On not being sick...

[rwx]

So, for the first time in several years (probably since summer of 2002, when I left the playa with what eventually turned out to be gall bladder problems), I'm not ill. I'm not on any medications with crazy side effects, I'm not getting dizzy and/or nauseous with most meals, and I'm not constantly tired. It's a pretty good feeling. It's been about six months (right around hackers) since I had any problems with my side worse than the typical problems of someone who has had their gall bladder out.

What brings on this post? I'm more or less exiting the doctor-monitored part of my recovery as of today. Last week, I had a followon appointment where my stomach passed with flying colors, and this week was the end of the month-long test seeing if I could do without taking something regularly. I can't, whoops. (I speculate that the dehydration/moodiness at the end of last quarter was related, though.) It's also -- an apparent coincidence -- three years since I had my gall bladder out as of last week.

Not being sick is weird. I mean, I'm still relatively unhealthy and the simple mechanical processes of getting into health[1] will take several more months to come to conclusion (and the overall process of getting into the shape i want to be in long term will probably be about a year.) But not being ill is a great feeling.

Except, of course, for the fact that it is now time to do everything that i've been putting off until i got better. this will take me from roughly june 10 to mid-november when factored in with normal survival processes like working, writing, and socialization.

So that, in some ways, is stressful -- in some ways being chronically ill is a crutch, but its one that needs to be there. It's going to be weird to try to function without having a constantly looming reason not to do things. So that's exciting and a challenge at the same time.

More later, on mental changes in the last while.

[1] exercise, not having to eat a retarded diet to not be in pain, stuff like that.

Comments

[lexica510.livejournal.com]

So, for the first time in several years (probably since summer of 2002, when I left the playa with what eventually turned out to be gall bladder problems), I'm not ill.

That's excellent news — may it continue!

Do be careful not to overtax yourself in catching up on everything that's been on hold, though. Ration those spoons so they last. :-)

[rwx.livejournal.com]

it'll probably be another year before I'm in as good shape as I was when I camped with you guys in Bhutan, I'd guess. it's a process :-)

thanks for the well wishes.

[xythen.livejournal.com]

That's weird you're having so much trouble with your gall bladder removal. I've had mine out for years, and with the exception of a few problems in the month that followed- I've had nothing. Are they sure it's your anti-gall bladder causing the trouble?

Maybe I've got more than my share of bile or something. ;)

[lilmartini.livejournal.com]

Congrats! That must be a great feeling for you.

I am still working towards the not fatigued or in pain thing myself. There are some things that I need to try harder at myself and somethings that are still not working for unknown reasons. I'm just going to keep pluggin away.

[rwx.livejournal.com]

the gall bladder thing was just the start of a long period of interrelated wackinesses that are now thankfully over.

[xythen.livejournal.com]

I'm very thankful you're on the mend!

Although, *YOU* might think you've been holding back, you're probably the biggest social butterfly on my F-list. If this is you at ill health, I can only imagine the party making you'll be up to when you're feeling fine. :)

[surlytart.livejournal.com]

Heh. I have a friend who's just now entered into the world of the spoons, so to speak. Funny you should mention it; a month ago I was quite unfamiliar with the spoon theory.

It's not chronic illness, but chronic pain that I'm familiar with. Coming out of it (even when it's a long temporary) seems to me a strange mixture of power and rapture and fear. Welcome welcome....

[rwx.livejournal.com]

I think the way that I've been handling a lot of things in the last while makes me seem like more of a social butterfly than I actually am. I do tend to go out a lot to support the things that my friends do, but a lot of that is a consequence of being single and having too much schoolwork to do to actually concentrate on anything other than that for any length of time.

i think i'll be out less overall, and i'll probably do more focused work now.

[boutell.livejournal.com]

Congratulations.

[rwx.livejournal.com]

thanks.

[twistedcat.livejournal.com]

that's awesome. i am, of course, a bit envious, but i'm not unfamiliar with the sensation ;-)

here's wishing you all the spoons you might need.

[bbcaddict.livejournal.com]

good luck sir-
I'm thinking good thoughts and sending them your way.

[eejitalmuppet.livejournal.com]

Congratulations. I hope you continue to not be sick for the forseeable...

[bosstweed.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! I am glad you will be healthy.

[xtingu]

So happy to hear this!

I hear you re: no longer having a reason to not do things, though it's the other way: I'm rather enjoying my little post-surgical damsel-in-distress coddling.
I just don't think I can carry my own suitcase quiiiiiite yet (she said as she batted an eyelash). :-P

Seriously though: congrats, beb. You never realize how crappy you were feeling until you actually start feeling good.