When discouraged, .....

daisy366
daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
Hi Ladies,

As we deal with all that is sent our way, it's hard not to panic sometimes and think all is lost. I just received this email from a good friend. It resonates with me and I couldn't resist sharing. I've been there and it give some good food for thought". Blessings to all who are depressed that their hut has burned down..... Please read...
Mary Ann


The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.
Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today..
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Comments

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    Mary Ann excellent message
    Thanks for sharing. It is inspirational. Hope you are having a good day, too.
  • norma2
    norma2 Member Posts: 479
    Loved the story!!!
    I have had my hut burn a couple of times. Each time, when things were their lowest I wondered what in the world was going on!!! Looking back everything happens for a reason, even what is perceived as disasterous at the time, has a reason. God is in control all the time. Again thanks for the story. I need to be reminded of this fact occasionally.
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    norma2 said:

    Loved the story!!!
    I have had my hut burn a couple of times. Each time, when things were their lowest I wondered what in the world was going on!!! Looking back everything happens for a reason, even what is perceived as disasterous at the time, has a reason. God is in control all the time. Again thanks for the story. I need to be reminded of this fact occasionally.

    I like it~
    Thanks Mary Ann!! As many others, my hut has burned a few times, but my mind tells me to pick myself up and keep on moving. God has a plan for me, but hoping it's to live a long life. We can only hope....

    I live with an entrepreneur, and you know they are some of the most optimistic humans around, therefore, I'm always told to be positive as it will all work out.

    Jan
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    norma2 said:

    Loved the story!!!
    I have had my hut burn a couple of times. Each time, when things were their lowest I wondered what in the world was going on!!! Looking back everything happens for a reason, even what is perceived as disasterous at the time, has a reason. God is in control all the time. Again thanks for the story. I need to be reminded of this fact occasionally.

    I like it~
    Thanks Mary Ann!! As many others, my hut has burned a few times, but my mind tells me to pick myself up and keep on moving. God has a plan for me, but hoping it's to live a long life. We can only hope....

    I live with an entrepreneur, and you know they are some of the most optimistic humans around, therefore, I'm always told to be positive as it will all work out.

    Jan
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    Thank you!
    Mary Ann:

    Thank you for the very uplifting story. I shall definitely share it!

    Kathy
  • Sunny777
    Sunny777 Member Posts: 7 Member
    Thanks
    My hut has been burning the past few weeks. This made me smile. Can't wait for the ship to come!!!
  • hopeful girl 1
    hopeful girl 1 Member Posts: 454
    Sunny777 said:

    Thanks
    My hut has been burning the past few weeks. This made me smile. Can't wait for the ship to come!!!

    Mary Ann
    Thank you for the inspriration. Love it!

    My hospital has in their various buildings fountains and the words "Only Say The Word and I Shall Be Healed."

    I love that as well.

    Cindy
  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member

    Mary Ann
    Thank you for the inspriration. Love it!

    My hospital has in their various buildings fountains and the words "Only Say The Word and I Shall Be Healed."

    I love that as well.

    Cindy

    Thank you
    I am fortunte in that my hut isn't burning at present, but knowing the sneakiness of this darned disease, I have saved it in a save place in case there's a next time!

    Helen
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    HellieC said:

    Thank you
    I am fortunte in that my hut isn't burning at present, but knowing the sneakiness of this darned disease, I have saved it in a save place in case there's a next time!

    Helen

    Thank you all - you are the
    rescuers for me today. My hut is smoldering - I can't bear to say it's burning down with the more serious things people are dealing with here. But I needed your encouragement as I deal with another disaster with my new health insurance plan...

    I am having a great deal of trouble with finding a place to get my port flushed that will not charge me over a hundred dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield referred me and set up a service that was supposed to cost me $35 but I was billed $110.00 and BC/BS is lying about what they told me. I think this is despicable (the lying).

    So I am appealing it - and hope I can get it down to $35.00. I will have to drive an hour or more to get this done somewhere. I'm sure it will all work out but these things are stressful.

    Thanks for listening to me.... I will pull myself together and do battle tomorrow :)

    Love, Mary Ann
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Thank you all - you are the
    rescuers for me today. My hut is smoldering - I can't bear to say it's burning down with the more serious things people are dealing with here. But I needed your encouragement as I deal with another disaster with my new health insurance plan...

