$50 saved my life

By Mala Balram Slowe

IN A WORLD WHERE THE VALUE OF A DOLLAR OFTEN SEEMS TRIBAL, "$50 SAVED MY LIFE" TAKES READERS ON A REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY, RESILIENCE, AND THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF A SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

JOIN MALA AS SHE EMBARKS ON A SEEMINGLY ORDINARY QUEST FOR $50 WELLNESS BENEFIT. LITTLE DOES SHE KNOW THAT THIS PURSUIT WILL SET IN MOTION A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT WILL FOREVER ALTER HER LIFE'S TRAJECTORY. FROM THE BUSTLING ENERGY OF WEEKEND FESTIVITIES TO THE DEPTHS OF AN UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS, MALA'S STORY IS AN EXPLORATION OF THE HIGHS AND LOWS THAT DEFINE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

AS MALA CONFRONTS THE CHALLENGES OF HER JOURNEY, SHE GRAPPLES WITH QUESTIONS OF PERSONAL PRIORITIES, THE FRAGILITY OF HEALTH, AND THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF UNEXPECTED TURNS. THROUGH IT ALL, SHE DISCOVERS THAT THE TRUE VALUE OF THAT $50 EXTENDS FAR BEYOND ITS MONETARY WORTH. IT BECOMES A SYMBOL OF HOPE, RESILIENCE, AND THE POWER OF CHOICE.

"$50 SAVED MY LIFE" IS A HEARTFELT AND INSPIRING MEMOIR THAT REMINDS US OF THE EXTRAORDINARY WAYS IN WHICH EVEN THE SMALLEST EVENTS CAN SHAPE OUR LIVES. MALA'S STORY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND THE INDOMITABLE WILL TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.

PREPARE TO BE CAPTIVATED BY MALA'S CANDID STORYTELLING, AS SHE INVITES YOU INTO HER WORLD OF CELEBRATIONS, INTROSPECTION, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. THROUGH HER TRIUMPHS AND TRIALS, MALA'S JOURNEY WILL LEAVE YOU REFLECTING ON THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION, AND THE RESILIENCE THAT RESIDES WITHIN US ALL.

IN THIS REMARKABLE TALE, MALA'S UNWAVERING DETERMINATION TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES SERVES AS A BEACON OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION. "$50 SAVED MY LIFE" IS A TESTAMENT TO THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF SELF-DISCOVERY, REMINDING US THAT SOMETIMES THE SMALLEST THINGS CAN HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT. EMBARK ON THIS UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY WITH MALA AS SHE NAVIGATES THE TWIST AND TURNS OF LIFE, EMERGING WITH A RENEWED APPRECIATION FOR THE PRECIOUSNESS OF EVERY MOMENT.

DISCOVER HOW A SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT CAN BECOME A CATALYST FOR PROFOUND CHANGE, AND HOW THE GREATEST REWARDS OFTEN COME FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES.

"$50 SAVED MY LIFE" IS AS TESTAMENT TO THE RESILIENCE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT A REMINDER THAT HOPE CAN EMERGE FROM THE MOST UNLIKELY OF PLACES AND A CELEBRATION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF A SINGLE CHOICE. GET READY TO BE INSPIRED, MOVED, AND FOREVER CHANGED BY MALA'S CAPTIVATING STORY.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369405963

Book preview

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$50 saved my life

Mala Balram Slowe

Copyright © 2023 by Mala Balram Slowe.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 08/31/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

854798

CONTENTS

Part 1 Parties and Priorities

Chapter 1 The Wellness Check

Chapter 2 Nurturing Bonds

Chapter 3 Sean’s Sensational Soiree

Chapter 4 Jay’s Unforgettable Bash

Chapter 5 A New Direction

Chapter 6 Reality of Prioritizing

Chapter 7 A Memorable Labor Day Weekend

Part 2 The Battle Begins

Chapter 8 Back to Reality

Chapter 9 A Troubling Discovery

Chapter 10 The Road to Recovery

Chapter 11 The Unexpected News

Chapter 12 Surgery and Struggles

Chapter 13 The Depths of Depression

Part 3 Embracing Life and Giving Back

Chapter 14 Lessons in Friendship and Gratitude

Chapter 15 Celebrating Life

Chapter 16 The Gift of Giving

Epilogue

Part 1

Parties and Priorities

Chapter 1

The Wellness Check

It was Friday, Labor Day weekend in 2018, and I was finishing work as a medical coordinator at the hospital. My coworker Mary approached me with an intriguing question.

Hey, did you get your $50.00? Mary asked with a mischievous smile.

I was taken aback. Wait, $50.00? What are you talking about? I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

Just as I was about to delve into the details, the ringing of my phone interrupted the conversation. I hastily picked it up, balancing the receiver between my shoulder and ear, and my daughter, Stephanie’s, voice filled my ears.

Hey, Mom, are you available for dinner tonight? Stephanie asked eagerly.

I considered my plans for the evening. Well, I have a few other places to go, but let’s do dinner first. I’ll make time for you, I replied warmly before ending the call.

With the phone call behind me, I turned back to Mary. My curiosity about the $50.00 rekindled. As if reading my mind, she explained that the insurance we had taken out provided a wellness benefit. If we underwent a wellness check, we would receive $50.00 as a reward.

The idea of receiving some extra cash immediately sparked my interest, and I expressed my eagerness to participate; my eyes widened with excitement. That sounds amazing! I want to get that wellness check and claim that $50.00, I exclaimed.

However, my excitement was quickly replaced with disappointment as I realized I had already completed all the wellness checks for the year. Disheartened, I sighed, thinking that I had missed out on the opportunity to earn some extra cash.

But Mary, ever resourceful, had a solution. There’s one test you haven’t done yet, she revealed, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Curiosity once again ignited within me. Which test am I missing? I asked apprehensively.

Mary looked at me earnestly and suggested, You should go get a mammogram done. It’s recommended when you turn forty, and it’s part of our insurance wellness benefits.

I hesitated, convinced that I had no symptoms or pain and thus saw no need for a mammogram. I balked at the suggestion, confidently asserting, No, I’m fine. I don’t have any aches or pain.

However, the allure of the $50.00 lingered in my mind. As I sat at my desk, pondering over the potential reward, a thought crossed my mind. Despite my initial reluctance, I reasoned, Well, it’s Friday before Labor Day, I mused. I can use my lunch break and go get it done.

Determined to seize the opportunity, I made my way to the nearby breast center. Nervous but hopeful, I underwent the mammogram, the prospect of the $50.00 incentive driving me forward. When it was over, I felt a sense of relief and happiness. I knew I had taken a proactive step toward my well-being.

Returning to the office, I filled out the necessary paperwork and submitted it, a smile of satisfaction adorning my face. I turned to Mary and expressed my gratitude, saying, I’m glad you told me to go get this done. I wanted that $50.00, but more importantly, I feel accomplished.

As