Pegtrala

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9/23/05
Hi everyone. I haven't posted in a long time because I have had lots going on. I needed to write because many of you have touched my life since I had my original subtotal gastrectomy April 27, 2004. I had stomach cancer, and the doctor removed 9/10 of my stomach, my gallbladder, and hooked me up like alot of you with an open RNY. Well, I lost about 60 lbs between the end of April and the middle of September last year. Then I went back in for what I thought would be a "routine" upper endoscopy to check how my pouch was healing. Well, it was starting to produce abnormal cells again, so I started a roller coaster ride of going in every few months for more tests and endoscopies. The ride finally came to an end last month, August 12th, when my surgeon removed the rest of my stomach, my spleen, and a small part of my pancreas. He then fashioned a pouch out of my small intestines and inserted a feeding tube in my gut so that I could get nourishment at night while I sleep. I was hospitalized for 20 days and got to go home August 31st, which was the day after my 56th birthday.

I am feeling better each day, and I am so grateful that I will never have stomach cancer again. I still have a drain tube in my side from the abscess. I am taking antibiotics to help my pancreas heal since they had to remove part of it during surgery along with my spleen. I am eating more each day, so eventually I will no longer need the feeding tube. I will probably lose more weight along the way. I had actually gained about 15 lbs with all the worry before surgery, but have since lost that.

I guess the purpose of writing this is to thank all of you for all your pearls of wisdom that I gathered while I was recouping the first time almost a year and a half ago. I didn't have a support group to attend since my condition wasn't "officially" weight related. You were my support group. I learned about the kinds of foods to eat...and those to avoid! You shared your favorite recipes and advice. I also learned about some websites to visit for more help in nutrition. I read your stories and cried when I read some of them because in so many ways, they were my story, except mine had this cancer twist.

At 216 lbs, I still have a ways to go until I reach a more normal weight. However, the 60 lbs I lost opened up so many doors for me. I was able to play with my grandchildren and take long walks with my husband. I know I will be able to do these things again when I am healthy.

I hope you will all continue to go out and enjoy your lives. Make them as full to overflowing as you can because life, regardless of your size, is very precious. Don't take yourself too seriously! I'll continue to take it one day at a time, and I will make it back to good health, the Lord willing.

Original Open RNY surgery: April 27, 2004
Second Open RNY-stomach & spleen removed: August 12, 2005

10/2/05
I am feeling better each day. My surgeon removed my drain tube for my abscess on Thursday, but I am still not out of the woods. I still have an infection called pseudomonas. The abscess area is greatly diminished, and he put me on a new round of antibiotics. Now we wait to see if my body will absorb the fluid rather than form another abscess. I go in Oct. 12th for some bloodwork to see if my white blood cells are okay, and then I see the surgeon again on the 17th so that he can check me out. In the meantime, he wants me to take my temperature every day and to call the office if I start to run a fever or if I start to feel ill.

The other good news is that he said I can stop taking nourishment through my feeding tube at night. If I do well by eating enough on my own, he will remove the feeding tube on the 17th.

I am really hoping that I can go to church in the morning. It has been 7 weeks since my surgery, and I am FINALLY starting to feel like getting out and about a little bit. It's been a very slow process, but then again, I am so greatful to be alive. When all of the illness part is over, I want to seriously start losing weight again. Right now, I am eating as much as I can to make sure I heal well.

Well, that's it for now. Will write more later. God bless all of you who are reading this. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and He has been right there with me the whole time.

10/12/05
Today is the two-month anniversary of my second surgery! On August 12th, 2005, I had surgery to remove the rest of my stomach, my spleen, and the tip of my pancreas that was attached to my liver.

I originally had surgery April 27, 2004, when it was discovered that I had stomach cancer. They did an open RNY and removed 9/10 of my stomach, and also removed my gallbladder. They did the second surgery to keep the cancer from coming back since things were changing again in what was left of my stomach.

I am so glad that I found this ObesityHelp site sometime after my first surgery. I have learned so much. What a warm, uplifting group of people. I am so glad to be alive, and each day gets a little better.

I went in today for some blood work at the hospital to see how I am doing. I am praying that my white blood count is normal because that will mean that the infection I had in the abscess is gone. I see the surgeon on the 17th for the results. I also pray that he will be able to remove my feeding tube. Then I will be tubeless! Yay! It's been a long haul.

