I started this journal nearly a year ago and it's amazing how much life can change in a year.
Things that have remained the same...
1. still have my house and my truck
2. still have my job (actually got a raise, a promotion and a bonus this year)
3. still have my dogs and my horse
4. still love working in my yard and my garden
5. still single, available and looking
Things that have changed:
1. gained way too much weight
2. seriously out of shape
3. hoping I've gotten rid of my migrane headaches
Part of the reason I've gained so much weight and gotten seriously out of shape was I wasn't going to the gym because I was working tons of hours. I'm still a workaholic, but I'm not working nearly as many hours as I was. I plan to get back in the gym, but I can't just yet. My migraine headaches were getting really, really bad. They were definitely related to my "cycle" and my doc and I tried many things to reduce my headaches, but with no success. After 5 years of trying different non-invasive options and lots of deep thought, I convinced my doctor I wanted to go ahead with a surgical option. I opted to have a complete/total hysterectomy. On Feb 12, 2009 I under went surgery which sent me straight into menapause
I did start on hormone replacement right away so I'm not experiencing any of the symptoms of menapause
While I went in to surgery to get rid of my migraines, little did I or my doctor know I actually needed surgery for another more serious reason. It turns out I had an extremely serious case of endometriosis. I was in advanced stage 4 (there are 4 stages and stage 4 is the worst) and it had spread though out my abdomin and I was bleeding internally. I had never seen myself having kids which is why I had opted to go for surgery. I knew due to my history of cancer and radiation treatments, my chances of having children without birth defects was slim, but it turns out I never would have been able to have kids anyway due to the endometriosis.
I'm now 6 weeks post op and I'm still not completely healed. Surgery was done laproscopically, but my doc had to perform a lot of lasering to destroy the endometrial tissue and to stop bleeding. I feel great except for some occassional pains in my lower back and lower abs. It probably doesn't help I've been playing "what not to do post-op." Mowing the grass 6 weeks post op earns one a dose of advil and a pain pill.
I'm looking forward to getting back in the gym and may start back next week even if it is just doing cardio. Something is better than nothing.......
Be careful when "expanding" that garden,,, I started to do that a while back... and now mine is 30 x 100.. never enough room,,,,,
Mine won't be that big because my yard isn't that big. I can go up to 6 x 24 however which I think would be just right since my garden is a raised bed. Plus I need to save room in the yard for my dogs 
This past weekend, I started installing stepping stones from my front door to my driveway and started expanding my garden. I also had to mow my grass on sunday 
nothing like falling apart at the seams Dev!! Take it easy on yourself!! 
texting is even worse............i'm on a mission to be the last person ever to send a text message. I refuse.
