WHAT'S UP, LEONA?

WHAT'S UP, LEONA?
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 by Leona Choy

So many friends have asked me about my health as I look forward to celebrating my 97th birthday in June, that I need to use my website to inform them. I'll just slip this report between my regular posts.

My recent medical diagnosis: I must accept the possibility that I have Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Now that was a surprise!

The facts in brief: Recent increasing abnormal physical symptoms show that A-fib is causing my chronic elevated high blood pressure and irregular and too-rapid heartbeat. There's an abnormality in my heart's electrical system causing nagging shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. The top chambers of my heart are not adequately pumping blood out with the danger of clot-forming. X-rays show an enlarged heart and atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, among other heart issues.

This is not a complaint list—“The Joy of the Lord is my strength.” All the above are not unusual at my advanced age in exchange for the blessings of longevity.

God is well able to heal me or help me cope with physical or spiritual heart blockages. I remain on meds to reduce stroke risk. I'm thankful for meds despite the side effects. (To cheer me, the stats are: 50% of patients with heart failure survive 5 years.) I'm scheduled for an Ultrasound (echo-cardiogram) and an appointment with my new cardiologist soon to see what procedure is recommended.

My Eternal Perspective:

I'm not concerned about limited survival time this close to God's Earth Finish Line for me! I'm deeply grateful for my continuing ability to carry forward His purposes for my life. I know that my “earth suit” body is destined to be exchanged for a more glorious one adaptable to Jesus' Father's House where Jesus has secured a reservation for me. I'm happy to keep accepting the equivalent of an "enlarged spiritual heart" with its new opportunities and challenges to encourage others for as long as He has planned. My every breath is in His hands.

Because of certain other physical conditions, my walking is limited. I miss mobility and balance, but my fingers, despite increasing arthritis, still work on the computer keyboard. I am blessed. Jesus, the Great Physician, is on call 24/7. My four sons abundantly supply all my needs.

I continue to live independently and find my circumstances similar to the apostle Paul “under house arrest” in Rome [aka Winchester, VA] with ample freedom. (Acts 28) “Paul lived there for two entire years [at his own expense] in his own rented lodging, and people came to him in large numbers. He welcomed all with testifying, trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, by teaching and proclaiming the Kingdom of God with all openness and boldness, unhindered and unrestrained. [He welcomed everyone who came to visit. He urgently explained everything about Jesus Christ. His door was always open.“

That's my calling too! I can no longer GO out and about around the world, so I welcome visitors eagerly to COME—but not in great numbers all at one time or every day like Paul’s open-door policy!

God is satisfying me with good and I'm content (Psalm 103:5) with this time of life which He is providing “in green pastures and beside still waters to restore my soul” (Psalm 23:2,3). I don’t think of myself as in negative lockdown. I'm working on curbing my lifelong pace in the fast lane and learning to navigate uncharted waters in the nineties.

Still, in the example of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10, I'm trying to accept my growing physical WEAKNESS in the way he did. Paul was known for his strength and ceaseless active service for the Lord. Weakness was a new "Gift from God” for which late in his life "he took pleasure, delighted, and accepted, cheerfully making up his mind to be proud of and boast about." In our human weakness, God's power is displayed more completely. Christ's strength moves in on my weakness and I become stronger in Him. Weakness is a new platform for me to demonstrate that "God's grace is sufficient" and God is good all the time.

(Isaiah 40:29-31, various translations combined) uplifts me.) "God strengthens the weary [and weak] and gives vitality to those worn down by age and care. God doesn’t get tired out and doesn’t pause to catch his breath. He energizes those who get tired and gives fresh strength to dropouts. Even young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. He empowers the feeble to spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind."

I hope to flourish and soar as long as God wills. Thank you, friends, who are praying for me.

*******

For the interested, here's a summary of CHF. Heart failure is a new experience for me. .

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17069-heart-failure-understanding-heart-failure

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Comments

Lindsay Van Sicklen From Arkadelphia Arkansas At 4/16/2022 9:46:33 PM

Dear Leona, thanks for your update. Your perspective on aging, longevity and God’s using us in ALL seasons of life is blessing me immensely. Sending love and prayers.

Reply by: Leona Choy

LET'S NAVIGATE THIS SEASON TOGETHER IN GOD'S STRENGTH.

Jennifer Phillips From NJ At 4/16/2022 1:47:03 PM

Dear, dear Leona, You are still Wonder Woman strengthened with the Lord's grace, courage and joy of the Lord! You amaze me and continue to be my favorite role model as you face yet another medical issue! I'm sending love and praying for you with this recent diagnosis!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” I'm hanging on tight to this verse and chose it in the KJV because God's promise includes shouts of “Yea” with it—a (“YAY!) a positive victory exclamation

Linda Ann Fumea From FL At 4/16/2022 7:16:58 AM

"So we do not lose heart ... though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day" (2nd Corinthians 4:19). It amazes me how God takes care of those who are about 'His business.' Thank you for your faithfulness, it is an inspiration to me. Love you !!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Anne Jong From Los Angeles, CA At 4/13/2022 10:39:36 PM

Dear Leona, Thank you for your update and sharing of your Godly perspective of life and aging. Accepting the limitations come with our aging process is not easy. However, God is our strength in our weaknesses. May the Lord continue to strengthen your heart and your spirit. That His good and perh

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dot From Dan At 4/13/2022 3:03:30 PM

Ah Leona, Leona. Hold my hand as we press on together to the finish line! Have a holy Holy week. Thou shalt rise again and we will celebrate together holding hands and singling! N

Reply by: Leona Choy

Patricia Christ From At 4/13/2022 3:00:43 PM

Dear friend Leona, Thank you for all your honest truthfulness in keeping us posted on your progress in your life and heart issues. We love you and appreciate praying for you for God to carry you along in the ways He wills. Blessings and love. We have the 3 Choy boys and oldest Bender boy here now.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Kathy Sonnek From Minnesota At 4/13/2022 10:28:58 AM

What a beautiful essay and so inspiring! May you continue to be blessed, Leona, as you have blessed so many others. With prayers, Kathy

Reply by: Leona Choy

Rhea Tantlinger From At 4/13/2022 9:46:28 AM

Oh Leona I so love you! Your posts are always encouraging. I'm always thinking of you and praying for you. I am now in Purcellville with my daughter. Love you Much, Rhea

Reply by: Leona Choy

Carol Hopfensperger From Denver At 4/13/2022 9:13:04 AM

I always love your positivity….in light of all the bad you see good, you praise in light of the difficulties. Leona, you are such an inspiration and I continue to pray for you. Love, cousin Carol