I am starting this blog after my first week of training with Team Challenge. It is my intention with this blog to keep everyone in the loop. I am always told that I should write a book. Okay, so maybe this is my chance to get those words down.I joined Team Challenge because quite honestly, last year I thought that I would be less one important organ in my body--my large intestine. Okay, I know that people can live without a large intestine. It's just storage for the poo. However, I really like mine. It fits really nice in my body cavity, and I have this strange attraction for it. It's like my small intestine and large intestine are twins...I feel like my small intestine would be really lonely.
Anyway, last year at this time, I thought that I would be undergoing a major surgery to take out my large intestine. The surgery didn't scare me as much as the thought of wearing a bag attached to my side. I discovered that I am vain. When I heard that the bag would blow up and leak odors, I freaked out! Ser
iously, everyone would know that I had onions for lunch by my very presence in the room. Did I mention that I teach middle schoolers? As smelly as some of them can be, I couldn't help but think that my stink would outrank them. Then, would come the "reattachment" surgery. Mentally, I couldn't even wrap my head around it. The diagrams were all cartoons, and when I saw the "real" photographs, they looked all oozy and gross.
iously, everyone would know that I had onions for lunch by my very presence in the room. Did I mention that I teach middle schoolers? As smelly as some of them can be, I couldn't help but think that my stink would outrank them. Then, would come the "reattachment" surgery. Mentally, I couldn't even wrap my head around it. The diagrams were all cartoons, and when I saw the "real" photographs, they looked all oozy and gross. I made the decision to change my habits. I exercised more, ate all organic foods, and challenged my doctor to understand how much I loved my ulcerative colon--ugly and diseased, yes--but, I wasn't ready to get rid of it quite yet. Miraculously, biopsies from my colonoscopy showed what no one expected. The severity of the ulcerative colitis changed to mild. Back up the truck! With consultations and rethinking, I got to keep my poo storage facility. Because of the research that the Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation funds, I was able to switch my medications and keep the colitis controlled--dare I say it. I think I am in remission!
What does one do when she feels like she has a new lease on life? This is what I did; I talked my friend, Monica (pictured with my hubby and her hubby on the right) into supporting me and going to an information meeting fo
r Team Challenge. At the meeting, Monica learned a lot about how serious Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis can be. I saw my friend look at me in such an interesting way. She couldn't believe what people with this disease go through; she had no idea what pain I have been in for so many years; and, she had no idea that Ulcerative Colitis could kill me. I asked whether she thought I could do it. Without even batting an eyelash she said, "Of course you can." Wow! What faith she has in me. I joined Team Challenge and decided that I need to run a Half Marathon in California. I feel healthier today than I have in more than 20 years.
r Team Challenge. At the meeting, Monica learned a lot about how serious Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis can be. I saw my friend look at me in such an interesting way. She couldn't believe what people with this disease go through; she had no idea what pain I have been in for so many years; and, she had no idea that Ulcerative Colitis could kill me. I asked whether she thought I could do it. Without even batting an eyelash she said, "Of course you can." Wow! What faith she has in me. I joined Team Challenge and decided that I need to run a Half Marathon in California. I feel healthier today than I have in more than 20 years.So, this week I biked to work and ran 3 miles on Sunday (got to meet awesome Team Challenge people and Trainer Tim), 
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I will admit that bowling screwed up my intention of running at the crack of dawn this morning (Saturday). I feel slightly guilty, but I did bike 13 miles on Friday too...that makes up for it, right? In case anyone cares, I bowled my average. The problem was that the gin and tonics (J&Ts to my BFF Larau) tasted REALLY good. And, when the liquor tastes good, the game's going well, and friends abound, I usually feel pretty sick the next day...it's a worthwhile bummer, though. I also met a man whose wife died of Crohn's disease. He's such a kind man who lost his wife too early in life.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I will admit that bowling screwed up my intention of running at the crack of dawn this morning (Saturday). I feel slightly guilty, but I did bike 13 miles on Friday too...that makes up for it, right? In case anyone cares, I bowled my average. The problem was that the gin and tonics (J&Ts to my BFF Larau) tasted REALLY good. And, when the liquor tastes good, the game's going well, and friends abound, I usually feel pretty sick the next day...it's a worthwhile bummer, though. I also met a man whose wife died of Crohn's disease. He's such a kind man who lost his wife too early in life. It's Easter tomorrow, and I will need to get my caboose out of bed bright and early to run before my baby girl looks for her Easter eggs. I'll update everyone on how that goes!
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