Monday, September 22, 2014

I'M A MESS

Ever since SURVIVING cancer, I can't seem to get myself in order. The collateral for my new publishing company fell through, and honestly, I'm fine with that. I prayed and asked God to open and close the doors. He clearly closed that one. So, I'm simply going to save what I can to publish one of my own stories and let one of my books be the guinea pig before I branch out with other people's books. But that means . . . I have to write. Me. No one else. It's all up to me to be the one to WRITE.

I've been so disillusioned because I haven't been able to write! There are so many reasons why.

Chemo/radiation did something to my brain. I remember it happening, how I couldn't think as sharply, suffering from forgetfulness and making the stupidest mistakes in spelling, it's really laughable. Back in January when I took on homeschooling, I approved of my daughter's spelling of "doll" as "DALL," until my son noticed it and made the correction. I mean . . . who does that? Of course, that was months ago, way back in January, and I've "learned" how to spell "doll" since then, LOL, but that's the kind of stuff I was facing. Actually, homeschooling has been a good "brain gym" exercise for me, and I can feel myself resharpening those "brainwave" connections.

I was also hoping to get my third book back from my publisher. They won't release the contract, and so I said I'd never write it. Not as a punishment, but just because it wasn't worth it financially. Ya know? It's A LOT of work writing a novel, especially one that long and that full of emotion and strife. But then, I keep getting this nudge from God about how my "yes should be yes, and my no should be no." After all, I DID sign a contract. I feel like I'm such a horrible person. My publisher helped me when I was sick, they stuck out their necks for me during that time, and prayed for me. And here I am begging to have my book back. Of course, it was all related to finances. But you know . . . I need to LET GO of my focus on MONEY. It truly is the root of all evil.

When I was dying, God provided for us in many "portions and in many ways." It's pretty foolish not to lean on Him now. Not to trust in Him after everything He's done for me. He CURED ME of cancer! What a fool I'd be NOT to TRUST Him now. I mean, really!

So . . . if DeWard will still have me, I WILL one day write that third book. I've got the story in my head. It needs to come out. But I just need to ask all of you for your understanding. For your patience. As I am not the same "Sandi" I used to be, and I'm still trying to figure "me" out, and I pray you'll forgive me when I make those foolish, perhaps "unfeeling" mistakes, as I'm trying to find this new path God has set me on. The only way that third book is going to be any good is if I "practice" a bit and warm up some by writing other things.

I'm working on a light story right now, and for the first time since before cancer, I've actually written two full chapters! For most writers of novels, that's not much, but for me, it's HUGE! It's GINORMOUS! I can also tell it's good for my "brain." So few understand what I've been going through. Just because the cancer is gone, doesn't mean the side-effects from all that poison put into me is gone. I'm constantly faced with remnants of it on a daily basis.

Focusing my time, my MIND, on my kids has been thee BEST thing I could have done. Teaching them, and giving them my ALL . . . I can't go wrong there. Ya know? Now, I'm comfortable enough to branch out a tiny bit more.

So, I'm asking for your prayers. You see, the other reason I couldn't write is because it became my idol. It was ALL I did. I neglected giving my kids the time and attention they deserved and needed when I was writing. I DON'T WANT to become that person again. I pray constantly that I won't, and right now, it's NOT a temptation. I'm not as OBSESSED as I used to be about writing. I enjoy it, but I don't NEED it. I'm not living, breathing, eating it. If that makes any sense. So now you know. That's my confession, and my sin. Despite that, I think God is slowly giving this gift back to me, little by little, in slow increments. And I'm happy to go slow, happy to move in three speeds: slow, slower, and slowest when it comes to writing. I don't ever want it to take over my family and my life like it did in the past.

Well, that's all I have to say. Time for bed, and I pray those people I've disappointed and have hurt will have the heart to forgive me. So many had done things for me while I was sick, and I was too sick and oblivious to realize just "how much" they did, and I know I've hurt some people's feelings by not expressing enough gratitude for what they did do. On top of that, I can't keep up on all the good that was done for me. I can't keep up with all the thanks I owe to so many! Please know, I'm grateful! I'm thankful! But most of all, I'm thankful to my Holy Father because HE'S the one who brought me all these wonderful gifts through all of you. Thank you for being willing to let Him use you as His instrument. I pray He blesses you for blessing me.

21 comments:

  1. God bless you, Sandi, as you continue to heal. :-)

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  2. Hang on in there Sandi, you'll get back on track. Not money but the love of money is the root of all evil. Sadly , without money we can't do anything. Stay strong and write on.

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  3. Finding yourself overwhelmed in overwhelming circumstances doesn't make you a mess, just human. It sounds like you're meeting your life with as much wisdom as you can, which is a good thing. Don't beat yourself up. Writing is hard. Beautiful and addictive and draining and hard. Taking your time with it sounds like the perfect approach to me.

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    1. Thanks, Rachel. It is HARD. It's nice to see someone who understands. :-)

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  4. You have made enormous strides and will do more, keep the faith and keep trying. God be with you each and everyday as you travel this journey...
    Paula O

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  5. I read this last night on my phone but didn't have time to type everything then I wanted to say. Maybe I won't have time now either but I'll give it a shot.

