Living with a Hiatal Hernia … By: Kathy D, Contributing Author

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The “C” Word

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Cancer? Despite someone’s bed alarm going off at that precise moment, it got really quiet, an almost creepy calm. I was having a “not me” moment. “Ok, hold on a minute doc, you said cancer?”

I was in shock. Thoughts were racing. He said the “C” word. I’d been healthy all of my life. I ate right. I worked out regularly. I had to tell my husband. I was frightened. What about my son? My mom? My business? What about . . .

I barely heard doc when he said, “We’ll set up an appointment for your endoscopy; it will be an outpatient procedure, and the results of that will show us how to proceed.”

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My husband. “Oh my God!” As I tried to tell him the results of the test, tears of fear started flowing. I was no longer in control. He was strong until later, when he thought no one was watching.

“What if’s” violated my mind. I couldn’t dismiss the thought that there might be a possibility of cancer. I had seen people who had cancer. I have known people who had cancer. It can’t happen to me. I won’t let it. I’ll be alright . . . I’m not in control.

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The Endoscopy Results and Other Stuff

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After the procedure I was taken to the recovery room. Once I was coherent, I was taken to the waiting room and . . . you guessed it, I waited.

Finally the doctor came in with my results. He was upbeat. His first words were, “There are no signs of cancer.”

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My chest deflated. Until that moment I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. He said, “Basically, we should be able to control your acid reflux with medication.”

“Thank you Jesus.”

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Several years have passed since, and I am happy to report I still have no signs of erosion and with the help of my good doctor, we’ve been able to control the acid reflux with medication. I take a 25mg. Proton Pump Inhibitor once a day for the acid reflux.

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I also have had to:

• avoid foods that contain acid like tomatoes, orange juice caffeinated coffee and beverages
• lose weight (oh yes),
• eat small, frequent meals (this one is hard, I’m not hungry all the time),
• avoid lying down for 3 hours after a meal

Believe me, this routine is not an easy task, being human, but I give it my best shot.

When I backslide, and sometimes I do, I can expect the possibility that I will be awakened in the middle of the night with the worst pain in my chest.

Just in case, I keep a stash of antacid tablets by the bed for relief.

So far, so good. By maintaining a strict regimen, I’ve been able to keep the reflux under control.

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Now comes today. As I did a little research for this article, I learned something. I found out that stomach exercises can cause acid to back up in your stomach. Me, who just got finished with doing my daily sit-up routine. “What the . . . is next?”

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So what have I learned?

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It takes sitting in a waiting room for hours to make us realize, no one is really in control.

We bounce from task to task doing the best we can with what we have. We eventually learn to control what we can and let God handle the rest.

What’s going to pop up next? Who knows.

What is a girl going to do? A girl is going to Live!!!

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Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Hope it helps you or someone you care for.

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Kathy D

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See Pt. 1-5: Living with a Hiatal Hernia and Acid Reflux

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