So in early January we saw the doctor and scheduled a test to see how my gall bladder was functioning. By the time the test day rolled around I realized that I had been feeling well since the first of January. I still had the annoying and very un-ladylike belching, but the nausea was gone and my appetite was coming back.
The test was easy, albeit boring, as I had to lie very still for an hour and a half. And a week later, the results were in and I learned that I have a very happy, well functioning gall bladder! And I have officially declared myself healed! The mystery may forever remain just that, but I have my suspicions as to what may have happened.
I remember that at a dinner in Halifax on September 11th I tasted something unpleasant in my salad and put it aside. By the next morning I was feeling a little queasy as we set out on the coach for Digby and a lunch of bay scallops. By lunchtime I was in no position to eat scallops and had to choke down the birthday cupcake presented to me by the waitstaff. I just didn't feel right until we got home two days later.
The rest of September and half of October were devoted to caring for Treasure. She was failing quickly and her care required a 24/7 attention with several vet visits. I had no time to see about my own health until after she was gone. Within ten days I began the two month saga of cyclical illness. Looking back from today's perspective, I think there must have been a bug or germ of some sort in the salad at Halifax, something that took up residence in my immune-compromised body. Graham says I should have taken antibiotics right off the bat, and this time I agree with him.
The irony of all of this is that I ate that salad on the day before my 65th birthday, and all of my doctor appointments and tests have been covered by Medicare! That in itself is enough to make a sick person well! And I know that I have healthy organs because they've all been looked at!
And what is the best part of feeling well again? Eating well again! Actually, I lost around ten pounds throughout my saga, have put five back on, but we have changed our whole dining routine to try to stay healthy. A good breakfast every morning and "dinner" for lunch gives us a reason to eat a light meal at supper. Graham has lost eleven pounds and we are both happier to be eating less at night. And that gross belching is almost a thing of the past. (Mother would be so relieved!)
Today I made a pineapple pie from a recipe on Pioneer Woman's blog. It was a pie her grandmother used to make so I knew it would be good. My crockpot has become my Sunday best friend. I can cook a chicken or roast while we are in Sunday school and church and have a sumptuous lunch waiting for us at home.
So go ahead, have a piece of pie... it's delicious!
