What a difference a year makes

It's amazing what can change in a year's time. Think back to where you were a year ago...I'm sure that something happened that you would have never imagined, good, bad or otherwise.

A year ago today, I was in my second week of what became a 2 month medical leave. If I remember correctly, this was the date that I saw my now former primary care physician, who rushed me in to my OB/GYN's office, who then rushed me onto his surgical calendar to see what the heck was wrong with me. Within a week, I would be writhing in even more pain. The surgical wounds were healing just fine (side note: my OB/GYN was wisked away on a family emergency and I had a stand-in surgeon), but the surgery left me with a whole new level of pain that I hadn't experienced before. When I finally saw my OB/GYN again another week or so later, everything seemed so hopeless...he pretty much said so. This would be the last time I would ever see him. It was a dark time in my personal history, that's for sure. Fortunately, we found one good doctor after this day that turned the world around.

Thinking back, I honestly do not remember much of this time--who knows if it was because of all of the meds, or if it was because my mind is protecting me from the memory of the pain. However, I've made major changes to my lifestyle and minor, though important improvements to my health. A year ago I couldn't get out of bed. Yesterday, I ran around my garden picking pumpkins and gourds with my sister and nephews. A year ago I couldn't even think about attempting a workout. Today, I completed a short, though advanced yoga routine that requires strength I just didn't have back then. Last year, I languished in a career that I actually liked, but couldn't handle with my health issues. Today, I'm a languishing housewife because I've never been good in that role! LOL...had to get humor in there somewhere. While I'm not where I want to be, I see the light and I can find hope and strength to continue the journey.


So today, I only focus only on the light, pain be damned.
-S

A flashback to simpler times

Good evening,

I spent some time over the last few days thinking about 2005 and earlier, which was the time before my health crashed on me. Daily life was so EASY for me back then. While there were the ups and downs of life, I had the energy to handle them. Here are a couple of the pictures that came to mind of the fun and carefree times.

Dancin' at my sister's wedding

(July, 2002--about 3 months before our own wedding)

My sisters and I goofing around (totally sober!) at our parents' lakehouse

Summer of either 2004 or 2005

I think I'll always come with a warning label from now on (actually, I literally will because the Hematology folks told me to get a Med ID bracelet!), but I'm heading back towards these times. Not sure that I'll ever look like my former athletic self again, but I'm certainly bringing back the smile and controlled-crazy fun for round two!

Who's with me?

-S