When I was 20 years old, I was diagnosed with a blood disorder that God used to change the trajectory of my life. I had completed my first year at Auburn as a fashion merchandising major. Just four days before I was to return for my second year, I was at CCI seeing an oncologist/hematologist because my platelet count was dangerously low. It was so low I had to be admitted to the hospital for a bone marrow biopsy to rule out leukemia. Thankfully, it was not leukemia and I was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), when your immune system destroys platelets. I had to drop out of college and for the next several months I endured numerous treatments including splenectomy and chemotherapy. The normal platelet count is 150,000- 400,000 and mine was usually 7,000- 10,000. A platelet count this low can cause internal bleeding or hemorrhaging that could be fatal.  I was in and out of the hospital and so weak at times it was all I could do to walk to and from the bathroom. 

I was fortunate to have had an incredible support system. My precious mother was always right by my side. Every time I went into the hospital she packed both our bags and she never left me until my discharge. When I did not feel like eating my brother and sister would try to spoon feed me anything they thought I might eat. Our entire community was praying for me. And the oncology nurses were my cheerleaders. They were always so uplifting and encouraging. They became my best friends, my heroes. I even changed my major to nursing in college because I wanted to be just like them.

At one point, I got so sick that when I went to sleep at night I did not know if I was going to wake up in the morning. One night as I was laying on the couch with my mom sitting at my feet, I told her if I died I was going to be ok and that I was at peace. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized what that must have been like for my mom. You see, five years prior she had lost her husband,my dad and now her 20 year old daughter was talking about her own death. She was 51 the same age I am now. I now know that He was giving us His Peace, His Strength and His Wisdom.

Finally right before Christmas, I had had numerous treatments but all had failed to increase my platelet count. I told the doctor I was ready to stop all treatments. I started feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally. That Christmas we got together with our extended family like we did every year but I had butterflies in my stomach. I was so excited to be ALIVE. I had stared death in the face and experienced the Peace of God. At 20 I still did not know what to do with that but God had a whole lot more to this story. I hope you will continue to follow Holy Interventions and look for God’s goodness in your daily life.