My DH and I also stopped by the surgical ward at the hospital where I had stayed and dropped off some See's candies along with a thank-you note I made. I incorporated some pictures into the thank-you note that my DH took of some of the staff while I was in the hospital and a picture he took of me today. Digital cameras are so wonderful! I figured that because the staff sees so many patients, it might help them remember me by seeing the pictures. Some of the nurses who took care of me were at the nurses' station today, so I got to thank them face to face. Then we went by the critical care unit where I had spent the first four days after surgery and dropped off another thank-you note and some more candy. I finally feel like I am closing a chapter in my life by tying up these loose ends, and it really feels good. We'll see how things go on Monday when I see my surgeon!

10/17/05
I just got back from seeing my surgeon. He pulled my feeding tube, so I am now tubeless! My labwork was really good too. I am finally over my infection, so now it is just heal, heal, heal. I am a little anemic, but he thinks that should resolve itself in about 6 months by taking vitamins with iron. I go back to see him in a month. I see my new PCP on November 2nd. It is the same one my DH sees, and my DH has gotten really good care from him. Things are really looking up! I think I will try driving the car to the market sometime within the week. Now I want to see if I can get my profile page updated with more current pictures.

I asked my surgeon about my weight. I have worked really hard to maintain it so that I could go off the feeding tube. He said I should start to see a decline in weight as I am able to get up and around more. Whew! This has been some surgery/recoup, but I am so grateful that I don't have to worry about stomach cancer ever again! Thank you, Jesus!

10/22/05
I just had to write because I am so excited! It has been about 2 1/2 months since my second stomach surgery (I had stomach cancer removed the first time), and I am finally starting to feel I am on the road to recovery! It has been very tough, but I am so grateful that the Lord has been with me every step of the way, and He has blessed me with so much support from my family and friends.

Because I had to have the rest of my stomach removed this second time around and a new pouch made, my surgeon put in a feeding tube to help me get the nutrition I needed to heal. It has worked well, and initially I only lost about 15 lbs. after surgery. The feeding tube came out on Monday, and I am FINALLY starting to lose weight again! Thank you, Lord!

I initially lost about 60 lbs with my first surgery, but I regained about 15 of them when they discovered Sept. 2004 that the 1/10 of my stomach that was left was producing abnormal cells again. It started me on some pretty emotional eating binges! I have now lost that 15 lbs I had regained, plus almost another 5.

I am starting on a brand new journey with no more worries about ever getting stomach cancer again. I can't! I no longer have a stomach! Now I can concentrate on regaining my health and losing weight. This feels so good! I was so happy for all of the other members of the April 2004 Message Board when I read their success stories about losing weight. Now I am going to be able to join them with my own success story!

My first goal is to weigh less than my husband and our two grown sons. I only have a little over 10 lbs to go! In fact, I only have a little over 10 lbs until I reach ONE-DERLAND! I'll let you know when I get there. Hope to be posting that news real soon!

10/28/05
I just got my new picture added to my profile page. I look at my "before" picture when I weighed 281 lbs., and I just cringe. I'm still a heavyweight at 209 lbs., but now I don't mind looking at myself when pictures are taken. God has been so good and faithful, and I am so grateful that I found this website. I can't even express how much support I have gained from the members here, not to mention the information I have gleaned.

It was a year and a half yesterday since my first surgery. I am so grateful to be alive, and now here I am after the second surgery. I still have some pain and discomfort, and take Tylenol around the clock for it, but I'm alive and kicking! At least I will be kicking in a couple of months.

Now I need to figure out how to divorce myself from emotional eating. I know that I need to work on this, and I also know that I will probably need to be in a support group sometime in the near future. I am going to explore the best avenue to take. In the meantime, I am so very happy with my life. I hope to continue to lose weight at a slow and steady pace. I see my new PCP on Wednesday, and I will be interested to see what he is like and what he recommends for my healthcare. That's it for now. Will write again after my visit with my PCP.

11/7/05
This is just a quick note. I have been battling a cold for almost a week and am finally on the mend. Kind of scary...my first illness since surgery. I wondered how my body would handle it without a spleen. So far, so good. We also had company for a few days. I weighed this morning and weighed 205. I am starting to believe that I am actually losing weight! I need to make sure to get in my protein so that I stay healthy. That's it for now. Bye.

