REBOOT!

"Do you not know that that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Paul was telling the Corinthians to purify themselves from sexual immorality when he said this. However, I couldn't help but reflect on these words during my recent trip to the ER a couple of weeks ago.

It was a typical day at work - everyone was back in the office, so our boss called for a staff meeting. We'd barely started the meeting when I experienced shortness of breath, heart palpitations, numbing on my left arm, and numbing of my lips. My co-workers were alarmed because I was pale and cold. I really thought I was having a heart attack!

Right before I thought I was going to pass out, I had images of my husband and kids - there's so much more I want to tell them... way too many more hugs and kisses to be given. "Lord! Lord!" was all I could scream out in my head.

The parameds gave me oxygen at the ambulance, which helped with the numbness on my left arm. The doctor said that the numbness of my lips was caused by hyper-ventilation. After four hours of observation: Resting and stress EKG were normal. Heart ultrasound was normal. All blood work were normal. The conclusion was hyper-acidity caused by Ibuprofen, and aggravated by stress.

Here's how it all started. I've been experiencing chest and jaw pains for a few months, when I decided that I really had to see my Primary Care Physician. I was prescribed to take Ibuprofen, and instructed to be on soft to liquid diet due to the jaw pain. The ER doctor said that Ibuprofen is very harsh in the stomach and it should be taken with food. I hadn't been eating properly, taking Ibuprofen 3 TIMES A DAY!

I've been asked several times - by the paramedics, by the nurses, by the doctor - if I've been in a lot of stress lately and I said no. Now I realize, I probably am NOT allowing myself to ADMIT that I get stressed.

Everyone's saying, "It's gotta be stress. What are you stressed about?" I was in total denial at first. But when our ever-generous boss, gave me a mandatory leave for two days after the ER incident, my body just crashed into sleep mode until the weekend! That's when I realized what my body's been through... how much it just needs to heal and reboot my entire system!

During my leave - which didn't include driving for a class field trip, or attending a work seminar, or cleaning the house - I had to ask if I had been good to the body that has been so good to me... the body that, if I truly considered a temple of the Holy Spirit, should have been free of litter.

I've rediscovered lessons that I now want to share with you, with the hope that you may draw strength and inspiration from what I've been through:

1. I should not hesitate to ask for help at work or at home.

2. Sleep is a working mom’s best friend!

3. I need to properly label my emotions. (As I mentioned, I just never allowed myself to admit that I do get stressed.)

4. Edison just gets sweeter and sweeter as the years go by! (He has been my in-house doctor from my recovery period until now. ♥)

5. I should stay protective of our family time as I always had.

6. I have built quite an empire... of prayer warriors, that is! My family and friends (near or far) will always be with me no matter what. I treasure you all!

7. No matter how close we are to God, He will find ways to pull us even closer to Him! :)


Dear Lord, Thank You for the lessons that You don't seem to want me to forget I had to have an ER episode and a forced leave! ;) Thank You for Edison, Edward and Alison, for all my family and friends - the greatest treasures I can ever have in this life! Thank You for my body – the earthly residence of my spirit and Yours. I will do my best to keep it healthy and strong that I may continue to honor You, and do Your will on earth. Amen.