I had an appointment at Jules Stein Eye Institute with the ophthalmologist to measure my visual acuity. Traffic was light so we arrived early and it was nice to have a little extra time to gather my thoughts. And, gather my thoughts I did as to what should come next on my journey in restorative medicine. While we waited for the ophthalmologist appointment, Jim went over to the doctors office to see if he could talk to anybody about possibly getting an appointment the same day for excising a small piece of my forearm to begin the stem cell process. In a brief time, he was back with a woman who is quite knowledgeable about the laboratory and the stem cell process; she began to explain to both Jim and I what lay ahead. She began her explanation with the laboratory and it’s available space serving all of the UCLA medical facilities. This really turned out to be the crux of this conversation. While I had thought it was about me being proactive, it was about the availability of space. She explained, they could excise a small piece of my forearm, but there wouldn’t be space to supervise it in the lab. However, my name is on the list and they know who I am and they will call me. She confirmed that I am still on the grant so, it is just a matter of time.
I felt that I stood there, in front of her, definitely in a stupor. All my plans played out in front of me. My thoughts were akin to, what is next? What should I do now? How should I take this? I looked at Jim and asked him, what does this mean? He assured me and said let’s pray… We prayed for divine intervention. I almost laughed when we said amen because instantaneously I sensed the peace that passes understanding. I really do not feel discouraged and I certainly don’t feel disappointed… because I am very grateful for this gift that landed in my lap. I am only happy and since this is real life I must meet this in real time. God’s peace is relevant and reassuring and restful. Any and all anxieties I put to rest. God’s peace keeps me calm in a blind storm.
I felt that I stood there, in front of her, definitely in a stupor. All my plans played out in front of me. My thoughts were akin to, what is next? What should I do now? How should I take this? I looked at Jim and asked him, what does this mean? He assured me and said let’s pray… We prayed for divine intervention. I almost laughed when we said amen because instantaneously I sensed the peace that passes understanding. I really do not feel discouraged and I certainly don’t feel disappointed… because I am very grateful for this gift that landed in my lap. I am only happy and since this is real life I must meet this in real time. God’s peace is relevant and reassuring and restful. Any and all anxieties I put to rest. God’s peace keeps me calm in a blind storm.
