Long Overdue Update

A long overdue update...


Gratefully, since my last post in October, I have had a tremendous improvement in my stomach issues. Although it was a bit embarrassing to share tmi in this post, I received a comment that put me on the road to recovery - acupuncture.


Since posting about the crappy situation to end of last year, I had a colonoscopy due to colitis, upper and lower GI series with small bowel follow through, and the excision of an egg-sized abdominal lipoma. Unfortunately, I didn't have any answers and I was still having major stomach issues with bouts of depression added to the mix. Realizing I wasn't going to let these issues control my life, I took the advice by the mystery commenter and sought out an acupuncturist in the area. 


Of course, I was a little skeptical when attending my first acupuncture session in January. I quickly became quite intrigued and then concerned watching the faces she made as she checked my pulses in my arms. She asked me if I had asthma. I answered I no, and she said she felt a breathing issue in my pulse and that is when I confessed I had once been told I had mild COPD, and at this point, my skepticism also faded because there was no way she could of known that since we had went over my four page questionaire and I didn't include COPD in my symptoms. She also said I had a bound pulse in my spleen/liver area.

We then moved onto the needle part of the session, and I can honestly say I was the most relaxed I have ever been in my life. It is crazy to think how having needles poking me from head to toe could be relaxing. She also explained a breathing exercise to help warm my cold hands and feet, and it is absolutely incredible how envisioning air coming in the top of my head and then being expelled over my body down to my feet could warm my inner core.


The next part of my session included discussing diet and supplements, and this is when she told me I had several things going on. First, my body was being over taken with candida, and I need to look into eliminating sugar by following an anti-candida diet. Second, I was dehydrated, and it didn't matter how much water I drank if I was getting enough electrolytes. An easy solution is to add a pinch of sea salt and a dash of fruit juice. Last, she did muscle testing to determine what digestive enzyme I needed to help me digest fats since I no longer had a gallbladder and with age my spleen's function was decreasing. 


I was absolutely blown away by this experience. She gave me a bottle and told me to hold it with my left hand over the area near my stomach where I had abdominal pain. I then put my right arm straight out and she told me to resist her pushing on my arm. My arm when lax immediately. Not knowing what was going on, she then told me to pick up the other bottle and hold it in the same way. This time when she pushed down she counted. I held my arm out and with the count of one it was still strong, and when she got to two, it went lax again. She said take two capsules of the digestive enzyme with ox bile when eating a complex meal. She also explained eventually I would only be taking one at a time and less frequently. She said I was in excellent health and she would see me when I felt as if I needed a tune up.


In April, I returned for a tune up and a refill of my digestive enzymes. She said my pulse was bounding like it was before but still had some heat from my spleen area. Before she began the acupuncture she did more muscle testing in my stomach area. She then determined I had ileo-cecal valve syndrome, and showed me how to massage the area to close the valve between my small and large colon. Again, I was blown away when I felt the oddest sensation above my hip and to the right of my belly button. As she massaged it vibrated and then I felt a pop. 


So, here we are three months later, and I can say I have a 99% improvement over how I was feeling when I originally saw her. God's gifts come in all sorts of packages, and I am extremely grateful I eventually gave in to  Gove's comment and suggestion to try acupuncture which led me to the healing part of this life's journey through my acupuncturist Pamela Bellamy.


Hugs and blessings,


Heidi

A Story about Team Rose Buds 3-Day Walk

This story was created by using lyrics from songs about walking.

On the final day of 3-day walk Dave says “[I] will “walk like a man, talk like a man” and says to ladies “Hey Sugar, take a walk on the wild side.” Jessica replies, “[No worries Dave]. These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you [breast cancer].” Jennifer’s sensitivity is apparent when she states, “If you see me ‘walking down the street, And I start to cry each time we meet. Walk on by, walk on by.’” Michele puts her arm around Jennifer and says, “Because you're mine, I walk the line.” Granny Rose adds her encouragement by stating  “Walk on through the wind, Walk on through the rain, Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone, You'll never walk alone.”  Granny Rose then escorts them down the sidewalk in grand style blowing them kissing and stating, “Rose Buds, walk this way, walk this way, walk this way, walk this way, just gimme a kiss, like this!”.

A couple hours later At the next cheer station several miles, Ken sees them coming and says to Jessica and Jennifer, “Walk right in, sit right down [next to] Daddy, let your mind roll on.” Jennifer and Jessica quickly remind Ken, “I'm walkin. Yes indeed, I'm talkin'.By you and me, I'm hopin'. That you'll come back to me [at the closing ceremony].” Thane interrupts to alert Rose Buds of the action, “All the cops in the donut shop say ‘Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh ! Walk like an Egyptian. Walk like an Egyptian.” As Team Rose Buds walks away Derek thinking of his beautiful wife Jessica says to Granny Rose, “[It’s like she is] ‘walking on sunshine and don't it feel good!!’”

