Nothing is Hidden
In July 2006, I had a headache which lasted several days. When I mentioned to my family doctor that my father had died at age 51 of a brain aneurysm, she immediately ordered an MRI. The day after my MRI, she told my husband and I that I had a small brain tumor. I took the news calmly. It wasn’t until I was in the neurosurgeon’s office some weeks later that it hit me, hard. The neurosurgeon began talking and I suddenly felt sick and had to lie down. He continued talking to my husband. I guess he’d seen that sort of reaction before. When I recovered, he asked on the way out if I’d like to see the MRI films, and I said yes.
The neurosurgeon removed a 1 inch meningioma, a benign tumor in the outer covering of the brain. My pastor and several friends, ladies from our church, came to sit and pray with me and my husband prior to and during the surgery. Other families from church cared for our two children while I was surgery. Perhaps it sounds strange, but I consider that day a very special gift from God to me and my family. My physical birth was in 1966, spiritual birth in 1979 and another chance at life in 2006.
God comforted me and my family in so many ways during that trial. He provided for our every need through our church, family friends, doctors and nurses and even this board. You dear sisters prayed and I’ll always be grateful.
Last year about this time, I was evaluated by a neuropsychologist due to short term memory loss. It was a very frightening and emotional time for me. I also had difficulty finding words for things.
As someone who loves words and earned a BA in English, this was very frustrating and upsetting to me. The doctor also determined I was having difficulty getting information in in the first place, as well as suffering from mild to moderate depression. I had several sessions of cognitive therapy to learn soem coping skills and strategies. I visited a counselor for one session but was reluctant to place my care in the hands of someone who looked to man rather than God for answers. Eventually, I agreed to try a low dose of a newer antidepressant and it’s been helping me. I also have the name of a Christian counselor I intend to see in the near future.
There is still a stigma attached to mental health problems. People are afraid of what others will think or say. Am I losing it? Am I really going crazy? How will my problem affect my family? Will I have to be locked up somewhere?
The scripture says everything done and said in the dark will be brought into the light.
“For nothing is concealed except to be revealed, and nothing hidden except to come to light.” Mark 4:22
The sooner we allow God to shine the light of His Truth in the dark crevices of our hearts, the sooner he can begin healing and restoring us.
March 14th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
What a fantastic and close-to-the-heart post! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the rest of us!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thank you, Lavena! That was a very encouraging post!
March 17th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Lavena your post was great. I’ve suffered with quite severe mental health problems since I was 14, but am well now. Mine were brought about by abuse as a child, but God made a way and slowly I learnt to look at my memories, cry about the hurt, then I was able to move on. This took 6 years, with stays for up to three months in hospital practically for all 6 yrs. God enabled all that darkness to come into his marvellous light and He did a work of healing. How marvellous he is!
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Yvonne, Thanks for the kind words about my post. Thanks too for your testimony that God can and does heal. I’m so grateful for what God is doing in both of our lives and your courage in sharing. I was a little afraid of what others might think or say, but I know God will protect me and my real friends will rejoice in God’s provision.