Resilient

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- I'm Cassandra and I am resilient -- here's my story I was born premature -- with my bowels and intestines outside of my stomach - it's called Gastroschisis- I fought for my life and against all odds made it out to be a healthy child - fast forward 24 years or so and my body was telling me something was wrong - I enjoy hiking in the mountains with my family we love camping and hiking 1.5 k into the frozen bush down to some frozen waterfalls with our kids - we are different - I enjoy doing yoga too! My stomach started to bug me, it hindered what I enjoyed most , I started losing weight - I went to the hospital they said it was IBS (irritable bowel syndrome here have some t3s) I went home felt defeated , the next day I went to a clinic I said please help me I know something's wrong- they ordered an ultrasound a few weeks of suffering later they say nothing was found in perfectly fine!! I was so upset I knew it couldn't be- I went again to the clinic and begged for them to listen please help me- they ordered for a barnium ct scan - when I was sitting in the waiting room I cried . It was so scary - I had to drink this poison concoction to illuminate my insides during the scan- radiation I cried more - it was time , then to wait for the call - I have intestinal malrotation - which means my intestines were twisting and at any moment they could kink wrong and my insides could explode leaving me dead or with a colostomy bag - it was summer when I found out right before our huge summer trip we planned with our kids- I was out on a waiting list-- and we started our adventure to British Columbia Victoria island - we had nothing but food, clothes and a tent - four kids and our pup! I was scared but tried to put it in the back of my mind-- but truth was I was hurting everyday - but I tried my hardest to fight through the pain --we hiked in drumhellar and enjoyed the ocean we had an amazing time- but when I got home reality set in - it was surgery time soon ! Nov 21 2016 I went to the hospital and dr said we will try to do larposcopic surgery (small incisions in the abdomen) but if I get In there and it's to confusing I'll have to cut you right open - I cried my husband held me-- I held my childhood teddy bear and cried into it- I have all these people who depend on me and need me to guide them In life- the weeks after my surgery my husband took two weeks (of his vacation time for the year because apparently if your wife is sick you can't take sick leave or get anything) he was there every moment and I truly knew how much he truly loved me-- I'm doing better now it’s been over a year and I’m
Back and ready to trek mountain sides and run my heart out - this is my story this is me - a mother of four - a step mom, a wife sister cousin and friend- I'm always there for my friends to share advice- on staying positive because this life is truly unknown - you never know when you'll be fighting for your life and it's the most scary feeling - this is me . Two years after the surgery I feel so good again .. I still have trouble gaining weight and my stomach pinches sometimes during certain activities but I am alive and well .. I am strong My story - I am Cassandra and I am resilient -