Unless you’ve been on an extended vacation on a remote island void of newspapers, television and internet access, you now know about the Josh Duggar molestation scandal.
What he did, of course, was unthinkable, unbelievable, and disgusting. But is it entirely unforgivable?
The debate begins apparently with how his parents handled it, what should have happened to him, and what should happen now.
As I wrote about in my Monday post, this is Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Week and my goal is to educate you about what it is and give my readers a glimpse into what it’s like to have IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). I’ve had such a wonderful response to the post on social media and through personal messages, that I wanted to write about it again. There’s more to say and this comes from an angle you may not have expected: fitness and healthy living. I wanted to highlight a brave face of IBD and share with you my friend Joey and his endeavors. Buckle up…he has an inspiring story!
This is Joey…
Credit: Joey Morstad
Joey was diagnosed with UC in 2008. During his first hospitalization for IBD, he quickly dropped 50 pounds in six short weeks. One can imagine the damage that does to the body and mind…a difficult diagnosis, pain, and severe weight loss. All of these things sap you of your physical strength and sometimes even of your ambition and optimism. But Joey wanted to devise a way to regain strength and promote healing. So he did. I could tell you Joey’s brave and motivating story, but I’d rather let him tell it instead. He’s a courageous guy with a great story and immense knowledge. Whether you struggle with IBD, a different illness or no illness at all, he has some very valuable things to share with you. I urge you take a few minutes from your day and check out his testimony in the video below and even visit his site, http://www.strengthandnutrition.com/. IBD is a challenge for sure, but there are healthy options to work our way back to better health and gain strength. Joey is inspiring me to do just that!
We all (myself included) seem to try so hard to achieve perfection…perfect jobs, perfect marriages, perfect credit scores, perfect children with perfect grades. We see post after post on social media of friends jetting off to exotic vacations and earning job promotions, achieving dramatic weight loss or financial success, and sometimes we wonder what we’re not doing right. Why aren’t our lives perfect when everyone else’s lives seem so grand? Perfection is a delusion. Most of us have this vision of what a perfect life looks like and who has it. We may see this “perfect mom” who gets her kids everywhere on time, always dressed well with shiny smiles. She bakes for every bake sale, heads every committee, takes care of a meticulous home, and does it all while maintaining a slim physique and fabulous hair. While those attributes and accomplishments are all admirable, no one and no thing is perfect. What looks perfect never really is. Everyone has something they struggle with, some sort of battle. Some of us are just better at masking it than others.
Perfection is elusive. Happiness is not. We can do our best at everything we attempt (and we should) but trying to live up to the idea of some idyllic life simply isn’t realistic. It’s not human. The only true perfection we can ever hope to find is in the only One who is without flaw. Remember that YOU are capable and worthy of all good things.
“As for God, His way is perfect. The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:30
It’s October and for me, that change of the calendar makes it officially the fall season. For those of us who don’t love winter, we can usually fool ourselves into believing all of September is an honorary part of summer even though it tends to get cooler and of course, school starts. But once October rings in, we can’t deny fall is truly here, at least not where I live. It’s brisker outside, the air feels different, the sun is less shiny, and the leaves are rapidly changing to beautiful fire and jewel tones. October is Sweetest Day, Halloween, and many family birthdays. But October is very significant, marked with pink bows as reminders to get “squished” at your annual mammogram.
Because this early detection test is so important, I decided to document my most recent mammogram in hopes of taking away some of the fear and anxiety that can often surround that dreaded test. I won’t deny that mammograms are uncomfortable, even a little painful. But they’re so quick and so worth it. Remember, early detection is key to saving us from this disease! Please don’t allow finances deter you from engaging in the yearly “boobie trap.” Where I live, the medical center performs the test for free and I am certain this must be so in most areas. If money is a concern, please make some phone calls and start with your local health department, inquiring about free or low-cost testing.
When I arrived at my mammogram appointment, I wasn’t anxious. I started having yearly mamms in my mid-30’s so this has become old hat for me. It’s not something I look forward to. I don’t generally skip happily on my way to the exam room, but because it’s so important, I let health be the focus and not how the test is going to feel. My maternal grandmother was a breast cancer survivor and like most of you probably do, I know many other courageous women who have fought or are fighting this heinous disease.
Once I signed in, I didn’t have to wait long at all before the mammographer retrieved me from the relaxing waiting room (it even had a lovely fireplace!) We went back into a suite complete with changing rooms, private waiting room, and of course, the exam rooms. Things have improved on the mammography fashion front. Gone is the snazzy paper gown. Instead, I got this royal purple kimono-type top. It’s actual fabric!
When I finished the change, I got my own locker with key to store my personal items. This was pretty handy because at previous appointments at other facilities I had to abandon my purse and clothes in a lockless and unattended room while I underwent the test, which made me feel even more vulnerable, so this locker was a happy surprise.
My mammographer who was shy but accommodating when I asked her to join me in an “ussie” (as opposed to a “selfie), was wonderful. She was refreshing and lighthearted and we had some good conversation throughout the appointment. I can tell you, having medical personnel with a good sense of humor and kind bedside manner is imperative and makes the situation so much easier.
Next came the test itself. Of course, I’m not showing pictures of that but we did simulate it with the machine for the purpose of this post. The mammography machine doesn’t look so bad. It isn’t intimidating. There’s not really much more than this to see. It’s some horizontal and vertical plates. You’re squished a bit for sure, but it’s very momentary. They do direct you not to breathe while they take the x-ray (like you have that choice!), but those few seconds of discomfort are nothing to fear.
I assure you that it’s not a torturous test like many women fear. If you’ve had a mammogram, you would hopefully agree. I’m sure every experience is unique but the minimal discomfort is honestly worth it because this is for our health. This is hope. Make your appointment if you haven’t had a mammogram this year. Call your mother. Call your sister. Call your best friends. Encourage them to make (and keep!) appointments. Make them together. There’s power and comfort in numbers. Do this for your family and do this for yourself. Think Pink!