11/12/05
It has been 3 months since my surgery, and I am so thankful. Life is getting good again, and I am trying to live each day to its fullest. I weighed in this morning at 204.5 lbs. My DH and I will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary on Nov. 25th. He is a wonderful man, and I thank God for him every day. I hope we have many more good years together. I am over my cold and ready to get on with living the good life.

11/22/05
I saw my surgeon yesterday, and he released me to my PCP and my gastroenterologist. It's been almost 19 months (4/27/04) since I had my first surgery, which was an open RNY. It was also when they diagnosed that I had stomach cancer and removed 9/10 of my stomach and my gall bladder. On August 12, 2005, they removed the rest of my stomach, my spleen, and a small part of my pancreas. Since then, I have been struggling to get back to feeling better. I am making progress, and the pain and discomfort from my surgery is almost gone. My surgeon told me yesterday that in another 24 months, I can say that I am cured of cancer. "Thank you, Lord, for carrying me so many times during this long journey."

So here is where I'm at today: I am almost pain-free from the 2 surgeries, and I am so grateful. However, I am experiencing a great deal of shoulder pain that is affecting my quality of life. I had been having a lot of shoulder pain for about 4 months prior to my last surgery, and I am still sleeping in a hospital bed that has an air mattress on top of it because my shoulders cause me too much pain to sleep in a regular bed. I started physical therapy on my shoulders about 2 weeks ago now that I am well enough to be worked on, but I am becoming discouraged because it is such a slow, painful process. I don't like feeling this way because most of the time I am a very happy, optimistic person. I want to be able to get a decent night's sleep in a regular bed so that I can sleep next to my wonderful husband of almost 38 years. We celebrate our anniversary the day after Thanksgiving. I also want to be able to visit his folks and to do some traveling, but I'm just not able to do that yet until I can sleep in a regular bed.

I'm also struggling with my weight. I keep telling myself that it's more important to focus on getting healthy, but I still have these urges to eat more than I should of foods that aren't good for me. So what do I need? What came to mind is "respite from the storm." I guess I am just a little tired this morning. I went to a craft night with my daughter-in-law and used my arms a bit too much. Waking up at 4 in the morning because of it is not any fun. I am retired and want so much to be able to do the things I have waited to do when I retired.

Okay, that's enough of my pity party. In my heart I know that I just need to remain patient and wait upon the Lord. The physical therapy is a slow process, but I am seeing small successes. Patience, Peg! I will look back at this journal in a few weeks or a few months and will see the progress I have made since this entry. "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me."

11/24/05
Happy Thanksgiving! My DH and I went to the coast for the day....just the two of us. This is the first Thanksgiving that we have spent with just the two of us. Very nice. Here's a picture we took while at the coast. We used it in our Christmas cards.

12/9/05
It's a beautiful day today. It's cold outside, but the sun is shining, and I thank God for all His many blessings, especially my wonderful family. It is fast approaching the 4 month mark from when I had my last surgery. I am feeling healthier every day, and I am slowly making some progress with my shoulder, arms, and ribs. I weighed 203 yesterday and 204.5 today. Go figure! However, God is good all the time.

12/27/05
It's two days after Christmas. What a special time of year. I am so grateful to be able to celebrate this Christmas with my family. I didn't know if I would make it to another Christmas, but I did. Thank you, dear Lord. My DH and I spent a lot of time at church and a lot of time with our family. I don't know what would have made it any more perfect than it was. I am content. Today marks 20 months since my first surgery to remove stomach cancer. I saw my internist today, and he recommended me to an orthopedist for my shoulders and a hand surgeon for the joint pain in my fingers. I don't see my internist again for 3 months, but I gained 2 new doctors! I think this is called progress? Anyway, my Dr. ok'd me keeping the hospital bed until the end of March. That is good news because my insurance covers it and now I don't have to worry about being "kicked out of bed!"

Another thing I talked to the Dr. about was a goal weight for me. It hadn't discussed it with him before because this is only the third time I have seen him. We both decided on 170 lbs. He actually wanted to see me at 160, but when he asked how much I weighed 2 years ago and I told him 280 pounds, he seemed to think that 170 was okay. He put it in writing in case I want to use that weight at Weight Watchers. I am thinking seriously about going back to them because I need the group support. We'll see.

