Outside the airport and on my way home from my godchild Theresa’s daughter’s graduation in Arizona I started feeling nauseous, jittery, and I began vomiting. Since I was waiting , in the dry 93 degree Arizona heat, I attributed my sickness to the dehydration. ( I also drank just one 16.9 ounces bottle of water, several hours prior.) I had a severe headache too but that didn’t mean anything to me at the time, because I had been having headaches for months. I needed medical attention ASAP. Somebody please send help!

After what seemed like an eternity the paramedics finally arrived. They took my vitals said that they were stable. Next they asked if I was declining their offer for a ride to the hospital . I thought about the 4 hour flight I was scheduled to ride from Arizona to Ohio. My body reminded me that I was still nauseated. My thoughts went back to our arrival in Arizona a few days before. A woman on the plane became ill and was violently throwing up, what sounded like her entire insides, a few rows in front of us. I definitely did not want to be her. I decided to listen to that still small voice and my body. I did not pass go. I took the ambulance and went directly to the hospital instead.

At the hospital they gave me an IV and a Gatorade. They x- rayed my chest. A spot was detected on my lung. Diagnosis: Dehydration and that mysterious abnormal spot on my lung.

After obtaining a Z-PAC prescription for the infection, I was to be released. Our plane had departed hours ago. Now where do my husband and I go and how do we even get there? Our home is in Youngstown,Ohio, which is over 2000 miles away from Phoenix. We were first time visitors, making our knowledge about this city extremely limited, plus we had no transportation.

Life has taught me the importance of asking. Although a portion of the scripture written in James4:2, reads, “Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” is actually referring to asking God, I believe it is also important to ask questions of anyone more knowledgeable than we are, when we don’t know the answer. As a former educator I found myself quoting the often repeated saying, “The ONLY dumb question is the one NOT asked.” I took my own advice and asked for help. Guess what? Someone from the medical staff sent help: a social worker. She provided us with a list of several hotels in the area. I decided to select Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy. From past stays in Ohio, I knew they had both a buffet in the evening, as well as a shuttle to the airport. Fortunately I had insurance, so the hospital paid for a taxi to the hotel.

Since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, I must admit by then, I was one tired, hungry, and grouchy sister. Somebody sing along with me “He’s an On Time God, Yes He is!” We arrived 15 minutes before the end of the hotel’s wonderful complimentary buffet dinner. (See photo below) We both had just enough time to select our food and take it up to our room. We rebooked a flight for Tuesday. The kind and considerate shuttle driver, pulled a stool, offered me a seat in front (because of these rickety knees). Even with having to go through TSA, and extra screening for me, we still made it to our gate about 3 hours before loading. There was plenty of time to relax before hopping the plane and landing safely in Cleveland. Our son was there to drive us back Youngstown. A couple hours later we were finally home!

P.S. Extra blessing I received by listening to my body and going to the hospital. After the 3rd day on the antibiotics, the pounding headaches, and the burning sensations I had been experiencing almost daily for 4 months were gone! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 My advice to everyone LISTEN & ASK! ( Part 2 of 🎢 Health Adventures with Bea Positive coming soon! Make sure you subscribe to Beapositive.org for updates)