Doc Joy holding a turtle at the Calauit Safari Park, Busuanga, Palawan
DAY 23 - PATIENCE
My patience was tested when my family and I went to the Calauit Safari Park in Palawan last August 2019. As I held a turtle on the palm of my hand, I had to wait for it to bring its head out from its shell. It took a while but it was worth seeing that little head even if I had qualms that I might drop the turtle accidentally. I had to give it back to the caretaker and watch it return to his abode slowly. He finally reached his destination. I remembered a saying that went ,“The turtle always wins even it is slow.”
As a cancer patient, you are given treatment options that are individualized and tailor made for you based on your type of cancer and stage. It may take a while for your attending physicians to come up with your treatment protocol because they want to be sure that it will be the best management for you. However, you may want to get your treatment over and done with immediately such that you do not see the signs that tell that you are not ready. Your hemoglobin may be low. Your white blood cell may be decreased. You may be undernourished. Your emotional wounds may also take time to heal. You may experience a roller coaster ride of emotions from denial to anger to depression and acceptance. You just need a little patience to allow your body, mind, soul and spirit to heal itself. You just need to wait and let the Lord heal you in His perfect time.
PAUSE
From Romans 8:25, "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.'"
PRAY
Lord, grant me the grace to wait for my body to heal after all the abuse that I have done to it. Make me open to patiently wait to receive Your mercy and unconditional love as You send people to help me in my healing journey. In Jesus Name. AMEN.
PERFORM
When you become impatient, take the time to pause. Do deep breathing exercises to clear your mind so you can relax today.