Testing, Testing....

 Any doctor's appointment after the time I had my last baby in 2015 up through early 2024 was stressful. My blood pressure would be sky high, my pulse was racing, and I was nervous about what might come up in lab work. I avoided going to the doctor for many years because of the stress it would undoubtedly cause. I took my kids for their annual physicals like clockwork, but it had been years since I'd seen my primary care physician or had lab work done, except for surgery clearance purposes in that almost decade long period. Fast forward to July 2025 when I had to go in for a follow-up with an ENT about inner ear pain and ringing I've been experiencing for the last year or so, and the doctor noticed my labs were due. Instead of trying to put them off or avoiding it altogether, I went down to the lab for my blood draw and wasn't anxious about the results. Instead, I looked forward to getting the notification that they were ready to review a few hours later. The damage I was doing to my liver and kidneys on a regular basis with excessive alcohol intake, and the extra work I was putting on the rest of my organs is scary. I am so lucky that I did not have more health-related issues during that time period, because I very easily could have landed myself in the hospital for uncontrolled diabetes, heart issues, or other serious risks. I'm grateful to be living alcohol-free and working towards the healthiest version of myself. Instead of being excited about stops at CVS for "mommy juice" on weekend errand trips, I'm excited about Amazon deliveries of mini steppers so I can meet my new goal of 10,000 steps each day in July with some of my sober friends. Sunday no longer carries the weight of dreading the return to work Mondays and the anxiety and hangover that often came with Monday mornings. I'm thankful to be free of those worries, there's enough other stuff in life to keep the stress curveballs coming, but at least I'm prioritizing myself and my peace so that I can combat those curveballs with a clear mind and better coping strategies that won't land me in bed for a mid-day Monday nap and guzzling Gatorade so that I can try and function the rest of the day. 

661 days alcohol free looks so much better than I could have anticipated.