Day 1 of The Maker's Diet

Oh, if my keyboard was a bar of chocolate right now...

I just feel like I have to tell you about this so far...Seriously, you want to see God? Give up the foods you typically eat and eat something you literally have to force down your throat!  

I am very adamant about sticking to this diet for the next few weeks because I know the benefits in the end both physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  However, I didn’t think I would come up with some realizations about food so quickly. Like... 

#1 - I can’t believe how I have taken the taste of food for granted.  

#2 - How much I depend on Andrew for support.

#3 - How happy chocolate chip cookies, girl scout cookies, chocolate cupcakes...chocolate basically, makes me.

#4 - But how much HAPPIER I am because I feel that much closer to God and have shown self control.

So let's start with #1...Day 1 of the diet and I was gagging by lunch time yesterday.  I have a pretty bad gag reflex anyway, but when it came to eating tuna salad, it was just not going to go down my throat.  I like tuna casserole and tuna in other things, but in this tuna salad I made -wow- lets just say that after the first two gags, I plugged my nose for the rest of the sandwich to get down.  I did it though as I thanked God for the foods that will make me healthy…like tuna.  

#2 - Andrew agreed to do this with me and it has been a great way to lean on him for support.  I can call him up and tell him how hungry I feel when he is working, and he can encourage me to stick with it.  Makes me love that man a little more for taking this on with me.

#3 - I'm just going to make a list of foods that make me happy because since I can't eat them right now, I'll just close my eyes and think of them as I type...chocolate-anything chocolate, Oreos, noodles and mashed potatoes, blizzards from DQ, pretzels, peanut butter, sushi, Captain Crunch, mac and cheese, PIZZA, Chinese food, La Cha's, pasta, bread, ohhhh and the taste of a Carter Bar from Bath High School would be AMAZING!!!!!

#4 - Even though all of those foods sound incredible right now, I'd still give them up in a second for the experience I have had with God so far.  Nothing like praying for the food to go down your throat, and then seeing how spoiled you are that you just prayed for that.  I instead gave thanks to God for the Life that I have and the choices I have everyday to make.  Those choices now are helping me to live a healthier life, not only for me, but for my family.  Eating healthier gives my family the opportunity to have me around a few years longer.  And as I told Andrew on February 13 when I presented him with my plan to get healthy (it was a special date because it was 10 years ago to the day when I first met him at his church, on stage playing that guitar-knowing that THAT was the kind of guy I was going to marry one day, never dreaming I could be so blessed to have it be HIM) I told him that I want 10 more years with him and although this diet will not be convenient, fun, or particularly tasty, I want to do it because I love him that much and will do anything to see our dreams come true :) 

So as of yesterday, I am 'eating to live' now, instead of 'living to eat' and it feels good to do something for my body, a body that is finally thanking me for after the last couple years I've put it through.  

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My best Remission check up yet!

It's that time again...another 4 month cancer check up.  So I've made a habit of reading through a few of my old blog post before I head into my appointments because it helps me remember how far I've come, and if I hear bad news for some reason, it reminds me that I can do this all over again if I have to.  It's crazy the things you forget if you don't write them down...like I look back now and I can't believe the I ever asked my sister to keep my cancer a secret for 5 days, or how I was SO afraid of needles the way I was, and I'm still amazed at the amount of support I got from so many people who didn't even know me.  It was a year ago that I became disease free, heading into a new life of remission and this past year has been interesting without any cancer in my body.  I've looked at situations differently than what I would have before...things that may have bothered me before, don't bother me so much now.  I guess that is one good thing that comes out of being in the 'Cancer Group'.  I'm proud that I've been able to take what I've learned from cancer and try to apply it as much as possible to my everyday Life situations.  'Life' and all it's situations is just God allowing me to gain more wisdom for the future and the future is what you make it...I'm gonna make mine worth it :)