Rose Buds continue on their journey to finish walking 60 miles over 3 days. As Granny Rose sees them walking closer to the finish line, “Here they come walking down the street. Singing save the boobies! Please Oh Please. Snapping their fingers and shuffling their feet. Singing save the boobies. Please Oh Please! They look good. They look fine. And what they do blows my mind.” As they cross the finish line with tears streaming down their cheeks Michele says to mom, “But I would walk 500 miles.” Jessica and Jennifer state, “ And I [we] would walk 500 more.” Dave says, “Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles [more for you even if it causes me ] to fall down at your door]!”

Breast Cancer Slogans

 Breast cancer slogans seen on buttons, signs, and t-shirts:
·      Grab a feel, so cancer doesn’t steal
·      Cancer is a word, not a sentence
·      I pink I can, I pink I can
·      Boobs: They could use your support
·      Check your bumps for lumps
·      Fight like a girl!
·      Real men wear pink
·      A feel a day keeps the doctor away
·      Walkin my buns off for boobs
·      Join the fight, one step at a time
·      The Breast is yet to come
·      Pink is my signature color
·      These boobs were made for walkin
·      Think Pink!
·      Ready, Set, Go Pink
·      Give cancer the Boot
·      Boobs, Sweat and Tears
·      Positively Pink
·      Pink Power
·      Ghosts and Goblins don’t scare me, I survived breast cancer
·      We are fighting to keep a BREAST of the competition
·      Don't tell God how big your mountain is. Tell the mountain how big your God is.
·      Cancer touched by boob, so I kicked it's ass
·      Saving 2nd base
·      Save the Ta-tas
·      Yes, they’re fake. My real ones tried to kill me!
·      Save the boobies
·      I’m taking the girls out for a walk
·      Lost my boobs, not my sense of humor
·      Real men wear pink
·      Get your boo bees checked (with little bees flying around)
·      Got boobs? Get checked.
·      Breast friends
·      Frat boys love boobs
·      I’m a street walker
·      I touch myself. Do you?


My all time favorite worn by my mom: SURVIVOR!

What's your favorite?

Hugs and blessings,

Heidi  

A Crappy Situation

Been avoiding this subject  for quite some time, but reality has set in ~ I won't be walking in the Tampa Bay 3-Day for the Cure. It is very disappointing and the reason is because of a "crappy situation." I wasn't sure how to approach this topic and wondered if it would be TMI, but I realize there are others suffering from the same "crappy situation." By sharing my story, others may realize they are not alone or even offer some advice.

Since I had my gallbladder out a year ago, I have been suffering bile-dumping syndrome. Often times, shortly after eating, I would have have an uncontrollable urge to go the bathroom. This would result is yellowy diarrhea. Being the Google queen, I did some Internet research and dealt with the issue. It was a trial and error process finding what helped and what didn't. Sadly, the errors resulted in not making it to the bathroom in time. At this point, I was quite humiliated over the situation and didn't discuss the details with too many people.

Then  in March of this year, I began having other abdominal issues, including bloating, abdominal pain, and a slight bulge to the right of my belly button. At first I thought it could be viral, but after a week it was time to go to the doctor. She prescribed me cholestyramine for the bile dumping, did blood work, and scheduled an abdominal ultrasound for me. My results came back normal, and I was still suffering so she sent me to the surgeon.

After having a discussion with him, he was pretty certain I had a hernia although the bulge didn't show up on the ultrasound. I had exploratory laparoscopic abdominal surgery with hernia repair. He did some "extensive" hernia repair work  in my lower abdomen area, but this wasn't in the area of the bulge. I ended up with an allergic reaction which at first presented as a staph infection, but told him I was still had minor tenderness in the are under the bulge. He said he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. But there was a great improvement because I could sit without the sharp pain under my ribs.

Unfortunately, about six weeks later, the diarrhea issues got much worse with increased abdominal discomfort. Thankfully, this isn't an everyday occurrence, but episodes occur without warning. Before this started in March, I would have a diarrhea dumping episode and then would feel better. When I am having episode, the abdominal pain generally begins before finishing a meal or the meal doesn't sit well and leaves me running to the bathroom, and sometimes episodes include rectal spasms.

In the process of finding relief I have switched doctors in the process of finding relief, and both have said it sounds like IBS. I am fine with the diagnosis since for as long as I can remember I have had bathroom issues, but so far I haven't been able to find any relief in the medicines prescribed. Finding the right dosage of cholestyramine is a science because if too much is taken it will back things up, and this can be worse. Another medicine, Levsin, was the worst because I had a headache for the first week, made me feel extremely loopy and dizzy, prone to heat-stroke, and provide little or no relief for pain (abdominal and rectal) and diarrhea.


On my last visit to the new doctor, I explained, this pain is different and my concern is that the pain radiates from the "fatty" area and it has gotten larger. I then said "If you can tell me with 100% percent certainty that it isn't the cause of my pain, life threatening, cancer, nor will it ever be, I can live with it."  It was then that he said it did feel more fluid filled and would send me to another doctor for an ultrasound.

