10/21/2025
STORY TIME:
The last week of July and all of August truly tested my fortitude. Spending 8 straight days in the hospital—a period that included my birthday—I faced terrifying unknowns: cancer testing, kidney biopsies, and a failing heart valve. I was staring straight into the dark. There were many moments each day when the negative thoughts took hold, and I simply could not find the positivity.
In those challenging times, I prayed almost every waking moment. My faith became an essential lifeline. More than that, my friends and family brought the lamp. They didn't just try to rescue me from the fear or darkness; they held the light steady, relentlessly pulling me out of the darkness of my own mind. They were the clarity that reminded me of my own strength and how I'd overcome obstacles before.
I kept praying, and while I may not have received the outcome I initially wanted, I accepted that it was part of God's plan. I soon learned I needed a procedure to repair a mitral valve, which meant placing a clip to fix the valve; which added a few more days in the hospital later in the month. For me, simply knowing what was wrong made it easier to be positive. I finally knew what I was up against and how I was going to fight these ailments. Positivity was flowing!
Since that surgery, my heart function has improved dramatically, and my kidney function is steadily bouncing back. Yesterday, I was cleared to return to the gym and start working out again. With a repaired valve and recovering kidneys, the path to healing is clear.
My resolve is firm: I am immensely grateful for my faith, for my friends, and for my family. They set the standard for strength. With God, my friends, and my family by my side, I see a bright future ahead. I can’t say thank you enough! Now, it is my time to continue to carry the light and guide my way down this awesome path.
Just a quick message to others struggling out there!!!
If you’re out there reading this and facing your own dark moments, remember this: When you can’t hold the light for yourself, let your family and friends hold it for you. Don't push away that support—it’s what saves you from the darkness in your own mind. Hold tight to your faith and God, trusting that even if the path isn't what you planned, there is a path forward. Find the simple things to be grateful for, even when everything else is terrifying. Gratitude shifts your focus from the fear to the fight. Once you know what you’re up against, channel that energy into a determined plan to win. Stay positive because you are stronger than you realize. Keep that light on, and keep going!
Let’s have an awesome weekend!!!
GOD BLESS AND MUCH LOVE!!!
BELOW IS HOW LONG I LASTED ON THE ELLIPTICAL IN CARDIAC REHAB YESTERAY.
DDP YOGA