Inez Woody

C E L E B R A T I N G

Inez Woody a freelance copywriter and business owner at Woody Suite & Co., a creative ad agency designing conversational story-driven copy for creatives. She is a contributing writer at Parents Magazine. Inez is the coauthor of Sis, Stand on My Shoulders, a collection of letters written with the twenty-somethingHer StoryMeet year-old woman in mind. She was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. When she’s not writing at her favorite coffee shop, Inez can be found researching and obsessing over her family’s lineage, scrolling social media, and watching reality TV. She loves chocolate, spontaneous road trips, and attending Chicago festivals. Inez is a mom to her 19-year-old son, Isaiah.

Mystical Travel to Spiritual Sedona Prepares Me for Life’s Biggest Adversity

By Inez Woody

Spring 2021, my friends and I were looking forward to a Girls Trip to Sedona, Arizona, a much-needed time away from everything. After 15 months quarantined due to Covid-19, we were in dire need of some relaxation and fun in the sun in the majestic red rock of Sedona, Arizona. We were told the city was a magical and spiritual land and considered sacred by many for hundreds of years due to its energy vortexes. We had our eyes set on hiking, horseback riding, dining, getting pampered, bonding, and creating fun memories. As the go-to planner of my friend group, I had been charged with mapping out our trip. After securing a luxurious, fourbedroom, three-bath home in the heart of West Sedona, located at the foot of Thunder Mountain, I was ecstatic the location would be perfect for our stay.

With a renewed outlook on life due to the aftermath of Covid19, My girls and I were determined to make this trip one to remember. We planned to exchange gifts and created a grocery list with champagne, ingredients for gourmet cocktails, snacks, and boozy brunch dishes. We were eager to recreate our memories, our version of the classic film, Waiting to Exhale. Yall remember the scene when Savannah, Robin, Bernadine, and Gloria gathered for Gloria’s birthday (in Arizona), and they all listened to each other vent and talk about life’s ups and downs as black women? Amongst the birthday cake, burning candles, laughter, and tears, despite all the pain, what they valued the most at that moment, was the relationships shared between them as friends. We were a few weeks shy of the trip when I was scheduled for a routine doctor’s visit. My doctor revealed my results from a blood workup were not good. My kidney function wasn’t at a safe level. I left the appointment feeling scared. When I got to my car, my life and everything in it had stood still. There was a referral for a nephrologist (a kidney specialist) in my left hand, but it was wet and soggy from my tears.

Within a few days, I was seen by a nephrologist. First, Dr. Patel would do a full blood workup and then an ultrasound of the kidney, followed by a biopsy if necessary. I was admitted to a hospital to expedite the outpatient procedures. Because of Covid, the hospital was crowded. I was placed on the Covid floor because, unbeknownst to me, I had tested positive when admitted. The medical professionals had on PPE gear, and I was quickly whisked to a room and floor with red tape and signs in caps that said “COVID FLOOR - NO VISITORS. ” After a couple of days and a few tests, I was sent home. A week and a half later, I was on a flight to Sedona with my girlfriends. As we drove from Phoenix to Sedona, a wave of anxiety filled my chest. At any moment, my doctor would contact me with the results of my biopsy. As we entered our lavish AirBnB home, the sun was shining, and there was a pop of a champagne bottle, and suddenly my phone began to ring. It was my doctor. She told me that I had IgA-nephropathy, kidney disease, and would eventually need dialysis. My heart sank. She said a bunch of other things, followed by,

“or you could get a living donor kidney from one of your loved ones. ” I was distraught. A KIDNEY? Me? Why? If it weren’t for my girls, I would have fallen and collapsed to my knees. But I didn’t. My girls held me up. Physically. Emotionally. And mentally. Although not how I envisioned it, the rest of the trip was just what I needed. I prayed and spoke to God the entire trip.

I came home and decided not to feel sorry for myself. Since I got my diagnosis, I have been telling my story, walking in my purpose,Her and aligning myself with God’s vision for my life. Exactly nine months from that day to this one, I’ve gained a new lease on life. I still need a kidney, and with Story prayer and God, I’m preparing myself for a miracle. I’ve tripled my revenue in my business; I’m writing more and creating new opportunities for myself as an entrepreneur and published writer. I am fearlessly and boldly walking in my purpose. I share my gifts effortlessly. I truly understand how valuable my life is. No matter what you’re going through, always remember to trust God and know that he can use anyone for his purpose. He gives us the privilege of being used by Him. I believe he led me to Spiritual Sedona, for a moment only He knew I’d experience. I also experienced his presence like never before. He will finish the work he started in you, from glory to glory, and He will make it perfect.

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