Day 27~Triad Challenge

Welcome to gratitude.
Today is Wednesday. Yes that is right Hump day, middle of the week. The day that marks the changing of the tide for the work flow.
With our amazing fast spread of information a commercial, phrase or picture can go from a few people seeing and giggling to a whole nation declaring "Enough with the camel".
This Wednesday is extra special...it is the day before Thanksgiving. There are no stories written about thanksgiving eve, something like... 

The kitchen was all a flurry with the baking of pie, stirring of sauce, and slicing of yams. The parlor gleamed for not a spec of dust to be found, the table glowed from the shiny silver, bright china and sparking crystal. The family is all tucked in bed exhausted, hungry and nervous, for tomorrow is Thanksgiving and "Company" is coming to dinner. Company may be friends or family may be those you see daily or just once a year. But this is a special meal, the one that we all recall for years to come. Come to the table with your glass and gratitude, leave your burdens and complaints at the door. You are loved and cherished today and everyday.      

In the story of Thanksgiving eve we have no special elf that arrives to wake us with a clatter, magically not create a mess from coming down the chimney and leave behind a gift that some will say replaces the gift of a savior. For Thanksgiving we just have each other and the anticipation of good food and the making of memories. Make memories that support. Memories that bring a feeling of love, belonging, valued and acceptance.

I am grateful you are reading this. 

A friend presented the question...If today you have only what you gave thanks for what would you have?

Blessings 

Change in roles

As I get closer and closer to the age of whatever is next I am struck by how we change roles with our parents.  Now that is a profound statement. Ok here is the real story. The last three weeks I have seen a very large change in rolls for my mother. We were at the doctor’s office; I was standing in the hallway by the rest room in case she needed me.  As I stand there I was struck by knowledge that it was 40 some years ago that she would have been standing outside the restroom door, in case I needed her.  This was the beginning of my mom needing me in a very different way. 

We went from the doctor office to St. Luke’s emergency room. After the contrast CT scan Mom went to the OR. Dr. Barresi removed a section of her small intestine that had attached to her abdominal wall.  At 2:30 am Dr. Barresi visited with me about what he had done and some of the challenges that we have in front of us. It was an informative early morning visit, the first of many.

Abdominal surgery is never fun or easy recovery. Mom was in the hospital for 10 days. Her intestines took a long time to respond and work. They are still not working correctly. Her incision is not healing correctly and we will be going to the Elk’s Wound Center Monday morning so they can work the magic needed to close her up. I was privileged to see inside my mom’s belly. Not something a techie/chef gets to do very often.  Dr. Barresi and his student Clayton explained what I was looking at and what would happen at the Elk’s.  It was Awesome!

I am looking forward to the process Monday morning when they use a negative pressure wound therapy.

It is about 365

     As we close the month of awareness for many causes, Gluten free, Autism, and Breast Cancer just to name some that are close to my heart. Please know that those who are affected are impacted every day, 365 not just the 31 of October. If you have not had the correct cancer screenings for your age and genetic group please make that appointment today. If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover the test then ask for assistance. Breast Cancer is not the only cancer that has awesome assistance programs.
    In this month I have shared in the experience of the highest emotions of  Kip’s remission and the lowest as Brenda was taken from us at the young age of 48. Her body was ravaged by cancer but her soul shines bright guiding the rest of to a better way of life.
    Much is to be said for awareness, early detection and curative treatments, they save lives. I will take this time to share a bit of insight on surviving treatment and prevention. Kip was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was healthy and doing most of the right things food and exercise. There are not many external controllable risk factors for blood cancers. During treatment Kip set new markers for positive responses and reduced side effects. He maintained his dedication to good eating and exercise often to the point of embarrassing his medical team. Today Kip is in full remission and enjoying each new day as the gift it is. Being physically, mentally and spiritually healthy made a positive impact on Kip's treatment outcomes.
     Brenda was diagnosed at a time when she was not at her best physically. Brenda’s mental and spiritual healthiness is testament that you can remain positive and a beacon of hope when things are not going the way you wanted. Uterine cancer has some controllable external risk factors, same as my breast cancer. Brenda’s treatment outcomes were not what any of us expected or wanted. 4 months for surgery to remove her cancer she is dead. I miss her deeply. Please know that her death carries a message to me and you. Get healthy. Get off the typical American food plan; get off your butts and move, get in tune with yourself. Listen to when you feel good and when you don’t take action when you don’t. Know your controllable risk factors and control them.
     Some cancers or diseases are not preventable but your state of being will make a difference on how you respond to treatment. I know now that I may have been able to prevent my cancer. If I had not smoked for 20+ years, used artificial birth control, I should have had a child before age 30 and had been able to breastfeed for more than a month, if I had maintained my ideal weight and had been exercising on a regular basis. All of the above may or may not have prevented my cancer; however I did not take right steps to prevent. I want all of you to know that now is the time to make a difference in your life and the life of others. Know your factors and make the changes.
     I have shared my cancer story so that other women will know that there is help and resources available. I will continue to share my story so that more women will not die from cancer but will get the screenings, no excuses. I will also lend my voice to prevention. I have started exercising daily and must say I wish I had made this change 35 years ago. Even as I recover from another surgery this year I know that my daily walks are making a difference in my recovery. Now is the time, no excuses.
     This is a new blog spot, so yes it looks different than the other site. Give me some time to add some good and coolness to the new spot.
As always thanks for reading and supporting me in my journey.
Clan of Marie is strong and getting healthy.