I am to a point eating-wise that I really have to work to lose weight. I am still losing and gaining the same 4 pounds, but right now, I am at my lowest at 203 pounds. I had hoped to get below 200 by the first of the year, but if I don't make it, I WILL make it after the first of the year! Does that sound like a New Year's Resolution? It isn't. It is a FACT! I just need to convince myself that I can do it. Just one pound at a time, with God's help. He has been there every step of my journey, and I know He wants me to succeed. Life is quite a journey, but I wouldn't trade anything that has happened to me. God never gives us more than we can handle, and He must think I can handle a lot! May it all be to His glory. That's it for this time. Will write more another time. God bless each one of you who reads my journey. May it help you in some way to know that though the path may be hard at times, you never have to travel that path alone.

1/9/06
Happy New Year! Wow! This is my first post of the New Year....2006! I am praying that this will be a healthy year for me. 2005 was tough, really tough, from January through December. I have come such a long way, though. It has been almost 5 months since my second surgery. If it weren't for my shoulders, especially my left one, I'm sure my DH and I would be out and about a lot more. I want so much to be able to travel with him. He needs to get down to see his folks. I think he will head down in a week, and I will stay here. I wish I could go with him, but I just can't sleep in a regular bed yet. I go in on Friday to see an orthopedist. I haven't been to him before. I have mixed feelings. I think he will probably give me a cortisone shot in my shoulder. I pray that it won't be too painful, and I really pray that it will do some good. Thank you, Lord, that I don't have to go through this alone. You are always with me and will never desert me.

Well, I weighed myself again this morning, and I am so close to the 100's that I can taste it! I weighed in at 201 lbs. I have been up and down these 2 pounds forever! I am so excited though because I KNOW that I will soon be over the hump! Walk, walk, walk! That's my affirmation!

I am so thrilled that I get to be someone's angel. Kathy B. is having WLS on January 16th, and she has agreed to let me be her angel. I just pray that I will be what she needs. Please hold her in the palm of Your hand, dear Lord. Well, that's it for now. Will post again soon. Love to all who read this. Peg

1/18/06
Hi everybody. I'm almost afraid to post this, but I weighed in this morning at 199 lbs. I'm in ONEDERLAND! I'm giving myself a 2 lb. weight limit, so 201 lbs. I really want to keep losing weight and am starting to get encouraged even though the scales are moving down so slowly! I wonder when I will reach a point when I will truly believe that I am going to weigh less and keep it off? I think I just need more time to get used to all these changes I'm experiencing. Thank you, dear Father, for staying close and letting me lean so heaviliy on You. You are my rock, my strength, and I love you so much. Peg

1/24/06
Hi everyone. How are you all doing today? I'm having a good day and a very good week. I am now in ONEderland! I snuck down to 199 late last week...but I was only there a day before heading back up 1 1/2 lbs. I have been slowly losing 1/2 lb a day until today when I again reached 199 lbs. This time I AM NAMING IT AND CLAIMING IT AS MY OWN!! I used to think I couldn't break through the 207 lb. barrier, then it was the 203 lb. barrier, and then the 200 lb. barrier. Well, I am now scouting out the 190 lb barrier, and look out! I may have to sneak up on it over a period of time, but I am starting to believe that I just might do it!

The other exciting thing in my life is that I have now slept THREE nights in a row in my own bed instead of a hospital bed! After sleeping apart for over 5 months, my DH (dear husband) and I are having to adjust to sharing again. We keep waking each other up every time we take a deep breath or roll over. You'd think we were newlyweds or something!

I "borrowed" some questions of the day from another message board, but I don't think they will mind. Here they are, and here are my responses.
Questions Today:

1. What was one of your "fat" embarassing moments?
2. Your favorite birthday?
3. Your favorite foods right now?

Answers:
1. I have had many as I'm sure most of us have. I think the first one that has always stuck with me was when I was a young woman in my twenties and was asked if I was pregnant. I also hated it when my boy cousins called me "Piggy Peggy." I still don't like it when someone calls me Miss Peggy. I'm sure they think it is cute, but I can't help thinking of the little pig girlfriend of Kermit the Frog's, "Miss Piggy."

2. This past birthday on August 30th was my favorite. It was my 56th one, and I didn't know if I would make it to that one. It was my last full day in the hospital....my 20th day...after this second surgery. Thank you dear Lord, for seeing me through it.

3. Is frozen coffee a food? I like Chinese really well, and I also like pizza. I just bought a Vita-Mix blender, so I think protein fruit smoothies are soon going to be my favorites!

