Incidental Finding
I contemplated blogging about the ladder part of 2024. This past season called for mindful recovery and readjusting at a slower pace beyond my own desire. Yet, there were gentle reminders of how these life moments did not catch God by surprise. This particular encounter shifted the narrative with an “incidental finding”. Finding out about another factor with health…navigating livelihood shifts…asking God for His guidance in it all.
On the brink of what felt as if we were mounting a “cruise” mode to refocus from coming out of a journey with my dad, being hospitalized and literally being away from home for 4 months. Working remotely, advocating for his health, praying, facing warfare and at times running interference. Winding down and feeling a sense of calm, preparing to return to my home. Thinking about summer vacation and just simply being grateful. God was working to bring more health history and genetics to light, than I was totally aware of. The fight and advocacy for my dad was going to help doctors in the face of this “incidental finding”. God knew, I had no idea.
After returning back home, specialist were ordering back-to-back labs and tests…follow ups were a little too frequent for me, but I understood it was necessary for my well-being. We didn’t know what the summer would look like for us. But, it was starting to give snippets of what we experienced February 2013-June 2013. I wasn’t trying to take that ride again. We prayed, leaned into our village and asked God for guidance. He encamped us with Godly providers who were intentional to be proactive, approach this “incidental finding” with instinct and ultimately believe for better.
The Process: In preparation for an infusion, insurance required a test to rule out any potential issues or harmful side effects. Well, I was clear with no issues, but there was a discovery of what was named an “incidental finding”. This “incidental finding” raised medical concerns with specialist per genetic predispositions with B12 deficiency/Pernicious Anemia. It was as if another round of health factors were being challenged to rule out cardiovascular anomalies, neurological sensitivities, or other medical concerns. These factors led my specialists to running more test and ultimately performing what they considered a “very major surgery”. I was nervous and unsure about it all. Yet believed, God was with me and giving answers for prevention while learning more about the impact of genetics with mixed heritage ancestry. My doctors were relentless with providing understanding and how this would impact my life. Recovery required more tests, rest, restrictions (oh joy) and vocal rest (no singing) . It was not all clear, but this was calling us to once again pause to readjust and trust the process. All in all, this “incidental finding” gave us time to rest- reset- recharge with what has felt like a “fresh start”.
Beyond my own humanity and fears, I’m grateful for what was learned and discovered as an “incidental finding”. This “incidental finding” showed us, once again, how life can be mixed with unforeseen moments that call you to show up in a different way. Whether it’s a situation you involuntarily find yourself having to navigate from in health, work, life/livelihood, loss, relationships…whatever it is any “incidental finding” can render feelings of perplexity, shock, disappointment or simply being numb. Being mindful, sometimes the “strong soldier” may need a season to relax and simply be. Feeling the resistance to “fight through it” once again. Lamenting through the inquisitive emotions “have I not fought and shifted enough already?” Living and learning, the feelings or questions with exhaustion neither define nor diminishes one’s faith. Yet, the vulnerable posture releases a will of embracing the “carefree moment” to gracefully let go and let God be whatever you need Him to be.
Here’s to entering 2025 and simply being thankful for God being our all in all throughout 2024.
May the light of God’s love shine where you have felt the heaviness and load of life. Rest-reset-recharge as often as you need, knowing that God will always be with you no matter where you incidentally find yourself in life.
~Corri Rose~