My Happy BD Life

[kellynewc]

So proud of this young woman. Last homecoming dance team performance today. #dadturned50 #worcesterstateuniversity

[kellynewc]

Proud of this young guy (on left). Came home last weekend w/o being able to tell dad why #dadturned50 #didntwanttoruinsurprise

[kellynewc]

Can't sleep, so I'm reflecting on last weekend. I'm not going to lie...I crossed the finish line in tears. Three years ago, I was in the throes of a horrible #behcetsdisease flare and could barely get out of bed. It had been building for years due to stress that I let get out of control. The Boston Marathon bombings were the last straw, the nail on my immune system coffin so to speak (a dear friend was at ground zero, and for a while we did not know if he had been hurt; turns out he was a hero that day). The last 3 miles were an out of body experience. I kept thinking, "I can't believe I am doing this". I almost gave up with a couple miles to go when my favorite song (Bartender by DMB) came over my feed; I took that as a sign from one of my angels & the tears started to work their way up. When they handed me the finishers medal, all of the emotion that had been building came rushing out. I worked hard to find remission. I work hard to maintain it every day & will have to do so for the rest of my life. I relish it for moments like this. I will have one more post to share about last weekend. For now, be well. #findyourzen #gretesgreatgallop #remission #dmb

[kellynewc]

People have asked what the small gadget is that is clipped to my shirt. It is my #phonak compilot. It connects my hearing aids to my iPhone. This was my first race with hearing aids. Listened to my favorite band #dmb for 13.1 miles.

[kellynewc]

Done! Half marathon checked off my #bucketlist For great cause "Imagine a world without cancer" #gretesgreatgallop

[kellynewc]

10/01 start of hubby's 50th birthday celebration month. Kicking it off in NYC. Cousin Lucy Lou & I are doing a half marathon tomorrow. Prayers encouraged & welcome! #gretesgreatgallop #behcets #bucketlist #findyourzen

[kellynewc]

I've suffered from hearing loss my entire life (predominantly my left ear). You develop coping mechanisms and your brain adjusts to compensate. This is all part of my BD journey (including ear drum reconstruction surgery 30 years ago). But over the past year, both ears have deteriorated. This past spring, I realized I could not hear the birds chirping early in the morning. Although I was happy they weren't waking me up, it was a sad progression. Doctors suggested hearing aids many years ago, but my kids were both in braces & insurance did not cover any of the cost. Now, both kids are both in college, but with our insurance company taking on half the cost - I finally got them! This is a life changer. I had no idea my mouse at work made a clicking noise. My dog's toe nails make a clicking noise on the floor (he is only 10 lbs, so I assumed he was too light)! I heard the sounds of nature today that I almost forgot existed. I look forward to sitting outside tonight listening to the sounds of summer, just in time as it departs. #lifechanger #phonak #behcetsdisease