A Polypy Family
Last fall, our family tree had a bit of growth.
I’m not talking about more babies or marriages (although that did happen), but genetically speaking, we had some movement in the genetic family tree.
You see, for about 10 years now, I’ve been the odd ball out when it comes to this colon cancer stuff. I’ve had a great-aunt who was known for polyps and a few great-grandparents who supposedly had colon cancer, but nothing that really gave any doctors insight that my colon cancer diagnosis was a family thing. I’ve had to answer “no” every time I’ve been asked if there’s a family history of the disease. And while that’s still the case, things got a little more interesting a few months ago.
My Cousin Eric
Meet Eric
This handsome stud (sorry gals, he’s got a gorgeous wife) is my cousin Eric. He’s lives in Nebraska and texted me out of nowhere several months ago asking me about blood in the stool. I immediately was concerned, as that was my main symptom of colon cancer.
Genetic testing I underwent a few years ago indicated that my mutated gene (commonly found in Lynch Syndrome) is most likely traveling through my dad’s side of the family. So, when Eric texted me (cousin on my dad’s side), I IMMEDIATELY told him to get a colonoscopy. Good thing his doctor was already headed there, or I would have driven up to Nebraska myself to make sure he got tested.
Colonoscopies Save Lives
Eric’s colonoscopy found that he had polyps growing in his large intestine. This young, twenty-something hunk (sorry again – he’s married, and actually has a baby on the way) indeed had pre-cancerous growths in his colon. Thankfully, they did a colonoscopy right away given his family history (sorry dude) and symptoms, and were able to remove the polyps safely. Now, Eric knows he’s at high risk for colon cancer and can get screened often to prevent an occurance.
Polypy Cousins
A Polypy Family
Don’t get me wrong, while this might seem like I’m excited, I’m bummed that Eric has to deal with this too – yet so relieved that he caught it early. There’s a suspension that a weird variation of Lynch Syndrome is running through our family, thus the importance of everyone getting screened. (That’s right you Ripleys who are reading this – get your rears CHECKED OUT NOW.)
If you are like our family and have someone who’s been diagnosed with colon cancer — and especially someone diagnosed with colon cancer UNDER AGE 50 — get yourself into a gastroenterologist and get your colon checked NOW.
It’s nothing to play around with.
Cancer Scares
One part of survivorhood I never really prepared for was the cancer scares. Sure, I knew that I would need to keep a healthy lifestyle and make sure I went to routine scans, but for some reason the element of the constant scares had never crossed my mind. That is, until about a month ago.
It’s never fun when your doctor calls to personally to deliver the CT scan results. He was concerned, sent me for a follow-up PET Scan, and about a week-and-a-half of anxiety ridden days and nights, I finally got the news that all was clear once again. Apparently, being operated and radiated on as a 17-year-old can have some residual effects like scaring in the pelvis that looks questionable.
While I’m thankful that in this instance, all was clear, it opened my eyes to the long journey that I, as well as all of my fellow cancer survivors, are on. Especially for those of us who’ve been hit with the disease twice or more; it’s an eye-opening and sobering experience to realize that you’ll be fighting a disease for the rest of your life. When I first realized this after my second diagnosis, I was angry. My anger has subsided these days, but it’s still shocking to me sometimes when I realize the risks associated with just living life. I realized as I waited for my PET scan results to come in, that even if all was clear, this wouldn’t be the last time I’d have a scare like this. Unfortunately, this is a lifelong journey.
As I went about church and life group yesterday; however, I began to see a comforting parallel between living with Christ, and my life as a cancer survivor. Both require a “wartime” mentality, as we must always stay on guard for the next attack. We mustn’t be surprised by it, but rather, anticipate that the enemy will work to get us down… whether it’s sickness, debt, rough relationships, sinful temptations, etc. We won’t have these “scares” subside until we reach heaven. So until we’re there, we must anticipate them.We must stay in the fight, and remember that we’re at war.
