Lottery Winner

That is what Jason called me today. I just found out that the tumor is huge and it is cancer. I am 31 years old and have colon cancer. The good news is that it is on my right side. I will go in for surgery on Friday and have the whole right side of my large intestine removed. If it was on the left side there would be additional problems but the right side is good place to have colon cancer if one was to have colon cancer. I am still a little shocked because although colon cancer is very common, 95% of it is in persons (at risk aka overweight, smokers, etc) over 50. Not at all common in young healthy females who exercise regularly, eat well and don't drink or smoke. Add to it the fact that I have Addison's Disease and BAM...medical anomaly. I better be careful around lightning, too. ;)
I am a little worried but feel confident that it will all work out. I have a very strong faith in my Savior and His plan for me. I know that none of us are given trials we can't handle and I am not scared to face this one. It would help me out a lot if everyone would keep positive, hope and pray for the best. I have already had many, many blessings come about in my life just from receiving this diagnosis. If you have ever heard that cheezy country song, "Live like you were dying" you would understand how I am feeling at this moment. I look at my kids differently today than I did yesterday. I don't feel any previous grudges that I might have held before. I realize the Lord's hand in my life and feel so incredibly blessed that He has allowed me to be placed in this situation but has not left me comfortless. I have friends coming out of the woodworks offering help and words of encouragement and I feel confident that while I am in surgery and recovering that my family will be taken care of. I also am blessed to have family close by and am very thankful that we were not offered a job in a foreign country last March! I relieved to finally have a diagnosis, however grim it may be and am looking forward to feeling better soon. I have been sick way too long.
On that note, my surgeon told me to go out to dinner and enjoy a good meal because it is back on liquid diet tomorrow. The tumor is almost completely obstructing my intestine. I went to Olive Garden with my family, pigged out and had dessert. We had a good time.
The kids only know that mommy is sick and has an icky thing in her tummy. They have seen the pictures and think it is really gross. I heard them last night complaining that they couldn't eat their beef stew because it looked too much like the "icky thing in my tummy". Ha! I am sure beef stew will forever be ruined for them. Poor kids, their going to miss out. Anyway, they are in good spirits. We are trying to keep things light and stress free for them. They are excited for Mommy to feel better so she won't be grouchy anymore.
I don't know if I will post much in the next week. I will be in the hospital for 5-6 days. I might get bored and have someone bring me my laptop. Don't worry, I bounced back quickly after 4 c-sections and don't anticipate any problem with this surgery. All is well.
Love,
Steph