...but at least I now know that I shouldn't go to Africa. Not that I was even thinking about doing so, but Emily is and if I ever entertained the idea of joining her, I'm quite positive it would be a bad idea.
I learned a long time ago what foods (sugar, grains, high carb fruits and veggies, etc.) are likely to cause my crohn's to flare, and I've been successful at avoiding them for some time now, but lately I've been pushing the edge a little and Sunday night at a missions banquet at church I went all out. Typical African meal - beans and rice and cornbread. Though I worked through it, by Monday I was in considerable pain. Yesterday I wasn't sure I was going to live. It was that bad.
The worst of it was not being able to do the things others were counting on me to do - like watching Gavin and helping my elderly friend with her bath and housekeeping. And poor Emily, she was so worried about me yesterday that she called Louis to come home from work. It was that bad.
My doctor thinks I probably picked up a stomach virus on top of the crohn's flare which is why yesterday was so awful, but the good news is that today is much better and by tomorrow I can probably start eating again.
When I printed it out Sunday evening, "sick days" were not on my schedule for the week. There was no way I could have seen what awaited me just around the corner, but as I wrote in
"Fear of the unknown" on Washing the Feet of the Saints this morning...
The truth is, none of us know what awaits us around the corner, but God does... in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
~ Psalm 139:16
I also know that when life gets hard, God's wisdom and grace will be abundant for the moment. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
*Photo - a particularly spunky fox squirrel who could not be chased away from the bird feeders for more than a minute or two. After finally getting his fill of bird seed, he plopped down on a limb to rest.
12 comments:
I'm so glad that you're ok!
I'm working at becoming more Gumby-like when God hands me a revised version of my agenda. We're heading out for vacation tomorrow, and since I'm the one who charts the course for these, I REALLY need to prepare myself for some revisions before we leave.
Thanks for the reminder!
I had no idea you were feeling so bad. Hope you are getting better. Add this to your schedule: Stay away from African meals when you haven't had the proper immunizations :)
Praying that you feel better soon!
hope you're feeling better
just wanted to say thanks for being such an inspiration--I have an award for you on blog today
Oh, it's so hard not to fudge, even when we know it's going to hurt. I'm sorry you were in such pain. And I'm glad you are healing from it.
The squirrel tickles me! He's just chilling out, pondering the next mischief he can spring on the world. Much like my two year old...
Sometimes we think the endulgence might be worth it but in your case that was not to be. Sorry you've suffered but hopefully the worse is over.
Mama Bear
Gosh, I hope you're feeling much, much better. My bro has crohn's... it's taken most of his life to accept and deal with it. He was diagnosed in his teen years and just recently seems to be getting on with it, 30 some years later. I don't mean to sound critical of him, but he certainly had a tough time of it in a lot of ways.
Best wishes :-)
Shannon - there's nothing like a family vacation to test your "Gumby-like" flexibility! Have a great trip! I'm be praying for exciting times around every corner.
MJ - well, what can I say. I could barely come up for air! Speaking of those immunizations for Africa, Emily had her annual physical today and her doctor talked to her about what she will need. She must really want to go to Africa if she she is willing to have more shots!
Tiffany - I am MUCH better today, thank you! Your prayers are precious to me.
Kaye - you are most kind. Thank you very much.
Farmer's Wife - I can usually cheat a little, but this time I couldn't cheat at all. *sigh* That little fox squirrel was quite a character. If I tried to shoo him away, he would just walk right up to me and beg me to give him a drink from my coffee cup. Louis tried to scare him away, but as soon as Louis got out of sight, he would come right back to the feeder. Emily said he has quite the personality.
Mama Bear - thank you. The worst is definitely over.
JC - So sorry to hear about your brother. One of my boys was also diagnosed as a teen, but he has been able to keep it under control so far. I was in my early 30's - had emergency surgery for a perforated colon and still wasn't diagnosed until I was 41. We can look back over the years and see that I was dealing with symptoms for many years before that. It wasn't until my 40's that flares became more frequent. I HIGHLY recommend reading Elaine Gottschall's "The Specific Carbohydrate Diet". A modified version of that diet has kept me off maintanence medication for about 5 years now.
Thanks for that link, Patricia... I sent it on.
Crohns is a wicked disease, I have a 13 year old niece who struggles with it since she was 6 & my husband had colitis for over 25 years before having his colon removed. My heart goes out to you.
Ugh - hope you are feeling much better now. The squirrel is hilarious!
By the by, you've been blogtipped - and you have an award. :-P
http://meloniek.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogtipping-sisterhood-award.html
Love ya!
Patricia, sorry to hear you weren't well. I know some-one with Crohns and a few years back the doctors thought I might have it too. I think mine was something different.
Love the squirrel. He is just kicking back there...
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