    I am having a great deal of trouble with finding a place to get my port flushed that will not charge me over a hundred dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield referred me and set up a service that was supposed to cost me $35 but I was billed $110.00 and BC/BS is lying about what they told me. I think this is despicable (the lying).

    So I am appealing it - and hope I can get it down to $35.00. I will have to drive an hour or more to get this done somewhere. I'm sure it will all work out but these things are stressful.

    Thanks for listening to me.... I will pull myself together and do battle tomorrow :)

    Love, Mary Ann

    Mary Ann sorry you are having port flushing problems
    How frustrating for you. It really should not be so expensive to have a port flushed, but it does take special supplies and a specially trained person to access the port and flush it. I hope you can get it done for the $35.

    I asked if my husband could be trained, and was told absolutely not. I know lots of nurses who flush ports, but getting the supplies could be a problem. So I have gone to medical facilities every time it needs flushed. Actually there is only one time in the years I have had my port that all they did was access it and flush it, otherwise I always had lab, chemo, or CAT scans done.

    I do plan on keeping my port as long as it works, as I know it will be needed in the future. I don't relish those sticks in the arms. I am anxious to see how my new medicare insurance covers my two days of treatment, as opposed to the one day.

    Hoping your smoldering hut goes out soon. In peace and caring.
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Thank you all - you are the
    rescuers for me today. My hut is smoldering - I can't bear to say it's burning down with the more serious things people are dealing with here. But I needed your encouragement as I deal with another disaster with my new health insurance plan...

    I am having a great deal of trouble with finding a place to get my port flushed that will not charge me over a hundred dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield referred me and set up a service that was supposed to cost me $35 but I was billed $110.00 and BC/BS is lying about what they told me. I think this is despicable (the lying).

    So I am appealing it - and hope I can get it down to $35.00. I will have to drive an hour or more to get this done somewhere. I'm sure it will all work out but these things are stressful.

    Thanks for listening to me.... I will pull myself together and do battle tomorrow :)

    Love, Mary Ann

    Mary Ann:
    I still have a

    Mary Ann:

    I still have a port and I have had it for 5 1/2 years. My problem now is that my doctor is in Ohio and I live in Pennsylvania. Although I was done with chemo in 2006, I have always dutifully got it flushed monthly..... until February when I was told that the local hospital where I live would not be able to flush it since my doctor is now in Ohio. I said I have a script for it but would not take it. I tried several other hospitals and unless my phsician is associated with that hospital, I can't get it flushed. I guess they want me to drive 3 hours for a five minute procedure! I haven't had it flushed for three months now and it probably won't work now if ever I need it.

    I also had BC/BS and was billed about $79 a flush (just a flush) before my deductible set in.

    I know the frustration you must be dealing with. Hang in there! At least we are complaining about getting it flushed!

    Kathy
  • sleem
    sleem Member Posts: 92
    thanks
    My hut didn't go all the way down; yet, the fire was almost there and didn't come. Thank you for this story! I truly enjoyed it.
  • susafina
    susafina Member Posts: 131
    sleem said:

    thanks
    My hut didn't go all the way down; yet, the fire was almost there and didn't come. Thank you for this story! I truly enjoyed it.

    Thanks a lot
    Hi Mary Ann,
    Thanks for that uplifting thought. Right now it seems everytime I rebuild that hut it burns down again. To say I am frustrated is an understatement. I just hope for all of us that we can build a whole village of huts that we can join together and party till dawn. Rest and party again!!!
    SUE
  • Sara Zipora
    Sara Zipora Member Posts: 231
    susafina said:

    Thanks a lot
    Hi Mary Ann,
    Thanks for that uplifting thought. Right now it seems everytime I rebuild that hut it burns down again. To say I am frustrated is an understatement. I just hope for all of us that we can build a whole village of huts that we can join together and party till dawn. Rest and party again!!!
    SUE

    Don't know anything....
    Through your Church could you find a nurse practioner or ER service who would flush your port for $35?

    Just wondering.
    Sara
  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    Mary Ann
    Thanks, and i will always love you and your kind ways.

    Claudia

    I replies before I noticed the port flushing frustration. Can't help at all on that measure, but do refer to the first part of the note, as it's always good to know someone loves you, even when your port is smelly. : ' (
  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member

    Mary Ann
    Thanks, and i will always love you and your kind ways.

