Had I hiked to heaven? Suddenly, my heart rate seemed to halt. My chest filled with captivating coldness. Was this a dream? My bones didn’t ache…yet. The thrill of the climb fueled my feet. Prayers and patience propelled my persistence to the peak. Months of building muscle with incline were paying off. It would be the first of several 14’ers,…or so I thought. Spinning slowly, I rotated 360 degrees detecting and distinguishing that which had only been real in diorama form. For many minutes I marveled. It was time to descend before the looming storm and darkness approached.
There was no training on how to descend. For me, it was harder than the climb. There were times the steep steps made my hips feel pierced with daggers. My side was sore and suffering. My spirit stayed strong. Stopping, I prayed, “God, give me the strength to muster my muscle for this deliberate decline. Let it be a delicate dip that that honors you with each careful step down to the valley.”
Many years and experiences have followed that feat. There were mountains, small and tall. Little things gave evidence to big things. Some I tried to hide in my daily strolls. Striking pain and sympathy for others placed me on a solo trip. Just like the guardian angels of the Himalayas, my sure-footed tribe became my Sherpas. Many miles became a few miles. Now, one mile is a miracle.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Ten days and one mile ago…
A building was its peak, and the air was warm; but not muggy. I had to take advantage of the cooler morning. I NEEDED this tiny mountain in my area. “You can do this, Karla,” I told myself. “God, give me strength for each step.”
The turtle talked of his rock. Squirrels scrambled and played games on the bridge. Trees told stories of long ago. The creek cried tears of happiness with me. For what seemed like an eternity I felt “home” again. Suddenly, sweat started beading on my body-my legs labored with my breath.
WAS IT ALREADY TIME TO REST? The laughter and chatter broke through the silence on the path. Smiling, I watched this gregarious group led by an exhausted leader. It was a group of Tigers from Republic (Missouri). The fearless leader spoke, and I gave her encouragement. My career began 31 years ago as a Tiger. We giggled about their enthusiasm and our commonality in careers (also, in personality, from what I could perceive). They wanted to tell me EVERYTHING. Have I told you how much I enjoy being around kids? My heart was so happy watching them wander off. It was just me, God, nature, and the silence again.
Silence on my short walk was stifled when I sat slumped on a rock. My heart was pounding through my chest. The air in my lungs burned like my feet. Had I even walked ONE mile? I thought of the peaks. My tiny precious grandgirl from Warrensburg was celebrating a birthday. My two other little grands from Texas popped up on my phone. They all became my little Sherpas. The peak became clear. My confidence grew with my grit. Facetime became a mini field trip. Missouri frogs, snakes, and a puppet center. Oh, the kindness felt when the workers met these precious faces on my tiny screen. Stickers were even given!
It was time to leave my tiny mountain range. Fatigue flattened me. Faith fueled me. It was time to go home and rest. Another mile was waiting for me-the medical mile. This range is made up of buildings, traffic, cars, and people. Some days it seems too high to climb. God and my Sherpas are by my side. 💚
Have you heard of NET, yet?🦓
I wrote the short “Medical Mile” on June 15th. The week prior I received an injection and shots to help boost my cells and platelets. Last Thursday I went in for a follow-up (weekly blood lab). One hour turned into 4 hours. The blood and cell counts even lower. It explained a lot of why I felt so lousy! On Friday I had a blood transfusion and two shots (one to boost red cell production and one for white to help reduce the risk of infection). They lost my blood from the day before (I MUST take it all in stride and with patience💕). A 24-hour pain crisis followed on early Saturday. Here I am, today, so happy to write to you. A surprise visit from a friend. A weekend filled with new blood, love and help from family, and even stronger faith. Weekly, I’ll go in for labs. In two weeks I’ll have another bone infusion. For those that might ask about my progress and goals-to stabilize the disease, extend my life, and keep me strong enough for treatments. Pain is part of the process-nerve damage, the size of the tumors, the bone mets, there are days better than others; just like we all have. I do feel weaker than a year ago. But my heart is staying strong. It’s all in the blood, my friends. Ultimately, it’s been there the entire time-the blood of Jesus! Like I always say, many have it worse. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. I’m not trying to be a hero. I’m just a middle-aged gal in MO with a rare cancer. I recognize and appreciate the good, balance what seems “bad”, and look at everything, I mean everything, with a heavenly perspective. We all battle something. I don’t have to walk a mile in your shoes to have compassion. I see you. I love you. God loves you.
Make each mile count. ❤️
The “mile” extends roughly from the St. John’s campus on 11 acres at 1235 E. Cherokee St., at National Avenue and Sunshine Street, to CoxHealth’s south campus at 3850 S. National Ave.
Long before the Medical Mile was imagined, both health systems had roots in Springfield.
St. John’s Hospital was formed in 1891 by three Sisters of Mercy, according to www.stjohns.com, and CoxHealth was founded in 1906 as Burge Deaconess Hospital. Source: Winkle, C. (2010, July 26). sbj.net/stories/no-1-springfields-medical-mile. Retrieved from Springfield Business Journal: https://sbj.net/stories/no-1-springfields-medical-mile,23640
My friends from SW MO are aware of the “Medical Mile”. The article above was from 2010. St. John’s is now Mercy Hospital. I’m thankful for both hospitals. Currently, my treatments are with several specialists from the Cox Health system. To those that donate blood–thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, I’m going to enjoy a visit with my family this week. Because of you, my legs and feet don’t hurt as bad today. Because of you, many people are living today. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️
Have faith💚
Flannel with Faith 
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