WHERE: My journey for the past 5 months has taken me to mountain-top highs and some desert lows. I have had two major events that have required a lot of time and energy.
A mountain-high joy when my husband was declared cancer-free. The desert low was the lasting effects of radiation and hormone therapy.
A second “high” was the decision and initial steps in our major fundraiser for women’s cancers.
WHAT: 16 years ago I went through the fatigue, fears, and treatments of cancer not once but three times. Now it was what my husband jokingly calls “his ovarian cancer for men” better known as prostate cancer.
The date of May 11th is set for our fundraiser. The day before Mother’s Day! How perfect! Many things to do. Many details to cover. Excitement grows. Time to read, write (except for the fundraiser), and relax is shorter and shorter.
WHY: When it comes to cancer (or any serious illness), there is no answer for why. We accept whatever challenges and try to learn and be better people.
I chose to not do any writing or reading, simply because my entire focus was on the health of my husband and the success of the fundraiser.
LESSONS: Therefore, I have had many hours to evaluate my life, decide on my priorities, and how I can live as God would want me to.
To do any writing (even a blog), reading books, blogs, or articles has been a challenge. My macular degeneration is only part of the reason. I looked back and realized that I needed to step back and away. By doing so, I have a new energy and interest. I want to use my gift with the pen to teach, share, and inspire everyone.
Here is a wonderful quote by Hans Urs von Balthasar: “What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” My grandmother taught me this quote as a young girl. It has helped me through many aspects of my life.
Please know that I have returned to reading books and blogs, and will write reviews and comments. I will raise awareness and fundraise for cancer research.
Here is my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/kareningalls1941 and to my fundraising page: https://give.adventhealth.com/fundraiser/5552764
KAREN INGALLS, AUTHOR, BLOGGER & SURVIVOR 