I was getting ready today for Physical Therapy and was reflecting on my mom and part one of my blog tribute to her. After a few moments, I looked in the mirror and started to think how far I have come, and then how far I have yet to go physically. Again, my mind went to my mom and dad and thought of their courage, this song popped into my head. This is certainly not a song that I would normally think of but that as far as I am concerned was God and Holy Spirit sending me a message to stop the negative thoughts. so here it is . And, thanks Mom for the inspiration as well
I do a lot of different prayers during the week. This is one of the prayers I do a whole lot, it is so beautiful, Peaceful and you are all in my prayers for all of your needs when I do. God knows who you are, and what you need . I purchased this DVD years ago. It has built my faith and trust in our Lord with wonderful prayer and song. Its is beautiful. So relaxing. My dad as I said in the past blog brought The Divine Mercy Chaplet to our home.
The life of St. Faustina Very Beautiful
The Divine Mercy Chaplet Generations Unite in prayer part 1 of 3
The Divine Mercy Chaplet Generations Unite in prayer part 2 of 3
The Divine Mercy Chaplet Generations Unite in prayer part 3 of 3
St. Peters Parish Divine Mercy in Toronto Canada
You can follow this link below to read much more about its origin.
I had a wonderful client some years ago, He had what you would imagine you wanted financially in life but he lacked one more important thing, he had a very bad heart disease. He was so kind, he had a lovely wife and little dog FiFi, and small white poodle. It was his baby wheras they were unable to have children.
Paul was in his 40’s when he woke up in the middle of the night soaking wet in the middle of a heart attack. His heart was so badly damaged that he could not be helped. He was now permanently disabled. It was very difficult for him and was warned to stay calm. He was a man of faith, and was a real a gentleman. A man who would shake hands and make eye contact with you, that type of guy. I know he was suffering from pains in his chest all the time but had to except it and keep living. Again, an inspiration to me. A brick in my foundation.
I remember, talking to Paul about life and stuff but I only pray that I was able to help him. I was so young and I am not sure that I was that great of a witness. I just know that he was a loving and kind man Good to his , wife, mom and dad who were quite elderly too.
Paul was away with his wife mom and dad and stepped out to pick up pizza after a while he had not returned they went out and found him lieing beside his car he had gone out and collapsed. I remember his wife calling me and I visited her and Pauls parents to offer my condolences. Going back to my writing on losing something Sacred , the loss of a child . Pauls mom and dad were devestated, this was there baby that was lost.
We need to validate those we love and let them know daily. I remember these beautiful people and also know that they are with God.
Back some years ago I was working in a home of a lovely couple in their late 70’s. He was a barber his entire life after getting out of the service, and she was a wonderful homemaker who raised her beautiful family. She at the time was worried that her home would not be completed before Easter. I assured her there was no problem. During that time, there were no cell phones so I needed to answer a page that I received. They had one phone in their house located in the kitchen to use. So, I asked to use her phone she said of course. So, I called my wife and I must have answered a question about birthday plans, she heard the conversation. I hung up and just said thank you for the use of her phone she was in another room. She apparently pulled my brother B asside when he walked by the room and Bob told her yes my bithday was tomorrow. The next day as we were working , they called me into the kitchen and had a italian rum cake from a bakery with candles lit and sang Happy Birthday to me with my brother joining in.. Now, is that a God moment or what ?
God bless the Maraglia’s they were angels on Earth. Salt of the Earth.
For them , in their memory.
Etta James
I know they are dancing to this right now in Heaven
In The Beginning of true Spiritual awakening of all of us is a long time in the making. We experience different levels of awareness in God, his existence and supreme gift to us all and I m not talking about life 🙂 That is a Miracle in itself. I am referring to the gift of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit as far as I am concerned is our bridge to the Almighty, he facilitates all that is good, he inspires us, he warns us,he allows God to fill us with joy and allows our conscience to feel guilt for a wrong doing.The Holy Spirit will help to bring us to our knees for repentence before our Lord. The Holy Spirit that dwells within every one of us is God given and works in concert with our desires, needs and to allow us to fulfill our destiny for God and his people. We need to allow The Holy Spirit to work with us. We need to pray for his assistance in a meaningful way. I mentioned this in one of my recent blog writing that I began praying and commiting myself to God and the holy Spirit with my daily shower and telling all of Heaven that the water was my rededication and reminder of my baptismal water. I say daily to God that I surrender myself to whatever he wants from me and tell the Holy Spirit to please use me to the best of my ability. Lastly, I call on all of Heaven through my prayers for all of the Angels and Saints to please bestow on me any gifts of the Spirit that I may need in the future. Heaven is for real.:) This is a very special time that we are living in, a time like no other. It is a time of Miracles, it is a time of God’s pouring out of The Holy Spirit and Spiritural gifts for eachone of us. We all have our very own special gifts. Some we are born with some we acquire from God in the moment of his choosing. Our gifts can bend and change over a period of time based on what God wants and needs us to accomplish. The one prerequsite that God has for each of us to open our hearts and desire to be an agent of good to be the light to oneanother. It is simple. Through my childhood, adolescence and even into my 30’s I was always searching for my true God and his existence. I could feel him to a certain degree but the picture was still far from focus. During that time for me the 90’s. Life had a lot of moments of hurts from people you know, daily nonsence. Its hard to see God when you are surrounded by others who are not necessarily in Christ or God based. You are wandering around in a crowd of lost sheep many of which have no idea that they are even lost. I am not judging but it is indeed a fact. Well in the latter part of my 30’s I managed to bring my picture into a little more clarity with prayer and the assistance of others through a beautiful retreat know as Cursillo