Carol's Blessings: My Miracle of Life

On Sunday when I went to church, I felt fine, but on Monday and Tuesday I felt like I had a virus. Wednesday arrived, and I didn't feel well, but better, and tried to do a few things around the house. I remember cooking supper which was still on the stove. My husband Claude said I had a butcher knife and meat fork on my plate as utensils. He said I was raising my hands to my mouth as if I were eating. When he spoke to me, I smiled. Realizing that something was wrong, he led me to the couch and asked if I knew who he was. I called him by his nephew's name. He called for help and I was taken to the hospital.

In the emergency room, I was so confused that I called everyone by the wrong name. Upon being admitted for observation, the family feared that I had been misdiagnosed with a stroke and requested a specialist. Two days later, by the grace of God, I was correctly diagnosed with viral meningitis, complicated by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, a combination which is so rare that only about 15 patients a year are diagnosed correctly and survive this disease.

Following an eight-day hospital stay and weeks of rehab at home, I was ready to relearn to walk. Claude held my hand each step of the way, until I could walk alone. As we walked up and down the driveway, I would say a prayer of Thanksgiving for the simple pleasures of life. Each day I would see His creation fresh and renewed. Following months of rehab, I was finally able to resume a normal lifestyle. Much later I would learn that three ladies in the area had been misdiagnosed with the same or similar diseases. I was the only survivor.

My blessings were immeasurable, including: my neighbor who was a nurse and showed Claude how to attach the IVs that were necessary for several weeks; my daughter's friend who is an occupational therapist who came countless times free of charge because my insurance wouldn't pay for this necessary treatment; church friends, neighbors, and family who provided many meals, cards, and numerous prayers; and especially my husband, children, and family who took off from work to sit with me and provide helping hands and loving hearts.

Each day is such a blessing. It touches my heart to awaken each morning, to know God answered the prayers of my family and friends. I feel He left me here to share this blessing with others.

When I hear people complain about the little things in life, such as the weather, the traffic, who won or lost a ballgame, I think, so what? We are here to enjoy today because yesterday is gone, we only have sweet memories, and tomorrow is never here. Each moment of this day is a gift from God!

Since my illness I had met many people who have not yet given their hearts to Jesus. I like to share my miracle with them, because I feel that this may be the reason I was left on earth a little longer. In this Season of Miracles, Remember that He is the reason for the season.

Carol Thurmond Bentley

2011