Gratitude,  This Life...

Sunday Snippet: The “Whew” and a PSA Edition

July 17, 2022 /

Today, I’m going to tell you about something that has been happening here in my life, something that I haven’t really shared here because 1) it’s rather personal and 2) I worried that sharing it would affect the outcome, which is stupid, I know, but I’m old and that’s how we aged folks think. We worry about jinxing things and other silliness.

But we are through this time now, so I’m going to use today’s blog as an opportunity for a PSA. It is this, Get a colonoscopy! If you are over 50 and you’ve never had one, go book it now. If you are 40 or older and you have a family history of colon cancer, talk to your family doctor about having a colonoscopy. 

Exactly one month ago, June 16, Husband went in for a routine colonoscopy and it showed an ulcerated mass in his ascending colon (the right side). It was cancer. We were terrified. But that diagnosis started a month-long odyssey that included lots of sleepless nights and gut-wrenching fear. Because we caught it early, we got a happy ending–he is now cancer-free and recovering nicely. That said, our lives have become a lot more doctor-oriented–oncologist, gastric surgeon, GP, genetic specialist, endocrinologist… and we love them all. Everyone from the gastroenterologist who found the cancer to the nurse who wheeled him down to the car after he was released from the hospital on Tuesday–they were all just fantastic. Warm and gracious and kind and caring–just as it should be.

Husband is here with me and although he is now officially high risk for colon cancer and will be monitored closely for at least the next five years, he’s recovering and back on the path to healthy. So we’re celebrating! But too many others aren’t as fortunate.

We dodged a serious bullet, so we’re pushing this message to anyone who’ll listen: Get a colonoscopy! If you are over 50 and you’ve never had one, go book it now. If you are 40 or older and you have a family history of colon cancer, talk to your family doctor about having a colonoscopy. Go here to learn more about colon cancer.

Gratitude for this week: All the medical folks who saw us through this crisis; all the friends and family who prayed and surrounded us in white light; Son and DIL, who stayed close to us the whole time; the science that made this healing possible; Creator God who kept a hand of protection around Husband.

Stay well, stay safe, wear your mask if you’re in a crowd, and most of all, mes amies, stay grateful.

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