This week, my mother’s doctors discovered a tumor in her stomach. Technically, it has already been removed, but because the biopsy revealed malignant cells, she’s now facing an additional surgery. She goes to an oncologist tomorrow. I insisted on the Catholic hospital where my own doctors reside — I am (we are) are protected by Mary and I would prefer that Her presence be invoked in every nook and cranny.
Waiting is the rust of the soul.
–Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Shadow of the Wind
As I considered possible new messages to write about this week, my own personal experience has called for a grand review of topics I’ve already shared here. Challenges like this, the tests and lessons that come along with a serious medical issue, present an opportunity to practice everything that I preach:
- Defining the Best Case Scenario and expecting miracles
- Confronting worry and recognizing where anxiety comes from
- Accepting Change (the less-than-pretty forms of Change)
- Staying focused on the Next Obvious Step
- Hearing what you’re hoping to hear
Oh, hell, it would take me all day to list every Shift Your Spirits post that applies — it’s literally an archive of my articles.
I’ve been calling in the angels and asking for signs. Choosing the right oncologist was our primary topic of conversation and first request for divine guidance this week. Even as I write this, my Mama just called me, excited to have received an encouraging sign — one of her sisters who lives in another state just received a health magazine in the mail yesterday with a feature article about the doctor we had chosen. Very cool. I love that sound in someone’s voice, when they share a synchronicity with me… When they know it’s more than coincidence…
I was hesitant to share this personal story, mostly out of consideration for my Mama’s privacy, but yesterday she remarked on the positive benefits she’d experienced from calling in her support system. Although she is nowhere near as literal as I am in the way she practices her belief system, she said to me “I do believe there is something powerful and helpful about having a lot of people thinking about you at the same time, even if they don’t call it prayer.”
I totally agree, and it just so happens that I have access to thousands of people who are energetically connected to me, who are tuned in, who pray regularly, who communicate with spirit guides, who are master manifesters… You guys!
So, this week, I’m activating my own global network of Love and Support and calling in some favors.
Hold my mother Sharon (and me) in your prayers.
UPDATE — as of Monday, April 20th
John, my mother’s fiance, and I went to Sharon’s consultation with her oncologist. I took notes and typed everything up so Mama can send out an email to everyone at once.
(We all liked the oncologist — very good vibes and intuition about him — his family goes to John’s church and I know his mother…)
During the endoscopy earlier this month, they technically already removed a small nodule (also technically called a gastric carcinoid) from the inner mucosa of the upper stomach. It was 6mm in size (which is about half the size of my pinky fingernail; anything under 1cm is considered very small).
Although the nodule was removed from the inside, there is a root (like with a wart, I guess) still embedded in the wall of the stomach which can’t be reached with laproscopy (surgery from the inside). If the root is not removed, it could simply re-grow, so he will need to surgically remove a piece of the stomach about the size of a half dollar.
He indicated making an incision about 4 or 5 inches.
The surgery should be the only treatment required.
There is a very low chance of lymph node metastasis; and a very low chance of spreading to any other organ.
Sharon will now have a blood test to check Gastrin (sp?) levels, and a CT (CAT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis to make sure there aren’t any others visible anywhere.
This type of nodule is considered fairly rare, although the oncologist says he does see them quite often in his practice. This type of nodule could likely be related to pernicious anemia (which she has had her entire life, problematic during her pregnancies).
Next week, Monday April 27, they will look at the results of the blood test and CT scans and then schedule the surgery. It will likely be later within that week.
Sharon could be in the hospital for 5 – 7 days (although he did suggest that she could be out a few days sooner).
After that, he said she can pretty much go back to work when she feels up to it (depending on how long she feels weak or sore). He said it would probably be 6 weeks until she truly doesn’t feel that she’s just had surgery.
The details are very encouraging, very operable, very much on the “minor” end of the scale, as far these things go…
I will certainly do my part to bring all the love and support I can. Love and light. Love and light.
Hi Slade,
I will hold you and your mom in my prayers. If you have any time for a distracting phone call let me know – it’d be great to catch up. I will be thinking of you and will send some healing your mom’s way.