in a retreat house know as St. Basil’s in Methuen, Ma. that was I believe in Oct 1999. My wife went in November of the same year. It was life changing, the focus and picture was now crystal clear! It was an intersection where God made himself and his presence known. It is a Miracle, just as St. Basils is. You should call and look into this retreat house. It will be the best gift that you can give yourself ! So, I came back from that retreat and one of my friends called me the next day and said, hey Dan, I saw you walking on the water of the lake today 🙂 It was so funny,he knew that I was on Fire .lol Each day that we live sets the stage for the next day and action. So all of the many little or big moments of my daily journey that come out onto this blog journal are always building for a bigger God moment. They are all God moments because he is there with us getting us through. All of our Spiritual Gifts are to be shared. It is not about us. This blog tells my journey through God. It his victory over death (my) and yours. God wants my life psalm #139 shared so that all will see him, and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. 4- 5 years ago, I am not sure of the date, I was called out of the blue into some of the most intense Spiritual experiences that I could ever have imagined. I was blown out of the water, I will just refer to them as writing for my church. The details of those writings were not for us , they are for the church. I will say this anyone with a sense of Spiritural awareness just needs to look at the news or turn on the television to see what is going on. The world is out of balance. This process was stretching myself and family to the max. The Holy Spirit is just so awesome. My spiritual adviser said to me , Dan, lets just see where it goes, and we did. I will explain about this experience at a later date. My first vision, vivid dream, about 4-5 years ago during the time I was doing the church writings. I was asleep and had the most vivid dream. God uses our own lifes experiences and will make them part of his message in my case it was based in my lifes work and I have been for over 30 years through the gift of the Holy Spirit an interior Designer. I have done projects that when I had completed them looked at them and said, God, I did that! I did through God and love alone complete my projects .More on that later too!:) So, I was sleeping and my vision which seemed like forever started. I am giving my account to you exactly as It happened and was told to my priest, my adviser and friend long ago… This remember was more that 3 years before my cancer diagnosis. I walked up to the door of this house and rang the bell. I had decorating samples in my hand. A women came to the door and opened it, I just remember how pleasant she was, I could hear children laughing and she said, excuse me for a moment and walked away off to the left in the direction of the children. I did not see them but heard them laughing. So, I stood there and it seemed like a while, I being the type A personality and loving what I did. I said to myself, I will just walk in to the right here and see what she needs. So the interior was very itherial everything was a very soothing white color. It was extremely peaceful. I just kept walking and ahead of me was a hallway with a very bright light people were coming out of the light and passing me again all faces were non descript, everything was very etherial and white. I noticed that there was something on the wall that everyone that came out of the hall seemed to be stopping to look at so, I wandered over to it and looked and was a very pale colored picture I recognized it immediately. It was the shroud of Turin. I have to say this too, I had never given 1 seconds thought to the shroud in my life yet here it was . Well any way I could hear voices from down the end of the long extremely bright hallway and hear a booming voice and laughter it was pure joy. When I got to the entrance I realized, I shouldn’t be here, I had wondered from where I was left to wait. I would never wander around my clients home. So, I returned to where I was waiting by the door. I was getting annoyed and it was like 4 hours. Well, the really pleasant women was back and said she was sorry for the delay and she opened the door to the left of me. The children were quiet now and she guided me into the room. I stood there and there was a very large white table in front of me. As I stood there the women was standing to the left side of the table looking at me and there was another figure to the right side of the table looking at me as well. The women looked at me and, I felt love like I had never felt before. She said again sorry for the wait, I remember having been so angry to had to wait 4 hours for her to return and , I just responded its okay and she said to me you are an angel. Of course, I told Father I am certainly not, I am a sinner like everyone. I remember feeling intense love. I knew that it was my Blessed Mother. She without a word uttered pointed down to the table and moved her hand over the surface as if she wiped the table and the white milky color left and it now had a clear glass. It was a case. I could see all kinds of relics, bottles of oils, and religous statues related to my faith and she spoke these words to me, We want you to have many Spiritual gifts. And that was it. I woke up and is as alive today and vivid as the time that it occured. I have had years to think of why The Blessed Mother would call me an angel, because I am not. So I have a couple of thoughts on that. 1.) She knowing that I was upset with waiting for her which my Blessed Mother would know and yet I told her no problem thought that I was kind? 2.) Everything that I have done in writing including this blog through the Holy Spirit is never about me or any one of us . We are all loved the same. And what mother does not look upon her child at least as an angel in training? 🙂 Thats the best I can do on that thought last but not least the booming laughter and joy was, I know, was Our God! I was given a glimpse of Heaven. I pray everyday to continue to grow for his purpose and into his will completely . Amen. Better Is one day In Your House By Kutless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdE03zRJtxw In Christs Holy Name, Danny
I had just completed surgery at the Lahey Clinic, the awake surgery as it is called. I did very well by the grace of God only. The doctor addressed me and then stepped out to tell my wife and daughter that things went well. He told her what he had told me. I was taken up to a room shortly thereafter. I went to the restroom in my room and got into bed. remember, I had no surgical meds in me so I felt great and was busy with my family coming in and out visiting me. I had a tv on the swivel arm it was a whole new world to me. lol I know my nephew Stevie when he was in the hospital some time ago told his parents he wanted one for his room at home . Kids are the best!
