By Trina Artis

I count it a blessing every day that I can stand on my feet and walk my dog Oreo.

I was told four years ago that I would never walk again and that I would wear a colostomy bag for the rest of my life.

My ordeal started when I was having surgery to repair a hernia. The surgeon accidentally nicked my small intestine during the procedure. That small cut set off a chain of events that landed me in the hospital and nursing home for months.

At one point, I couldn’t stand up, and I lost the use of my legs. I suffered infections in the intensive care unit, and I developed high blood pressure, a problem I had never had before.

At one point I heard the doctor say he was losing me.

I’ll never forget that night. I told God that I had done everything I could do, and I couldn’t do any more. I needed Him to bring me back to my folks, because my folks needed me.

I thank God for answering my prayers.

Before my recovery, I couldn’t give myself a bath or comb my hair. God blessed me with a beautiful and dedicated daughter, Tria, and when I got home from the hospital, she was standing in line to take care of me.

She gave me a bath every day. When I would make a mess, she was right there to clean it up. Tria learned to change my dressing when the nurses were not available, and she takes me to all of my appointments. She always encourages me and tells me that everything is going to be all right.

A lot of people don’t want children, but I found out that children are a blessing from God.

My daughter visited me in the hospital and the nursing home every day. She did a lot of sleeping on the cart in my hospital room. I thank God for the closeness we have in our family.

My son, D.J., would help pick me up when I couldn’t stand, and my husband, pastor Darryl Artis, has been right by my side. I have had many surgeries, and my husband has been very patient. The average man would have given up.

I am very grateful for my family, the Sentara nurses and my aide Denita, who is with me every day. I also thank God for the Sentara Norfolk General staff and for the best doctor in the world Dr. L.D. Britt.

I have so much to be thankful for.

Trina Artis is a Suffolk resident. Contact her at 390-7828.