For the Record...

I had a post-surgery follow-up visit with the surgeon today. After filling my bowels with air and inserting various fun exam instruments, he told me that everything has healed well and looks good! Each time I hear a positive report my heart feels a little lighter!  I don't have to see the surgeon again for three months when we will schedule my next colonoscopy - always something fun with him! 


I also had blood drawn today to do genetic testing to see if I have a specific gene mutation that makes me more susceptible to colorectal cancer. This test will help determine how vigilant we need to be with future exams, and it will also determine if my children need to be tested for the same gene or not. Hopefully the test will be negative. We should have the results in 4-6 weeks.


Just for the record... as the doctor was examining my surgical site, he asked me to raise my head so that he could feel the muscle strength around the former ileostomy site. Then he said, and I quote, "Your muscles are strong." I started laughing, thinking he must be kidding. He assured me that he was serious, I have good abdominal strength. So, I just want everyone to know that it has been confirmed by a top notch, highly degreed medical professional that I have 6-pack abs!! OK, maybe that's not exactly what he said, but he might as well have said it that way because that's how I'm taking it! 


I hopped in the car to drive home from the doctor's office and the lyrics "Glory, Honor, and Power belong to You" were playing on the radio. It seemed so appropriate today and I sang praises and smiled all the way home!


As you are praying this week, please pray for a friend of ours, Jim Patterson. Jim has been fighting metastatic kidney cancer. He will be having surgery on Wednesday to remove a portion of his lung. The fact that he is able to have this surgery is good news. Please pray for successful surgery, that they will be able to remove all of the tumor, for pain relief, and a quick recovery. Please pray for strength and peace for his family. Thank you!


The doctor released me to exercise today too. I'm off to work those 6-pack abs!