I ate dinner, and relaxed, I ordered my family to go home 🙂 My wife was exhausted and I felt great. So they agreed and I was left with the tv, it had a radio too lol. My cell phone was sitting on the little table. I got quiet and began to pray and reflect on the day. The doctors and nurses where in and out and there was nothing to report. Everything was hunkey dorey. 🙂 Well my cell rang at around 730 ish, I am guessing it was and My friend who happens to be a Catholic deacon and lives in the big apple said , Danny how are you? I responded never better, So I told him what had happened that day and he said just amazing, Dan what your telling me is just reinforcing my faith so much. He understands this is not the norm and he works in the medical field. So, I hung up with my friend and began to pray my rosary once again and I received a text. One thing that I have come to understand is that God is working Spiritually on every one of us literally every second that we are here on Earth. The only requirement on our account is to work at our personal relationship with him. God has perfect timing after all he is the author of life. This next account would give anybody shivers.
So, I am laying their minding my own p and q’s as my mom would say. I get a text hey danny, how are you ?
I responded hi how are you ? I am doing great!
she responded can I call ? I said sure
One other point that I would like to share before I continue is that the only reason that my friend at this time had my cell # is that we worked together. I had changed jobs into her department and schedules were staggered for arrival time and I felt bad she was juggling two boys and work. I had offered to come in on all of her 5 am shifts and cover for her, For the record she never took me up on the offer, she gets things done. We also never spoke outside of work. You see God knew that she needed that number for just this moment! So she had it and I had her in my address book, I do not answer calls that I do not recognize.
My phone rang, I answered and she said Danny, did you end up having surgery? I said yes, and that I was in the hospital overnight . I said, God has it, I feel great…
Now some background on how I met this person. Because of the slowing economy one year prior to my diagnosis which would have been the spring of 2011 I took a job at a local Home Depot part time to close the gap and to try and stay ahead of our monthly expenses here. I would be up at 330am and punch in before 5 am. I would work until 10 am , then go off to my clients homes to complete their work usually working to around 7pm. Speaking as a man, I have always believed that a father has to lead his family by example, so work and sacrafice should be the norm. My father witnessed that to me and is the finest man I know. And finally, by nature of my Catholic Faith, I am called by God to lead my family Spiritually.morally and ethically. God does have a standard. It does not mean that I have always hit that mark but God knows, I do try.
Let me state for the record my wife always lead with me, and when I was at my weakest SHE took everything over ! So women can do exactly what a man does without the ego of course! LOL, I don’t think I’m getting back any of that power back either! So funny! she is small but fiesty. xoxo
Well, during my time at home depot I met so many wonderful people from all walks of life. I met a very nice person , I/we value her as a wonderful family friend now. This person worked side by side with me at work for the last think about 4- 6 months or so while I was at home Depot prior to my illness. She has/had a really protective shell, she is very bright, witty,smart and tough. I am easy going but agreesive in sales and I love to work. My typeA personality really shows up. I honesty love working with people and love to fulfill the clients needs. To give them more than they barganed for so they will build on that relationship with me. You have to be sincere all the times. So, things were tough a lot of people there were having their own worries, doesn’t everybody? I would walk around the building on breaks and connect with others supporting them, offering my prayers. Their we’re lovely people there doing the same for me.
My friend, foe at that time called me Danny sunshine or something to that effect. She called me a phony on more than one occasion. I just did notlet it bother me. I was always giving it up for God and would tell everyone offer up the stuff and suffering. She would say to me ,you piss me off. LOL . I would laugh with my co workers and say, you love me, she would snap no, I don’t. You know what, I appreciated that she was /is authentic she said what she felt and that was great, I said God tells me different. So this continued for a few months, I was always hugging everybody, it my nature and way anyway. She saw me with clients in action. You have to practice what you preech, people are watching and listening. As a matter of fact, I feel that if a person is phony with people and proclaim that they are God fearing that this action not only does harm your relationship with God and our soul but this action can also destroy what people who are searching for God the opportunity of meeting God through you! I believe that we are accountable for our failures of not helping others. We are the fisher of men after all.
