Running on Hope

During the 2020 pandemic, I used writing poetry and keeping a journal to help me navigate those times of dire uncertainty. I published "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays from the 2020 Pandemic," followed by "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic." Running was also a constant companion, source of strength, comfort, joy maintaining a sense of health and well-being. We planted a flower garden for the first time in 25 years and rekindled our love for growing vegetables. I love the title poem as it speaks to faith and trusting in the invisible:

I was looking for quotes about hope to post an update on social media before Saturday's run. The quote, "Hope is more powerful than fear," by Dr. Ivan Misner really spoke to my heart and soul.

"While we have not heard from Ruth Anne since that meeting on Monday, I have absolute trust, hope and faith that the med changes, your prayers and love beaming to her from all over the world, and her own indomitable Spirit are helping her to heal. She will soon be joining us on our morning runs, fixing her smoothies and getting back to all the things she loves to do. And what an epic moment it will be when she and Tom cross the finish line of the Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon, her third half marathon in her Trilogy of Half Marathons for Victory Programs.

In rereading this article that was in the Boston College news about her journey,  I am buoyed by hope knowing that she is so strong and resilient and with proper treatment, she is healing!

We left messages with the head of Risk Management and patient advocate after filing a formal complaint. They are yet to return our calls. Right now we are focusing on Ruth Anne's healing and based on what the attending said at the meeting on Monday that he was restarting antibiotic and taking my other med change suggestions and that the chief medical officer and all the team and the supervisors have my well documented concerns, that Ruth Anne's treatment is moving in the right direction.

And so it is! 

Your continued love and prayers mean the world to Team McManus. Time for a run dedicating our miles to Ruth Anne's healing."

I was grateful for the cloud cover. It was a steamy sultry end of summer day. The clouds did give way to sunshine and a brilliant blue sky characteristic of an August sky in Boston.

 

We always take time on our runs to soak in the healing power of nature and to connect with Source's expansiveness and grandeur. While 4.5 miles was on the training plan for me on the road to the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K and 9 miles for Tom on the road to the Bay State Half Marathon, I was inspired to suggest to Tom that we do two times around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir together and then meet him for his additional miles at the Route 9 Reservoir as we had done last week. 

We continued to debrief from Monday's meeting and all that has happened since Ruth Anne first went to the ER a month ago tomorrow. Facebook memories pop up about her healthiversary four years ago, the day we thought she would never ever go back to an inpatient psychiatric unit now that we realized the root cause of the psychiatric symptoms. And truth be told, Ruth Anne should have been admitted to a medical unit with a psychiatric consultation since she had a UTI in the ER and I clearly spelled out her history and what treatment has worked during these past 4 years given her history of PANS/PANDAS.

One thing I know is that we cannot go back and change any of what happened. I know that now, more than ever, I have to focus on hope and Ruth Anne's healing. When she first went into the hospital, and I had no communication with her or confirmed communication with her treatment team for 8 days, I tightly held onto hope and the fervent prayers from the hearts of so many who adore Ruth Anne. After 5 days of no contact with Ruth Anne or her treatment team since Monday, I hope and trust that all is well and everything is moving in the right direction. 

After a 4.7 mile run, dripping with sweat, I wrung out the fears, doubts and worries replacing them with hope and faith. It is because of Ruth Anne that I am training for the Bermuda Triangle Challenge 10K. She was so bummed that we hadn't been running together or training for an event together since the Bermuda Half Marathon in 2018. I honor her by giving every training run my all to ensure that Team McManus has a stellar performance on race day. 

Hope fills my  heart. Faith fills my soul. I know that miracles are on their way. 

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary

Visit my ***NEW*** website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon 

Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.

Be sure to subscribe to the On the Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56.  Be sure to subscribe to their new YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheRuns to enhance your podcast listening experience!