Happy holidays! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet -- I've just been immersed in law school and have hardly had time to sleep, let alone keep up with this blog. I'm sorry I haven't posted as regularly as I said I would in the beginning (or even once in the last six months, for that matter!)...but a week after I started this blog, I began a Masters program...and then three weeks later started a part-time job. And I grossly underestimated how busy I would be.

But I had a few spare minutes today, so I thought I'd post a quick update and some big news...

First, on January 9th, I'll have stuck to my food plan for a full year!!! I began eating eggs and corn again, but only eat them occasionally...but I have not eaten gluten, dairy, soy, or much sugar in almost a year! And honestly, I feel SOOOO much better on the digestion front and it really is totally second nature. I actually made it through the entire holiday season (Halloween through Christmas) without eating any gluten, soy, dairy or sugar....and that was with incredible food all around me, fancy dinners at restaurants, and celebrations at relatives houses who are great cooks. I honestly wasn't even that tempted...and I NEVER thought that would happen. (But I can't take all the credit -- Earth Balance, Rudi's, Jovial and So Delicious made it a lot easier for me to stick to the plan! :)

Second, I had another ultrasound in September and my doctor compared it to the one I had in November 2011. Just from following the "no allergen" diet (and doing nothing else!) my fibroids haven't grown at all, and the large cyst on my left ovary SHRUNK IN HALF!!! How amazing is that?!

And third, the doctor who ordered the ultrasound is a new GYN surgeon I began seeing in September. I made an appointment with him because although I've felt SO much better, there are still some issues I'm struggling with (heavy, painful periods, low back pain, pain with intercourse, etc.). After talking with him and consulting with my other GYN that I "Fight Mick" with, we decided that it would be a great idea to clear the slate surgically...and then use my new way of eating and supplements to hopefully keep Mick at bay for a very, very long time. So that's what's happening. Tomorrow actually. My new surgeon is at Advanced Women's Health Care in Scarborough, Maine and apparently he's "a genius with a laporoscope." Women come from all over the country to see him, and I liked him immediately. He's able to do my entire procedure laporoscopically (YAY!!!) and is confident he can remove everything that's not supposed to be there, while keeping everything that is. So first thing tomorrow morning, I'll be heading into surgery to have two large fibroids removed from my uterus, a large cyst removed from my left ovary, endometriosis cauterized, adhesions removed, and my appendix taken out. And hopefully it will be the last time this part of my body is operated on...

I have a long break from work and school, so I can fully recover. During that time, if I'm feeling up to it I'll definitely post an update. Until then...