I found encouragement yesterday in remembering that I serve a God that is here to help. Christ didn’t come down to earth to leave us hanging. He sent the Holy Spirit to get us through tough times, give us unity among one another, and bring about a perfect peace that gets us through any trial. While we can’t always change our thoughts or make ourselves feel differently, we can plug into the source who will “guard our minds and our hearts” with only the peace He can bring. Whether it’s a cancer scare, or any other life problem that gets us down, we must keep pressing on and hold the line in this war.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Facts About Poop
My friend Brian sent me a link to this site the other day. A-mazing. Some of what we’ve covered here on the Semicolon blog before is also on this awesome graphic; but some of it’s new info. While I realize that not everyone loves talking or thinking about poop as I do, I try to share the love with you because who knows – it just might save your lives one day, too.
Enjoy!
Via: OnlineSchools.org
I Need to Write More
Well, it’s March 25. Man where has the time gone?
While the time has been going – where I don’ t really know – what has NOT been going are my blog posts. It’s so hard to write sometimes, and especially as a writer. I wonder if people in other trades have the same problem. Do chefs go home and make dinner for the family? Does a painter make sure his house and all of his walls are crisp and fresh in paint? Probably not. Or at least, I’m going to choose not to think so in order to feel better.
Anyways, all of that to say sorry for not writing more. I’ve got about a million ideas swirling around in my head about what could-be blog posts. Not to mention there’s a new opportunity to write for a devotional book again. Oh – and I really want to write a book about my cancer-infertility-adoption story this year. But you know – yeah.
However, I was encouraged and challenged yesterday by a book that I’m reading right now. It’s my first “I’m a Mom Now” book – meaning it has “mom” in the title. A whole new experience for me that’s a whole new blog post – BUT – my point is that the book has challenged me. It’s challenged me because it recognized that as a mama of a young kiddo, life is BUSY. However, as busy as we are, we must make time to exercise our God-given gifts and talents for His glory. We have to make time for us, make time for Him, and make time to exercise our gifts.
I’ve been writing a lot for my freelance copywriting business lately, but not for my personal benefit – nor the enrichment of others. The book was great for me to read yesterday, as it’s given me a new challenge to get back in the game. It’s harder now than ever, but I have to make the time to write. I think it’s why I’m still here. And by golly, I am going to make the most of this.
Dress In BLUE Day
Today, I hope the world is covered in blue.
Not to show support of a team, or even a special school.
But to carry the message of colon cancer awareness.
While those of us impacted realize that wearing a certain color won’t make cancer go away,
We do know that it will help people realize the importance of colon screening.
And that it really is a big deal.
A colonoscopy is much easier to deal with than surgery, chemo and radiation.
That’s why those of us who have gone through it keep getting the message out.
So today, on Dress in Blue Day, we ask for your help.
Spread the message. Dress in Blue.
Encourage everyone (especially those over 50 and with a family history) to get their colons screened.
Let’s save some lives together.
What To Do if your Baby Poops in the Tub
What to do if your baby poops in the tub:
1. Stop, look at it, and come to the realization that yes, that is a big turd in your tub.
(step 2 is what I should have done, alas, I instead skipped to step 3)
2. Remove baby from tub immediately, and hang her/him over the toilet in case they’re not finished. If you don’t, you’ll end up having some really bad “poop water.” Yes, I speak from experience.
3. Recruit help (if someone else is around) to hold baby while you take care of mess in the tub. Try not to beat them up too much over their gag reflex.
4. Take a wipe and scrape the poo out of the tub, or collect it if it’s floating. A fish tank cleaner might even be helpful if this is a common occurrence. Grab one of those baggies from your diaper bag (like the ones you take with you when you walk your dog, except for kids), and put the dirty wipe and pieces of poop in that bag. Twist to hide the smell. Dispose.
5. Drain the poop water, clean the tub. Refil the tub.
6. Re-wash your kid who has just soaked, and possibly even splashed, poop water all around your bathroom. Make sure to get any toys, too – and keep them out of their mouth. Eww, right?
