I Fell Down and Couldn’t Get Up

So this morning I was going out to my back patio. I felt a little weak and dizzy but didn’t think anything of it. I’ve been dealing with this on and off for months now.

Due to the chemotherapy, I have peripheral neuropathy that makes balance a challenge on the best of days.

Recently, the new medications I’ve been on to help with the neural edema seem to be throwing my body chemistry off.

So I went out back and started to do what I’ve done a million times before through this cancer, and fell down.

And then I couldn’t get up.

I called Mom to help.

Of course, even with the patio chairs and the table, we couldn’t get me up. Neither of us were strong enough.

She helped me drag myself inside, and then when I still couldn’t get myself up, even with her help and the back of a couch, we called the EMT.

In less than 5 minutes, firefighters showed up and immediately got me up. They are trained to do this, so it’s much better to call them rather than even a strong friend. They can also test you for any issues like a concussion which might warrant a trip to the ER.

Aside from a few bruises, though, I was fine.

The firemen were really kind and Mom and I insisted they take come cookies. They were Indian cookies, and it turns out the firemen all had Indian friends or neighbors so I told them if they felt guilty taking this treat from us, to take it for their friends. They laughed and we all hugged each other before they left.

Of course, that still left me with a garden that needed to be watered.

A neighbor, however, had seen the firetruck and texted me to make sure I was OK and did I need anything.

So I told her that my bird feeder needed to be filled and my plants watered and she sent her daughter to take care of it for me.

She also arrived within 5 minutes.

And of course Mom has been helping me ever since. She is helping me get my medications and my meals.

I also know people are praying for me.

Honestly, I am really blessed to have this wonderful community that I live in.

So despite what happened to me (and frankly it scared me a little and left me with bruises) it also showed me how fortunate I am.

There are people in places like Gaza or the Ukraine, in war zones, who don’t have the access to resources that I do. There are people who have lost children or grandparents. There are people who are starving or incarcerated unjustly.

Every day I pray for people in those situations.

Today, after I had my lunch and a short nap, I got up and prayed. I asked God to care for me through the cancer and to keep me safe. I prayed for a family in my church whose grandfather is on his deathbed.

And then I asked God to help and bless someone who had no one else to help or pray for them. I asked Him to shine in their darkness with His light. I asked for God to care for them.

For those of you who pray, remember these people. You may be the only person who does.

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This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM.

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