Yesterday marked a year since the cancerous mass was found in my abdomen. It’s been a rough year, but I have learned so much about myself and others. I have seen traits in people that I’ve adopted to make me a better person. I have seen people do things that I would have never thought of doing in the past, but I will most definitely be doing in the future. Most people have shown such love and support. I am so thankful for them.

I am at Mercy Medical Center again. I was admitted yesterday morning after going to the ER Thursday night. I had severe pain in my abdomen. I knew the pain was due to a problem with my digestion. I thought it was something that I ate that caused it. I tried to work through the pain at home, but eventually put the call in to my Dad to please come watch the kids as they slept and Bob took me to the ER. The results of a CT scan showed bowel obstruction due to my surgery (scar tissue), 2 kidney stones, and 2 gall stones. The stones should not cause me any problems, but we literally need to work out the other kinks.

I am glad I went to the ER, but now I am stuck here for a few days. I feel fine now (other than being hungry), but need to gradually add liquids and then solids back to my diet. I have not eaten or drank since 4 PM on Thursday afternoon. Dr Ryu saw me this morning and told me that I will be upgraded to a liquid diet today…it’s a start. Solids tomorrow. I will be discharged once we are sure I can digest foods.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. – Stef