What a Difference a Break Makes!

I realize it's been quite some time since I've visited you here in blog-land with an update, and I'm happy to report that once again we have regular Internet access here at home so I can get back to sharing my thoughts and getting great feedback from my readers. I'm so excited to be back!

Over the last few months, I've had plenty of time on my hands. I read about 50 books - no exaggeration there. I spent more time with friends. I learned to bake my own bread. I played more. I had a blast! And with no Internet and no cable, I spent a lot of time reorganizing my priorities. (I'm starting to realize that this is something I need to do every now and then just to keep things in my life in check.) I put my health on the forefront when I went for my annual eye exam in November and was told I had some inflammation behind my left eye. According to the eye doctor, about one third of people who experience this type of inflammation go on to develop Multiple Sclerosis at some point. Based on an assessment of my current health condition and some strange tingling sensations I'd been feeling in my left side (and some symptoms I kept secret from a lot of people for a long time - yikes!) I was urged by that eye doctor to get some tests done. I got on the ball and made appointments to have a series of MRIs. Long story short, I have been told to see a neurologist. It's MS.

So now I move on to getting healthy, healthy, healthy and fighting this thing one day at a time. Because I am a woman of faith - and because I have amazing friends who are supporting me every step of the way - making the lifestyle changes I need to make has been as easy as can be. I plan to live a long and healthy life. I believe that attitude is half the battle. I learned this while my father was battling non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. My dad was a great example of how full a life can be even with a potentially fatal disease. He fought, he prayed, he moved more, he ate healthier, he spent more time with us because he realized how precious life is...

I am choosing to see this diagnosis as a gift. It has given me the fire under my behind that I've needed to get myself back into a routine of eating healthy and getting a good amount of exercise. I've lost 15 pounds since Christmas and I have a lot more to lose. Now I have some SERIOUS motivation to drop this weight for good, deal with the emotional reasons I've carried it around for so long, and be healthy. I may actually live longer because of MS. I have changed habits that had the potential to kill me on their own! So it took MS to get me moving... so what. Today I feel great. One day at a time. I can do this.

My sister bought this shirt for me a while back. I've just about worn it out over the last few months. Its message reminds me that with God on my side, all things are possible!

What have you been doing for the last few months? Have you seen any yellow joy? Have you been having a rough time? I'd love to hear from you. Fill me in!

Despite all of the things I've been through over the last few months, I feel great. I'll be back into the blogging groove soon. In the mean time, if you know of any good vegetarian or semi-vegetarian recipes or websites, I'd be so grateful if you'd share those with me. I've developed my own high-fiber/low-fat eating plan that I really enjoy but I'd love to add some new recipes to the mix.

Until next time, may you be blessed - and inspired to pass it on!