congratulations TP :)

D

Hey well done TP. As it happens I am 9 months today. I too feel there have been many positive changes. I have no intention of going back, I have done that before a few years ago when I got to six months.

TP - in my early days, lurking in the background, it was posts like yours that gave me the courage to sign up and log on. Way to go!!! :)

Good job all of you and thank you so much for being my rock when I needed one and didn't feel I had one. :-) Miss you all!

I'm not unique? There are other posts like mine?

:rotfxko

Thanks Leo!

Thanks to you as well Dee! I think we all owe you a great deal...you're one of the good ones.

Actually It' about time we gave Dee a round of applause for the invaluable support. Thanks Dee.

Thanks guys - I love my job :)

D

Hehehe yeah TP!! Funny how once we get sober and start to recover we finally realize the world doesn't revolve around us. It was always me, me, me. Why do things happen to me? Why always the problems? Duh, cut out the poison and bango!!

Part of my daily living is recognizing my selfishness and doing something about it. A decade of drinking can sure wipe away memories of my old self and old ways of giving. Yesterday I made it a point to give more than I usually would and I find that the more I give of myself to others the more serenity I have.

It,s nice to be there for a change.

So next Friday will be my 9 month anniversary---- and like others, I've been needing to face up to getting medical checkups but haven't really done much yet.

In August, my wife put me on her dental plan so I had to go in for my free exam and cleaning. I tell ya, I was worried because it had only been three months since I stopped drinking and smoking. I was thinking at the time that they would find who-knows-what wrong with my teeth and I would be a wreck!! Guys, before this visit came up I hadn't been to a dentist in nearly 18 years so yeah alot of things were going through my mind, especially with how much so alcohol and smoking can affect one's dental health. Well, when they did the exam there was only two tiny cavities to fill that only took about 20 minutes and the cleaning revealed little to no plaque. They were so impressed that instead of 6 mth cleanings I do 8 mth cleanings!! So needless to say I worried over nothing.

So now another things comes up recently: since I'm on her dental coverage her employer requires spouses to do wellness exams with them (free) and its mandatory. I also haven't been to a doctor in about 15 yrs or so and I have a great fear of needles. I hesitantly signed up and did my comphrehensive online health quiz and created my account, and spent the past week fidgeting, not looking forward to going in. I went this morning and did the initial screening. They took my BP which was great - at 114/76, my heart rate was 77, and my BMI was 21 which is really great!! Of course, I cringed at them taking my blood and so now I'm going to wait the next few days on pins and needles.

How many times do we see folks posting about going in for labwork and worrying?? Alot. Today I'm one of them. Ya never know - even though generally I feel super who knows what the labwork will show. I guess it's a necessary evil and I'll either be relieved or worried when I get the results in. So, in your spare time, send a few prayers up and out or warm fuzzies my way that I get great results!! I feel so lucky to have dodged so many bullets, but I'm not superman. :)

Leo I admire you. I have not had the guts to go yet. I have been to the dentist and had a few fillings. I am worried about my liver, but part of me thinks what's done is done. The way I feel is I am prepared to take what comes and I would be grateful to be able to die sober if it comes to that. Having said that I rode 35km in the heat yesterday and feel good!!!

I really encourage everyone to see a Dr :)

My partner convinced me the trouble with thinking 'whats done is done' (I did that too) is that if there were any issues, seeing a Doc sooner or later would give me the best chance to nip them in the bud :)

It took me 6 months or so but I went and I got the all clear.

D

I think you are right Dee. I will give the matter consideration.

So I get the email saying my report is ready and log in. Wondering what kind of damage I might have done after a good decade of trashing myself only to find that every single test done came back as normal!! :)

I can't say what a relief it is to have done a complete lab to find that I'm fit as a fiddle!! Today I'm truly feeling blessed that I can look at my labwork and use that as ammunition to abstain and keep away from the toxins. I certainly won't fall into the trap of "well I'm healthy so let her rip!!". I see it as divine intervention and a fresh start.

I sighed a huge sigh of relief!!

excellent news Leo :)

D

Today is day #273, which equals 39 weeks, which equals 9 months!! :)

I'm hoping all my classmates are keeping up the good fight and are able to stifle the struggle within. Instant, I hope you get checked out too!!