Ok, enough of my rambling and on to what I know you really want to know............I heard those sweet words that bring a smile to my face, I am still in Remission.  And have never had a better check up! :)  My tumors are not growing and my lab results were never better!  I have never had my blood work come out so good and I credit that to daily exercise and healthy eating.  I have cut back on processed foods a TON and have exercised at least 4 days a week.  I told my parents a few days ago that I think I just have a sensitive body and if I don't take care of it, it starts to act pretty temperamental.  I haven't had nearly the stomach aches as I typically do and I have more energy than ever.  This could all be a result of all the meds getting out of my system too from the past year, but I know the changes I have tried to make and I really think it has helped.  So with that being said, next week Andrew and I are starting The Maker's Diet for the next 40 days.  This is not a 'diet', it's just a meal plan that can cleanse your system by going back to eating the foods we were meant to eat.  It is going to be very challenging, but I'm up for it if it's going to help my body become even more healthy by reducing my chances of diseases, inflammation, ease my digestive track, and balance my hormones...who knows, with balanced hormones, I may just get that baby on my own with out fertility after all!  I'm excited for this next adventure in my health life :) Oh, and I've made it to the 6 month check up point! Now I will only see Dr. Powell ever 6 months unless something comes up before then.  It will be six months in August and I'm gonna say that as quick as time has been flying by, it will be here before we know it!

On the other health note, I recieved word from my neurologist.  She spoke with another neurosurgon and the next step is to go back down to Columbus for the day to recieve a CT arteriogram.  This is a test that will show the blood vessels and arteries in my neck and brain and show how the blood is flowing.  The best part is that I'm staying there that day until my results come back so I don't have to wait for them for a long time.  I'm really glad these doctors are checking into evereything because I tell you what, nothing is more frustrating than to not know how to fix something and feeling like you are at the end of the road.  Very discouraging and can make for a pretty grumpy Laura :)  Please pray that either we find something that is causing this pressure, or that these symptoms somehow float away. Thanks :)

And last but not least...remember how each time I hear remission, I'm going to try to cross another thing off my bucket list? Well, I got out my paint brushes and bought a canvas and here it is.  My first painting displayed.  Please do not ever look at it up close because I had 100 things go wrong from running out of paint, to a dog chasing a cat.  This painting was extremely simple, yet was inspired by a store sign I saw in Iowa that looked like this.  But it's not about the painting anyway, it symbolizes so much more...determination, energy, Life - and the beauty of it.  Thank you for being apart of my Life.

Life's about playing the hand you were dealt...

It's Friday night and I'm in my sweats and after 6 rolls of sushi with a faithful friend, I am finally ending a frustrating week with a smile on my face and belly full of therapy. :)

Andrew went with me to Columbus bright and early in the morning and my instinct was right...there was nothing new on the MRI that showed why I would be having these symptoms (remember the Hochstetler motto 'Nothing ever the easy way' :).  I asked her if the stenosis/osteophyte complex/fused discs/ect... could cause these symptoms and she said not the symptoms I am having.  Then I asked her about my Chiari surgery after she showed us my scar tissue and how my skull now looks after the surgery and she is going to consult with another neurosurgeon who has worked on people who have had Chiari (remember, she is a neurologist who concentrates on the back. BTW-for my back pain, the MRI's still showed scoliosis, so I need to keep stretching those muscles that are tight because of the curve in my spine.  Andrew says that doing nothing is the worst thing I could do so I have been very good at going to the YMCA lately to some different classes...that and a trip to Punta Cana in May to see a friend get married could be a motivating factor as well ;)  So my doc told me to be expecting a phone call from her next week letting me know what the other doctor had to say after looking at my films and see if these symptoms are like others who are post Chiari surgery patients.  That's a whole long story in itself and if something comes up on that, I'll go into more detail...but lets not jump ahead.

Trust me, I know how silly this all sounds.  And there has been MANY times I have told Andrew that I'm just done with doctors.  He encourages me that He would hire a doctor from England if he had the money to fix me :) He can be so sweet.  But this blog has been about my health and for me, it seems like my health is just something that I can't ever NOT think about.  My health has gotten in the way of a lot of milestones in life...Chiari Malformation kept me away from moving to Indiana and going to college at Taylor University, scoliosis kept me from having a pain free back for years, PCOS has kept me from a balanced hormonal life, and cancer has kept me from having my own family at the time I wanted to start one.  Now with this constant dull headache and head pressure, it's making my job harder and all around life just a bit more tense and short circuited.  Sometimes I feel like cancer was easier...I have learned more from being sick in my life than from any other experiences I have encountered.  Now there's a story!

