It's been a rough month or more in regards to my health. At the beginning of March I ended up in the emergency room with terrible abdominal pain. I have a very high pain threshold but this was bad, even for me. I woke up in the morning to get ready for work and honestly thought I had food poisoning. I had a flashback to what it used to feel like to wake up with a hangover and I had to lay down on the floor to get myself together. I called in sick to work and went to an urgent care center that day. (that's pretty huge for me because I normally don't go to the doctor- hell..I normally don't get sick). They did some tests and sent me home with some medicine but the pain was significantly worse the next day. I woke up early and went to the emergency room. It took them 12 hours and probably every invasive test known to mankind to figure out I was having a bout of diverticulitis..along 2 other minor issues. It was humbling. I missed 10 days of work and the Dr told me I needed to have additional tests to make sure I didn't have cancer. He said it- the "C" word.. What a wake up call. (tests came back fine Thank God)
Though I stopped poisoning my body years ago by giving up alcohol I never took into consideration how my diet impacted my health. Now, by any standards I am a fairly healthy eater- but had really not shown much restraint when it came to eating since I got home from Afghanistan. I decided to make a change...
Since April 1st I have been following a plant based diet. I guess most people would call it vegan but I don't share a lot of the same ideals as vegans do- so feel like a fraud to call myself that.
I challenged myself to give up meat and dairy products (including eggs) for the month of April. I cannot adequately express how much better I feel. I always have had the mindset that carbs were the enemy- but I feel so much better. My daughter committed to the diet change for a week and made it...and is making her way back to plant based eating- the impact it has had on her mood has been amazing.
After running through the gauntlet of tests from one specialist to another it looks like I am getting back on track...and almost have a clean bill of health. I am so grateful.
I am so grateful that when I was sick I didn't have to wonder if it was alcohol poisoning or a really bad hangover, and I am proud to tell every doctor who asks that I don't drink alcohol- and no, not even socially. Not ever.
I hope you are all well... I am glad that I am getting back to being there.
