Mark 10:27New International Version

²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

In three days my life will change as I know it. I am ready for it. I am looing forward to it. I looking forward to the time I don’t have to use my walker to get around. I am looking forward to being able to walk and breathe without calculating every step and wondering if I will need to sit down and take a break because I’m out of breath or feeling like my legs are going to collapse and my back is going to give out. I have been anxiously awaiting this day, for many reasons.

When I started on this journey to have bariatric gastric sleeve surgery, I had one goal in mind; lose enough weight to begin radiation treatments for the cancer that invaded my body. Now I have many goals. Getting the treatments are still at the top of my list, but other things are starting to come into play that I never even considered. I will be able to walk better, taking the weight off my arthritic spine and joints, being able to leave the portable oxygen concentrator behind and truly enjoy life.

It has been 10 months since I started this journey. Changing the way I eat and incorporating exercise into my life, something I once thought I couldn’t do, because of so many health problems. I have lost almost 40 pounds on my own, which doesn’t seem like very much when you have over 100+ pounds to lose, but I have done it! I am proud of myself, not in a boastful way, but in a very thankful way that Jesus has been with me through every single step.

I know it won’t be easy. Nothing worth having ever is, but I have learned when you set your mind to it and are determined to follow through, nothing is impossible. Nothing is impossible with God on our side. Nothing. Eventually, my goal is to lose 279 pounds. It will take years, but I know I can do it. I have an amazing medical team, support from family and friends and most of all I have Jesus.

The cancer is not spreading, so I am very thankful for that blessing. I am thankful for all the people in my life that continue to encourage me and cheer me on, when I wonder if my goals will become reality.

Life is ever changing. We can learn to embrace it or we can stay stuck. I was stuck long enough. It took me having cancer invade my body and normal treatments to get rid of it, not working, as we had hoped, to realize that if I kept going at the rate I was, I might die of obesity. So, I bit the bullet, and started working toward the goal of this upcoming surgery and life change. For years, I had medical professionals and family suggest this type of surgery, but I was stubborn and didn’t want to do it, didn’t want to give up foods that were ultimately killing me, slowly. Not anymore.

No matter what type of change you are facing in your life today, know that Jesus is right there with you, in every little detail. He will get you through anything, if you just trust Him. He loves you. He doesn’t want to see you remain stuck, he wants to push you and grow you into the person He created you to be. It’s never too late.

Remember that every mess you go through in life is a message that Jesus can use to encourage others, and every test you face, can be a testimony to the goodness of God. He is always listening, always available and He will never leave you, ever. #HopeAlwaysHaveFaith

Blessings to all until next time~Carlene