You ever have a plan for your life...then it really goes NOTHING like you planned?  Should you be disappointed when it doesn't work out the way you plan or is that just your life?  If I wouldn't have had these health issues, I may have lead a completely different life!  But this is the life God planned for me, I know it because He wants me to draw so near to Him through all of these Life struggles (not just health ones)...so I need to start playing the cards I was dealt and maybe win a hand or two, instead of folding and waiting for a royal flush everyday.  Sometimes you grow closer to God, the One who really matters, when life hits you hard...it's like hitting on the river card! I had a few reality checks this week, enough to make some tears flow, but they are showing me how much I can handle, how much sushi I need to eat, and how much more I need to learn about this life :)  I am so young, and have so much to learn...I am SOOO learning that everyday.  I swear I will be a great mother because I have so many life experiences to draw from!  As you can see, I seem to be more sensitive around these times when I get checked out for cancer again.  My CT scan is on Monday and I meet with the doctor on Feb. 23.  I'll update you then :)

On a fun note, I'm finally able to wear my dangly earring again after a year and a half.  My hair is finally long enough to balance it out and its great!  I'll have to post a picture soon! I've got some other great updates too...like Andrew is SO close to finishing our bathroom and I'm getting a piano in my house!  My niece Maci was dedicated in church today and my WHOLE family was at the Lima Community Church and then went out to eat...that was awesome :)  If there is one blessing I know that I have in my life, it is my family...Lord help us if we ever live more than 20 minutes away!

Living happy. Insert smiley face ... :)

So winter is here...kinda.  We have snow, then rain, then snow, then rain...then fog.  It's just really weird weather lately.  But enough about the weather because who really cares right?  If you are still reading my Pursuit, you are more interested in where Life has taken me these past months in Remission.  Well, it has kept me busy!  Here's some updates on the Life of Laura....still in Remission!

Well, my health has taken on an all too familiar road.  Just as I was getting settled into this body of healthy cells, my body decided it missed the MRI machines. :) I went to my 6 month neurologist appointment last Wednesday and brought to her attention some new symptoms that I have been experiencing lately.  My back is still sore in the same spot it has been for the last 5 years - no new news there, but since the beginning of this year I have been experiencing pressure in my head when I bend over.  This is not the usual lightheadedness from getting up too fast, this is intense throbbing - see the stars kinda episodes - where I have to give myself a minute so get over the 'hot flash' and get the blood flowing again to the brain.  I'm not sure what, if anything is causing this, or if this is once again my 'new normal'.  I don't know if it's the syrinx in the spinal cord interrupting the spinal fluid, the ospteophyte complex and stenosis in the neck getting worse, something from my prior surgery with Chiari or something that we don't even know about yet.  However, because it's me and nothings normal when it comes to my body ;), the doctor wants me to get 3 MRI's ( the brain, cervical, and thoracic spine) on Tuesday and then go back down to OSU Medical Center on February 8 to go over the results.  Then on February 13, I have a CT scan to check on the cancer and then see Dr. Powell at CancerCare the week after that to go over those results.  February will be busy for sure!  But I love everything that is keeping me busy these days (work, college, going to the gym, playing the piano, going to bible study, being a mom to Cooper and Kota) - it gives my life purpose :) But I'm once again thinking about my health...and that has pushed it's way to the top of my list of things that I just can't get out of my head.  So once again I go to God.

Some people might look at my life and find reason to be angry with God.  I know that the thought has crossed my mind a time or two.  But I'm not angry with God, if anything He has answered my request to expand my boundaries. I have found no reason to be upset with God in my life because as a human, I in no way have ever deserved to be 'happy'.  My happiness has come because of the grace and mercy that God has shown me in this life.  To answer the prayers of my heart- the ones that He and I both know- shows me that God has not left my side, He has been walking with me and has constantly taken the load when it can not get any heavier.  I put my trust in Him, and if I keep my connection with Him strong, I will understand the path that He has laid out for my life.  So in the mean time of not understanding why things happen on MY timing...eh, eh, like having a baby...I prayed for peace and have come to the understanding that something else must be stirring up inside before a 'little one' comes along.  But in the mean time, I'm continually building my relationship with my husband so we can be the best parents possible and appreciating the independence I have right now to do the things that make me happy (although I know that once I have a baby I'll be the most happy because, by God's grace, I will by far have my greatest earthly blessing!)

