Jodie's Journey

Have Patience One year ago today, I was rushed into a lifesaving surgery due to a ruptured appendix and sepsis.  There was no time to waste. The surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia sprang into action.  It was an urgent situation.  At the time, patience was not an attribute that any of these people had.  They were serious.  They worked zealously to make sure that there was a positive outcome. So, what does all this have to do with patience? Everything.  It has been 365 days since my journey began.  Healing takes time.  I am still moving towards healing.  Patience… Recently, I heard a story about growing bamboo.  Did you know it takes 5 years to grow one stalk of bamboo? Bamboo seeds have to be nurtured.  They must have proper sunlight and water each day.  Every day the caretaker must water the seeds. As the years go by I’m sure that he hears jeering and people mocking him for watering a bare spot of ground.  People aski...

From The Message: 2 Corinthians 4: 15 and following So, we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more than meets the eye.  The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow.  But the things we can't see now will last forever. I am so thankful for God's grace and healing.  One year ago, I was in agony.  The pain I felt in my body was intense. Now, it's a fleeting memory.  God's plan is so good. His timing is right. One of the things I am most thankful for is my Williamston Primary School Family.  They showed so much love and faith in the months that I was sick.  They prayed! They prayed collectively and individually.  Fervent prayers for life and healing.  Th...

Rewind one year from today. The Monday before Thanksgiving.  I worked that day.  I had 4 children out with the stomach bug.  I wasn't feeling well myself.  I left work, picked Megan up from school, and went home.  That's when it hit me. The vomiting and diarrhea were awful.  I knew I had the stomach bug.  I went to bed.  The vomiting continued on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Thanksgiving), and Friday. On Thanksgiving day, I was hurting so bad. It honestly felt like labor pains.  My family was at Mama's having lunch.  I was still in bed.  The vomiting subsided on Saturday but I still could not eat.  I decided that I would go to the doctor on Monday.  I suffered through Sunday. On the Monday after Thanksgiving I was at the doctors office bright and early.  They drew blood and she told me that I was very dehydrated.  I had 2 choices: home with lots of water or ER for an IV. I decided to go back home.  Befo...

2 Corinthians 9:8-9 "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." I have been blessed with the most generous people in my life.  I have received so much support this year.  I worried about money, time off from work, how I was going to communicate, and so many other things.  Worry steals your joy.  God provided for me through the generosity of others. During this ordeal, my mortgage and car note was paid on time every month.  My lights stayed on. I have very few medical bills coming to my home because they were paid as they came in.  When I ran out of sick days at work, my colleagues donated days.  I received an email this week telling me that I was given 19.5 days this year and a day the last school year.  As teachers we are paid once a month...

Who am I to doubt the power of God's mighty hand? When I was in the hospital, my mama never doubted that I would be ok.  She believed in the physicians, the nurses, the prayers of friends, family, and strangers.  She KNEW that God would see me through.  There were very tough times and times my life hung in the balance.  She was always positive.  Always there.  Protecting me.  Telling me to breathe slowly. Trying to calm my anxious spirit. I cannot imagine how I would feel watching my child struggling to breathe leaving on a helicopter. I would crumble. You are so strong.  I have learned so much from you. Always, always push. Psalm 33 from The Message: The skies were made by God's command; he breathed the word and the stars popped out. He scooped the sea into his jug, put the ocean in his keg. Wow! God can do anything. I don't remember much about my time in critical care, but what I do remember is my family.  I remember mama right in ...

The Long Ride… Jodie L. Roberson Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Time Line August 2016 - Fatigue, Upper Left Quadrant Pain September 2016 – Colonoscopy, Endoscopy, CT (all Clear) October 2016 – Bariatric Surgeon – Come back if worse. November 2016 – Nausea, Vomiting – ER on Monday. On Tuesday, riding to pick up my car from the previous day’s hospital visit, Mama hit a pothole.  White, hot pain. ER again. Appendix ruptured, complicated by sepsis. Developed ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). Begged for intubation.  Told my mama that I was going to die.  Told everyone how much I loved them. This was my last memory.  December 2016 – Life Flight from MG to Vidant. 10% chance of survival. Arterial blood draws, Ventilator, Tracheostomy, Chest tubes, continued to have respirations at 60 breaths per minute.  Multiple surgeries to try to resolve infections.  Illiostomy, unable to stand, walk, speak, swal...