Public Service Announcement!

OK, egghead family...a little serious talk about to be thrown down:  Hopefully it may wake someone up!!!

Recently I had a upper GI scope/enlarge my esophagus done.  They did biopsies due to the erosion and rawness of the area.  Biopsies came back as esophageal cancer.  I'm not a tobacco user and not a drinker (maybe 6-8 beers a year).  I don't eat "right" but have been getting better over the years and now that I have been diagnosed I have ceased drinking sweet tea/soda and QUIT taking Goody's powders.  I have had GERD (acid reflux) for probably about 20+ years which is one of the causes for cancer.  I should have been taking some sort of acid reflux medication but never stuck with them.  I use to get my esophagus stretched every few years due to the erosion and trouble swallowing.  This last time, I waited 5 years to have it done (stupid move).  I probably should have been going every year!!!  My symptoms that shot me to the DR was heartburn like I had never had before (actually felt like fire in my chest) that came and went.  I also noticed my stool was black and tar like (upper GI bleed).  I attributed it to probably a stomach ulcer.  Both symptoms only lasted about a week or 2.  Went to my primary care physician and got sent to my gastro DR.

Good news, all the DR's I have talked to are believing it's in the early stages but of course more testing to determine a course of treatment.  Actually going today for a PET scan.  More then likely, chemo/radiation followed by surgery is the course.  I had cancer when I was 19 and then again when I was 20 and went through surgery/chemo and almost died so I know what I'm in store for. 

My purpose for this post is to wake guys/gals up to health issues.  Most guys hate going to the DR's office and by all means when you discuss scopes (upper/lower GI's) they avoid them like the plague!!!  If me going through all I am/will be going through wakes just 1 person up to seek treatment to help save their life, I'D DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES OVER!  Please people, listen to your inner self and body!!!  GO TO THE DR!!!  Be honest to your DR, and LISTEN to your DR.  If you want a second opinion, go for it but do not play with your health!  I am not a lover of medications but I GUARANTEE you I will now be on a strict use of relux medication!!!!!!!!   So do it for yourself, most of all do it for your family!!!

I'm a firm believer that GOD is working in my life like he has since I was saved when I was 17.  So any of ya'll that are believers can include me in their prayers or on their prayer lists with their churches.  Anyone that is not a believer, that is your choice but if you are "on the fence" I pray that you seek GOD while he can still be found! 

Thanks for all your support/prayers and PLEASE if you want to know more but don't want to throw it out here direct message me and I will talk to you more!!!  It's my goal to save someone a longer/harder road!!!

THANKS, and GOD bless all!