"The Testimony of"
STEPHANIE HARPER

MAY 15, 2022....I had some blood work done at 1 p m. Kaiser called me at 11:30pm and said, I was gravely ill with a hemoglobin of 4. #ButGod The doctor asked me if there was anyone who could bring me to the hospital. I said my husband is asleep and I don't want to wake him up he has to work in the morning. The doctor said, "ma'am, if you don't, you may not be alive in the morning". I took a shower first, then went upstairs and woke my husband up. They said I needed a blood transfusion. However they were talking to me in medical terms that I did not understand. I told the doctor to call my best friend Dena Austin in Detroit because she is a nurse (really what I was saying is....I trust her with my life, not you). They talked. The doctor handed me back the phone and she said, "Stef, I love you and this procedure is life or death for you!" I looked at my husband, who bless his heart, could barely keep his eyes open, but one thing I'll tell you about this day is.... He said, "I don't care nothing about your covid policies, I'm going back there with my wife...and he did". We agreed on the procedure. #ButGod 

Anyhoo...fibroids had taken over my life and were threatening to take my life. I had 8 pounds of them. I had a blood transfusion and was admitted to the hospital. 

The next day, I laid in the hospital with an IV in my arm doing payroll for someone I called friend [turned client] who never said thank you. After receiving 4 pints of blood, my hemoglobin was still only a 7 and I remained hospitalized (normal is an 11, most have a stroke when it hits 6). #ButGod

I'm 51 now...and I have a tummy (I'll take that over elective surgery any day of the year). Because later that year, I had a hysterectomy (with no meds other than Tylenol) and they cut through my navel. My husband had to get me out of bed, cook for me and handle my bathroom business. My daughter was putting on her gloves too. My mom was also staying at my house to help while my husband was at work. 1 month later, my mom died of COVID. 1 month later, I preached her eulogy with torn stitches, a broken family - my brothers were all tripping except my brother Durwin, a broken heart, and a broken spirit. #ButGod

While lying in the hospital (2nd time in 12 months I was told I should have died) #ButGod I made a lot of decisions about MY life and how it would be going forth. I decided anything I didn't want to do, I wasn’t....and anything I did...I was... Period end of discussion. I was about to turn 50....I decided I was just grown as I choose to be.

This is your annual reminder that eating ice constantly is not good.... it’s a sign of anemia and something is terribly wrong. Get checked for fibroids. 4 out 5 black women have them, and they can kill you. It's also a reminder to live on your terms, define what happiness looks like for you. Make decisions that are not traditional or understood by others. And the most important.... it's a reminder is that God is not slack concerning His promises. He has hope and future for you....BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DO THE WORK! Be encouraged. Look and Live!