For a recap, almost 3 months ago now, I got sick. I had no idea what was going on. Through a lot of trying to figure it out, ending up in the hospital for a week, and doing a colonoscopy, I learned I have Ulcerative Colitis. That was pretty heavy. So that's where my mind has been lately.
I was removed from my job as a hairdresser, I had to relearn how to be a human being basically. The exciting news is things are going well, finally. I am currently on a steroid, Prednisone, to stop the inflammation. While it is fabulous, I still can tell when I eat food that isn't ok. Which blows my mind, but that is a very good thing.
Ok, so what have I done to help. I was going to do this diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, but realized it was not something I was prepared to commit to. Every time I tried to start it, which has been about 3 times now, I seem to go backwards and get sicker. Which blows my mind. But, that's what happened.
Instead, I have found a naturopathic doctor named Scott Jewkes to work with. What I love about this is A, my parents are helping pay for it because god knows I have no job currently and I could never afford him. (Thank god for family). B, I can see him in person so I feel more connected to someone to consult with. and C, we are also doing acupuncture which is fantastic for this kind of stuff. So yay! Exciting.
Currently, he has me taking PB8 Probiotic, and 2 homeopathic supplements I love. Then he shoots me in the hip with another medicine. I love it, I don't know what it all exactly does, but I love it so far.
The goal is to lower my medication, (I currently take 4 Lialda pills a day which cost some crazy price of $500 a month without insurance..?) get me off the steroid, and allergy test me to see what foods may trigger my colitis to flare. So I am excited. Through all the struggle, I actually am having a great summer. And in a week and a half ish I am going to Lake Powell for a week which is SO exciting. I am so pumped to get away. Things are looking up for sure. No doubt about it.
What I can say is through hard experiences you learn how to fight for your life, and you want to! I used to stress about the DUMBEST things EVER.
Ever since my colitis, my relationship with my boyfriend, Zach, which has been going on since New Years of 2008, is way better. We don't fight, honestly its about 5% of the time. We used to fight about 80% of the time. I used to be the most JEALOUS girlfriend. Now, I don't worry about it. I don't worry because it doesn't matter. If he loves me, which he does, he will stay with me. And if not, then you deal with it then. I have a knack for worrying about the future, but it just doesn't help me. Too stressful.
Zach is currently apprenticing with his dad with the PGA golf tournament at Willow Creek Country Club. So I don't see him often right now, but I'm SO proud of him for working so hard. I think it's very nice. He is finding his way. He recently turned 25! So lots of exciting things are happening in life right now.
I can say that I have found a new look on life, and excited to live. Also, through my sickness, I revamped my love for hair. I can't wait to get back in the salon and start styling again I'm dreaming about it zzzzz. That's great!! I used to stress about that too.
Bottom line, Stress is the devil, and I have decided not to go that way anymore. I want to live a loooong time, and stress is the one thing that makes that difficult. So here I am, Christine, 24 almost (next Friday!), ready to be an amazing hairstylist, happy girlfriend, happy kid. Thankful for a family who cares, and supports my poor ass! Life is good. Through pain, we learn to live and love, so cliche sounding, but once you've hit a near death experience, you start to notice all the little things about life that rock that you weren't seeing before.
Here's a kick off to a great rest of the summer!
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