My Road to Recovery

 Where to begin....Summer 2012, I was in the best shape of my life. I trained harder than I had ever trained in my life. I had run a marathon in April, participated in my second triathlon, eating amazing food and feeling at the top of my game. 
During my triathlon something happened. I could not swim to save my life. I felt just off and performed horribly.... I finished after all of my friends. This NEVER happens. Things just got worse from there. During a trail run I almost collapsed. Very scary. So began my nightmare.... I could not think straight. Hot flashes, panic, anxiety, nausea, hair loss and absolutely no desire to take care of myself. I did not sleep more than an hour a night for over a month. My family began to worry. I tried meeting with my doctor. only to be prescribed medication and told I needed to see a counselor (which I did). After a few months I was over it. I was sane enough to know I could not live this way. 
I decided to find a new doctor. I wanted a female doctor, a doctor who would understand what I was going through. Now, mind you I have loved every male doctor I have ever had. But, it was time for a change. She took one look and at me and said "Oh honey, you do not feel well." We talked for quite some time. For the first time I felt as though someone was really listening to  me. 
She took me back for an immediate ultrasound and discovered two very large tumors. I knew I had two small ones from a previous appointment. But, apparently they doubled in size in less than a year. The verdict, a hysterectomy as soon as possible. They were the size of a six month fetus.... Bad news... My new doctor was retiring. Good news, she introduced me to an amazing doctor/surgeon. I credited them both with saving my life. Thank goodness the tumors were noncancerous.
It has been almost a year since the surgery and I am now on the road to recovery. All of the crazy symptoms are gone and life is gradually returning to normal. I am so excited for the new year as we are eating clean and I am beginning to train again and can see a marathon and possibly another triathlon in my future.

I am so thankful and so very grateful for my family, friends and great Dr.'s for taking care of me. 

I hope you all join me on my journey to recovery.

Getting our health on

Day 7 of getting our health on. Wahoo! I love that my husband is so supportive of my crazy ideas. One he loves and begs me to keep up with is clean eating. We started experimenting with our new life style about 2 years ago. I got a little off track last year during my illness and found myself having no energy, a bit overweight and a lot out of shape. So it is back on! Last week we visited our local Whole Foods Market. I talked my husband into going with me and as everyone who knows us knows my husband is frugal. Which is a good thing in my book!  He is not a fan of shopping with me. So, I sent him on a few missions and we had a great time together. We stopped along the way and sampled a few good finds. Lot's of good stuff came home with us on this trip, so I was super excited to get cooking! I am here to say it has all been fabulous. Every meal has been a delight to prepare. I would have to say my favorite meal was our New Years Day dinner. Roasted lemon herb Cornish game hens, wild rice and fresh broccoli with a bit of garlic.

Winter Weather

It's that time of year when it can be bitter cold. Yesterday I decided to whip up some chicken and wild rice soup for dinner. Nothing like a warm bowl of soup on such a cold day, so good! I decided to take a bowl for lunch today. I think everyone at work would have liked for me to have brought the whole pot with me! 

Happy New Year!

Hello all! I am super excited for the new year! Last year was pretty rough for me as far as my health is concerned. But, I am back and I am ready to reclaim my life! I am hoping we can go on this journey together. So what do you say we get started. Happy New year to all!

Clean Eating

Brr.. It is a cold wintry day here today. It was the perfect day for beef stew. I found this delicious recipe using butternut squash. I hope you enjoy!
 Beef And Butternut Squash Stew