My Word for 2013...(and a lot of rambling)

I've heard people talk about their "word" for the new year. I've never done it, and I'm not one for making resolutions either. But without even realizing it, I actually did come up with a word for 2013. That word is health. In the past several weeks I couldn't help but look forward to 2013 with this hope for good health, and a readiness to move forward. Never - like ever - have I been so ready to welcome a new year. (Okay, maybe 2006 - my close high school friends know what I mean). I always get so sad and depressed when Christmas is over. I'm talking SO. BUMMED. January through March - forgettaboutit. The gray days seem to go on forever, it's cold, and let's face it. How much fun is Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years? It's like one big ol' party from October on through. Then it's done and I hate it. But this year has been SO different for me.

Let me give you a little background information here, as to why I've subconsciously chosen a word for this year. Last February, I got what I thought was a bad cold. It never ended. Thought it was allergies, even though I'd never suffered from allergies before. Took every allergy medicine known to man, and no changes. Rain, sun, windy day, or indoors - I felt the same. Saw an ENT who told me to have CT scans done. Results were a SHOW. Every sinus cavity that should appear dark grey/black was white. Basically there's just a whole lotta GUNK (which I find more nice of a word than pus, but whatever) everywhere. Went on long-term antibiotics (after realizing I'm allergic to quite a few!), didn't really feel better, except my eyes weren't all yucky all the time. He diagnosed me with chronic sinusitis, and coined it a quality of life issue. As long as it wasn't making me nuts, I'd deal with it. Once I couldn't deal anymore, we'd have surgery. I was not one of those patients that would ever have this go away on its own. Summer came, and I'd go for a good stretch without meds, but had a flare up or two. Took eye drops to keep my eye issues at bay, but Fall hit and I got hit hard with back to back to back sinus infections. So basically about 2 days after going off meds, my eyes would be a mess again and I'd blow my nose all the live long day.

Called the ENT to discuss surgery. Had to see an eye doctor to rule out any underlying eye conditions that could be contributing. Test after test after test after photo after photo with her, seems she agrees that it is all due to the sinus blockage crap. ENT says, if I'm ready, let's do it.

I've never been more ready in my life.

It gets better (or should I say worse?)...I've been having some knee swelling. Went away after a few days once in November, then came back with a vengeance 2 days before Christmas. Couldn't walk. It didn't hurt, just swollen and hard to bend. Went to my doctor who referred me to a rheumatologist. I have - get this - reactive arthritis. Who knew this was even a thing?! It's basically arthritis that is reacting to my infection, and often times the knee gets affected. Super.

Got it drained, I was good to go.

Up until last week. It happened again (on our snowy vacation!), but not as bad. I was able to hobble much better, and swim in the indoor pool. Besides, my boy was too short to go snowtubing anyway, so Paul took the girls and we did a lot of hanging out:). I went yesterday, had it drained again, and a cortisone shot to hopefully keep it from happening for a little while.

So at this point, I am beyond ready to get this surgery done. Scheduled it today for 2 weeks from now. I'm not really sure why I am rambling about this stuff to you, but I felt the need to explain why I've been off the radar a bit, and why I will be even more so in a couple weeks. Good news is, the recovery's only a week, and I won't be bedridden, so I can still check in - I have a feeling my laptop and I will become very close;) Who knows, maybe I'll be posting so much you'll get sick of me! But as far as say, painting a powder room (DY-ING to do), or the front hallway (DY-ING even more to do!), those things will have to wait. Thanks for your understanding.

Back to my 'word' (I sure am all over the place in this post!)...I'm so focused on getting 100% healthy at this point, that it made me examine more aspects of my wellness. Not necessarily diet and all that jazz - we're pretty good about that. I make fairly healthy dinners every night, we don't drink soda, never do fast food...although I admit, I could curb my sweet tooth a GOOD bit, and grab an extra veggie or two throughout the day...But I'm thinking more in terms of balance. I'm such an on-the-go crazy woman, and I can't sit still for more than 10 minutes without thinking of the never-ending to-do list. I don't really make the time to sit and just be. And that is something I'd love to fix this year.

The New Year brings so much promise and hope. I've never really appreciated it so much as I do right now. Any friend or family member would tell you that I am THE Christmas girl. I mean, I'm never happier than I am from the day after Thanksgiving to December 25th. I DREAD taking down the Christmas decorations, and certainly get the winter blahs come January 1. But not this year. This year I'm looking ahead with hope for a spectacular year, full of health and balance. There is so much ahead and happy times to relish. Weddings, Babies, Disney World...2013, bring it. Bring on sinus surgery. Bring on some time to just sit and be. Bring on enjoying life to the nth degree. I'm so there and ready.

Yesterday I went to meet my mom at Marshalls. I walked out into the sunshine and wasn't shaking from the cold (it was a balmy 52 degrees here in MD!), I actually heard birds chirping. I smiled. Met my mom and found the most gorgeous summer display at the store. Typically, I'm the first one to complain about stores bringing out the upcoming seasons WAY ahead of time (especially September stuff when school just ends in June! HATE THAT!), but it made me SO happy to see those fish and seashells. I know technically, it's only been winter here for a few weeks, but I wasn't thinking like that. Pale blues and white, soft green...I embraced it and it gave me hope. Hope for this awesome year I'm praying for. I pictured my healthy self, going to the pool, the beach, feeling sand again. Chasing after my kids, staying up late and catching lightning bugs in the yard. And I got downright giddy people. I did something I never do. I bought one of those adorable fish to place in my new Family Room bookcases. Sure, I won't be able to enjoy it for a few months at least, but it made me so happy when I saw it that I impulsively bought it.

I just know every time I look at it, I'll think back to that day in January, shopping with my mom, my head full of yuck and swollen wobbly knee, feeling so much hope in my heart. I'd say that $7.99 fish is worth a whole heckuva lot more.

So here's to 2013 and all it has in store. I wish all of you a healthy year.

It's gonna be.