That's it for now. Will write again when there is something new and exciting to tell. Peg

2/1/06
February 1st. This is the first of the month, and it's a new beginning for me. I am sitting here at 2:30 in the morning, and I am dealing with the fact that I have been on a binge these past 3-4 days. I crossed over into One-derland a few days ago, and I just couldn't handle it. Isn't that silly? It is so true though. Yesterday morning I weighed in at 202 lbs. I'm up 3+ pounds, and I am scared spitless that I will regain all this weight that I have lost. I know these thoughts and feelings are not of God. They do not belong in my head at all. Lord, I pray that I continue to draw close to you and only hear Your voice calling me. Please calm this storm and give me courage to carry on. Thank you, Father. In Your precious name I pray. Amen.

2/4/06
Hi everyone. I am so grateful to the Lord for giving me another day on this earth. He is so good and faithful, and will never desert us. This I know for a fact! However, right now I am struggling with how to handle my feelings without antidepression medication. I know this is a positive step, and He is allowing me to feel my true feelings. Sometimes it is more than a little scary, but I'd rather feel the downside so that I can truly feel the upside of life.

The Downside: I have come so far in my healing process. It's going on 6 months since my second stomach surgery, and I find I am letting my guard down when it comes to food. Now that I can physically eat more, I WANT to eat more! I have gained 3 lbs, and am no longer in ONEderland! I am going to get back there and stay there! I want to move forward and not be afraid. I need to fill in the gaps during the day when my energy is sapped with positive replacements rather than eating.....like reading my Bible more, praying more. It is crucial that I find a substitute for eating.

The Upside: I am blessed with a wonderful family and great friends! I have a very active church life where I can use the talents and gifts God has given me. I am feeling better and better each day. I do have more energy and am physically able to do more. I can finally sleep in a regular bed, with the help of pillows, etc. My shoulders are becoming less painful, and I am slowly working on making a quilt.

My DH, kids, and grandkids are going to visit my inlaws in a couple of weeks to help them celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. This will be the first time I have seen them since my surgery in August. I am so hopeful that I can sleep comfortably in bed. I bought an inflatable bed wedge to help me keep elevated at night. I'll give it a try in our guest bedroom for a couple of nights before we go to make sure I work out all the kinks. If/when this works, then we can do some traveling again. We have several trips planned, and I want to be able to go, go, go! Speaking of which, I'm going to get going for now. Will write more when there's more to tell. God bless you all.

2/12/06
I am feeling so blessed today. It has been 6 months since my second surgery, and the Lord has been there every step of the way. Thank you, dear Jesus. At times I still feel anxious and uptight and a little discouraged because I am not dropping weight right and left. I lose a little. I gain a little. Right now I am "hovering" at around 202 which is where I have been off and on for the past two weeks. I want to be below the 200 mark. I just let things trip me up.

What I am going to concentrate on are the positives, and boy are there alot of them! Maybe the right thing for me to concentrate on is just plain healing inside and out....literally! I know that I still have a ways to go before I can say that I am truly healthy. I think I try to fool myself into believing it, but then I face the facts and realize that I'm getting there, but I'm not quite there. I still have tests ahead of me this spring to make sure the cancer has not come back. I must admit that I am feeling anxious about it. I know that is normal considering everything, but it's hard not to overeat. I just signed up for the Emotional Eating Forum workshop, so I'm hoping I can learn better coping tools. All in all, I am so much happier and healthier. Thank you so much. dear Lord. Well, that's it for now. Will write again another time. I truly am grateful. Love, Peg

2/21/06

Hi. Here is a picture of me two days ago at my in-laws' 65th wedding anniversary celebration. We also celebrated my DH's 61st birthday, plus his great nephew and great niece's Christening. All our kids and DH's siblings and their families were there. It was a very special occasion.

This trip was my first overnighter since surgery on August 12, 2005. Yay! I had some pain issues, but I made it! My weight is fluctuating. I had put on about 4-5 lbs., but it is slowly coming back down. I signed up for the free workshop here at OH on emotional eating. I'm hoping that helps me better understand myself and what makes me so "in love" with food. We'll see. That's it for now. Just wanted to post this newest picture.

3/24/06
It's been over a month since I updated. That must mean that I am feeling better and am spending more time away from the computer. My shoulder is getting better, and I am much more comfortable sleeping in bed. In fact, my DH and I have shared the same bed 5 nights in a row! I think I have turned the corner on my recovery. Thank you, Lord, for watching over me every day and for allowing me to worship You. I go see my pcp on Monday for my yearly. He is also going to take some labs to see how I'm doing. I'm also going to ask him if I can try to go back to Curves again. I have had to be very careful with my arms and shoulders, so just about everything except walking has bothered me. Even walking has hurt since I swing my arms. We'll see if he lets me try to modify the Curves routine.

