Mylene is only 29 years old but she already went through three surgical operations. First, for a kidney transplant when she was only 24. Second, to remove a lump in her breast. And just recently, to replace her damaged hip. At first she was very bitter and even blamed God. But now she feels bubbly and, as a nurse in a British hospital, makes it a point to bring hope and inspiration to her patients.
What changed her outlook? What is her source of strength? How can wounding be a source of blessing? Why does she think that through her sickness God has given her a mission? Download this podcast to listen to Mylene’s story and allow her to bring hope and inspiration into your life today.
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Gospel Acclamation of the Day: "Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord." (Mt 11:28)
Fr. Bobby, I know how it feels to have a kidney problem ‘coz i myself have undergone”Lithotripsy” in 1992, and been in and out of the hospital for the same reason until now. In fact, i just got out of ICU last April because two more stones are lodged inside and can’t get out. It was very traumatic for us. But i’m certain God loves me more than ever, because i’m here now-alive and kicking! i know He sends me back for a very good reason and i’m happy ‘coz i think i know what that is. Yes Mylene, we are blessed!
Hi Fr. Stephen! How did you make such a clear recording of the phone conversation?
Hello Manuel,
I made a clear recording of the phone conversation by using the right tools. My phone is a Panasonic KX-TCA151EXM (actually any good speakerphone will do), which has a speaker on the back side of the receiver. My microphone is a Sony MS908 ECM and I position it in such a way that it directly faced the speaker of the phone. Now my microphone is connected to a Sony MZ-NH700 Hi-MD recorder, which did a hi-fi recording of my conversation with Mylene.
After downloading the audio files from the Sony Hi-MD to my laptop I edited the raw audio using Adobe Audition 1.0 (I still cannot afford to upgrade to the latest version). I used the following manipulations to make the audio sound clearer.
1. Effects >> Amplitude >> Dynamics Processing >> Compander
2. Effects >> Amplitude >> Amplify >> 5dB Boost
3. Effects >> Delay Effects >> Reverb >> Vocal – Natural Reverb
It looks complicated (mea colpa, because I’m not good at giving instructions), but it is actually easy when you get the hang of it.
I’m looking forward to your podcasts.
Hi,Fr. Bobby,please allow me to share this with you and your readers…
…in my younger years, i’ve read somewhere that God allows pain & disappointments to happen in human lives to make us closer to HIM…and honestly, i thought then, how selfish is our GOD.But when it was my turn to fall down,experience pain & tasted the bitter taste of failures & feeling so alone that tears just rolled down night after night,it was then that i’ve learn to take refuge on my faith in GOD, take courage to face my daily existence knowing that whatever happen,He is there beside me, ready to capture me whenever i fall.I found His calming presence im my silent & lonely existence…and I realize then…He is not selfish, but it is just the human way..the only way for us human to really look at ourselves inside & accept the fact that we are nothing without HIM , then & only then, do we begin to open ourselves & accept GOD in our lives wholeheartedly.
Mylene’s story is very inspiring. In my profession as a doctor, I’ve seen how different people react to one’s illness specially when it’s a terminal disease like cancer. In my particular specialty, a situation akin to cancer is the news that they can never be a mother. I believe it is due to the realization of something that connotes an end – cancer an end to life, infertility an end to dreams of creating a life. I’ve also seen people who eventually accept their fate. In most of the latter, there is a big emphasis on God or the spirituality of the situation. Once they become angry with God, all else fails – they become depressed, become difficult to deal with, become bitter, and the disease progresses quite rapidly. But when they accept and surrender their fate to God, you can see a change in their aura. They become at peace, happier, eager to please and to help and generally extend their life to far beyond our expectations.
I just finished reading The Alchemist and By The River Piedra as per your recommendation and other Paulo Coelho books are in my drawer awaiting their turn. Reading through Coelho’s books, I am transported back to my teenage years when I was reading The Little Prince. In a way, the The Alchemist brought back my youth. I have gone through the full circle. As a child, I never worried about anything and everything came easily. As a teener, I’ve began searching for a meaning to my life and never found it. Frustration started to grow within me. Then when I reached my late 30′s, I let God lead the way not by choice but by surrender. That was when many of those I knew and loved started dying – a friend at age 32, another at 35, my sister in law at age 42, my husband’s lola who I loved and respected, my mother’s brother who I took care of. That was when I realized no matter what goal or path you laid out for yourself, God eventually is the final decision maker of what you will and won’t be. After I delivered my last baby and almost lost my life (Doctors Become Mothers Too), I fully entrusted my fate to God. I listen to my heart because it is there where my God speaks to me. I sleep every night thanking God for all that has happened and wake up each morning with a prayer for God to lead me where He wants me to be. Am I happier now? Definitely. Do negative things affect me? Of course but I leave my heartaches at the foot of my God and let Him take over. It has been a blessing meeting you. I might add that God brought you to us. If all priests have your enthusiasm, intelligence and candidness, there is hope that the dwindling numbers that go to church might make a turnaround. We await your coming.
Sincerely,
Doc Malu
d story of mylene deeply moved me.her story s lyk a story of suffering, sacrifice and triumph. i find her lyf as a good example for us all though we face different struggles n lyf. well,ds podcast s simply great,nt jst sumtng vry Christian bt sumtng dt s vry human.