Breathing a sigh of relief!

Well it's official......summer break is here for us!!  Yesterday I watched my baby graduate from kindergarten. They had an awesome program and graduation ceremony that was too precious for words. I just can't believe how time keeps on flying by. Seems like just yesterday when I was holding that little fuzzy headed baby in my arms! Not to mention that my actual baby will be in pre-k next year.....

As most stay at home parents do I'm guessing....I have mixed feelings about summer.....On one hand I am nervous to have to find ways to fill each day of the summer without hearing too much whining of being bored, without too much arguing, and saying goodbye to a few hours to myself 4 days a week... On the other hand I am looking forward to care free days without a schedule!! (and wearing our pj's as long as we want!)  Although, to be honest...mostly what I do when I take the kids to school is take my pj's off and put on yoga pants and a t-shirt. And....I don't do yoga! Lol! We have always been the "go go family" so I'm sure we will pass the summer pretty quickly! I'm hoping to incorporate some "learning time" into our summer days too so those eager little minds don't turn to mush! ;)

In anticipation of the summer....A few weeks ago the boys had me turn our dry erase note board into a countdown to summer board. It was helpful to keep me focused on all the things that I needed to get done and how little time I had to do it... With the last days of kid free hours coming to a close...I started making my rounds to various doctor appointments that I've been meaning to schedule.  With all that has gone on in my family the last couple years, I've decided to get on the preventative care wagon! Had an a-typical mole removed last week. Also, went to see the gastroenterologist... 

Crystal's cancer was gluten derived....meaning she either had Celiac Disease or a gluten sensitivity....neither of which she ever knew she had until it was too late. Needless to say, I have
wanted to get tested for Celiac. So, last week I went in to see the gastroenterologist that I saw when I had a preventative colonoscopy (because of mom's colon cancer). I told them I wanted to be tested for Celiac due to the recent change in family history. I also told them of a consistent dull ache in my lower right abdomen that had been there a few weeks. With all the history...they called for the celiac blood test as well as a ct scan of my abdomen and pelvis.  Had the CT scan done Monday morning. They said they would have the results to my doctor by the next day. Well, my follow up isn't until June and the x-ray tech said that no news was good news and that my doctors office would call me if there was anything they saw on the CT scan that couldn't wait until my follow up appointment. So...when I showed a missed call on my cell phone from my doctor's office only 4 hours after having the CT scan done, I was a little freaked out to say the least. I called back and talked to the nurse who said that there was an abnormal thickening in my upper stomach that the doctor would like to check into further. He wanted me to come in to have an endoscopy and they would also do a biopsy of the tissue. When I asked what it could be she wouldn't really say. She said it could just be inflammation or a multitude of things but that is why they need to go in and check it out....to determine what exactly "it" is! Of course when I got off the phone with her, I immediately got on the Internet and searched 'thickening in upper stomach'. Although I didn't find much....the dreaded "C word" did keep popping up. But, I turned off the computer and said....nope...stay positive...what are the odds?? and I prayed! Oh, how I prayed!

This morning mom took me and I had the endoscopy. Thank God all is good!! The doctor said everything looked good and that he didn't see anything at all. He still took a biopsy of the tissue just for my peace of mind! I should have those results next week. My celiac results came back as well and I do NOT have celiac disease either! All around FANTASTIC news today! He thinks that with the cancer history I should not ignore anything and I should definitely be cautious and be monitored more closely than most 32 year olds. I still have no explanation for the dull ache either but my records will be passed along to my ob doc and I will see him in a couple weeks for my annual check up.

Even before this scare, I have decided to be extremely proactive with my health and the health of my family. We have made lots of dietary changes this year. We were already pretty healthy eaters, but have gone pretty extreme lately. Mostly organic everything, cutting out most processed foods, cutting out most meats, going to natural products for shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, etc...better safe than sorry! And, with soooo much cancer in my family....My dad's mom had colon cancer, his dad died of lung cancer, my mom with colon cancer, and my sister dying from lymphoma.....I just figure I can't change my genetics, but I most definitely can change what I put into my body!! And with as much as I've read up on cancer in general and specific types as well over the past couple years, I see such a connection with what we put in our bodies! The old saying rings soooooo true...."We ARE what we eat!" Much more on this later..... stay tuned!

Philippians 4:6-7
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

God ALWAYS hears our prayers whether they are said in mind and heart or said aloud....you just have to have faith that he is always listening!