Nov 01 2009
Power of Positive Thinking
Norman Vincent Peale, wasn’t it? When (actually if, but that’s where the positive thinking comes in) I get back home, and by extension, church, I’ll be in a wheelchair (I have no illusions about regaining much use of my legs). Orthodox worship in a wheelchair. It’s kind of upside down, isn’t it? I doubt I’d be able to sing in the choir. I could read from the readers’ stand. I guess I could sing at the kliros if we could figure out how to get the music so all of us could see it. And treasurer, to which I was just elected? Sure, I guess, with Chuck’s help (but I was going to count on that anyway).
Last week when I suddenly lost the use of my legs, that was horrifying. After I found out why, mobility seems less important than being alive.
How to proceed depends on the results of the biopsy.
13 responses so far
RWP, Lord have mercy. I am dumbfounded how quickly this unfolded. May God grant you peace in all things. You are in our prayers.
Prof, I know this can’t compare with your predicament but I’ll say it anyway. When I woke up from surgery ten years ago and discovered that my colon had been removed and that I now had to poop into a plastic bag attached to a hole in my gut, I couldn’t deal with it. I shut down. But I cheered up when I was told that I would be dead if they hadn’t done an emergency colostomy and I went on to cope with it. Life is still livable with handicaps. I realize that yours is more dire but I think you’re tougher than me and God does “temper the wind to the shorn lamb.”
Be well.
Geez, your site is becoming rather exciting what with all the medical twists and dead ends and new revelations. I’ll be thinking about you and praying for a happy ending to the drama.
Kyrie eleison.
My prayers too.
You’ll work through this, because you have faith and you’re a tough, old bastard. And I mean that with the utmost respect. If I may quote Kevin Costner from The Untouchables:
“Never stop. Never stop fighting til the fight is done.”
You need anything - anything - let me know.
Amen and amen. May God bring comfort - and healing.
I do believe Wyatt said it best. We’ll be thinking of you and wishing for the very best!
Shocking news. My thoughts are with you.
I was diagnosed with cancer this time last year. I can’t think of anything good to say about it but it does make you more aware of the time you have to repent, that can help. You have my prayers.
oh, gosh
I am thinking of you and wishing you strength.
Prayers for you and your family. Praying for healing and for His will.
My Orthodox friends have a lot of small children who love to just zoom around from icon to icon at their church during the mass, never staying still, but just kissing all the icons. I can sort of envision you rolling on a wheelchair, zooming around too, kissing the icons.
In God, all things are possible. Without him, there is nothing that is possible. The power of positive thinking rests in Him.
What a shock - you have my best wishes for the future.
Not comparable again, but my brother had a severe brain injury and has a blog about his recovery process. http://howtorecover.blogspot.com/