So any way this person and I really ended up having a good relationship at work, I loved her for who she was and respected her. She could not figure me out and thought I was nuts and that too was fine with me. 🙂
God had ordained this situation for us both to learn. And, back to the account , She calls, and we are speaking about surgery and she broke out in the most beautiful deeply routed tears from her soul, it is called a healing, another miracle as far as I am concerned.. She continued to cry, and said you don’t understand Danny its because of you that I believe in God. You told me that you had to go through this and were not afraid, I can’t believe, well any way that conversation was beautiful and we hung up. I sat there on my bed and said oh, I still have not finished my prayers yet . I said a special prayer for my friend. With that my cell phone slipped on to the floor so I did what any brain surgery patient would do, I rolled onto my side stretched down to the floor to retreve it. How stupid that was now that I am remembering it but, it was for a purpose. after I finished my prayers I thought of my friend and I had a message from God for her, It was now around after 9:00. I sent a text hey-, I just finished the rosary and before you go to bed tonight say a special prayer to God,The Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother ask them to reveal to you that they are in the moment with you.They will.
She called right back saying OMG. As, I sent the text she was on the knee’s beside her bed asking for God’s presence she had not done this for years, so my text and her action proved that God and heaven were indeed there in that exact moment. Joy burst her heart . and she was on the road again towards the cross. Our God is an Awesome God! He loves us all so much 🙂
Finally believe it or not…..
A man came into my room at around 10 ish, I was suppose to be in a slumber by now. But, I was still going strong. I guess you could say that I was God strong. 🙂 He said, hi I hope I am not disturbing you, I said no. He said he was the head Chaplin. I said oh that’s good could I get the Eucharist please, he apologized and said he was not Catholic, I said okay:) So he said can we speak? I said sure , he grabbed the chair and sat beside me. He said there are a lot of people who are talking. They are upset, patients, staff here etc, can you tell me what happened earlier downstairs, what they had witnessed. I said nothing, I had surgery and smiled. That is the moment that God through the switch on in my head to realize what God was truely doing through me. I declared to him that it was God, and we spoke for a few more minutes about the events. He thanked me and gave me a Blessing and he left.
As a side note, a few months later a women approached me in my church who is a eucharistic minister at Lahey and said her boss, the one I was talking to that night had been speaking about my witness to him and she said I know him. You see we are all connected.
I will be putting a very special psalm onto my blog in the next day or so . God revealed this psalm to me nearly three years ago in writings I had done in the Holy Spirit. It makes all the peices of our lives fall togeather. We really have no worries.
The day after surgery, I got up put the shower cap on to protect my wound and hopped into the shower, all by my onesies, I survived but the nurse said, I should of just let know. oops That does make since but then again, I felt so well. I was going to be discharged and the bride was coming to get me.lol
I ate my breakfast, watched the news, the team of doctors came in and one was a women she was so lovely her presence was very kind. I am guessing she was assisting the doctor or surgeon the day before in the OR. You know with the gowns , breath masks and hats it is hard to deceifer who is who .lol
What happened next is the gospel truth,
The doctors came in and they were assessing me, and I said I don’t think I can go back to what I was doing before. ( meaning work) because, I realized my left side was effected and I said do you think that there might be a job here somewhere for someone like me? I need to make money, and I want to help others, they all looked shocked, I had surgery not 24 hours before but God is hope, God is our protector the Holy Spirit was helping me look forward by his grace to a future and I was not living my diagnosis!
She started to get emotional and said, I told my husband last night what happened in the hospital yesterday. Then she said excuse me and left the room. She came back from her office with some information that I could look into, she said you can’t think about work right now you have to fight this illness thats what matters. I thanked them , God Blessed them and they departed the room. I sat on the bed my wife was there by my side the whole time. After a short while the nurse came in with my discharge instructions. He was a very kind person also and after I signed the discharge papers and he hugged me , I thanked him and said God Bless You , he hugged me again and said no one wanted me to leave. What God was doing through my illness was showing his glory. People were not responding to me. What they were responding to was the Spirit of God it is just that simple.
God Bless You All!:)
Danny
p.s, I am taking a couple of days away from the blog to recharge, God’s time.
Today I am going to share some down right Miracles witnessed my many people including my Surgeon Dr. D included at Lahey Clinic in Burlington back in 2012. I wrote of my Lahey experience back a week or so ago. I also said at that time that there were things that I could not devuldge at that time, again it is per what I feel God wants to speak of. He knows the why,I am accustomed to it now. God is always right. I feel peace from God and I know that today is the day to begin the account.
I will list the events and you will see God in them all.
