Almost March...

Really this year is flying by! Thank you for counting my family blog into your life. I can only say I've made it this far by the tender mercies of a fabulous Father in Heaven. I am finally able to swallow!!! Those who have no clue what that means...a few months ago I choked pretty bad on some food and continued having problems with things being stuck in my esophagus since then. I had no clue what was causing it, and got to the point where all I was consuming was liquids. I was even scared to drink. I lost 15 lbs (not a fun way to lose wight I might add) I was referred to a Gastroenterologist and he set me up a week later for an endoscopy and biopsies of my upper GI tract. During that outpatient procedure they found that my esophagus had been inflamed due to slow acting allergies and it had cause my throat to grow together leaving only a 3mm opening for food and liquid to pass through. That's the 3 smallest lines on a measuring tape.  They opened the stricture and dilated my throat to an 11mm opening (normal is 18-20) That was January 7th. I am not fully recovered yet, and since then have been to allergy specialists, holistic Doctors and talked to my Gastro and family Dr. a thousand times. They diagnosed me with some crazy disease called Eosiniphilic Esophagitis. Which basically means allergies that act slowly and in my case cause inflammation. They all told me to stay away from dairy, wheat, seafood, eggs, soy, nuts, & chicken. Needless to say I cried for weeks and pleaded for a miracle. After eliminating all of those foods, I feel the same except I can swallow. I was really week, and have just started regaining energy for life. I still eat a very restricted diet, but cheat when something seems worth it for the taste. Last week I had a HUGE learning experience and feel confident that this trial is on the downhill slope. I know that healing is possible and hope for that! This has been a great lesson on humility, brought me and Jason closer than I ever thought possible, taught me to fast, and made me extremely grateful for ALL of the blessings I do have. I have good days and bad days, and sometimes satan wins by tricking me into depression, but I'm still fighting, and usually win the battles with him. There are some families in our ward that willingly bring meals to my girls on the nights Jason isn't home so I don't have to make a meal for me and a separate one for them. What a huge blessing that alone has been for me. Sometimes I can actually feel the healing power of someones prayers on my behalf.
Love to all my readers!