{"id":1492,"date":"2024-03-13T10:29:06","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T21:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/?p=1492"},"modified":"2024-03-13T10:43:07","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T21:43:07","slug":"blog-13-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/blog-13-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog 13 &#8211; Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1492\" class=\"elementor elementor-1492\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72084974 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72084974\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7d83a0d7\" data-id=\"7d83a0d7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a449a7e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a449a7e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ec0dd42\" data-id=\"ec0dd42\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b35cd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8b35cd9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 20-03-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Just Ask<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-38e72c2 elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"38e72c2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ed8102\" data-id=\"2ed8102\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d58d4ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d58d4ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 20-03-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"534\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Go-be-healthy-and-enjoy-your.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1487\" alt=\"\u201cGo &amp; be healthy and enjoy your retirement\u201d, my surgeon said. February 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Go-be-healthy-and-enjoy-your.jpg 534w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Go-be-healthy-and-enjoy-your-262x300.jpg 262w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-411a4a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"411a4a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u201cGo & be healthy and enjoy your  retirement\u201d, my surgeon said. February 2024<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb763e7\" data-id=\"bb763e7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-610c8a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"610c8a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 20-03-2024 *\/\n.elementor-accordion{text-align:left}.elementor-accordion .elementor-accordion-item{border:1px solid #d5d8dc}.elementor-accordion .elementor-accordion-item+.elementor-accordion-item{border-top:none}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title{margin:0;padding:15px 20px;font-weight:700;line-height:1;cursor:pointer;outline:none}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon{display:inline-block;width:1.5em}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon.elementor-accordion-icon-right{float:right;text-align:right}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon.elementor-accordion-icon-left{float:left;text-align:left}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon .elementor-accordion-icon-closed{display:block}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon .elementor-accordion-icon-opened,.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-accordion-icon-closed{display:none}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title.elementor-active .elementor-accordion-icon-opened{display:block}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-content{display:none;padding:15px 20px;border-top:1px solid #d5d8dc}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title{padding:12px 15px}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-title .elementor-accordion-icon{width:1.2em}.elementor-accordion .elementor-tab-content{padding:7px 15px}}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-accordion,.e-con>.elementor-widget-accordion{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1011\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1011\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-ribbon\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M6.1 444.3c-9.6 10.8-7.5 27.6 4.5 35.7l68.8 27.9c9.9 6.7 23.3 5 31.3-3.8l91.8-101.9-79.2-87.9-117.2 130zm435.8 0s-292-324.6-295.4-330.1c15.4-8.4 40.2-17.9 77.5-17.9s62.1 9.5 77.5 17.9c-3.3 5.6-56 64.6-56 64.6l79.1 87.7 34.2-38c28.7-31.9 33.3-78.6 11.4-115.5l-43.7-73.5c-4.3-7.2-9.9-13.3-16.8-18-40.7-27.6-127.4-29.7-171.4 0-6.9 4.7-12.5 10.8-16.8 18l-43.6 73.2c-1.5 2.5-37.1 62.2 11.5 116L337.5 504c8 8.9 21.4 10.5 31.3 3.8l68.8-27.9c11.9-8 14-24.8 4.3-35.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-ribbon\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M6.1 444.3c-9.6 10.8-7.5 27.6 4.5 35.7l68.8 27.9c9.9 6.7 23.3 5 31.3-3.8l91.8-101.9-79.2-87.9-117.2 130zm435.8 0s-292-324.6-295.4-330.1c15.4-8.4 40.2-17.9 77.5-17.9s62.1 9.5 77.5 17.9c-3.3 5.6-56 64.6-56 64.6l79.1 87.7 34.2-38c28.7-31.9 33.3-78.6 11.4-115.5l-43.7-73.5c-4.3-7.2-9.9-13.3-16.8-18-40.7-27.6-127.4-29.7-171.4 0-6.9 4.7-12.5 10.8-16.8 18l-43.6 73.2c-1.5 2.5-37.1 62.2 11.5 116L337.5 504c8 8.9 21.4 10.5 31.3 3.8l68.8-27.9c11.9-8 14-24.8 4.3-35.