Probing for answers...hee hee hee.

There are many things in my genetics for which I am grateful. For the most part I am strong and healthy. I think my father once referred to me as "sturdy". lol There are also a few things which I would gladly do without. One of things my younger brother and I refer to as the "Bennett Bowels". Technically it should be the "Romney Bowels" being that it comes from my mother's lineage. Regardless of what you call it, it runs a gamut of symptoms ranging from frequent diarrhea to ulcerative colitis to polyps. (I will get to the reason for my graphic descriptions later.)
Due to my awesome, overactive digestive system I have the opportunity to undergo an invasive colonoscopy every five years. This all started when I was 21 and a precancerous polyp was discovered. Who would have thought having diarrhea may have saved my life? If I hadn't had that colonoscopy 11 years ago, my doc says it likely would have become cancerous. Crazy!
Between being pregnant, nursing and just not wanting to subject myself to the nastiness of the bowel prep, I put off having a routine colonoscopy for a few extra years. Last month I suddenly had a feeling it was time. I HATE, HATE,HATE the electrolyte nastiness you drink to cleanse your poop tubes. I think it is the texture that gets to me. I almost throw up with every gulp. Uggggg! Just thinking about it I just dry heaved in my mouth!
The Dr. who performed my procedure was awesome! He kept joking about how I was "special" to have such crappy (pun intended) bowels at such a young age. I told him to give me a punch card where every fifth colonoscopy was free. If he weren't about to "colonoscopize" me, I would have thought we were old friends.
To get on with it, the procedure went fine.( I woke up once in a previous colonoscopy when the nurse was pushing on my stomach and the doctor was pushing something else the other way.....let's just say it was awwwwwful.) In fact, when I came out of anesthesia, I started shouting and flailing my arms. Both the doc and staff began laughing HYSTERICALLY! I asked what I had just said, and the Dr. replied, "You yelled, 'Mike! Get out of my colon.'" Hahahahaha! No offense to any of you who may be into that kind of thing, but I have enough bowel issues. I have no idea where that outburst came from.
Dr. Fenton told me the procedure had gone well but that he had found more polyps and they were being sent out for biopsies. They way he said it as he grasped my arm made me nervous. There was no way something was wrong. Right? I waited in angst the following week Had I waited too long? I couldn't help but think about my mom waiting to hear back about test results and that made me worry even more. Fortunately, I received news that they were all BENIGN! Yay! Some did, however, show potential to turn into something cancerous so it was good I had them removed when I did. I WILL NEVER PUT THIS OFF AGAIN!
That is the reason for this graphic, personal post. It is SO important to take care of ourselves! Be sure to get your mammograms and pap smears and colonoscopies and annual physicals. SO many life threatening medical issues can be resolved if found early enough. I am grateful I listened to that little voice that kept nagging me to get checked. I owe it to myself and to my family to be proactive about my health.

Farewell to Ryno.

Today I attended Ryan's funeral. It was a beautiful service. I have also never laughed so much at a funeral. His father was stalwart as he spoke of his fun, crazy and sometimes reckless son. He reminded us of how everyone teased Ryan as a child for looking so much like Ralphie from "The Christmas Story". I laughed at hearing how Ryan would hide fireworks in hot dogs for unsuspecting roasters to discover. I about died when his father went on about how he had to try "harder and harder and harder" to conceive Ryan. Then once he was conceived he got to take a break. Who talks about that at a funeral? Why Darryl Wendel, of course.
Even more hilarious was when his dad talked about how much Ryan loved girls and would bring them on boating trips. He smiled and said HE loved when Ryan brought these girls along too! Watching his dad speak, I could picture what Ryan would have looked like down the road had he had the opportunity.
I had a moment with his mother at the viewing which was very sweet. She grasped my hands tightly, we reminisced about all of us as kids. She said she loved seeing all of us grown up with our own kids and she then she told me how much she loved my mom. In that sad moment we knew we felt each other's loss. I am still amazed at the grace and strength Ryan's mom upheld through the service. I can't even imagine the pain and anguish one feels at the loss of a child. Ryan leaves behind two beautiful girls, ages 7 and 9. The older daughter spoke of some of her favorite memories of her dad. I pray for comfort for them. There was so much love and support in that room for those girls I feel Ryan has left them in good hands.
It was a day full of reunions. I saw some friends I haven't seen for almost 20 years. I don't think much of my childhood anymore so it was fun to relive the happy times with the people with whom I caused so much mischief and shared so much laughter. I wish more than anything we had gotten reacquainted under different circumstances but Ryan's death has prompted us to all get together and keep in contact better.
You were one hilarious guy Ryan. You always knew how to seek out adventure, live life to the fullest and show the people you care about how much you loved them. May the sand dunes in heaven be ready for you. At least now, you won't have to worry about breaking bones. See you again one day old buddy!

Ryan Darrell Wendel 

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1978 ~ 2012
Our beloved Father, Son, Brother and Friend passed away unexpectedly Sat Jan 28, 2012
Son of Darrell and Chris Wendel, Brother to Michelle Siegismund (Otto) and Wendy Romero (Brian). Ryan married Angie Holmes and had two beautiful girls, Allie (9) and Lexi (7). Later divorced. Ryan was adored by nieces and nephews and his special sweetheart Chelsee. Loved by all his many Friends who were always there for each other which we are so grateful for. 
Ryan worked as an electrician with his father (Wendel Electric). He loved to golf, boat, ride his Motorcycle and go four wheeling at the sand dunes. Most of all he loved being with his two sweet girls! 
We all loved our Ryan (Ryno) so very much and will miss him everyday until we meet again.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the LDS Chapel at 400 North 700 West, Saratoga Springs, Utah with a viewing at the church Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday prior to services from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.