In True Incidents - "My Life-Changing Experience" By Suzan L. Wiener, Spring Hill, USA
My life changed the day I hit forty. I remember it vividly because not only was it my birthday, March 15th, but it also was the day I became paralyzed. My husband Howard called the hospital and the ambulance came with blasting sirens, winding down our block. Neighbors, forever curious, looked out to see what was going on. Here I was, instead of going out to dinner, I was lying on a stretcher. I didn’t know what was wrong, but knew I couldn’t move. To say I was frightened, would be an understatement. I was terrified.
At the hospital’s emergency room, the doctor tried to examine me, but I could barely move to sit up so he could check my back out. I got a room on the third floor and they took a battery of tests. It turned out I had degenerative disk disease, along with one of the disks being herniated, I was so totally depressed and kept crying.
I didn’t know what to do. I was given medications to help ease my pain, but the doctors that had examined me couldn’t say whether I would walk again. I constantly prayed that this was a temporary thing. A week later I went home. The doctor told me I should stay in bed for nine weeks. I didn’t know what to do with all the time I had. He suggested I take up writing and Howard was kind enough to get me a notebook and pen to write my thoughts down. I had always wanted to be a published writer. Maybe this was God’s way of giving me time to see my dream come true. It was recommended to me to try physical therapy which I did. Slowly my ability to walk came back to me, though the exercise was painful as was my condition.
A few months later, I was able to sit up and walk slowly, but had to wear special shoes and use a cane. It was embarrassing, but at least I could walk some. I was extremely grateful. As promised, Howard sent out some of my poems, recipes and personal experience stories about my health scare to publications. To my surprise, I received a letter of acceptance and a check with my story in it. It was such a thrill I almost forgot my problem.
Now, twenty years later, I am still totally limited with what I can do physically, but when I see an acceptance letter in my mailbox, my spirits are raised and I can smile. God does work in mysterious ways and I think He pointed me in the direction he wanted me to go.
Hats off to your determination Suzan.
When God closes one door he always opens another one. What many of us often end up doing is not recognizing the new path.
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To have faced this nightmare on your fortieth birthday, enough of a milestones in itself, must have been so terrifying, Susan. Yet you've managed to put a positive slant on this unexpected turn to your life. Sometimes good can come from bad, even if it's hard to see at the time.
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I donno when i willget an acceptance letter in my mail box lol..
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Suzan
May God give you the stregth to carry on bravely and write a lot more for us...
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Suzan,
I might have told you this n-number of times, and this time again I'm tempted to say that you are really a fighter. We are lucky to have you among us. Do keep the fighting spirit! Cheers...
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Your story is an inspiration to all who feel demoralised at some point, in life. Thanks Suzan, for sharing your story. Wishing you loads of good health.
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Wishing you good health and hoping that you will continue to write and be a great encouragement to one and all. Hats off to a person who is so determmined to write inspite of facing many hurdles. Suzan, we all know God has his own way of taking care of every need of ours. Continue to trust and have faith in his goodness. You will victorious!
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A very big thank you all for your so warm comments. It means a lot to me and really made me smile. Most appreciate and much good luck with your writing and hope all is well. Srividya, keep trying. Perserverance is the key to getting published.
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Your article is a page right out of your very life. I really appreciate your courage and positive attitude towards life inspite of all that happened. I am sure God is there guiding you in every step that you take. God bless you always.
Shail
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I just saw your so nice post, Shail. Many thanks for your very kind post. It really means a lot to me. Wishing you much good luck with your writing.
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