Love,
Jenny
Hi Slade,
As in all your posts, something touches me, often there is one thing affecting me more deeply than others. This post no exception.
I grew up very Catholic, but life got in the way, not unlike recent Catholic scandal, and as a result, my path turned from the rules of church going and required prayer. There has been an element remaining of some sort of redemption. Seemingly as a child, having said enough rosaries and prayers of penance, i.e., Hail Marys, for a lifetime.
Knowing your relatedness to Mary, I was hesitant to say I’ve moved away from these normal Catholic practices, whether by rote prayer or otherwise.
My prayers these days are not necessarily directed prayer or even infused with devotion and honor as the child who once could pray no other way. They are much simpler and often requests for protection or help. Maybe as time passes, there will be a full circle return to what had been. In the meantime, I offer you and your mother what I can, my simple request.
Please help them get thru this with safety and ease.
Love to your mom.
Love to you, too.
Barbara
Dear Slade,
I am holding You and and your Mom, Sharon in the Highest Light and Love!
What a wonderful Energy Field we have all Created here! I am very honored to be a part of it. Thank you All!
OnE LoVE
G.
Hi Slade,
I’m sending your mom and you lots of green healing energy.
I’m also considering distracting you by scheduling a reading since I saw that you like to talk to scanners. I’m a scanner, we need to talk!
Much love to you,
Rose.
Hi Slade,
Please know on a deep level that you and your Mama are on the receiving end of some serious healing energy. As you know, I work with Mary and Archangel Raphael, and I just want you to know that my team and I have your back! You are both being held up to the Light for your highest healing; all you have to do is allow. Please keep me posted re: how things are going and don’t hesitate to ask for anything.
Blessings,
Mary
As one of your subscribers I highy value your work and insights. Sending you, your mom and your family loving energy.
Holding you in the light…..Christie Pennington
Love and Blessings from Oz to you and your darling Mama, the World will be a much lighter place when we ALL come together as One. Know my thoughts and Healing prayers are with you and your Beloved. ….. when we come together the power of lovelight is Mighty. Namaste…Wendy
As I sit here in MY mother’s Catholic Hospital room as she recovers from surgery to remove tumors on her lung, I am reflecting on the choices we made and signs we looked for, the doctors we chose. When we were debating which route to take, radiation, chemo or surgery, the surgeon gave us a 4th option, Divine Intervention! He had seen it over and over in his practice. Needless to say, he was our favorite! I am praying and holding for you and your mom, Divine intervention and swift resolution for the highest and best for all concerned.
Mom is doing great.
I will be holding you and your mother in my prayers. I’ve been doing a lot more long distance healing prayers. Just over the weekend, I got irrefutable confirmation that energies do travel all the way from Singapore to the States!
Hey Slade,
Sending you and Sharon love and light. Angels are with you.
Beautiful, strong, gentle and radiant healing energy and love to you and your mother, Sharon, Slade.
Keep us posted on her progress and we can all help, as you have many times cheered and brightened our days with your healing words on this site!
All the best of heart and energy to both of you and all of your family and friends who are so close to you, as well. I wish you ease and healing!
Namastey, Slade, and Hello, Mom!
May you flow in the stream of life, love and light…!
May you know a peace so deep that there be no doubt again, ever…
May you have the courage to take the right action, right now.
You are held in the thoughts of all whose lives you have touched.
Good wishes,
Mohini
Will send love and light to both your mom and you.
May archangel Raphael and his team of angels shine green healing light upon your mother.
dearest slade and sharon:
what we view as a negative event proves the recipricating love that you generously share. love and healing to you both. many thanks for all your encouraging words and insights in the past and know the seeds have taken hold, flourished and are returning to you in your time of need. love and prayers that you are safely held… rebecca.
Hi Slade,
You and your Mama, and all those that matter to you, are in my prayers! I send you ALL prayers for healing and for peaceful hearts!
Please send prayers my way also. I am having surgery April 22nd… THANKS!
