Let’s do this!
December eminently is a month of looking back on the year gone by. 2018 was a year of health challenges for me. Sometimes it seemed to go uphill a bit and in the summer, it suddenly went downhill, rapidly and unexpectedly, resulting in a sigmoid/fistula resection in October, due to an ongoing (3,5 years) flare of diverticulitis.
Also the healing process is going up and down, which is to be expected, I guess. Maybe, just maybe, my expectations after surgery were too high. My mind is going wáy faster as my body, that is for sure! I am still working on my condition and strength, especially core strength. For a very fit person, it may look like I am doing nothing on my yogamat, but those little exercises are more than enough for me at this point in time. Healing the core and the abs take time, patience and perseverance. What matters most, is that I am happy and grateful to be alive! Somebody asked me recently how I cope with how my belly looks like now. I was actually puzzled by this question, because my belly is my personal map of experience, just like my wrinkles.
In November, I started weekly sessions with an acupuncturist to help my body to get rid of all the toxins that were put in me during to last few months and to help me get rid of heartburn as well. It works perfectly! Normally, all those drugs and specially anesthesia, stay in the human body for 9-12 months and with acupuncture, this time will be way shorter. So, every Monday, I am a pincushion, also throughout December. Cleaning my system, getting a wee more energy and getting to a better and more clear mental state as well. Since the intestines are considered ‘the second brain’, you can probably imagine that when the intestines are malfunctioning, the mind is also not too clear. That is why will give more attention to guthealth in blogs to come.
At the beginning of December, I had my B12 shot. B12 is an absolute nessecity for everybody with intestinal trouble, since most of the ‘intestinal troubled people’ have a shortage of B12. Also vegitarians need extra B12. I always have more energy after my B12 shot. Gotta love B12!
Since the end of July (when my intestines perforated) and 6-8 weeks after surgery, I had to eat low fiber, in order for my colon to heal. A high fiber diet would make the intestines work too hard, which may have caused more damage. This month I am supposed to start adding fiber to my diet. I found out the hard way, that this is also a slow process. Too much fiber in a day sets off cramping, heartburn and/or diarrhea. Anyway, I keep my fingers crossed that I will be able to have a normal dinner at Christmas.
Before my elective surgery, I was working out with my physical therapist to be in the best condition possible, before having to go to the operating theatre. One of the goals I set for myself coming out of the hospital, is to be able to make a complete round on his devices before the end of the year. Let’s do this!
The Dalai Lama once said: do or learn something new every year. Making this blogpage is my someting new for this year. During my last and sleepless night in the hospital, I got the idea of making blogs, since I won’t be able to restart my practice. I asked Mary to join me on this adventure. The goal we set, is to get this blog up and running before the end of the year. We will keep you posted…we are working on it with great pleasure!
How was your December? Care to share?
And finally, whilst looking back on the past year ánd looking forward to the new one, Mary and I are wishing you all happy holidays and a joyful and healthy 2019!
Myoki
December 2018
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