Some of this stuff might be graphic to illustrate what the events were. So a little warning, I am not working from a script or draft of any kind, I am working through the Holy Spirit and he is live from heaven lol. I assure you he will get this account right, he was with me then and and he is responsible for my making it through this process and witnessing God to everyone. I personally take no credit for the following factual account. He is with us all and always has been.
For my brain biopsy procedure to get the grading of my cancer. which was a grade four Gleo and it was non surgical. Meaning, it could not be removed.
1.) I was brought down to the pre surgical unit to have a surgical metal crown installed on to my skull, It was heavy and had two peices. I was backed in on my gurney into the small prep area. It had a wall behind me, a curtain that drew to either side of my bed and the corrider in front of me that was wide open. There were people in the other beds and parking spaces all around me sorry, I told you I have a dark sense of humor. So any way, I was cranked up to a sitting position. The doctor and assistant were behind me. There was a nurse standing at the foot of my bed to the right side watching me. She had a very almost sad look on her face probably because she knew what was to come. The doctor said okay Dan we need to get going sorry we can’t do anything for the pain I am sorry, The Holy Spirit was there and responded it’s okay,
Next, I felt the weight of piece number one of the crown being placed on my head and then the sound of the drill. He said okay Dan and I felt the screws going into the back of my skull. I could be wrong but I believe there were four screws around the circumference of my head. I remember feeling the pain and what God and the holy Spirit did was amazing .I said oh, I can feel it and next the pain was gone and out of my mouth came Oh, its okay I am fine praise you Jesus, thank you Mary. I am speaking of My Most Blessed Mother. As I said before their is one God and many different churches. I as a Roman Catholic we do not worship Mary but we do venerate her and Honor her because she was chosen by God above all women to be The Savior Jesus Christs Mother which happily makes The Blessed Mother my mom too .It gives me great comfort, and I pray the rosary and chaplet with her daily for you all too.
Each screw went in and the same thing happened I could feel it announce the pain and The Holy Spirit would announce the same, its okay now and begin Praise to God, and thanked The Blessed Mother for her assistance. The nurse looking at me was fighting tears back. She was actually backing away from me a little into the curtain behind her.
If you know me you know my voice does not require a microphone. What I did not realize at this time , but then again, why would I have? This pre-op department was not just for brain surgical procedures alone the man laying directly across from me was witnessing the crowning and the praise and worship service directly. He looked like he was frightened and yet mesmerized by what God was doing. There was a women beside mecurtain # 1 to my left, sorry again for my humor, who was saying to her staff whats happening to him they were trying to calm her. Apparently everyone in the unit was listening and heard it all .( I will explain later in detail )
The next thing after part 1 of the crown went on my head they said Dan we are going to put the top of the crown on now. it screws into the bottom of the crown.The Spirit responded okay.Not one tear was ever shed.
Well I was crowned and the doctors said okay we are ready So, out of the bed space I went and as I was rolling out with the medical team the doctor said Sorry Dan the crown is heavy, we will try to help support it. The Holy Spirit announced through my mouth no problem, I have a strong neck. The Holy Spirit greeted everyone in that pre op ward. I rolled by like it was in a parade and Blessings were coming out of my mouth through the Holy Spirit The people were all in shock seeing me smiling they looked like they had seen something out of this world and guess what ? They did! Not because of who I am but because of Who God is. The evil of cancer picked on me, and God decided to show everyone that he is here with us all. I will say this yet again, This is to me the time of miracles for all of us.
My miracle is not again about me. God loves us all and as far as to why I am here and why God has not taken me yet, I feel honestly that perhaps he has granted me extra time to get myself ready to meet him. Perhaps it will be tommorrow or 30 years from now. I do not know and who does ? What I do know is he loves us more deeply than we could ever understand.
Into the hallway we went on our way to MRI. You see the crown that was placed on my head is necessary so they can do an MRI on my brain to map how to go into my skull to get a biopsy sample from the brain tumor. The Holy Spirit even gave a God Bless You greeting as they rolled me down the hall. There was a staff electrician changing light bulbs in that hall that stepped asside so we could pass. He looked shocked as I greeted him. We got to the MRI suite and the staff went in to give the information to the staff inside the unit that two minute window where my wife and I were waiting in the hallway my cell phone went off, my wife had it with her, I nonshalontly said to her who is it? She said its mom, (my mother) I said, I’ll take it, I will never forget the conversation , Hi mom , how are you she said good darlin , My mom said I just thought I would check into see how your day was going. I said good mom, I am just on my way into the store to get a few things it was getting late in the day, so she bought it. She said okay honey, I let you go, she told me she loved me and I responded the same to her and we hung up. What was really something is that while I was talking to my mom the MRI staff had come out and was waiting to bring me in for the test and heard everything that came from my mouth and their hearts were on fire. You see, God shows courage, kindness and love all the time the Holy Spirit was giving me the grace necessary to do Gods will to help others in a very special way. The Holy Spirit was in control with God. You see my parents were not told a word about me until we were certain of what was going on. My mom when she realized later on that I was actually in the hospital at the time of her call to me cried and said that she did understand why I did it, but please never do it again.
