The Ladybug

Tag: Health Journey

  • The ‘Ber Months: Enjoying my Favorite Time of Year, Grateful to be Alive!

    Thank you so much to my readers of The Ladybug Blog! I thought that the last time I wrote an entry would be the beginning of a comeback. However, life got lifey! There were other events that the universe had in mind for me. As a result, I stopped writing for a couple of months. Let’s catch up!  

    I would like to begin by saying that even though my life throughout the last two months has looked difficult to outsiders, I truly feel incredibly grateful. First, I am alive! I was not sure I was going to be able to say that recently. I’ve had two stays on hospital medical floors, and a stint in physical therapy/occupational therapy rehab between the two hospitalizations. Thankfully, I am now typing to you from my home apartment again. I have been placed on strict bedrest by my team of medical doctors, and my friends and family are reinforcing the importance of the rest. 

    So, with these difficulties, why am I feeling blessed instead of worn down? I truly feel that my life is a gift. Yes, I live with multiple chronic illnesses which have recently been in flares. But I realized how fleeting life can be as I lay in a hospital bed hooked up to heart monitors, oxygen, liquids, breathing treatments, and various IV medications. All I could think about was that I did not want to die. I have so much more to accomplish in this life, and I would never want to leave my family and friends. Life is such a precious gift!! 

    Perhaps I sound a bit stereotypical! The hospital patient faced with death who comes around to loving life even more. However, that is truly how I feel. God is Good, and I will praise Him for every moment left that I have on this earth. I savor my family and friends who have supported me so lovingly throughout these past months. Thank you! Also, thank you to my incredible professional support team, both medical doctors and mental health practitioners. In addition, I’ve had some truly wonderful hospital staff and PT/OT rehab staff. And my church family that has been concerned about my wellbeing are incredible. I feel held in prayer in a way that I have never experienced before in my life. There has not been a single moment that I have felt alone. I must also state that I firmly believe that God sent some of my “Team” from beyond. These are loved ones that have already passed and remain my guardian angels. It has taken a village to keep me surviving, and I do not take it for granted. Thank you to all, I am the luckiest girl ever!

    Now to the title of this piece, the ‘ber months as they are often called on social media memes. September has flown by for me with the events I just described. But this is my favorite time of year, and I am determined to enjoy it. Perhaps it will look different in 2026, as I will be mostly convalescing in bed. I have my bed facing two windows in my apartment, and I love watching the leaves fall to the ground. The colors of the trees as they begin their journey towards winter always make me happy. In addition, the alternating crisp cool sunny days and windy rainy afternoons makes New England weather interesting. I have discovered a new seasonal Starbucks iced latte that I truly think is my favorite coffee drink ever! And let’s not forget that my birthday is October 25, making me both a Halloween baby and a Scorpio. What could be better? Well, maybe Christmas. The holiday with family traditions I look forward to the most.

    I am blessed that even as life is getting harder all over the world, I still live a completely luxurious existence. I have good food, wonderful warm shelter, nice clothes, electricity, enough money to get by, and most of all a loving community around me. Yes, recently life has thrown me multiple curved balls. I will admit that there have been a few tears and desperate prayers. But I refuse to feel sorry for myself or let my struggles get me down. Again, God is Good, and I want to stay alive long enough to serve Him and thank Him.  

    Dear readers, please be patient with me as I re-enter my writing world while recovering from my health difficulties. I have a BIG announcement planned for the next blog entry, The Ladybug #50, so please keep your eyes alert for that soon!  And remember, even in the scariest and darkest of times, there is always always a light. Keep your heart open, and God will Bless you. 

    With Love, G. 

  • New Announcement: Business Creation Day 

    Today was an important day in my new writing career.  I have now created a business account for The Ladybug, my blog, with a new version of Microsoft Word.  I feel a certain sense of pride, as if I have done some serious adulting.  My blog is still in its early stages, with this 29th entry, as well as my bio, but the joy I find in creating it has me committed for the long-haul.  Originally, I viewed the blog as a place to combine religion and politics first and foremost.  I felt a special interest in these topics as a pastor’s daughter and as a self-proclaimed progressive Christian.  However, I have found that writing about my personal life has become interesting and never-ending.   

    My health has been a huge struggle in my life for the last 6 months, both physically and mentally, after a tick-borne illness diagnosis in April 2025.  I had to take an “Incomplete,” grade in my college course, and take to my bed or my parents’ couch for weeks on end.  My blog, The Ladybug, has remained one of the only outlets left for me to achieve in. Due to cognitive changes from the illness, such as intense mental fog and confusion, schoolwork and other creative pursuits fell by the wayside.  But I could write!!  

    Which brings me to this article.  My computer no longer had a viable source of Microsoft Word as of a few days ago.  I had to choose whether to invest in myself and my crazy typing, or to give up and admit that maybe the cards were stacked against me…not a chance!  Instead, I am doubling down on my efforts to bring unique stories and opinions about this multi-faceted thing we call life to The Ladybug and my readers.  I consider no topic to be “off-limits.”  There will still be politics and religion involved, especially given the times we are living in and current news stories.  However, I will now include an even wider repertoire of posts.  I also would welcome messages from my readers about ideas you would like me to write on.  The sky is the limit!  You can message me through Facebook (Gaelle McLoud), Instagram (@gaellemcloud), or WordPress.com where I post The Ladybug.   

    In addition, I have another project in the works that I hope to share soon.  It is a writing journey that I have been on for 12 years now, and it is still not finished!  But…shh…more on that when the time is right.  God is Good, and I have found that even in the darkest times, He can lift me up!  My writing has always been a gift to me, and now a passion I get to give to others.  I hope you enjoy it! 

    I’m doubly excited to share this change with all of you and look forward to feedback!  And a reminder that you can directly link to my blog by following www.theladybug86.com  

    Blessings, wonderful readers!  The best is yet to come! G.