    I may not have endured cancer but I can still relate to almost everything you're saying. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis (and an undiagnosed condition that causes me abdominal pain) and the old me is gone, probably never to return. I can't do many of the things I used to be able to do. My mobility is greatly diminished. My stamina is greatly diminished. My energy is greatly diminished. I get "fibro fog" or "brain fog" and I can't think straight sometimes. I take a handful of vitamins every day just to reach a point of "semi-functional" but nothing gets me back to normal. Some days are better than others, but I always have limited "spoons" and I never know how many spoons I'm going to have each day, it's a random number. (If you don't know what I mean by spoons, please look up spoon theory. Lupus and Fibromyalgia are so closely related that they are sometimes misdiagnosed for each other.) Some days I'm able to do a lot. Some days I'm able to do very little. Some days I push through because something MUST be done, and then I'm non-functional for 2-3 days afterward because of it. And all this while I am HEAVILY dependent on my family to help me. I need help with things every single day. I know for sure I don't say "Thank you" enough, because sometimes the words "Thank you" just feel so empty and hollow and it feels like people don't believe me because I say it so often it loses some of its meaning. But not saying it doesn't help either. It's like there is no way to win that one. And then there are all my grand ideas for how we're going to make a little extra money... generally they don't work, they don't bring in enough money to even pay a month's worth of bills much less enough to live off of. And sometimes my grand schemes cost us money instead of making money, so that doesn't go over very will with the bread-winner of the family. The loss of my health wasn't just my own either. My husband lost his wife too: I'm a different person than he married. I planted all these trees in the yard but now he has to take care of them because I can't. I used to work hard on the house but now I can't even do laundry, I have to have help with that. I'm 46 years old but some days I feel like I'm 90. I just can't move, and everything hurts. That wasn't the life my husband signed up for, you know? Everything is wrong. But somehow we have to figure out how to make it work out right. I don't have any answers for you. But I sure could relate to a lot of what you were saying. Sometimes life steals our health from us, steals our plans from us, even steals our giftings from us, or damages us so that we're not able to use our giftings to the fullest potential. I don't know what to do with that. It just amplifies that everything is wrong, and I can't wait to get to heaven where it will all be fixed again. Until then... we just keep doing the best we can with what we have.

    God bless you,
    -Laurene

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    1. Laurene, I can relate to everything you're experiencing! All of it and then some. I'm grateful that I'm now able to do more and be the mom I long to be. Like you said, we set our eyes above. I'm looking forward to that new body we're promised. Love you, sweet friend. xxx

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  6. Hi Sandi,
    You have been a real source of encouragement to me and I'm sure many people. I can't imagine what you're going through, but I will certainly be praying for you. Regarding your difficulty with mental focus as a result of the ravages of chemo and radiation, I have a suggestion. Many people have experienced amazing results from coconut oil. Pure coconut oil is a powerful brain nutrient and has been shown to reverse Alzheimer, dementia, and other brain disorders. There are many online testimonials and discussions about this such as youtube.com/watch?v=OoC8Z4klFlk is just one. Thanks again for the inspiration,
    Guy

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    1. Guy! THANK YOU SO MUCH for this information! I've got raw coconut oil and use it for my eyes (I have severe dry eye because of the chemo, so at night, I put it in my eyes to keep them moist). Anyway, I haven't eaten it yet! So, I guess I'll start doing that now! Again, thank you! I shared this video with my family too because my grandma had alzheimer's, so I know they'll be interested in this too. Bless you! ~Sandi

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  8. Sandi,

    I had never seen your blog before. If you set up this one, your brain must be working pretty well. It really is beautiful.

    You and I don't know each other, but we have a kind of disconnected connection through Roy Davison. He has hosted some of my articles and books on his website, because I dared not ask anyone to publish for fear of rejection.

    Judging from your sidebar, I see you have sold several books already. Way to go! Keep your chin up and stay in touch.

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    1. I've been working on a book series that I've been afraid to ask anyone to publish for fear of rejection also. Been through some difficult times of my own and just don't have the emotional stamina I'm afraid I need to face mountains of rejection before I get that one acceptance. Congratulations on finding an avenue for release Pilgrim!

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    2. Pilgrim, thanks for your encouraging comments. Can you send me a link to your articles on Roy's site? I'd love to see them. :-)

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    3. "...Remember me, O my God, for good"​ ​(Neh. 13:31b).

      ​Books;

      The picture when I was 50 is deceiving. I have passed my 75th year now and a newer photo is located at the link just under the "young me."

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  9. Sandi,

    Your faith has carried you through some very challenging times in your life. You need to continue to rely on it, perhaps reinforce it, The Healing Center, 303-721-8900, 7100 E. Belleview, Greenwood Village, CO, the healing center@earthlink.net, has played an integral in helping me repair the damage chemotherapy did to my brain. If you check them out, tell them I suggested you contact them. Dr. Marie Starling is a wonder!

    Take care,
    Don

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    1. Don, THANK YOU for this! I'll definitely look into that. I had no idea you had chemo! When was that? I'm sorry to hear it. I'll definitely check this doctor out. I'll also tell them you sent me. Thank you! And thank you for your encouraging words.

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WHEN THE WORLD SAYS YOU CAN'T, FAITH SAYS YOU CAN!