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Blog<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1011\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1011\"><p><strong>Freedom<\/strong><\/p><p>\u201cI thought you had a couple of ablations to sort your crazy heart rhythms out\u201d, my surgeon said as his fingers gently probed around my recently implanted defibrillator. \u201cThey didn\u2019t think about putting it on the other side?\u201d \u00a0Mr Daynes had asked me to consider having an equalizing mammoplasty at my last surgical appointment &amp; I had decided that yes, I would. But a lot had changed since that appointment. In September 2023 my \u201ccrazy arrhythmias\u201d necessitated the implanting of a cardiac defibrillator \/ pacemaker in my upper left chest wall, just where he needed to create the long incision to reduce the size of my remaining left breast.<\/p><p>\u201c<strong>I don\u2019t<\/strong> <strong>ever<\/strong> <strong>want to see this <\/strong>when I\u2019m doing it\u201d, he emphasized, nudging the generator box. \u201cThe last thing you need is an infection going down that lead into your heart if I touch it during surgery &#8230; I\u2019m not sure we should even do this &#8230;. look Marie, you\u2019ve had a hell of a health journey these last 10 years &#8230; I took half your large bowel out with that cancer in 2013 &#8230; and then 2 ablations and G _ _ knows how many cardioversions &#8230; look at that trauma on your leg &#8230; and 2 breast cancers &#8230; that awful chemotherapy experience \u00a0&#8230; radiotherapy &#8230; all that pacemaker\/defibrillator stuff &#8230; your husband with Alzheimer\u2019s. And now you\u2019re finally good with your heart rhythm and feeling healthy.\u201d He took my hand and our eyes met. \u201cI think you should just go and be healthy and enjoy your retirement. Let\u2019s not do this. I\u2019m going to hand you over to your GP now.\u201d And with that my breast cancer surgical journey is done.<\/p><p><strong>\u201cI\u2019m going to give you an exemption\u201d<\/strong><\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/I-will-have-24-7-cardiac-monitoring-.jpg\" alt=\"I will have 24\/7 cardiac monitoring &amp; \nsurveillance for the rest of my life via \nmy Medtronic home monitor. I keep an eye\non my cardiac rhythms with my Apple watch.\n\" width=\"538\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/I-will-have-24-7-cardiac-monitoring-.jpg 538w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/I-will-have-24-7-cardiac-monitoring--300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/p><p><strong><em>I will have 24\/7 cardiac monitoring &amp; <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>surveillance for the rest of my life via <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>my Medtronic home monitor. I keep an eye<\/em><\/strong><br \/><strong><em>on my cardiac rhythms with my Apple watch.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Land Transport Agency) regulations are very clear that a person who has an implanted cardiac defibrillator should not drive for 6 months &#8230; and that\u2019s what my medical certificate on discharge said too; \u201cMarie must not drive for at least 6 months\u201d. I explained in my last blog how difficult this has been, especially with Jim\u2019s increasing health and support needs.\u00a0 How I longed for March 19<sup>th<\/sup> 2024 to arrive, when I could finally drive. I did everything I could to stay well and collected proof of a stable rhythm since discharge. I rode almost 500km on my eBike getting groceries and doing regular chores without any problems. I recorded the occasional episode of atrial fibrillation on my Apple watch, but my Medtronic home monitoring device relayed evidence daily to cardiac physiologists in Wellington revealing stable sinus rhythm. I was energetic and felt truly well for the first time in years, free from troublesome cardiac arrhythmias. This ban seemed so stupid and pointless. I spent hours formulating convincing arguments in my head that I could present to my cardiologist on the 29<sup>th<\/sup> January to allow me to drive &#8230; 7 weeks early.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>I arrived at my his office wearing my cycling clothes and carrying my helmet &amp; gloves, ready to explain that I had ridden over 500km on my bike, had not experienced any arrhythmias and felt really well.<\/p><p>\u201cDr Ramadan, would you mind just listening to me for 2 or 3 minutes please\u201d, I asked after initial pleasantries. \u201cI think I have a solid case to present to you &#8230;. both physically and emotionally for allowing me to drive &#8230;. because &#8230;.\u201d<\/p><p>\u201cMarie, I am going to give you an exemption\u201d, he interrupted with a very calm and empathetic tone.<\/p><p>\u201c &#8230; because I am absolutely fine and I am more fit and energetic than I &#8230;.\u201d<\/p><p>\u201c<strong>Marie, I am going to give you an exemption\u201d<\/strong>, he repeated, beaming broadly. \u201cI can see from your home monitoring data to Wellington that you are in a stable cardiac condition and &#8230;.\u201d<\/p><p>I burst out sobbing, head in hands &#8230;. \u201cOh thank you, thank you, thank you\u201d &#8230;.. I sobbed and sobbed, shoulders heaving, completely overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.<\/p><p>\u201cNo! Marie, don\u2019t cry!\u201d, he beseeched, \u201cDon\u2019t cry! I thought you would be happy that I am allowing you to drive again\u201d.