IN YOUR OWN WORDS KEEPING THE FAITH BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR BRINGS MAY FLOWERS BY GIGI GALEN, VOICE VENDOR RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: KAREN BEEMAN SUMMING UP THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR This year has been hard on me, but since four weeks ago, I have been cancer-free. The doctors I have have given me the best treatment ever. I want to give special thanks to all of those doctors, nurses, and all of the others, who give us care. I’m very grateful for that. Now, I get to look forward to surgery, which is two weeks away. Just wish they found out I needed it over a year ago. I can’t believe how fast time is going this year. Hopefully, after my surgery, time will move just as quickly. A little while ago, I came home from seeing the heart doctor. He set me up for more tests in May. He believes the meds from the chemo are messing my heart up. My EKG looked better than the last time they checked my heart. I’m hoping that once all of these tests and treatments are over, my body will go back to normal. Just now, I got a call about my other health issue, and my pre-op appointment for my surgery has been moved up to May 2. I feel like maybe things are looking up for me, I feel like the last half of this year will be my best, and I will enjoy it with all my heart. PLANNING FOR THE SECOND HALF Being a person who loves to put smiles on the faces of others, it has been very hard to not be around anyone. When you deal with cancer and go through chemo and radiation treatments, you have to be very careful so you don’t get sicker from anyone you come into contact with. Boy, I can’t wait to make everyone smile or lift them up! Going months mostly by yourself is very hard. I am lonely because I don’t like being alone. I’m okay by myself, but I prefer being around others. ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN Once I’m clear of all of my health issues and get the okay to be around everyone, I’m going to look into being a volunteer somewhere to help others. That will be fun for me. When you help others and do it from your heart, you will see how full of happiness your heart will be! When you help others, you will find your troubles no longer seem as bad. Blessings will come back to you tenfold. I’ve learned that no matter what health issues you may be going through, you have to go through it with a positive attitude. Allow no negativity to get trapped in your head. You don’t want negativity around you when you are dealing with your health. Don’t worry about it. Just deal with it. Worrying does nothing good for you, and it won’t change anything. LOVING SELF I learned how to care about me, and I can tell you that taking care of Self starts with Self-love. Self-care, Self-love, and Self-worth are everything. If you make time for them, you will have a blessed life. Never give up on Self. Believe you can do whatever you put your mind to! Don’t give anyone power over you. No one but you should have power over you Always say to Self, “I can, and I will stay strong.” because if you don’t, no one else can do that for you. KEEPING THE FAITH My faith has kept me going. You can’t see your blessings if you don’t have faith that you will receive them. I’m very grateful for my faith. It has helped me get through all of the hard times I’ve been through. It has kept me positive to know I will get through anything that comes my way. I have found out how strong I truly am. ■ 12 DENVER VOICE May 2024
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