    Claudia

    I replies before I noticed the port flushing frustration. Can't help at all on that measure, but do refer to the first part of the note, as it's always good to know someone loves you, even when your port is smelly. : ' (

    One day later, and so much might have changed
    Dear Mary Ann--

    I know that today is the day you planned to do battle with your insurance company. My fervent hope is that everything is now resolved.

    You have many people here who care about you and wish they could give you some serenity.

    In caring,

    Jill
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Thank you all - you are the
    rescuers for me today. My hut is smoldering - I can't bear to say it's burning down with the more serious things people are dealing with here. But I needed your encouragement as I deal with another disaster with my new health insurance plan...

    I am having a great deal of trouble with finding a place to get my port flushed that will not charge me over a hundred dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield referred me and set up a service that was supposed to cost me $35 but I was billed $110.00 and BC/BS is lying about what they told me. I think this is despicable (the lying).

    So I am appealing it - and hope I can get it down to $35.00. I will have to drive an hour or more to get this done somewhere. I'm sure it will all work out but these things are stressful.

    Thanks for listening to me.... I will pull myself together and do battle tomorrow :)

    Love, Mary Ann

    Mary Ann
    I am so sorry to hear about your battle with the insurance company. It is bad enough having to deal with all of the issues one encounters trying to deal with the cancer itself, and then to have to spend precious energy battling with the insureance company is simply overwhelming!

    You are such a calm, collected person that I have no doubt that you will present your case elegantly and you will WIN! This is going to be YOUR day!

    Sending lots of positive energy your way!

    Hugs, Karen
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    Rewriter said:

    One day later, and so much might have changed
    Dear Mary Ann--

    I know that today is the day you planned to do battle with your insurance company. My fervent hope is that everything is now resolved.

    You have many people here who care about you and wish they could give you some serenity.

    In caring,

    Jill

    Solution!!!
    Thank you again, all for your support and caring. I did appeal with insurance but also took chance and called the only other Cancer group in town AGAIN and connected with the office manager, explained my bind AGAIN, and asked for their help AGAIN. This time I did not get a brush-off. The office manager consulted with one of the docs who agreed to see me and oversee the port flush and future chemo if needed. I will keep my gyn-onc from the other practice. This new doc and the office manager are true gems in my book. I have appointment on the 27th for consult with new doc and port flush!!!

    Moral of this story I think is - If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!!

    Kaleena, would this type of thing work for you too??

    Blessings to all of you. Mary Ann
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Solution!!!
    Thank you again, all for your support and caring. I did appeal with insurance but also took chance and called the only other Cancer group in town AGAIN and connected with the office manager, explained my bind AGAIN, and asked for their help AGAIN. This time I did not get a brush-off. The office manager consulted with one of the docs who agreed to see me and oversee the port flush and future chemo if needed. I will keep my gyn-onc from the other practice. This new doc and the office manager are true gems in my book. I have appointment on the 27th for consult with new doc and port flush!!!

    Moral of this story I think is - If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!!

    Kaleena, would this type of thing work for you too??

    Blessings to all of you. Mary Ann

    Mary Ann so glad you got a solution
    Great work. Your persistance paid off for you. You are a trooper. So your appeal got the results you needed. Now I hope you hut stops smoldering and you can enjoy NED, for a very long time. In peace and caring.
  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    daisy366 said:

    Solution!!!
    Thank you again, all for your support and caring. I did appeal with insurance but also took chance and called the only other Cancer group in town AGAIN and connected with the office manager, explained my bind AGAIN, and asked for their help AGAIN. This time I did not get a brush-off. The office manager consulted with one of the docs who agreed to see me and oversee the port flush and future chemo if needed. I will keep my gyn-onc from the other practice. This new doc and the office manager are true gems in my book. I have appointment on the 27th for consult with new doc and port flush!!!

    Moral of this story I think is - If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!!

    Kaleena, would this type of thing work for you too??

    Blessings to all of you. Mary Ann

    Mary Ann, you are an inspiration
    Mary Ann--

    I have always admired you for so many reasons. Now I must applaud your latest victory over the insurance companies, which are sometimes so lacking in basic humanity.

    As I stated in a different thread, WE have to be our own advocates. We have to push--and sometimes keep pushing--to be heard; and often we need to fight so that the medical community realizes that there are actual people who are suffering because of their policies.

    CONGRATULATIONS! Now get back to all of your relaxation practices; and I hope that being proud of yourself will help you feel healthier in all ways.

    An abundance of blessings to you,

    Jill