<\/p><p>\u201cOh I am, I am, I am so happy\u201d, I sobbed, unable to contain this uncharacteristic outburst of emotion. \u201cI am, thank you so much&#8230;.\u201d<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/On-holiday-with-Jim-at-Lottin-Point.jpg\" alt=\"On holiday with Jim at Lottin Point, \nEast Cape, February 2024\n\" width=\"543\" height=\"693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/On-holiday-with-Jim-at-Lottin-Point.jpg 543w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/On-holiday-with-Jim-at-Lottin-Point-235x300.jpg 235w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px\" \/><\/p><p>With the sweep of his pen a letter was written giving me permission to return to driving on the 29<sup>th<\/sup> January 2024. One week later Jim and I set off in our motorhome, along with my brother and sister-in-law in their caravan, for a fabulous 16-day trip around the East Coast of the North Island. It was a wonderful holiday and celebration, made all the better by the joy of that wonderful 7-week reprieve. I followed my surgeon\u2019s advice and relished the luxury of driving our motorhome, being healthy and enjoying being retired!<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Jim-on-his-new-mobility-scooter.jpg\" alt=\"Jim on his new mobility scooter\nMarch 2024 \n\" width=\"512\" height=\"617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Jim-on-his-new-mobility-scooter.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Jim-on-his-new-mobility-scooter-249x300.jpg 249w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/p><p><em><strong>Jim on his new mobility scooter &#8211; March 2024<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>My husband Jim\u2019s decreasing mobility and increasing care needs are now presenting significant challenges for us. I am so glad to be free from debilitating cardiac arrhythmias and breast cancer at the moment. This helps me to more effectively support him through his Alzheimer\u2019s and Lewy Body Dementia journey. We purchased a second-hand \u201ctravel\u201d mobility scooter last week. It is small enough for me to lift in and out of the car by myself and to fit on the back of our motorhome. During the last week we have enjoyed scooting alongside the Manawatu River and Esplanade, around the Rural Games in Palmerston North watching the National Timber Sports (wood chopping), fencing competitions and dog trials. Jim loved being back in the farming scene. We\u2019ve browsed and issued books from the library,\u00a0 collected things we\u2019ve needed from Mitre 10 hardware store, and enjoyed scooting to our local bar\/restaurant for \u00a0an evening meal. What a joy and blessing it is for both Jim and I to be more independent and mobile.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1012\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1012\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-ribbon\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M6.1 444.3c-9.6 10.8-7.5 27.6 4.5 35.7l68.8 27.9c9.9 6.7 23.3 5 31.3-3.8l91.8-101.9-79.2-87.9-117.2 130zm435.8 0s-292-324.6-295.4-330.1c15.4-8.4 40.2-17.9 77.5-17.9s62.1 9.5 77.5 17.9c-3.3 5.6-56 64.6-56 64.6l79.1 87.7 34.2-38c28.7-31.9 33.3-78.6 11.4-115.5l-43.7-73.5c-4.3-7.2-9.9-13.3-16.8-18-40.7-27.6-127.4-29.7-171.4 0-6.9 4.7-12.5 10.8-16.8 18l-43.6 73.2c-1.5 2.5-37.1 62.2 11.5 116L337.5 504c8 8.9 21.4 10.5 31.3 3.8l68.8-27.9c11.9-8 14-24.8 4.3-35.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-ribbon\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M6.1 444.3c-9.6 10.8-7.5 27.6 4.5 35.7l68.8 27.9c9.9 6.7 23.3 5 31.3-3.8l91.8-101.9-79.2-87.9-117.2 130zm435.8 0s-292-324.6-295.4-330.1c15.4-8.4 40.2-17.9 77.5-17.9s62.1 9.5 77.5 17.9c-3.3 5.6-56 64.6-56 64.6l79.1 87.7 34.2-38c28.7-31.9 33.3-78.6 11.4-115.5l-43.7-73.5c-4.3-7.2-9.9-13.3-16.8-18-40.7-27.6-127.4-29.7-171.4 0-6.9 4.7-12.5 10.8-16.8 18l-43.6 73.2c-1.5 2.5-37.1 62.2 11.5 116L337.5 504c8 8.9 21.4 10.5 31.3 3.8l68.8-27.9c11.9-8 14-24.8 4.3-35.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">The Gift<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1012\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1012\"><p><strong>The Gift<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1521\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/My-last-dose-of-Zolidronic-acid.jpg\" alt=\"My last dose of Zolidronic acid, \nPalmerston North, December 2023\n\" width=\"501\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/My-last-dose-of-Zolidronic-acid.jpg 501w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/My-last-dose-of-Zolidronic-acid-300x290.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" \/><br \/><\/strong><\/p><p><em><strong>My last dose of Zolidronic acid,\u00a0Palmerston North, December 2023<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>Almost immediately after biopsy and diagnosis of the first invasive ductal carcinoma in September 2021, I felt God saying to me that this journey was to be a gift. I was surprised but chose to accept what He had said and look for whatever these gifts were going to be. Several days after the initial lumpectomy surgery my Surgeon and Nurse Practitioner broke the news that one of the sentinel nodes biopsied from that surgery was packed full with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. This was very unexpected for them too. It was very bad news and would require urgent radical mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was Grade 3 and could be life-limiting. I had never faced an existential crisis such as this before. I wasn\u2019t sure how this could even remotely be considered <strong><u>a gift<\/u><\/strong>. \u201cGod &#8230; what are You doing?