At first I thought, EUREKA! someone has heard me. My hopes of having answers, if this bulge was truly just "fatty" tissue or something more, were short lived. This is when I realized I have bad mojo when it comes to doctors. It took weeks to get the ultrasound set up, and it was a complete waste of time and resources. When the ultrasound technician told me she doing an ultrasound of my abdominal organs, I explained to her that I had one six months ago when my stomach issues began, and I was there due to find out if the area was truly fatty tissue or cyst. She called her supervisor, and they told me they got the order amended ; however, when I picked the report up from the hospital, I was grateful that all abdominal organs were normal and unremarkable, but very disappointed that there was no mention of the bulge.

Thankfully, I got an appointment with a gastroenterologist on October 18. I hope I get some answers, this "crappy situation" is soon over. Although I was disappointed about not walking, there are too many individuals that are going through much worse than I. Plus I am extremely excited to be part Team Twitter ATL and will get to crew with Michele in Atlanta. But the truth is I am afraid if I walk, I will have an episode and be known as the lady who pooped her pants.


Hugs and blessings,
Heidi

Team Rose Buds

Once Team Rose Buds became a family affair, I was interested to know what inspired them to want to walk. Do they have PINK BLOOD and PASSION.

Team Rose Buds ~ a "family affair" honoring mom/granny a 12 year breast cancer survivor
Michele, Miller, my sister, who I am also crewing with in Atlanta for Team Twitter Rose Buds
David Johnson, a brother of love, we don't share the same parents but we share the love of siblings
Jessica Lawler, Michele's oldest daughter and my goddaughter
Jennifer Miller, Michele's baby girl
Jacob Boyle, my baby boy




Michele: When I participated in the 3 Day walk in 2010, I found it to be a truly amazing experience. In 2010, as I prepared for the 3-Day walk, by participating in the training walks and attending other 3 Day events, I met so many awesome 3 Day participates who are all working to spread the word of breast cancer awareness. After I completed the 3 Day walk, I felt like I have actually gotten back more from participating in event than what I had given. So when my daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, Brother, Dave, Nephew, Jake, said that they wanted to participate in the walk in 2011, I was thrilled and proud that they decided to join our team and take part in this awesome event. I decided then that I was going to fully commit to give my time this year to spread the word of breast cancer awareness by crewing in Atlanta, helping Team Rose Buds to meet its fund raising goal, so that team Rose Buds can honor our Mom, Queen of Rose Buds, and to bring more awareness to breast cancer.



David: You two were good inspiration. I have 2 aunts that have lost a breast. Megan has skin cancer. My mom had a uterine cancer. I wanted to do something more than i have before. Embarrassment works both ways!! ;-) I do think if we can stop this cancer we can stop them all. Got to start somewhere!

**David was such an awesome walker stalker when Michele and I walked last year. He shaved a Komen ribbon in his chest hair, wore a pink tutu, and supported us at cheer stations.**

Jessica:  Why I want to walk the 3-day? Not only am I walking for my Granny who is a 12 year survivor, I am walking because breast cancer can happen to anyone at anytime. Two years ago my Sister was at the doctor and they found some lumps on her breast. It was very scary for me thinking that my younger Sister could be affected by breast cancer. When I was at the 3-day walk closing ceremony to support my Aunt & Mother I was touched by all of the support and it really hit me that breast cancer is a serious disease that is effecting so many people every day. It is time to put a stop to this horrible disease that takes so many women & men each year! I am so excited to participate in this great event with my awesome family! I am also excited to skip and dance across the finish line with the two women who are my inspiration in life, my Mother & Aunt!



 
Jennifer: As I watched the flag being raised at the morning ceremony the first day of the 3-day last year and seeing all of the amazing things about the Susan G. Komen just touched my heart. It was so incredible to watch my mom Michele and Aunt Heidi do such an amazing thing by walking in the 3-day. I just knew I had to do this! I had to do this for me, for my Granny, and for all of the others out there because we need to find a cure. At the closing ceremony I made a promise that I would walk in 3-day this year and I am so happy I made that promise and to be going on this awesome journey for the fight to end breast cancer. This is a goal I have made for myself and I am going to make it happen!

Jacob: Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the 2010 3-day to cheer on my mother and Aunt Michele. However, even without being at the walk and seeing what it’s like, I was inspired by mother and how much I could see that the walk changed her life. I was inspired by her dedication and the way her face lit up even when receiving a donation. She was not affected by the long painful training walks, the effort it took to raise the money, or even the 60 miles itself. She was more affected by the people she had met, the accomplishments she made, and the thought of helping others. I am walking because I want to feel the same way she did about helping others. I want to experience something that is truly life-changing for me, my family, and the rest of the world.




Heidi: I am involved because my heart tells me I must do my part in the fight. Although I do the breast cancer walk, my thoughts never leave those who have fought cancer, including my mother-in-law and brother-in-law, who both lost battles before I ever got to meet them; my best friend's who lost her 3-year-old daughter to cancer; my coworkers who have battled breast cancer; my coworkers whose spouses that have battled or are battling cancer; and for the new stories people share about how their life was changed due to cancer. When I ask others if there is someone they would like me honor during my walk, the list grows. All these factors get my pink blooding more fiercely and this fuels the passion and sacrifices happen because "everyone deserves a lifetime."

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