Day 146: Operation HOPE...A Year Ago Today

This was me a year ago...May 7, 2016

I was blown away when this picture showed up on my Facebook page as a memory from May 6, 2016!  Exactly one year ago today.  A year ago I was dragging myself through my days.  Living in excruciating pain.  Taking all sorts of medications for my "health" and for my pain.  I was always tired.  Living in a fog.  I was real good at masking all these symptoms behind my pulled back shoulders and broad smile.  This journey "Operation HOPE...Hold On Pain Ends" wasn't on my radar at all.  I had no idea a year ago that I would be on a lifestyle journey to radically change my life.  Not. One. Clue.

This was me a week ago...April 29, 2017

When I saw the picture from last year, I immediately remembered that I had taken a picture last week.  I put these pictures side by side in a Word document, and just couldn't believe how far I've come in 146 days!  I told my son tonight that I like to do that {put pictures side by side} so I can see the transformation.  A lot of times, believe it or not, I still see myself as I was a year ago.  But, I know I'm not who I was a year go.  I've changed in so many ways...and not just physically.

I'm no longer dragging myself from day to day.  I feel more alive and awake now.  I'm sleeping much better than I have in years, and wake up {most of the time} feeling refreshed.

I hardly ever experience brain fog and headaches any more.  There are still some days that I experience them, but I literally used live in a fog 24/7 & dealt with headaches for most days in a month's time.  It's really nice to be able to think clearly and not have to deal with horrible headaches.

My pain level is different than it was a year ago.  Although I still experience pain {still most days 24/7}, it's not to the same intensity that it was.  I know that I'm moving around and functioning better despite the pain.

I am off ALL medications for my "health" and pain!!  This one is HUGE to me!

I am not healed yet...but I'm healing...day by day.  The struggle is still real and raw, but every day I see the fruit of my labor and the light at the end of this long tunnel is getting brighter and brighter with every passing day.

H.O.P.E. = Hold On Pain Ends