I am coming up on my 2-year anniversary on April 27th when I had my first surgery. I am scheduled to see my gastroenterologist on April 10th or 11th, and then I have an upper endoscopy on the 17th. I also need to have a CT scan sometime this spring. I am praying that all my tests come out all right. If so, I can relax for awhile. Life is good. I am so glad that I can spend it with my family.

4/24/06
Hi everybody! I am soooo glad to be back onboard! I have been going through a bit of a slump, and I need to be here and talking with all of you. God is so good...all the time! I'm so glad He carries us when we stub our toes or just don't feel like rallying. That's kind of where I've been lately. I know it's time for me to pick myself back up and get going!

I do have GREAT news! I went in for all my tests, plus I had a follow-up endoscopy last week. There is no trace of cancer! Praise the Lord! I will continue following up with bloodwork every three months and seeing my pcp then, but I don't have to go back to see my gastroenterologist again. Yay! It has been 2 years on the 27th since I had my first surgery for stomach cancer. Then I had more surgery last August 12th. It has been a rough recovery, but I'm so grateful I didn't have to do it alone. I had the Lord, my family, and all of you. Just knowing I could always come here and read what you all were doing was such a boost, even if I didn't always post.

One of the hardest things I have had to deal with is that best friend of over 30 years turned her back on my DH and me about 2 months ago. It was over a misunderstanding. We have tried a number of times to get in touch with her and her husband to work it out, but they just won't speak to us. It has been just devastating to us. I always thought they would be there, and now they're not. I really am having a hard time dealing with this, especially since my health has been so tenuous. I know I would never have done that to them. I have been praying about it alot, and have been struggling with depression and all its ugly ramifications....lack of sleep, tiredness, lack of motivation, overeating.

SOOOO, now it's time to get back in the game! The game of life! I called Curves today and have an appointment to go in tomorrow morning to see if I am ready to start exercising again. My doctor gave the okay last week, so I'll see if I can do it. My DH and I are planning a little trip this weekend to go visit his folks. They live out of town, so this will be a big adventure to see if I can sleep in a different bed.

Well, I could go on and on, but really, all I wanted to say is that I am so grateful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for seeing me and my family through this very difficult time in my life. I know I have learned alot about myself and about my loved ones. I am surrounded by a very wonderful family. I am blessed and content. God bless you all, and thank you for reading this. You all mean so much to me.

7/24/06
It is amazing to realize that I haven't updated my profile in 3 months! I am grateful because life is happening all around me, and I am a part of it again. It has taken so long to feel healthy after two major surgeries, but I am getting there. Thank you, Lord, for walking every step of the way with me. It has been an eventful 3 months. Too much to write about, but the main highlight is that my younger son is getting married in October, and I am going to live to see him married. I didn't know if I would be alive to see that day arrive, but unless I get struck by a car or something weird like that happens, I will be at the wedding. He met his future wife just a month after my second surgery. It's hard to believe that I am coming up on a year since that surgery. August 12th. What a milestone. It is just beyond words to describe how grateful I feel. Life is good.

April 28, 2007
It has been THREE years since my first surgery, and I'm still here! I thank God every day for another day. Each one is a bonus. I am well. I have color in my face and my lips again. What a blessing! I had my yearly CAT scan last week along with blood work etc. My very kind doctor called the following day to tell me that everything checked out fine. Whew! What a relief! I had been feeling pretty tense about this upcoming anniversary...especially since I knew I would need to once again have a CAT scan to make sure that the stomach cancer had not returned. Now I can relax and get back to "normal" living.

There are alot of adjustments to make after surgery, and even three years later, I still am aware of some of them. I realize that my surgery was pretty extreme due to having to have all of my stomach removed during my second surgery, but it also is amazing how much the body can adapt. I am so grateful. My "TWO-YEAR anniversary" for my second surgery will be August 12th. It is pretty wonderful to now be measuring the time in years instead of months.

I am also grateful to this OH website. I haven't been posting for several months because I am no longer "new" to the process. However, this is an extremely valuable website. I still have it listed in my favorites, and I always know that I can come back here for encouragement/information/sharing. God bless each of you on your journey.