10 Year Blog Challenge

It's Life's a Polyp's 10 year anniversary! One of the ways to celebrate I thought would be to do the 10 Year Challenge but blog style!

So much has happened for LAP and myself in the last 10 years. I shared about previously in The Evolution of Myself with Chronic Illness how I've evolved in a large part thanks to LAP and the online Familial Adenomatous Polyposis community that not only urged me to start a blog but also has supported me throughout the years. 

I went from an incredibly shy individual shrouded in anonymity to identifying myself and broadcasting my own medical experiences to anyone who will listen over the last 10 years.

To begin, this was my profile and banner in my effort to remain anonymous. Carrying the symbolism from LAP into my photos, I edited using red filters.

 I couldn't bear the thought of bringing attention to myself directly or being "found out" in fear of judgment for my health experiences. I was still insecure about my rare diseases and the personal details that come along with chronic illness, specifically GI illnesses.

Staying with the red theme of the GI tract, I edited a photo I had taken and used for my then husband's business.

Then I drew myself riding a polyp in the colon to portray the symbolism of Life's a Polyp.

 

With the encouragement of a very kind lady, who made alot effort to discover my likely identity in order to reach me and help me further the reach of Life's a Polyp.

This extra encouragement and support gave me the strength to reveal myself to the world.

With this new level of confidence, I had a few photos taken and this became profile photo.

I love the symbolism of this photo - slaying the infamous FAP polyps in the colon.

For the next wave of banners, I used another photo from the session with the same symbolism.

And of course, as LAP expanded, I updated the banners to reflect new avenues such as the LAP Shop and YouTube channel. 

And today you see the newest profile and banner photos thanks to Mike!

To celebrate a decade of education, awareness, and empowerment Mike designed the special anniversary design for me which was added to Life's a Polyp Shop, we had 3 restaurant fundraisers for the NORD FAP Research Fund, raffles, and Imagine We Publishers donated 10% of sales of Life's a Polyp with Zeke and Katie to NORD FAP Research Fund as well! 

I also wanted to share some of my favorite blog posts and memories over the last 10 years.

Over the years I've had some wonderful guest writer articles including:

• Turning 95 with FAP
  
• Feeding Tube
  
• Desmoid Tumors
  
• Journey for Running Forward
  
• Coping with Grief and Chronic Illness
  
• A Look at Caregiving
  
• DBT for Chronic Pain
  
• Finding Yourself after a Life Detour
  
• Teaching Moments
  
• Early Cancer Detection
  
• FAP Clinical Trials

Highlights through the years include:

2021

• 8th Surgery - what led up to my 8th abdominal surgery
  
• Finding My Person - I found my soulmate and we made a lifetime commitment to one another
  
• 20 Year Reversal Anniversary - I celebrated 20 years with my ostomy reversal
  

2020

• Understanding School Accommodations - reviewing school accommodations for students
  
• Colorado Vacation - vacationing during the Covid19 pandemic
  
• Physical Therapy after Abdominal Surgery - a physical therapist shared her expertise for the necessary exercises we require after abdominal surgery

2019

• Hawaii Cruise - my parents and I experienced a Hawaiian cruise
  
• FAP Advisory Board Panel - I was part of a FAP Advisory Panel in Philadelphia, PA
• Managing Anxiety and Depression - learning ways to manage mental health

2018

• What We Need From You - reviewing what we desperately need in support from our loved ones
  
• Life with Chronic Nausea - exploring what life is like with chronic nausea
• Probiotics and the Immune System - reviewing a seminar I attended
  

2017

• Hereditary Colon Cancer Conference - my mother and I attended a Hereditary Colon Cancer Conference Michigan
• Traveling Abroad - I traveled to Mexico to attend a friend's wedding
  
• Bullying and Chronic Illness - a look at how bullying and chronic illness are experienced together
• Caregiving Father - honoring my father for all his caregiving responsibilities
  

2016

• Don't Shut Me Down - exploring the need for one to be able to express our feelings to our loved ones
  
• To The Broken Hearted - a letter of encouragement to those struggling

2015

• Open Letter to Medical Professionals - what I want all medical providers to know
  
• Let the Fire Burn - surviving self brokenness and defeat to rise above it all
  
• Alaska Cruise - my family and I went on an Alaskan cruise following my hospitalization
  
• Unexpected Hospitalization - my unexpected hospitalization and first one since 2007
  
• Adjusting to Change - learning how to adjust and cope to changes
  
• Touch of Cancer - honoring my mother and grandfather with their colon cancer experiences
  
• Bye Bye Baby - saying goodbye to my dream of having a child
  
• What FAP Means to Me - exploring what FAP means to me personally
  

2014

• Zebras and Ducks - understanding the complexity of rare disease
  
• 20th Anniversary of FAP - reviewing 20 years with FAP

2013

• PTSD Tailspin - PTSD flare
• Scarred Life - loving my scars
  

2012

• Medical Angels and Demons - remembering those who have significantly impacted me medically
• A Look Back - remembering my medical history
• FAP Beginning - FAP review and medical experiences