So, the staff took me in and transferred me from the gurney to the MRI bed and the test was done, my brain was mapped. They were all thanked and Blessed as I left by the Holy Spirit, (sounds crazy huh ). But it is true.
next
They took me directly down to the surgical suite, I gave my wife a kiss and one of my children had come to be with my wife, everything was happening at lightening speed.
I got into the OR there was Dr. D and another surgical associate standing with him above the head of my table. There was an anesthesiologist at the foot of the bed. It was explained to me again, sorry Dan this is called the awake surgery, we need you to be awake so you that you can respond to our voice commands. Because damage can happen to your brain we need to know if our probe is damaging the brain or something to that effect. We cannot for that reason give anesthesia for this reason for this surgury. I remember the Holy Spirit was in control and I was very calm. He responded to them okay. The Holy Spirit went on to say to the doctors and all the medical staff, thankyou, for helping me, God chose them in this time to help me. The anesthesiologist was looking at my face and I could see that she could sence something not of this world taking place and was filled with joy, and perhaps a little fear only God knows. She broke in and said don’t worry Dan, when the doctors complete the biopsy, I can give you some meds like they use when you have a colonoscopy they are like twilight drugs that help you forget some of what you went through. okay, I said that sounds good thankyou. The next thing that happened was they put a mask over my face/ visor it was clear like a window.
The doctor D then said Dan, we are going to be cutting into your skull a spot that is what you will hear and feel okay, again I was calm they were monitoring my heart and everything stayed on an even keel. They took a small piece of black fabric and covered my clear visor, obviously they were going to making small hole into my skull and they did not want to get my viser dirty which potentially could upset me.The little saw or drill started and they again kept talking to me softly to soothe me, they were all wonderful. God had put me into such a deep peaceful state.The doctor said I am sorry Dan I am now going down behind your eye it is going to hurt, I felt that pain for sure. The Holy Spirit took over he announced it okay the pain is gone and out came the Holy Spirit just like in the pre -op department saying Praise you Jesus, Praise you Jesus , thankyou my Blessed Mother and so on , the doctor said okay Dan please move your fingers, and a couple of other commands. I said okay, made the rquested movements and he said good. At that point I laid there with no drugs, no pain and I was doing Praise and worship and thanking them all for helping me. I could not see the doctors faces the whole time but I did see the face of the anesthesiologist she was beautiful and extremely moved by what God was showing her and God only knows what the doctors faces were doing behind me. She could see them. In those units they can talk a language with their eyes without uttering one word .
So anyways, I was laying there the doctors were putting in stitches to close the wound. I am laying their with the black cloth on my face mask and I could look down on an angle and make out the person still at my feet. Out of my mouth I swear to God, I said Luke, I am not your Father from the Starwars movie, thats what I felt like with my black mask on Dark Vader. Everyone began to laugh and the anesthesiologist had tears in her eyes. She reached forward, and removed the fabric and my visor was then clear once again. A few minutes later she announced that they would not bother to give me the twilight medicine because it was possibility that it may make me feel lousy or tired. I had done so well and they did not want to do that to me. i said okay, I felt great.
When the surgery was over,stitches etc the Dr. D came over to me and said, incredible Dan in 30 years I have never had a patient not cry, and behave in this manner during this surgery. I said it was God not me, again it is my feeling that that God was useing my illness not just to mend me but to show others he is here. With God anything is possible. He is shaking people up and I am just so fortunate to be as I have called it a passenger on the bus where God and The Holy Spirit are allowing me to witness things in a much different way than I normally would have been able to .Why God is allowing me to witness and experience this is only for him to know. It is not because I am any different than all of you my brothers and sisters out there.
That day of my ekg, lunch etc, Just as Dr. R had said his head nurse S, showerd up with pills at my next scheduled squeezed in appointment. She was around every corner. She is spectacular. I never had 1 concern, all day. I met with I believe my new radiologist oncologist at Brigham and womens. Dr A , I called him the great! He is a young, compitent , kind and awesome doctor with another superb team of of assistants. from his head nurse S and her assistant , R they treated every patient the same, amazingly.
I would be remis if I did not mention the lovely social worker. N who has been there since day 1 for us. Very Sweet and soft spoken but always professional and helpful.
I had to go in after my consult for either a scan or an MRI , I cannot remember which but they needed to map my brain so they could target the best way to eradicate the tumor with radiation.
The radiology staff there where great. They have a lot to deal with daily and are responsible for making sure that every patient was comfortable and that their bodies were positioned just perfectly so that the equipment could target the desired location with radiation therapy and nothing more. They try to only hit the target and not to kill any more healty cells. Quite a responsibility.
