TUESDAY TIPS - Pay Attention to What Your Body is Telling You.

Sorry about the lack of posting yesterday and today. Yesterday was the 4th of July, and I was glued to the TV, watching "John Adams".

Today, I'd like to talk about the importance of informing your doctor of problems you are experiencing. Sometimes I feel like a hypochondriac - it seems like every little ache and pain makes me nervous that the monster has returned. I know that it's normal to feel that way. Recurrence is something I think we are all afraid of.

However...

When you aren't feeling well, and that doesn't seem normal, and it goes on forever, you should probably go to see your doctor.

Case in point: Me. For the past month or more, I've been sick to my stomach. Really sick - I feel like I'm going to throw up all the time. Even at night, I wake up and feel just awful. It doesn't matter what I eat, or don't eat. It's not heartburn. It's definitely not an ulcer, or anything like that. I just don't feel well. And it's getting worse. Now that I'm always sick to my stomach, I'm feeling worn out, and tired, and I've got dark circles under my eyes. Something is just not right. But, I've hesitated to go get checked, just because I don't want to seem like I'm panicking at every little thing.

A few weekends ago, I was talking to a doctor at a breast cancer retreat, and asked her about it. She said: "That doesn't sound normal. You might have an infection in your stomach or something like that. I think you should go get checked." So, I did.

Last week I had some blood work done. And I've been waiting for 4 days to get the results back (Thank you, Fourth of July weekend!). Today, the nurse called and told me I've got a weird little bacteria in my stomach called H-Pylori. Hah! I knew something was wrong.


Holy alien! Yuck!

I feel much better now - at least we know what is going on, right? I'm on an anti-biotic for the next 2 weeks, and - cross my fingers - it will work and get rid of this bacteria.

So, this is just a reminder to all of you survivors... watch yourselves. And don't talk yourselves out of going to the doctor if you feel like something is wrong. You know your body better than anyone, right? If something isn't right, you'll know it.

Stay healthy,
Kara