But for now, as I have this independence, what is it that makes me happy you might ask? Well, the great part about this chapter in my Life is that I know what makes me happy. :)  I have never been the athletic one in the family, I'm not the comedian, or the peace maker.  But I do know that I was born with creativity and drive.  God designed me and what a master plan he had!  I love music, I love art, and I love drama.  I didn't realize how much it was a part of me and my design until I was sitting in the Civic Center listening to STOMP with a smile on almost the whole show and my feet moving the whole time, while people around me were sitting still.  I also realized this when I was slightly disappointed at the Mannheim Steamroller concert when I couldn't pick out all the instruments in the songs because of the interrupting synthesizer...weird I know, and I may have lost you, but I love to listen to music and pick out all the instruments.  And then again when we saw a broadway production in New York City and I felt like I was home.  Like I would have no problem singing up there on stage!  I took 3 years of art in high school, was in musicals, plays at church, majorette in the marching band getting teary eyed when I heard the drum cadences at pregame, and have sang since my debut with my sister for my great grandpa Pete of Jem and the Holograms in our living room when I was 4. :)  I'm no Aretha Franklin, but boy do I love to sing!  I love the fine arts and I know now it was something I was born with, not something I acquired, because I can feel it inside.  The arts make me happy and relaxed, so I'm thrilled to be playing piano again, getting my paint brushes out, and singing to Andrew (oh yes, he gets a show...and my brother in law will too soon...The Voice is on in a week and my sis and I will definitely be singing! :)  I am finding accomplishment in this chapter of my life and it makes me feel so good.  So as my road may get a little bumpy again with figuring out this new medical stuff, and figuring out Life in general, I'm content because I know what makes me happy...Living the life that only I was meant to live.

New York, NEW YORK!!! (Yes, you are singing it too, aren't you? ;)

Well if Andrew and I aren't the Green Acres song :) Yes, he went with me to New York City, but I'm more the Darling' I love ya but give me Park Avenue, and he's more Green Acres is the place for me, farm livin' is the life for me. Keep Manhattan, just give me that country side.  Needless to say, I LOVED NEW YORK!  Yes, even the hustle and bustle....and let me tell you, that is some SEROUS hustle and bustle at Christmas time!  I told him if I had a lot of money, I could live there.  But in all honesty, I love my country side just like him.  So New York vacations are just fine with me :)  I hope my pictures can give you an overview of everything, but this trip was a bucket list dream come true.
So we drove there on Monday, and here is our story.....

Andrew DRIVING on 34th St.! He did great! The Empire State Building is the tall one and  the  world's largest store, Macy's, is to the left.  I was shaking as we were driving through I was so excited!

I took this picture hanging from the sunroof.  I did BELIEVE and we made it to NYC!

The view of Manhattan from our hotel room in Queens.

                                                                             DAY 1

The 9/11 Memorial. A must see, very neat but I wouldn't go until this September when the museum is open too.  

The future 9/11 museum that will be filled with artifacts and stories.

We didn't exactly Occupy Wall St, but we did walk through it! And think we saw Donald Trump's son  outside his building!

The Brooklyn Bridge on our water tour of NYC

The Wall St. area of Downtown Manhattan...the tall black building will be the One World Trade Center building.  When it's finished it will be the tallest building in America. 

The Empire State building.

Yup, it's cold and Andrew needed my scarf...but that's us near the Statue of Liberty!

This is Lombardi's Pizza in Little Italy, it was named one of America's Top 10 pizzeria's 

Oh my...YUM!

We saw a few window displays, but Macy's was my favorite! It was the story of Virginia, you know, the 'Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus.'  What I loved was that only a few days before our trip, I watched this exact movie on Netflix!  They did a great job and it looks like the exact replica of the characters!

 Unfortunately, it started to DOWNPOUR rain with winds of 45 mph starting at 3:00 and it didn't stop until midnight.  So we went to Macy's and then had to cancel our night in SoHo.  We ended up heading back to our hotel and ordering in sushi!  All in all...GREAT FIRST DAY...and it only gets better!

                                                                           DAY 2

I had to go in FAO Schwartz...what grown up child wouldn't?!

I even got to play on the BIG piano!

Oh me and my Captain :) What an awesome toy store!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend....

Andrew wanted to go in Trump Tower so we did and it was beautiful!

This wall had water running down it and the hole place looked like it was lined in gold...it was heavenly :)

St. Patrick's Cathedral...it was HUGE inside and just beautiful.  

WE MADE IT!!!

