Community Voices for Health

By: Janice Johnson-Plumer

As I sit and recuperate after my surgery, I think of the word healing. I thought that I would be back on my feet full of energy after this surgery, but that’s just not the case. I had a hysterectomy, which is a fairly common procedure for women to undergo. Over the years, the procedure has advanced technologically to become less invasive. It is now common to have the procedure laporascopically, meaning the recovery time is less than the 6-8 weeks, which is a plus for me since I like to stay busy.

As I sit (this has been very hard for me!), I reflect on the word healing. It is such a powerful word to me. The word has helped me overcome death, pain, and sorrow. Healing can come from a telephone call from friends and family. It can be a visit from someone you haven’t seen in a long time. Or, it can come in the form of a delicious dish or a hot cup of tea.

Trying to get well is my first priority, but healing is what I am looking for in all areas of my life. I am looking for healing in my finances, my health, and my relationships.

Healing seems to go beyond my personal situation. Everyone needs healing. When the runners in the Boston Marathon started to cross the finish line and heard an explosive sound, they needed healing. When parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School met and gathered to find out about their children, they needed healing. As families came together after 9/11, they needed healing.

Healing is what we need to move on, to strengthen relationships, and move forward in our lives. I truly believe that if we healed our hurts and our pains, we would be open and receptive to accept people for who they are, be less judgmental, and see the glass as full instead of half full.

I am hoping to fully heal so that I can go back to work soon. Although I am not fully recuperated, my healing process has started from within, making me a stronger person both physically and emotionally.