I have always been afraid of surgeries. Few years ago when I was in college, I got into an accident and the doctors said that I would need about 12-15 stitches for my injuries. I chose to heal slowly and scar instead of have someone sew me with a needle. Then, when it was time for my Dental surgery to get my wisdom teeth pulled out, I was terrified. I asked them to put me under general anesthesia because I did not want to be conscious knowing that I am being operated upon, regardless of how trivial this procedure was. When I got pregnant last year, my biggest scare was what if I needed a C-section? I knew I could never get prepared for it. I was extremely anxious as my due date approached. Thankfully, I had my baby naturally and did not need a C-section after all. I felt like a winner. However, I did require a few stitches. It wasn’t as bad as I had imagined and I was pain free in a week’s time.

Many of you are already aware of my battle with the hand pain due to De’Quervain’s tendonitis that I developed post-partum. After going to a bunch of doctors, corticosteroid injections, splinting and physical therapy, I still had no relief. The pain got worse over time so my doctor decided to do an X-ray which showed misaligned ligaments and an MRI of my wrist confirmed severe damage to my tendons. I have thinning and severe atrophy of my hand tendons, a one centimeter cyst and inflammation. What does this mean? It means that my only option is to go with Hand Surgery. Once again, I am faced with a difficult situation except this time; it is not a difficult choice to make. I know if I want to be pain free, I have to get this surgery done. I am not afraid of going under the knife. I am actually looking forward to my surgery which is scheduled for Nov 21, the day before Thanksgiving.

Wish me luck. I am counting on this surgery to fix my hand problem. Hopefully after this, the pain will be gone for good…

1. Eliminate trans fatty acids from you diet. These are linked to scarring of the arteries which lead to a wide spectrum of heart diseases. Stick with vegetable oil or olive oil. Avoid palm or corn oil if possible. Do not consume products that contain hydrogenated oils.

2. Avoid Saturated fat. Try to obtain the fat calories from mono-saturated fats such as those found in peanuts. Nuts are good source of Vitamin E.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise at least 4 times a week. Your workout regimen should include cardiovascular/aerobic exercises as well as anaerobic exercises such as resistance and weight training.

4. Always stretch before and after your work out. I try but never have enough time This is very important.

5. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Incorporate a variety of vegetables of different colors. The different colors come from phytonutrients found in plants that help maintain good cell health. They combat against damage to DNA structures which can cause cancer.

6. Avoid drinking Alcohol. It is not very good for your liver.

7. DO NOT smoke. It’s the number one cause for oral and lung cancer.

8. Do not consume artificial sweetener such as aspartame. These are linked to cancer as well. Also linked to cancer are processed food that contain “high fructose corn syrup”. Avoid them by all means.

9. Avoid Soda. It inhibits the absorption of calcium by the body. Try having a glass of fresh lemonade instead.

10. Have 3 servings of dairy a day. You can substitute one serving with a calcium supplement.

11. Take supplements for essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Be careful as overdose of certain vitamins are potentially dangerous to your health. For example, Vitamin A in excess is toxic unless it is in the form of carotenoids such as beta-carotene. These are pro-vitamins and your body makes as much Vitamin A from it as necessary.

12. Finally, if you can afford Organic food, go for it.

13. Be happy. Mind plays a big role in overall health.

14. Avoid Stress. Try to be happy. Do something fun every weekend.

15. BE HAPPY!

I hope I have provided valuable information to everyone who took the opportunity to read this.

Wish you all good health and well being. Enjoy life and Be Happy!!!