\u201d<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Waiting-for-my-daily-radiotherapy.jpg\" alt=\"Waiting for my daily radiotherapy \nsession, February 2022\n\" width=\"472\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Waiting-for-my-daily-radiotherapy.jpg 472w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Waiting-for-my-daily-radiotherapy-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px\" \/><\/p><p><em><strong>Waiting for my daily radiotherapy <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>session, February 2022<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>I\u2019ve been reflecting back on the gifts of this two-and-a-half-year cancer journey. The 2 unexpected diagnoses in September 2021 caught me completely by surprise. Suddenly I felt incredibly vulnerable, realizing that I could be dead within the next 3-5 years. <em>Psalm 139 verse 16 in my Bible says, \u201cYou saw who you created me to be before I became me. Before I\u2019d even seen the light of day the number of days You planned for me were already recorded in Your book\u201d <\/em>(The Passion translation)<em>.<\/em>\u00a0 But I didn\u2019t realise my days were to be cut so short. Who exactly <u>did<\/u> God create me to be? Was I doing whatever He planned and designed me to be? How would I know that? I had never specifically looked for \u201cgifts\u201d in my everyday circumstances before. Suddenly I felt thrust into a much-bigger-than-me experience. But now I can see that this experience has changed and enhanced my life. It has truly been a gift.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li>When I had no hair and looked terrible, I learned not to worry about what people think; put a smile on your face and be friendly. Say what you really think and be genuine.<\/li><li>I began looking for and noticing the beauty in my surroundings and in the people I was with.<\/li><li>I imagined and then began feeling the wrap-around love of God with me every single day and I talked to Him about everything. I heard love in His voice and warm presence of the Holy Spirit.<\/li><li>I read the Bible voraciously, looking for whatever He wanted to show me. It was and is always so encouraging, affirming and life-giving. I am reading and believing the whole Bible now, not just cherry-picking nice or familiar bits.<\/li><li>I am much more likely to consciously imagine what circumstances might be like for others and reach out to offer help and support, having received so much myself.<\/li><li>I am more willing to try new things and not worry about being amazingly knowledgeable or competent. I will be a success just by participating and enjoying.<\/li><li>I am discovering the incredible life-giving power of gratitude.<\/li><li>I can see God in my suffering and discomfort. He is growing me, not punishing me.<\/li><li>I realise that my situation is a win-win. I win if I survive and get to become more of the person God made me to be; to embrace and love others. I win if I die because I will be forever healed and free<\/li><\/ul><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1531\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Enjoying-being-healthy-and-retired.jpg\" alt=\"Enjoying being healthy and retired \nwith husband Jim, February 2024\n\" width=\"471\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Enjoying-being-healthy-and-retired.jpg 471w, https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Enjoying-being-healthy-and-retired-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px\" \/><\/p><p><em><strong>Enjoying being healthy and retired\u00a0with husband Jim, February 2024<\/strong><\/em><\/p><p>It feels surreal that my 6-monthly surgical appointments are all done and I am emerging from this journey that has presented so many life-changing gifts. Thanks to regular infusions of Zolidronic acid my bone density has significantly improved, reducing my risk of future bone metastases. I will continue to have annual mammograms and oncology follow-ups plus another 3 years of regular aromatase inhibitors to reduce the amount of oestrogen produced by my body. This will help to prevent recurrence of breast cancer. Now over 2 years on from the trauma of the diagnosis of both breast cancers, painful &amp; disfiguring surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, numerous appointments, investigations, follow-ups, and cardiac crisis I am emerging strong and grateful.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just Ask \u201cGo &#038; be healthy and enjoy your retirement\u201d, my surgeon said. February 2024 Blog Freedom \u201cI thought you had a couple of ablations to sort your crazy heart rhythms out\u201d, my surgeon said as his fingers gently probed around my recently implanted defibrillator. \u201cThey didn\u2019t think about putting it on the other side?\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1492"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1492"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1535,"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1492\/revisions\/1535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thegift.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}