The BIG TREE at Rockefeller Center! I can mark this off my Bucket  List now :)

30 Rock = BIG!

Where they tape the TODAY show.  Somehow I just couldn't convince Andrew to see Hoda and Kathy Lee ;)  

Yes, I had to Andrew ;)

We did an NBC Studio Tour and although we couldn't take pictures, we were able to see the Dr. Oz set, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon set, and the Saturday Night Live set! Awesome!!!! So here's the story...for almost 2 months I called everyday for Jimmy Fallon tickets.  They only booked a month in advanced and I wanted to make sure I got tickets.  So as Nov. 28 get closer and closer, I kept calling and getting the same recording...'We are booked up until Dec. 23, please call back for future tickets.'  So I finally called the operator after hearing that for 3 days straight.  And of course, what do I hear when I ask if they are taping on Wed, December 28, I hear 'Oh I'm sorry, everyone is on vacation the week after Christmas.' NOOOOO! So after my devastating, almost crying moment, Andrew encouraged me by saying he likes Conan O'Brian better...so we just have to go to California next to watch him instead!  Cali...here we come!

Grand Central...another WOW moment!

The tree at night! This was the BUSIEST place in the entire world I think! Can you tell I'm just a BIT happy :)

We then went to the Top of the Rock and was able to see Manhattan from WAY up high.  Our  plans kinda got screwed up when I thought our vouchers were our tickets to this, so we didn't get to see it at sunset like I'd hoped and had to save ice skating for the next day.  But it turned out great!

That dark spot in the middle is Central Park.  We went to BLT Steak for dinner,  the head chef is the winner of the TV show Hell's Kitchen.  Andrew and I have always wanted to eat at the real Hell's Kitchen (and hey, we may just get to in California), but this was good enough! The steak was GOOOOOOOD!  

                                                                          DAY 3

Ice skating at Rockefeller Center!

Heading into Central Park!

Bethesda Fountain! 

I called Andrew the bird lady from Home Alone for feeding the birds :)

Central Park is just breathtaking.  I loved it! And I would definitely ice skate here next time! 

Heading over the bridge, The Plaza Hotel is in the background.

TIMES SQUARE! 

And something really cool happened! As we were walking down Times Square, we started to notice that the ball was dropping! They did the practice round and we got to see the ball drop and change all different colors! I'll take that over standing for 12 hours :)

We then ate a place called 'The View Restaurant and Lounge'.  The restaurant rotated 360 degrees every hour so we were able to see different views of New York City.  And I had Scallop Lemon Risotto! Checking off another thing from my Bucket List :) 

Going to...YES, a Broadway show! Andrew let me go! 

And my last picture of NYC...what a trip!

So as you can see, I kept us very busy and 3 months of planning was very much worth it (as well as 500 pictures, so these are just a few ;)  The thing is, I loved planning out this trip! Andrew was willing to do everything I had my heart set on doing (besides a few things...but that just gives me a reason to come back again with my mom!)  I told Andrew that if we pulled this trip off, I was going to be pretty darn proud of myself.  I have never planned a trip like this before, to one of the biggest cities in the world (taxis, subways, and tall buildings were a foreign subject to me).  So I was scared.  But you know what, some of the scariest things I do in my life, the things that have my stomach in knots, end up being the things that I love doing!

New York City was a goal that I have had for a long time, and you know what, it wasn't coming to me, so I had to go to it.  And no one was going to do it for me, so I had to.  But what was more satisfying to my surprise was not making it to see that great big Christmas tree, but that I fulfilled such a big goal.  So this year, I challenge you...pick a goal and fulfill it.  For me, I want to do the things that I have only thought about doing.  God willing, in 2012, I'm going to let my creative side come out again. :) God gave me some gifts in my life, and I'm ready to sharpen them up a bit.  I have a couple pieces of piano music I got a few years back, and played them only so so.  I memorize music better than I read it, and always stumbled my way through it, so I never got really got good at it.  But my hope is to change that. I'm going to take some lessons again from a very good friend and fulfill that goal!  I'm also going to paint again...you can see it on my dining room wall this spring!  You see, on my bucket list, I wanted to frame my own artwork and display it in my house.  I'm going to get that done this year.  I also want to do one more thing before 2012 ends.  I'm going to do Encore Theater again.  I haven't been on a stage since high school, but I'm going to do it again!  Letting my creative side out again this year is my plan!  I'm still taking Graduate classes at University of Dayton, and still building my relationship with the only one who can truly make me happy and fulfilled in this life, my Jesus :) Oh and yes, going to doctor's appointments are something that I can't quite avoid yet, so I do have a neurologist appointment in two weeks, and my 4 month cancer appointments in 4 weeks.  Wow, time is flying!  I better get busy on this list :)