask yourself: “How can I serve others when my own life needs help?” You would be surprised. Here are some ways the Spirit has answered my prayers.