All In One Year

Ask Miss Lisa (Love, Inspiration, Straight-talk, Activation)

If TODAY is THE day…

Today is my second re-birthday! On this day last year, I received the stem cell transplant that saved my life. They call it a birthday, because your biological system is reset like the day you were first born. This year has been truly amazing! I have experienced every emotion there is…somedays all at the same time.

I have been happy, sad, mad, scared, frustrated, grateful, resentful, encouraged, disillusioned, discouraged, excited, lonely, and depressed. But with all that I have been through, I wouldn’t have changed a thing! We always hear people say, “everything happens for a reason” and I have prayed daily to GOD to help me see the reason behind all the things that have happened to me over this past year.

When I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, on April 22, 2021, the doctor told me “It was time for me to get my affairs in order”. I have heard people say that before, but I NEVER thought that I would be on the receiving end of that statement. That was one of the scariest moments in my life. In that moment, I started to regret all the things that I hadn’t yet accomplished and might never be able to, because of this terrible disease.

During this past year…

I lost all my hair…but it grew back!

I was in a back brace and was told I would wear it for the rest of my life…now I no longer need it!

I was in a wheelchair…now I can use a cane to walk!

I couldn’t lift my coffee mug…now I can hold a mug and my own plate!

I was bedridden and unable to have guests…now I travel and visit with friends all over the country!

I used to have to wait in line to board airplanes...now I am boarded first in my wheelchair!

I couldn’t walk up the stairs…now I can, and I didn’t have to get that stairlift!

I lost my ability to drive…but I hated driving anyway and now I have wonderful friends who drive me around and I have a permanent handicapped sticker! (I cried when I got the sticker, but I am grateful now to have it!)

I had to stop working…but now I do volunteer work that is meaningful and fulfilling! And, I co-host a weekly podcast!

I had cancer…but the chemo that I take is keeping me in remission!!!!!!!

People now tell me that my strength and attitude inspire them to do things that they were afraid of or hesitated to do before. I am grateful that my transparency during this situation has encouraged and helped others to realize that time waits for no one so NOW is the time to do all the things you have always wanted to do.

Prior to my diagnosis, I thought I had all the time in the world…but time waits for no one! Don’t wait to live your life… LIVE...LOVE...and...LAUGH!...TODAY!!!

Thanks be to GOD!

Peace and Blessings,

Lisa

Psalms 107:2 – Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

Psalms 107:19-21 – Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalms 91: 14-16 – “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”