Hugs and Blessings,
Barbara
There’s an “upper deck” with an energetic string octet playing finely tuned, undulating music of highest quality reserved just for you & your mama…I have you both swirling there…quite lovely, delicate, peaceful.
Keep dancing to the octet.
Namaste,
A.
Hi Slade,
Sending you and your mom lots of love and healing and blessing energy!!!
Big hugs,
Andrea
Slade – As always – your blogs are ALWAYS right where I seem to be!! My beloved cat of almost 17 years went on to another phase of his journey on Friday. As I was whining, fussing, crying, moaning and “why me – ing” – it hit me that I wasn’t practicing what I preach. The right along comes your blog!! Time to re-read your posts – pass them on to friends who are going through some similar times and join the positive energy flow.
You and your mom are in my thoughts, prayers and I am sending positive healing energy your way!!
Thank you for always reaching out at the right time!!
Blessings – Carol
Hi Slade,
Sending you and your mum healing, comfort and love energy.
Love Anna
Slade;
This post is right on point; last week my business partner’s dad was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma; he’s already started chemo.
I’m keeping both him and you and your mom in my prayers.
I’ve also just read something that I’ll send you, that is food for thought, and gave me the boost that I needed this afternoon.
Many blessings,
Jeremy
I’m sending your mother lots of healing and happy energy. She is completely healthy and full of joy. SO MOTE IT BE!
One of the the sentences from CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD, that has stayed with me, sustaining me, challenging me, literally loving me was:
“I have sent you nothing but angels and miracles.”
Indeed. They surround you, always.
Right after I starting sending Reiki to you and your mom, I got a phone call from my brother saying that he was going to the hospital on Tuesday (yesterday) for testing on his heart. He is younger than I am. This isn’t supposed to be happening. (Things my mind was crying out.) Reality is that he has a serious blockage of a main artery and the heart specialist says it is inoperable. He is on medication to stimulate his heart. He was told he can go back to work on May 4.
My brother’s attitude is good. I thought mine was until I heard the results and started to cry (not until after I finished talking to my brother). I called my best friend and she let me talk and cry out the fear that I had unknowingly been feeling all week.
Slade, please keep us all updated about Sharon’s progress. I am continuing to send Reiki to her on a daily basis. Love and blessings to you both. It is so good to have a support system that you know you can depend upon. I sure used mine this week.
I am so grateful for the response to this post — I have received literally hundreds of emails! I’ve done my best to respond to each one individually, but with so many please know that I am reading them all and I hope I haven’t missed anyone…
Thank you!
For all of you who are going through something similar with family members or even yourselves, please know it’s like a big ring of circulating energy, getting passed around between us. The prayers that you are putting out are returned to you.
I’m putting an update about my mom at the end of this original post, and will continue to do so — if you want to know what’s going on, just revisit the post and look for any new edits toward the end.
I’m including a lot of specifics and details because I know that those of you who work remotely to scan the body benefit from having the visualization.
I believe, like me, you’ll find the details encouraging.
Love to you all!
Hi Slade!
This is very, very, very encouraging news about Sharon! I am so glad!
I’m still sending prayers and love and healing to your Mama and to you and your family!
All is well!
Love & Hugs,
Barbara
Namastey, Slade!
(Hi, Mom! You are doing just fine!)
April 27th, Monday, 2009 is a special day!
In India, that day is ‘Akshaya Tritiya’…. that means the third day from new moon commemorating life’s capacity to renew itself… capacity to be eternal… after passing through the immortal. Akshaya means that which does not degenerate… Thus, it is a marvellous day for new beginnings, for new promises!
Here’s looking at LIFE!
Best wishes,
Mohini
Dear Slade,
It’s so good to hear that your Moms’ condition is more of a minor nature than most of us normally think when the big “C” is mentioned. My brother had lymphatic cancer in his neck in 2004. He had it removed, took one round of radiation… backed off… & went straight for Reiki and a T-Toadly Natural Diet. He has been in remission now for 5 years. Our souls ability to know what it needs & how to go about getting it, is remarkable!!
Many Blessings to Sharon & Family.
OnE LoVE
G.