Cody Updates by Mom

A milestone is defined as; 1- A stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place. 2- An action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.

When I think about this definition I feel that both fit for me.  I think about all of the stones that are along my road marking the different spots when a choice or situation brought a change to make me into the me of today.  Today is my particular place.  It is easy to see my milestones in the second definition as there are so many changes I have been through.

We all have milestones that change us. We have ones that are really positive and those are the ones that we tend to highlight and celebrate.  We have other milestones that are life changing but they are not the ones that you can have a party and make cookies for.  Well, not until now.  😉  How do you choose which milestones to celebrate?

I think that if a milestone feels like it changed you and you want to celebrate it that you should.  So, in honor of today (1/28) I will be celebrating tomorrow with my work-mates.

Three years ago today, I embarked on one of the biggest changes in my life.  If you would have told me before all this happened that I would make the decision to have my stomach removed voluntarily, I would have told you that you were crazy.  I would never chose to do that willingly.  How would I live?  If only I could have had a crystal ball to know where life was going to take me.

I do not regret my decision at all.  I am playing with the cards I have been dealt and remain ever faithful that I am walking the right path.

Like any other milestone I feel that this is a milestone in my life that I should celebrate.  I took action and achieved what I thought was impossible.  I am living without my stomach.  I cannot get stomach cancer and that is a very good thing.  You may wonder, how do you celebrate the three year anniversary of having your stomach removed?  Well, with (non)stomach cookies, of course!  They are light blue (or periwinkle) for the color of stomach cancer.  I couldn’t help myself but I had to put the X through them.

So here I am, 1097 days later, no stomach but still here.  45 pounds lighter but I do have a new wardrobe.  🙂  The biggest change I have encountered is my loss of strength.  I notice it in my hands the most as they are very weak compared to what they were before.  My overall body is weaker.  I am more tired as well but so far it is manageable.  I think about food all the time but if I am not thinking about food then I am likely not eating like I should.  I struggle with

I had to be very diligent this flu season to ensure that I didn’t get sick.  There were sickies all around me but I focused on my vitamins and keeping myself strong to get through it.  My big concern is that if I get sick I tend to lose weight and I have not been able to put any of that weight back on after I lose it.