Next I went in and My Dr. A had a plaster mold mask made of my face and head, a mold I guess you could call it. It was made of a plaster.Once the Drs decided the attack plan they mapped and programmed my treatment into their computers. I was ready to begin my radiation therapy on the tumor that I never accepted as mine thanks to Gods word. I had six weeks of radiations 5 days a week monday to friday.
I had it easy in my eye’s compared to my wife and family who took the brunt of the wear and tear, juggling schedules, work etc. Some driving miles to pick me up only to turn around and take me back in the other direction into Boston. And then once again have to drive me home from treatment. I would like to say again from the depths of my heart thank you for your sacrafice and constant love. You make life worth living. xo Many friends also offered to help me with rides etc. God in action for sure. Love to you all too.:)
My phantom mask, thats what I came to call it ( again my sense of humor) , the plaster mask was now a strong perferated plastic mask that fit my face, skull and had snap locks that locked my entire head 100% in the exact position to the treatment bed so there were no slight movements possible. BTW, I asked for that mask when I finished radiation, they said sure. I said I am a decorator so I will hang it on my wall. they laughed. It currently sit a plastic bag in my garage.
have learned in life that we have a laugh as much as possible. There is healing in laughter God created such a beautiful creation in us. Laughter, is truely a healthy thing it makes gray colorful. so I laugh all the time and try not to ever stop, sometimes it gets me in trouble and I have to hit the confessional. I remember as a kid reading Erma Bombeck she cracked me up. Remember If life is a bowl of cherries , why do I get all the pitts?
Radiation did not bother me physically for a while. And then, my left side arm and leg decided I am taking a break, see ya and I lost most movement and feeling. I also became very very tired Dr. R said I would and I did. On July 4th 2012, I went into the bathroom while I was at my brother S at his cookout. I dropped dropped something on the floor. I went to swat a little to get it off of the floor and realized as soon as I did this that it was a mistake. My image disappeared from the mirror as I took position on the floor quietly. Again, I am stubborn so I just laid there saying hum how do I fix this pickle I got myself into?lol My brother realized that I was missing and came to the bathroom and inquired through the door, I responded I am fine, I am just here trying to get up. he came in and Still says he does know how he got me up by himself.As a closing remark, I has a chance to study the tile and decor and found it very beautiful . lol
I truely feel Blessed because I have the peace from God, my incredible wife, kids, family and so many wonderful friends love and support. Everyone rushing to our sides and everyone has lifted us up. The Spirit was and is so still so high. Life is hard at times but it is our families our faith and friends that get us through.
One day in I guess it was maybe Sept ,2012 my family told me that they were going to gather here together at my home , something not uncommon for our family. You know, food, family it has alway’s worked for us.lol My mom, dad, wife, kids, 3 brothers and my dear sister and all of those kids my brothers mother in law M where all here. There were I guess around 20 people in the house. I was in my recliner, very tired but my Spirit was full of peace, my whole family was here! It was so nice.All of a sudden someone came down the hall behind me and was a dear friend and brother in Christ, A and he hugged me and kissed my cheak. He pulled up my desk chair and started to speak to me , what a surprise! i had not seen A for a while. I said to him what are you doing here and he said that he heard that I was not feeling well. He stated that he was In the area and wanted to say hello. He gave me a Blessing and left. My brothers were sitting on the couch here in my familyroom with my dad and one of my brothers said who was that? And I told them. They were astonished by his presence he is a very good and Holy man. The Spirit of God just shines. God Bless A and his family.There were so many prayers being said for our needs that I swear to God you could feel them raining down on us. I still feel them to this very day. Our prayers for one another are the most powerful gifts that we have to give to help anyone.
So, A left and I was happy for the visit and prayer and blessing he gave me. A short while went by and My brother S had gotten up to leave the room and returned, he said Dan can you come in here. I was like ugh, I had no strength, and needed assistance to get down the hall. I went down the hall and turned the corner to the front hall. I could not figure out why I was being led there. What happened next is a Miracle no doubt!
My brother opened my front door, and what I saw was a little piece of Heaven! Friends who are gifts from God had quietly converged on my quiet street on the side walk and lawn. They had candles on my front steps with the exception of the top two.Their had to be at least 40 beautiful souls out there. They were holding candles in their hands.One of my brothers helped me out and led onto the the top landing and I sat against the left rail, They wrapped a blanket around me. Then Praise and Worship began, prayers songs, people were driving by and stopping, some people peered from their windows, and then one of our beautiful friends son came out from behind my pine tree and played amazing grace on his bag pipes. It was just so incredible. I remember, God gave me the message and I tearfully passed it on. ( joy was overflowing) I said tonight is not about me. Thank you. God is healing so many of us right now and in what ever way we need to be healed. I think my whole neighborhood was Blessed in that evening. God Bless all of our friends and of my home parish of St. Josephs and 2nd parish home in and retreat center of St Basils in Methuen.
My love to you all and with God’s Blessings.
