Cody Updates by Mom

Since “Plan Mel” has been enacted we have been prescheduling my dilations on a timeframe that Dr. Martin has suggested to get me consistently to the goal size.  15mm has been his goal and we reached that at the last dilation.  Prior to the last dilation I had started to feel a bit of the food passing which means that it was starting to close up again.  He had suggested that I come back in about three weeks.

Today I was down at Mayo for another prescheduled dilation.  Thank you to my sister-in-law, Trish for being my buddy today.  It was great to spend the afternoon with you!  I had a good three weeks of eating without trouble.  Dr. Martin said that prior to the dilation today he was able to put the 13.5mm balloon through without any resistance.  This is great as that means that I had only had a very minimal stricture.  Dr. Martin said that he felt that the steroids were helping and injected the scar tissue with steroids again today.  This is why I was able to have cheese curds over the 4th!  Yep, you read that right, I had cheese curds and they were lovely!  Bread is also completely back on the menu.  Win!  Dr. Martin is extremely happy with my progress as I am as well.  He was able to dilate me back to 15mm.

The great news:  No more prescheduled dilations!!!!  Yippee!  I am now on the schedule of me determining if I feel anything going on.  Dr. Martin thinks that I have gotten over the hump and I should be able to get on with my eating life with only minor touchup dilations that are far apart.  I cannot tell you how happy this makes me.  If I feel anything in the future, I just call and they will work me in.

The only not-so-good news is that the infection is back.  It isn’t as bad as it had been in the past but I will be on the Nystatin again for the next seven days.  No biggie.  I have gotten used to the non-bubblegum tasting bubblegum flavored stuff.  Dr. Martin had mentioned that as I am dealing with dilations that I will be dealing with this minor infection.

So, I am basically eating whatever I want and enjoying food and my new normal.  My weight has been stable.  I am not gaining anything back from those final eight pounds I lost but I am not losing anymore weight either.

I would like to say thank you.  Not only for the prayers but for reading my story.  The writing has been therapeutic for me and I have enjoyed being able to put my journey out there.  I am not done with my journey but I am moving to a new stage.  I am finally feeling that I am standing at the end of this particular book.  I am hopeful that the chapters of my next book are all about the important things in my life.  My hubby and kids.  My extended family.  My friends.  My work family.  The band.  Camping.  Hunting.  Living.  That book, that’s the one I have been waiting to start writing.  With my new outlook on life I am excited to start the next chapter.

You may not hear from me (on this site) for awhile or I may be possibly done.  No update, means I am eating, doing very well and living.  You can find me on Facebook or I have been thinking of starting a blog to get those random thoughts out of my head.  If I do, I will post the link here so you can find me.  Remember, no news is good news.  Today we had very good news.

I know many of you are dealing with your own journeys, whether they are your own or someone you love, remember that we are here praying for you.  Ask for help, even if it is just to share your story.  Listening doesn’t cost anything but can be priceless as you go through your own storms.  Eventually the storm will pass and calm waters will prevail.  Sometimes new storms will pop up.  Have faith and remember you are not alone.

I am on day 476 of my journey.  Today it feels as if the time flew by but I know it did not.  I remember the times were it seemed that I was not moving forward at all but going backwards.  I remember the hopelessness.  I remember the struggle to stand tall when I wanted to let myself just crumble.  I remember crying at night so others couldn’t see my weakness.  Here I am.  The new Mel.  Changed in so many ways that I could never express them all.  I am certain that I haven’t even seen all of the changes yet.  The future is bright.  I am taking those big steps to the next chapter.