God is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO Good!

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia in May 2009. What is that, you ask? Well, it's an autoimmune blood disorder which inhibits the absorption of vitamin B-12 from food and vitamin intake. I was thrilled at the time for finally getting a diagnosis which I had, for years, tried to attain from different doctors. Many doctors would simply tell me that nothing was wrong with me and that my severe fatigue and lack of energy was due to being the mother of three young children. Pft!! I had many friends with multiple children who didn't feel like I did and I knew something was wrong. I just couldn't get doctors to listen to me. Among my complaints were inability to sleep for long periods at a time, extreme exhaustion, no energy most of the time, numbness and tingling in my extremities, dizziness and lightheadedness, low blood pressure, fainting, weight gain, and my list could go on and on.

It wasn't until last January that I started noticing cognitive difficulties. My memory started failing me on a much higher level than just placenta brain caused by my pregnancies. It was time to move on and find someone that would listen to me. I went to a new doctor who was fresh out of medical school. She wanted to put me on sleep aids and antidepressants, but I protested and she decided to run blood work and an extensive vitamin B series. We found out in a few days from that appointment that I had a severe B-12 deficiency. My concerns were finally addressed and from there I began monthly B-12 shots. I went back to see her for follow-up blood work in May. When I told her that I was still experiencing some of my symptoms 2 weeks after my shots, she decided to run another blood test that would hopefully give us further information. Well, it did. The blood test confirmed a lack of intrinsic factor in my stomach which allows B-12 to be absorbed, thus the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. I was so happy to finally have a diagnosis with an easy fix. No, it cannot be cured and yes, I do have to take B-12 shots monthly for the rest of my life, but I am happy to live with that diagnosis if it means I will have a full and normal life.

However, after further digging on my part about this uncommon blood disorder, I discovered that I was higher risk for gastric cancer. I saw a gastroenterologist for a consult about this in October who recommended I undergo an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy about every 5-7 years.

I had my first endoscopy and colonoscopy January 25th. The doctor took multiple biopsies from my stomach lining, as well as found a precancerous colon polyp. My stomach lining was inflamed but was to be expected. With the colon findings, I now have to have screenings every 3 years. You'd think this would bother me, but I have to say that had I not been diagnosed with the anemia, I would still have that polyp growing until it was eventually cancer and by the time it would have been found it may have been too late. So, I'm praising my Lord and Savior for all of His wonderful blessings and timing in everything. I see my illness as a blessing in disguise. Now I will have early screenings and detection and because of this, so will my children when they are young adults. God is so good!!!