Going to Carolina - Mountain Therapy

October 26th will be the 1-year anniversary of my life-saving surgery. To celebrate, meditate, reflect, and process this milestone, I am heading to a cabin called The Little House that sits on the side of a mountain in Marshall, NC. The mountains are my healing place. And no place is finer, in my opinion, than the mountains of North Carolina.

I've adapted, accepted, and grown with my colostomy, but truthfully, I've not had the opportunity to really process all of the feelings in a way that gets it all out. I have cried, I've been depressed, I've picked myself up and I'm living life to its fullest. But I have never really sat in quiet and solitude in nature and just allowed myself to work through all of the emotions of grief.

This might not make sense to some, but because of the person I am, feelings have always been my strength while also being my weakness. I feel like I've done well with this whole new way of life. However, I have the need to really process it all, good, bad, and ugly in a space where I can be truly uninhibited.

While I know it's not my "fault," there is a part of me that still thinks of the what-ifs, why did I wait, angry at myself. It's time to shed all of that, grieve, and celebrate my life.

For many, the beach and ocean have healing qualities. For me, it's the beauty of the mountains that calm my soul. Feeling small in this big world and being reminded of just how wonderful life really is is magical.

Enjoy your time. Won’t be my anniversary but I’ll be at one of my healing places on that day also as it’s opening day of duck season in the Sandhills of Nebraska….. 

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Hello Nini4.
Whilst I don't need the mountains for this type of experience, I can certainly understand and empathise with your desire for a quiet place to contemplate. 
I'm sure I've heard a song akin to this!
'Nothing could be finer, than to be in Carolina - in the 'm-o-u-n-tains'.
Enjoy yourself and best wishes.

Bill

I am always on the go, and life in suburbia, so being in the mountains is such a refuge for me.

Thanks!

Thank you! Looks peaceful there too, until I hear all the ducks in your head. Ha! Enjoy.

How to Manage Emotions with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I hear ya... Asheville, N.C. was my first vacation away from home in 4 years after my surgery... due to "self-inflicted" cocooning. It was somewhat liberating to realize the big old world is still out there, but for me, my sanctuary is right here in my home, sans hurricanes! Enjoy the beauty, peace, and harmony of those spectacular mountains. jb🫶🏼

Hi Nini, with the bad weather from Hurricane Helene in NC, was the area where you are going affected?

Hurricane Helene brought serious flooding to Marshall, NC. Has the cabin area been affected?

Hi Nini, you might want to check to see if your cabin is in good condition  as well as the roads to get in. Our mountains were hit so hard. The mountains  are so beautiful  and soothing to our souls. I hope you will completely  heal and refresh.

Hi all. Currently sitting in traffic stopped on 75 South so thought I'd check in. The cabin I'm going to is a friend's mom's property way up in the mountains it's really not in Marshall proper so it's absolutely fine. She lost power for a few days but she's got everything. We are actually going to go to Weaverville tomorrow because one of our favorite restaurants, Stoney Knob Cafe, is now open and want people to come and dine so I'm excited for that.

Good news! Have fun and re-charge. 😊

That sounds like an invite!!🛫

What time should we all be there? 😆 I will order the roasted duck... thinking of Alex.🦆

Ha ha! Come on down!

Normally it would be a 6-hour trip, but it took 8. A traffic issue on 75S in Tennessee, and then in Hot Springs, NC on 25S, I sat for about 45 minutes because a bridge destroyed by the hurricane is only one lane. As I was sitting in the traffic there, I thought of all of you for whom this has become and will be the way of life for some time. It's a reminder of how in a moment, things can change. We need to be living in a state of gratitude, and it also reminds me of the power of community. So many here are giving, even if they have little themselves. Truly humbling, but also so powerful. We can come together, despite what is portrayed in the news. Mountain people are strong, caring people.

Hi Nini! 

I am 10 days post colostomy surgery. I’m a rookie for sure. However, I had my surgery due to rectal cancer that continued to come back after radiation, 2 rounds of chemo, and another partial rectum removal surgery. 

I love that you are going away for awhile. I am encouraging you to use this time for thankfulness, prayer, and even a consideration of telling others about your story so that they can feel understood and supported. I have absolutely no one in my life that has been through what I have been through, and I wished I had others to tell me their stories. I rely on this symposium and prayer to get me through. 

I’m in hopes that I do not upset you by saying these things. Please have a great time and know that you are loved and admired for your journey. 💜

Kristy

The mountains are my healing place, as well. Marshall is beautiful, as are all the western mountains of NC. I had a permanent ostomy on February 23rd of this year, and all the feelings you are describing are exactly what my brain deals with on a daily basis. What if? Sad, depressed, etc., all while forging ahead as if nothing has changed. I work in the music business, and it is very cutthroat, so trying to deal with the new normal and maintain my place in the music world.

Go celebrate your one-year anniversary and really take in how much you have gone through, and how much strength it took for you to be here. Celebrate YOU! I will raise a glass to you on the 26th and celebrate you from Delaware.

Hi Rebecca,

Cheers and thank you!

I really didn't want to come home. It was definitely a healing journey in so many ways. I've not traveled that far away from home since my surgery, so that was definitely a big success for me. 

I know others have flown, I've not yet, so that is next.

I was able to really feel all the feelings as well as process some things I've been holding on to since my mom passed away little over 5 years ago. A very soul cleansing, rejuvenating experience