How can life get more exciting? Either I have very low expectations or I am just a happy person most of the time. Either way, I do like the quote by President Abraham Lincoln, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." 

My fourth book came out this week called, It's in the Bag and Under the Covers . Stories of Dating, Intimacy, Sex & Caregiving About People with Ostomies. It was celebrated in New Orleans at the WOCN conference with me autographing 1500 copies. There is something quite grand about opening the box and smelling a bunch of brand new books. There are over 60 stories contributed by people living with ostomies or by their loved ones. Courageously, these people shared their stories with the intention of helping others adjust to life with an ostomy.

This book has some humor in it but primarily is focused on real stories in difficult situations by people like you and me only for one reason or another; they had to have an ostomy. In most people's cases they would say that their ostomies were life-saving and life-enhancing. Many of you may recall that I joined this exclusive club in October of 1995 when it was discovered that I had colorectal cancer. Having a colostomy was a small price to pay to be able to see my 3 and 5 year-old-children grow up and joyfully celebrate with them at college this year.

For some reason when that happened to me, I decided to not ever feel embarrassed by it or too shy to talk about it if it might help someone else. Out of that decision came a speaking and writing career that has taken me all over the USA and Canada.  Who'd have thought having a rectum removed would take you places!

Let me remind you again that if you are age 50 or over and haven't had your full colonoscopy, it's time to treat yourself! Colon cancer is the only cancer that is preventable, treatable and beatable with the colonoscopy procedure. Sign up today and cross that one off your list, it could save your life. It's a lot easier to have a colonoscopy once every 5-10 years than to live with a colostomy daily, even though I do live quite well with it.

To celebrate 16 years of extended life, this September I am riding in the GYGIG ride. (Get Your Guts in Gear) This organization raises awareness and funds for people with bowel diseases and ostomies and brings together patients and caregivers who are fully supported by a crew. My husband Bahgat is crewing again this year. We did it in 2007 too and had a blast. This ride has changed into a 2 day ride int he midwest but still 70 miles a day. We are required to raise donations to be in this 140 mile/2 day ride. I guess they want to make sure we are serious. We'll be starting out and ending in Milwaukie, Wisconsin after doing a big loop. I will happily accept any donations you send my way. Go to www.ibdride.org to donate online. It's so easy, ten bucks will leave you in record time. Make sure you put down MW rider 3. That's me. No amount is too big or too small to donate.I know there are a million things to donate your money to these days so if you can't spare it, please send positive thoughts my way as I train weekly in preparation. I like company too! Thanks for all the ways you have blessed me just by being in my life.