How far have I come on my healing journey? Not very far, thus my lack of patience. In the last month I have had what feels like hundreds of doctors appointments and thousands of tests, but that's only because I'm prone to exaggeration. I am the proud owner of an endocrinologist, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, and infectious disease doctor - all who have uttered the words, "I don't know what it is."
What have I found out? The good/bad news is that I have four mild food allergies: milk, casein (in most cheeses), egg whites & egg yolks. So basically my favorite foods. Goodbye, my sweet ice cream - I have loved you well. I also learned I have the gene that makes me susceptible to Celiac Disease, but no antibodies to gluten. People in the alternative & functional medicine world call this a "gluten sensitivity," so goodbye tasty, filling gluten. The reason I say all this is good/bad news is because while it's disappointing to have to give up my favorite foods at least I have one piece of the puzzle.
Physically, I was actually feeling a lot better until recently when I had a relapse in pain. This prompted another MRI - results pending. I also have another very uncomfortable test - which shall not be named - coming up, but nothing really phases me at this point.
Trying to navigate between traditional medicine, alternative medicine, and functional medicine has been a bit of a challenge. My rheumatoglist says NSAIDs, but my gastro doctor says no NSAIDs. One anti-inflammatory diet book says legumes, the other says no legumes (and, oh how I love legumes and saying the word legumes). At this point, I am just taking in all the expert advice and trying to decide what is best for me.
The only thing I can ask from my family and friends is understanding. Uncertainty is harder for some folks, than others, and I'm learning it doesn't sit well with me. In fact it doesn't sit at all, it runs very fast to a very deep, dark place. Another person feels chest pain and thinks - oh I must of eaten something that doesn't agree with me, whereas I tend to think I'm dying. My wonderful friend and nurse, Charmane, knows this all too well, as she has taken my temperature and blood pressure too many times to count. At the same time I want to emphasize that this is not all in my head. There is something going on that is making the doctors concerned enough to squeeze me in for next day appointments and order expensive tests.
Also, for a recovering vegetarian (as in I'm trying to eat meat, but I hate it, hate that an animal had to die for me to eat it, and don't have the enzymes to digest it), who can't eat dairy, eggs, or grains, it's going to be pretty hard for me to find something to eat. If I was a chef it might be easier, but I also happen to be a pretty crappy cook. So, as me and my Vitamix embark down the path of smoothies, soups, and nut butters, I'm asking for your tolerance. This is not a fad diet I'm just trying on for size. I truly have to stop harming myself with inflammatory foods and start healing myself with foods that my body can handle. However, I understand this means most of you will never invite me over ever again. Even when I was just a vegetarian I constantly heard, "What is Kerry going eat?" Well, you all thought that was bad...
Anyway, if you have any recipes, please share. If you want to make bone broth for me, so I don't have to touch animal carcasses, please do. Thank you for reading this and walking beside me in this journey, health and otherwise.
