My husband and I have been busy this past week.  The best workout I got was definitely this past Thursday.  We volunteered to distribute commodities to families in our county.  We were told this is one of the largest counties this agency services. 

I spent four hours lifting grocery bags full of food into a shopping cart and then unloading them  in the people’s trunks.  I always seemed to get the person that was parked at the far end of the parking lot.  I had to laugh to myself when I’d ask them where they were marked and they would point and say, “Way down there.”  I said to myself,  “Ah, just more exercise.”

I forgot to bring my Onrom pedometer.  It’s the perfect size and easy to use.   I didn’t take one break during the four hours of food distribution.  Heck, just pushing the cart from one end of the armory to the other was quite a haul.  All in all, it was a great day.  I was tired when I got done but my arms and legs didn’t hurt.  

This agency only distributes food 3 or 4 times a year.  This makes the 3rd time in succession I have helped.  I can see I am getting in better shape.  The first time I only worked for two hours and went home a whipped puppy and my arm and leg muscles were sore for a few days.  Three months ago, I helped for about 2 and half hours and had sore arms for a few days. 

I enjoyed talking with the people as we walked to their cars.  I hope I was able to brighten  someone’s day.  I look forward to the next commodity day.  I’ll be volunteering again.  Perhaps the next time, I’ll remember my pedometer.

I don’t know why when things are running smoothly, I always encounter a bump in the road.  My husband was recently diagnosed with colon cancer.  He only had one polyp with Doctor #1 removed during a colonscopy.  He came out and told me it was less than a centimeter and he thought everything was fine but that they would test the surrounding tissue. 

Three days later Doctor #1 calls and says Alex is going to have to see another doctor as the surrounding tissue was effected.  My heart dropped.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  The next week we were off to see Doctor #2.  He looked at all the various tests and xrays and set up and appointment for surgery the next week. 

I was a nervous wreck waiting and waiting while Doctor #2 was removing 12 inches of his colon.  He went through the surgery fine and the doctor came out to talk with me.  He says it was so small, he was amazed Doctor #1 even found it.  He says it was less than a centimeter and that it looked like they had got it all.  Doctor #2 says they took out 12 lymph nodes to test to make sure.  Three days later, the bombshell fell, 2 of the lymph nodes are effected.  Now he is going to have to go through chemotherapy.

During his week stay in the hospital, my weight loss efforts were out the window.  I was like the lady in the picture.  Alex had a morphine pump the first few days so he slept a lot.  I spent my time down in the cafeteria eating.  I had an hour drive to the hospital everyday and would stop on the way up and back at fast food resturants.   I had a hard time sleeping during that week and found myself raiding the refrigerator and 2 am.  I gained 3 pounds in a heartbeat.

It’s been three weeks since his surgery and he’s recovering quickly and is now able to drive .  I’ve gotten back on track with my food intake and have been not gained anymore weight.  Today we meet with Doctor #3 to see when Alex is going to start his chemotherapy. 

I’m nervous and scared for him.   I’m praying God gives us both strength to endure this battle.  They say they caught it early and it’s treatable but every time I’m given good news…..the bottom drops out and we’re back to square one.  It’s time for us to head off to Doctor #3.

Please keeps us in your prayers.