Wow! On February 11, we welcomed our 500rd visitor on our page. Thank you so much!
Making and uploading vlogs under the header movement, is still a challenge. Please
bear with us, we will get there! Also in February, we made a Facebook page. So, hop
over and visit us there too. Liking en sharing is caring. We will announce new blogs
on there and we will also give tips and pointers.
Then over to the nitty gritty of daily life. Basically, I was doing so well after surgery. I
was working out at my physical therapist, I picked up swimming; I was happy like a
fish in the water. And then, halfway through January, I suddenly became beyond
tired. Going from bed to couch as a true couch potato. After a few days, colon trouble
started again and I had to get myself into the ER. Sigh. I was so hoping this would
all be over after the resection of last October. Big and tearjerking desillusion!
The CRP (the inflammation marker) did not confirm inflammation. But, I almost
never make fever and also my CRP never rises significantly, not even when severly
inflamed.
This makes it difficult to come to a correct Western diagnosis, because of their
protocols. So, every time, I have to tell them to test sugar and cholesterol. And low
and behold, those markers were rising. Sigh again. There was also trouble with my
vitamin B12. They were trying to scale back on the shots, but once every two months
turned out not to be enough for me. Actually, it was a very bad idea to scale them
back right after surgery, because, anesthesia eats B12 so to say. After the shot at
the beginning of February, some of the much needed energy came back. The shots
will be given every 6 weeks now. Wait and see what happens, see if my body agrees
with those 6 weeks. A blog on B12 will follow, since this vitamin influences so many
bodily processes and so many ailments can be connected to a lack of vitamin B12.
Also in January, the doctor that threw me out of the hospital last July with a perfora-
ted colon, finally called and made excuses for her late reaction to my complaint of
August. She had been busy and was forgetful. Pffft! She also made excuses for the
fact that she made a huge mistake by discharging me from the hospital in July.
At the end of January, we met up, had a face-to-face talk, more excuses, we
discussed the operation report and she ordered a CT-scan. I did not have a CT scan
after surgery, so I really liked this suggestion. The CT-scan will take place March 14.
Geez, they must be really busy at radiology!
I am still trying to get more and more fiber in my diet. Every day it is a finding out, a
trying out, which foods agree with my intestines. My dietician put me on the Fodmap
diet. You can read about Fodmap under the header Food & Drinks.
Fodmap is most commonly used with IBS (irriable bowel disease), but it can also work
for other kind of colon trouble. By the way, you can read about IBS under the header
health.
The first phase is elemination: all foods that are high in Fodmaps are taken out, with
the purpose of giving the colon a rest. After 6 weeks, you can start adding foods
that are higher in Fodmaps and see how the bowel is reacting. For some people it
works perfectly, for some a little and for some it doesn’t work. Everybody’s colon/
microbiome is as a very personal fingerprint. There is still so much we have to learn
about the intestines! It is said that your gut is the second brain, but I say: the gut is
your first brain. If something goes wrong in the intestines, everything else gets
affected such as your energy level, your mood, your ability to concentrate and so on.
Just before my birthday at the end of January, one of my first Chinese Medicine
teachers, suddenly and unexpectedly died in his sleep at the young age of 65. He
affected so many lives, including mine. I was so shocked and at the same time so
grateful to have met him, to have had the opportunity to learn from him. So, Ruud
Westerkamp, thank you for the lessons, for the music, for your care when my friend
and study buddy Elize died. You were truly heartwarming. The blogs on stress are
for you. May you rest in peace.
In February, I was finally able to lay on my belly for a longer period of time. Yay,
progress! That meant that I could pick my Body Stress Release sessions back up.
They are so helpful! A guestblog on Body Stress Release will follow. Of course.
On the birthday of my late mom, I had a photoshoot done to celebrate life and it
turned out to be a healing experience as well.
So, how was your February? Care to share?
Myoki
