More Tests

 Today has been one month since my kidney cancer surgery.  I'm doing pretty good.  My energy is still not there and if I do too much my cut muscle will hurt.  My 12 staples going across my side has come out.  Last Thursday was the first time I sneezed in a month.  I thought that was so weird.  But with the muscle getting cut and then being sewn together -- my diaphragm would not expand enough to let me sneeze.  I would would start to sneeze, but when I tried to get the big breath, my sneeze stopped.  Our bodies are weird aren't then?  

Monday I start back to work.  I'm doing half days this first week back to see how it goes.  Doctor recommended 6-8 weeks off, but I'm trying to go back part time after 4 weeks.  Since I get tired, I am sure that I'll be coming home and taking a nap with my ice pack when I get home.  However, I am looking forward to seeing the kids and adults again.  I get my daily amount of hugs from the kids at school because my boys at home are not huggers. 😂  

While I was off, I went ahead and got my mammogram done.  It has been 9 years since my last one.  My mom's mother had breast cancer so it is in the family unfortunately.  So, yes it was past due.  I was of course was hoping for a thanks for getting it done - see you in another couple years.  However, my medical stuff has not been that easy lately.  And neither were these results.  I have two spots - one in each breast.  One is a 10mm and the other spot is 25mm mass.  I have to go back in a couple weeks for ultrasound.  I know a lot of people have to go back for more testing after a mammogram so I'm hoping those spots are nothing.  But, two surgeries in 3 months now, I can't help but worry.  

I go back the first of June for another pelvic ultrasound to look at my spots on my ovaries.  In my mind, I am just planning on surgery so I moved my appointment from the end of June to the beginning of June so I'd have as much time to heal before school starts back up again.  Of course, I have no idea what will happen but I might as well plan for surgery just incase.  

I don't understand why I am going through so many different things with my health right now.  It's definitely been a wake up call to take better care of myself.  Monday I had a birthday and turned 49.  After the past few months -- I am okay with turning 49.  My diagnosis could have been a lot worse and I might not have made it.  I am thankful for where I am.  I am still not out of the valley yet.  There are still some unknowns in the near future.  But, I do know that God has brought me this far.  He will be with me with the next test results as well.  

We are what we eat

A recent study that looks at cancer rates in the United States.  The study concluded that the cancer incidence rates of Gen X (born between 1965 - 1980) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) were 2 to 3 times higher than baby boomers (born 1946-1964).    Not only are they more likely to get cancer, but they are more likely to develop 17 types of cancer.  Okay -- that's crazy!! The researcher's said major contributing factors included environmental toxins, diet, and obesity. 

But what has changed from 1955 to the 1980's? And even more so today?  Our diet.  Things were made from scratch.  Real ingredients.  Then, we had 2 income families, so frozen dinners took off.  Convivence food became a big part of our grocery stores.  Now, fast food is a part of our culture.  I work at a school. Those kids will eat pizza and chicken nuggets daily without thinking twice.  Our diets have changed so much and it allows toxins into our bodies daily.  Which will sooner or later will effect you.  There is SO many fake foods out there.  So many foods with cancer causing agents.  

A friend of mine told me about an app called Yuka.  It's a free app and you scan barcodes on items and it will list the good, bad, and ugly about the item.  I will tell you that there were several things that I was eating regularly that had cancer causing ingredients.  "Good for you" items.  High fiber, low carb. All those key words. Ya'll -- its not real food. It's engineered stuff that your body doesn't know what to do with.  There are some things that will come up "bad" or "poor" on the app.  That's when you can click on the ingredients and make that decision for yourself.  Sometimes it is just because the sodium is too high. But at least you have the power to look and make an educated decision. 

Food has the power to heal.  It also has the power to destroy your health.  The average American diet eats 60% of their calories from processed foods.  In the United States there are over 10,000 substances have found their way into our processed food.  Either from the food itself or the packaging it comes in.  Most of the chemical substances fall in the 2,500-3,000 range that are intentionally added to processed foods for color, shelf life, texture, and cost. 

We will never be able to live a toxic free life here on Earth.  We can only do our best.  Lower some of our risks.  Choose YOU!  Your health is worth the effort.  You are worth it!  Taking prescription medications mess with your whole system.  My husband was on over 10 medications several times a day just to live.  He felt terrible all of the time.  I'm not anti-prescriptions.  Sometimes we have to have them.  But, health starts with the foods that we eat.  Just take a look at what you eat regularly.  What choices can you need to change?

Healing After Surgery

Wednesday was a week today since I left the hospital.  Friday it will be two weeks since my surgery.  I'm home and trying to get my strength back up.  The doctor was not kidding when he said that it is a very painful surgery.  But, I'm finally down to one pain pill a day.  The one pill is usually in the evenings.  It's one thing to have some pain or be uncomfortable during the day, but trying to sleep when your hurting is difficult.  I still get tired easily.  Yesterday I decided to make cookie dough and freeze it for Easter.  Between the breaks that I had to take, the two hour task ended up most of the day.  So, I can see why the doctors have told me not to rush back to work.  My body is still healing and it's a slow process.

I had my PCP appointment yesterday.  What really surprised me was the many questions the nurse asked me about my mental state.  I love how they are looking at the whole body, not just the physical.  So I was curious and looked it up.  Most studies show about 1 in 3 people diagnosed with cancer experience anxiety, depression, or other emotional distress.  I get that.  Watching my dad die of colon cancer is still in the back of my mind when I get tested for something. I will probably always have that anxiety that comes with cancer.  Now that my body has had one cancer tumor, it has become even more real to me.  That's why I'm digging into more books and research articles to help prevent having cancer again.

However,  this point, I am grateful.  My PCP told me that I've had a rough 6 months.  And, I have.  From a gallbladder that was twisted and could have exploded and killed me.  To a cancer tumor that we caught before it spread.  My physical body has had a lot of people digging in there in a short amount of time.  It may not be over yet either.  I still have cyst on one of my ovaries.  I have another ultrasound and gynecologist appointment the first of June to see if it's grown or changed any.  I believe that is the last big thing that was on my list that was handed to me in October after my CT scan. 

Yet, through everything I thank God.  Not everyone's prognosis is as good as mine.  That CT scan has saved my life.  My gallbladder, kidney, or ovary did not show any issues in any bloodwork.  There were no flags.  No high or low numbers to be concerned about.  They were not causing me pain.  There is no reason to look at those organs.  I think that kind of amplifies my anxiety a little bit!  Because according to my bloodwork --- I was fine.  So, for me, I'm going keep putting that anxiety at the feet of Jesus.  Even if I pick it up again to worry and stress.  I know if I keep handing it over to Jesus, the anxiety will get less and less.  I'm going to keep reading and educating myself.  Keep doing what I can do be here a little longer with my family.