7. Re-bathe your baby, washing off the poop water from him/her.
8. Laugh and tell the kid they are awesome, because now you have the best rehearsal dinner story ever.
Mae Day
If you would have told me three weeks ago that I’d be putting our daughter to bed in her own room tonight, I’m not sure I would have believed you.
But that’s exactly what has just happened.
The phrase “God works in mysterious ways” just touches on the miracle that’s taken place in our lives over the past few weeks. We thought we had an idea of what our adoption journey would entail. God obviously had other plans. And we couldn’t be more delighted, excited and absolutely blessed.
Word of a precious, 4-month-old baby girl came to us three weeks ago. She needed some parents and a stable home. We were thrown for a bit; we had not signed activation papers with our agency yet and thought we’d be matched with a pregnant birth mom in another US state. We thought it would take a few months. Yet something about this baby girl intrigued us. She was older than a newborn. She was biracial. She was absolutely gorgeous. She was local. And something about this just felt so meant to be.
So a few weeks ago we started down a road that led to confirmation after confirmation that this indeed was the child that God had prepared for us. Everything worked out so smoothly, all of the what could-be complicated details were smoothed out. Doors and windows just seemed to fly open. And we agree with the many who have said, “it’s just a God thing,” as this adoption process has been very fast and nearly seamless.
So it was with great joy today that we were given temporary custody and got to bring home our little gal. Her adoption should be finalized in six months, via Missouri law. As her adoptive parents, we’ve chosen to give her the name of Mae Brooke. While the idea for her name originally stemmed from our love of music by one of “our bands,” the name has come to symbolize so much more. Mae because it’s the month we married, and it means new beginnings and family for us. Brooke because we dearly love both of our siblings, and we wanted to carry on their names with our kid(s). I pray that she can always look up to her aunt, Laura Brooke, and love and know God through the example she sets.
We are still in awe and pinching ourselves just a little bit. But we’re over the moon excited for this new chapter in our lives, and the plans God has in store. We couldn’t be more thankful to the big, loving God we serve. We’re so honored He gave us our Mae Day today.
Enjoy some pics…
Semicolon Communications
So as you might be able to tell, I’ve just run with this whole “semicolon” thing.
The nice thing for me is that since I’m a blogger and a writer – it works. For those who have no idea who I am, they think I’m obsessed with the semicolon – like my friend Ditty. 🙂
But for those of you who know me, you know exactly where it comes from. Oh – as well as the nice teller at the bank who nicely asked the origin of my (weird!) business name.
So as I was trying to come up with a name for my small business last spring, this was a natural fit. I used “communications” to house all the different types of things I do and felt the “semicolon brand” best personified who I am, and my driving force for try new things – like building up a random freelance business!
I can’t really say anything except that God is good to me, and His plans are way better than mine. What started as a small way to start making a few extra dollars last year has become somewhat of a growing business! I’m finding my business is growing, as well as my client and to-do list! Of course, all of this growth has been on the heels of our adoption – so the extra money certainly has helped our endeavors!
As I really began to get going with Semicolon Communications, God put Midwest GI in my path as my first big client – and then followed a connection with Amy Driver, owner of DA Designing. Partnering with Amy this past year has allowed me to expand my portfolio, become an official “freelance copy writer” and meet some more awesome connections, like Rob from Turn The Page Marketing who’s hired me as his SEO businesses’ copy writer. And this is just the beginning… I’ve got a few more leads that have come in lately, and I have a feeling that this is only the beginning…
So with that said, I have to say that God is good, and I am enjoying his unexpected plan and blessings. And two – I am excited to unveil the official Semicolon Communications website. Here.
What a wild ride it’s been the past year. I can’t wait to see what happens from here…
* A special thanks to DA Designing for this AMAZING site. It’s an honor working with you guys.
Semicolon Stories 