Last week, I started feeling better. Less lethargy, less pain, more energy to get up and go! I forced myself to take it easy for a couple of days, knowing that previously, I’d start feeling a bit better, then go do something like a hike and become overly exhausted. But this time, after a couple of good days, I felt like I could take a chance and actually get a solid muscle strengthening workout in. I took it relatively easy, not wanting to overdo it.
And I felt great.
Two days later, I tried it again, with similar results. On Oct 24th, I decided to restart the fitness and wellness journey, and I took pictures of my “Day 1.” I plan on taking pictures about every 10 days to help keep me motivated.
I am proud to see that I hadn’t completely lost all my arm and shoulder gains that I achieved earlier this year.
For the past two days, I’ve felt better. My mystery illness has given me a reprieve from both the fatigue and the abdominal-wrenching pain that was occurring randomly after eating. I’ve been able to get full walks in during lunch. I’ve gotten decent workouts in on my recumbent bike. I’ve been less fearful of eating.
I should be ecstatic. So, why does this frustrate the bejeezus outta me?
Because next week, I have a series of appointments. On Monday, I’m meeting with a cardiologist; on Tuesday, I’m getting a hepatobiliary scan (gallbladder and bile duct stuff); and then on Thursday, I’m visiting a gastroenterologist. If all my symptoms are gone again, then these visits may very well be for naught. I don’t want them to be a waste of time. I want to find out what the hell is going on inside my body.
Last year, I experienced symptoms for a solid three months. I had good days even then, and then would have days where I was couch-ridden and unable to even lift up the tv remote without pain. This time, I’ve been down for 6 weeks, again with dramatic variation in my energy and pain levels from day to day.
But I’ve been feeling almost normal. I’m afraid to get excited, because tomorrow could bring another bout of awful. But if I do start feeling symptoms again, then I may have something that can be discovered by any of the appointments I have scheduled next week, and I can find answers as to the cause of my woes.
See why my emotions are in turmoil?
I want to be better. I will get better. But I don’t want to be left in the dark any more. My body and my spirit are at odds with each other and until I figure out what is going on, then I’ll always have that fear of it returning at any time, even if it goes right now.
So for now, I focus on the present. I’m feeling good today, and that is a good thing. I’ll keep meditating, being mindful, and doing my gratitude rituals. I am thankful for today because I got to enjoy a full walk at lunch without needing to break or nap.
The Loebick Mindset 