Since we last visited, I placed the final piece of the CDH1 puzzle and had my double mastectomy. So here is the last installment of this tale. The series finale, if you will. Mastectomy feels more personal, more vulnerable, and more intimate to discuss. However, I promised myself at the beginning of this journey thatContinue reading “Something off my chest”
Author Archives: kathrynleigh88
Praise on Repeat
Inspired by my chat with the beautiful sisters of BeetinGenes, I decided I would give an updated version of “what I eat”. Since I know that’s the topic that keeps you up at night. I am coming up on 19 months post-op and I still keep a lot of the same safe foods but haveContinue reading “Praise on Repeat”
Daily Provision
Hi. It’s been a while. To be honest, I didn’t know if I’d ever make another post. At some point people get weary hearing about your illness, you know? I never want to be *that* person. While I obsess over what I eat and drink and the new little oddities that life without a stomach hasContinue reading “Daily Provision”
Come A Little Bit Closer
Wow, nine months post-op. I definitely feel like I have given birth to a new life. I thought it might be interesting (but maybe not) to give you a visual of what I eat in a day. After months of not feeling super awesome, I finally called Rachael and asked her to give me someContinue reading “Come A Little Bit Closer”
Just a spoonful of sugar
In hindsight, my last post addressed when and how I eat but not so much as specifically what. When I was starting out on this journey I asked every seahorse I met “what do you eat…exactly”. My meal plan is ever changing. What I ate last month doesn’t always work this month and what someoneContinue reading “Just a spoonful of sugar”
A few ounces
The question I get asked most: “what do you eat?”…which is understandable. I mean, I’m kind of missing a major part of the whole digestion process. If you’re a fellow seahorse reading this, I hope this entry helps you on your journey. If you still have your stomach, I hope this encourages you to appreciateContinue reading “A few ounces”
Statistics
November is stomach cancer awareness month. You may be as surprised as I was to learn stomach cancer is the fifth most common cancer type in the world. Who knew? I had a lot of people wonder why I’d take the radical option to remove my stomach when my 88 biopsies came back clean. ToContinue reading “Statistics”
Homeward Bound
I’m free!! I was discharged and sent home. Before anything, I have to acknowledge the goodness of God in giving me the absolute best nurses for my last few days in the hospital. Not having family around due to Covid, means relying on the nurses even that much more. Selina was able to be onContinue reading “Homeward Bound”
See A Victory
Where do I even begin to describe the last few days? The only logical place is at the beginning. This might be a little graphic, but hopefully gives future seahorses insight and is as honest as I can be. SUNDAYSunday morning, a friend graciously drove me to NIH. I was supposed to arrive at 9:00am,Continue reading “See A Victory”
Something in the Water
The last couple of days have been intense. I will write more about them later but just a preview: a fever, vomiting, passing out, bleeding incision site, an emergency EKG and chest X-rays are included. But one thing I am focusing on it such a simple need. I’m thirsty. A drink of water, something soContinue reading “Something in the Water”
Hard To Digest 