Wordless Wednesday

Have you done it????

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! If you are age 50 or over OR if you have a history of colorectal cancer in your family, PLEASE GET A COLONOSCOPY! Why am I such a champion of this? Well, let me tell you my story.......

Six years ago, my GYN told me that I was at the 'magic age' and needed to have a colonoscopy. In my mind, I was saying "yeah right - I'll get right on that". I had absolutely no intentions of having this test done! NO ONE was going to stick a tube up my butt!

My pap test came back abnormal, so I had to go have a repeat test. I knew my doctor was going to ask about the colonoscopy, and I didn't want to lie to her, so I scheduled an appointment with a gastronologist with every intention of canceling it! (See, I could truthfully say I had an appointment and then cancel it....yep, I'm sneaky like that). SO, I go back to the GYN and SHE NEVER EVEN ASKED ME ABOUT THE COLONOSCOPY. AND, I forgot to cancel the appt.

So, I went ahead and went to see the gastro dr. to "just to talk about it". I ended up scheduling the colonoscopy. The day before the test is the WORST.....just get you a good book and plan to spend the afternoon on the toilet! (Are you just loving this topic -- right????? LOL) You are asleep during the test so you don't feel a thing.

Well, long story short, I had the test performed and I found out I HAD CANCER!!!! I had absolutely no idea! I was told I would have to undergo chemo and radiation before surgery could be done. Talk about getting DOWN ON MY KNEES AND TALKING TO THE LORD! After another biopsy and a sonogram, where some of the tumor was flaked off, it became operable. Praise the Lord, it was in an early stage. I had surgery where they removed a portion of my colon. (that surgery was worse than having a baby -- PAIN!!!!) They were able to get it all so I didn't have to undergo chemo or radiation. I'm telling you it was by the Grace of God and all those people praying for me that I am now officially a "Cancer Survivor" 6 years!

The moral of this story --- MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PREVENTATIVE TESTING PERFORMED!!!!! JUST DO IT! It could save your life -- it did mine.

Yippee!

Yippee! I'm doing the happy dance! I went to the doctor today and he removed the staples from my abdomen (there was a bunch of them, too!) It's been two weeks today since my surgery. I'm feeling so much better. I am released to return to work on June 16 so I still have some time to heal and hang out at home. I hope I will get to do some sewing. I did some over the weekend, but stopped every little while as I would get really tired.

On the way to the doctor, dear hubby took me to Suzys Quilt Shop in Garland, TX. I had not been to this shop before, but had heard lots about it. It was a nice shop. I bought the pattern Anna's Garden -- applique! I also bought a number of reproduction background fabrics to use to make this pattern. While in Williamsburg, VA, during Christmas Holidays, I purchased the Williamsburg line of fabric and plan to use it for this pattern as well. It will take me a while complete this quilt but it will be fun.