Everyone have a fantastic weekend!

congratulations Leo :)

D

Hi guys,

Ive passed my 8 month mark since I last posted I think and all is well here. Still not properly embarked on my step 9 but feel I will get stuck into this in the Spring which is rapidly approaching.

On the subject of health checks I have been drinking alcoholically on and off for around 30 years however, incredibly and amazingly my blood tests results were all fine and somehow my liver is functioning fine. I am extremely lucky. I had the tests quite soon after quitting I didnt really care about the results at the time I was too preoccupied with fighting the urge to drink but im glad I did and now its something I dont have to worry about.

Im still suffering some IBD type problems and have a referral to see a specialist next month but am back at work now and not worrying about it. Maybe some of my organs have suffered from the years of abuse and this is now coming out but I feel optimisting and thoroughly grateful for the freedom I now have and all the things I am blessed with.

The coming Spring has really given me an energy boost and its so wonderful to look forward to the warmer months knowing I am free to enjoy them for what they are.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Leo - great to hear that you're fit as a fiddle! I went to the doctor just before Christmas and had them run a fully battery of tests on me. I even told my doctor that I had recently quit drinking in the hopes that he would pay particular attention to drinking related indices - liver etc.

I too got a glowing report...the doctor said that I wasn't just in good health but was in exceptional health. I had the same reaction you did...not a license to go back to drinking but a reward for all my efforts and sobriety and a great reason to keep on heading down this road!

I too think it's a good idea to visit your doctor.

so good to see everyone healthy and doing well! :)

D

I am under a fair amount of stress currently - a family issue with my siblings, and a number of work related ones that are a mixture of new and old.

It is not a good time, with the work issues I fell under supported and basically even though I am well paid I am expendable.

All this will not lead me to drinking. If anything it strengthens my resolve to stay sober. I am thankful that I have some awareness of how I am feeling rather than reacting with high emotion that has to be quelled and lead me to rant and rave to my wife whilst fully cut.

I hope the stress lessens soon, Instant :)

D

Instant, I'm thankful too that you are at a point to where you can identify that we all experience a healthy amount of stress in our lives and you have a meangingful and also healthy way to cope with those issues. That goes a long way in keeping yourself on the right path. Those inevitable speedbumps will come - it's how we deal with them that is important.

Instant I hope life becomes easier for you soon. I find it very hard to deal with stress which is probably a trademark of most alcoholics but thanks to the 12 step programme I do seem to be finding things that would normally drive me nuts much easier to handle. Im feeling undervalued at work and am having to remind myself not to take things personally when my boss has a rant - I even found myself thinking about drink yesterday just because it is programmed in my brain to drink away my uncomfortable feelings. However I had two portions of cheesecake instead haha. I had a big drinking dream last night which has given me the reminder I perhaps needed that nothing is worth going back to that hell for.

Thanks guys, I have noticed that all things change over time, I am growing, and it can't be easy street always.

It,s funny how feelings change. Things have improved for me. I am now more open with others and it helps.

I am starting to see how I set myself up. I am OK and have no intention of giving this journey up. I still regard it as a great adventure.

My work situation is ongoing and I will need to look at my coping stategies, work routines. I am sure I would have cracked if I was still drinking. My wife says I am much more fun to be around since I have quit drinking.

I don,t want to get to far ahead of myself, but we have come a long way, and so much has changed.

The programme that has helped me stop drinking is helping me with my feelings too. Sometimes I have to remind myself but usually I can now recognise that a feeling is not always a fact and it is just inside of me and will change/improve/go away. I am already happier at work after the boss thanked us for our efforts during a stressful period. Saying to myself "this too shall pass" and "thy will be done" when I am struggling internally really does help!

Well put Pumpkin. I had a great day yesterday, enjoyed the sun, a bike ride and went out to dinner. I am thinking about alcohol, and my "recovery situation" less and less, but still able to make sobriety fundamental to the way I am living.

Enjoy the full moon everyone. It will be a fantastic clear night here.

I can't believe I am coming up for 10 months next week. when I first started here I could not see my way through a weekend.

My wife is away this weekend. In the past that would mean a major bender, there is no risk of that currently- I am blessed, in that I can keep myself sober !!

I am 300 days today !!!!!!!!!