So anyway, ( I told you I am not an expert writer, back to the point! 🙂
I went to treatment for radiology of my tumor which was sitting over my central nervous system.I was losing ability rapidly which would explain why when I told Dr. R that I would come back next week, it would not have been a good choice on my part. The Doctor understood the whole picture, the process and short window for action, so thank God they pushed with love and concern If they had not, I mayu not be here in this moment.
I will give you the list of meds I was on as well. In the not too distant future so people especially who are going through anything similar will know what was used in my treatment. People ask me that question a whole lot. I know every treatment plan is different and there are always new trial med coming out . So the news is great for everyone! There is lots and lots of Hope!
Off we went to Dana Farber for our second consult and my new and current Dr. Dr. R. When we arrived it was via wheel chair for me, we were brought into the exam room. Again, we felt nothing but warmth and compassion from everyone. There were a number of medical /clinical coats in the room standing against the wall, my wife, one of my brothers and my sister were present too. I had been helped up on top of the exam table and was sitting upright on the edge of the table my legs dangling down.( It is funny how life makes us at times feel like a little kid).
Dr. R knelt in front of me on one knee and put his hand on my knee and said we have looked at the reports and biopsy information from Lahey and said we agree with the diagnosis. Glio Blastoma multiforme grade 4, it is non surgical. What I realized as I look down into my doctors eyes from my table edge was that he was a truely compassionate and loving man. He did not make me look up while he was talking to me, he took a position kneeling so he could meet me where I was. I remember the peace of God as still just flowing over me and I announced to all of the staff there that God had told me that I had the cancer, cancer was not of God and that I did not own this cancer, I went on to say that God selected them in this time to help me through God’s medicine, God’s machines, and their hands with are the extension of Jesus Christ. we are all Spirit driven and we need to remember where the Holy Spirit is from. God! 🙂
I told them about my spontaneous healing in Dec, 2010 that was discussed with my primary care doctor in January 2011 during a physical. He has confirmed the event to be true. This experience that I am going to begin to share is going to be a bit long and I am finding now in this moment will truely be an excercise emotionally but I will continue in a number of writings because what has happened during this time sounds impossible and is astounding but it is also very true. Witnesses were everywhere during this time and nothing will ever be the same . God is revealing his presence in a very strong way with good reason. He wants a personal relationship with us.
So any way, My Dr R was kneeling down on one knee to comfort me, I announced the message God gave me and tears filled his eyes, I was so tired, I just wanted to go home. not upset like one would imagine I had no energy and just wanted to sleep. The team raced out of the room, and two seconds a women that I will refer to as My scottish friend came in as cool as a cuccumber and said Ok Danny the doctor wants me to get an ekg of your heart. I had been insisting on getting into my wheel chair. She gently laid me back onto the table my legs still dangling off of the table and off came the shirt, and on went the electrodes. She started the eeg and when finished helped me with my shirt. And off she went. My family was there all the while in that room with me. Its like the bible I always have witness or as I call the Riley clan with me lol My scottish friend was rolling out of the room, I was being assisted into my wheel chair by my brother and my wife and Dr R’s head nurse S, came into the door closed it and stood with her back against it and said, We need you to stay, we have made calls and want to get more tests done while you are here. I said no, I said I am too tired and I do not have my afternoon medication, she tried to convince me and my family tried to get me to sway, I said thanks I will come back next week. She said okay and sprinted out of the room, I said c’mon lets go. We left the exam room, I sware to God I was leaning left in the chair, so weak. When all of a sudden I heard something and Dr. R was coming down the hall full seam ahead. I saw him look at my family and went to his knees once again, he put his hand on my left arm and said please Dan we want you to stay, I went through the whole I will come back next week thing , I don’t have my meds, my family had to go to work they have not eaten, I was tired. My family asserted once again that it was okay that they would call in to work. Dr R. said we have made all of the arrangements necessary and our radiologist at brigham and womens was staying as late as he had to accomodate me. He said we have all the medications you need in our unit we have meds for occasions like this he said okay:) Then he said why don’t you get a bite to eat and S, meaning his head nurse will see you in a while. I said okay and he patted my arm and smiled. It was yet another Miracle. There are mericales like this happening daily in our hospitals and doctors offices, we are a Blessed country. and at times fail to see them for what they are. God’s people are loving,compassionate and giving.
BTW, my ekg came back with a strange rythmn like there were two heart beats and that is because as my test was being done, and it was a stall tactic, my sister who was so devestated was holding my hand thus two heart beats . Just beauitful !
I am exhausted and need to stop for the moment. I will continue to write from this point tomorrow.
God Bless you, and thank you God for everything that give us all. Amen.
I came upon this video after completing my blog entry today and after reciting the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Thats God showing he is in the moment once again. when you hear what father Clifford has to say you too will understand 🙂
Please watch and listen this video it is 7 minutes long and it is amazing. Amen to this! I choose to live life God’s way.
Just Danny Speaks 