What the hell is this?

According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), acute diverticulitis is the inflammation of a diverticulum, a sac-like protrusion from the colon wall, due to micro-perforation…Complicated diverticulitis is associated with the formation of abscess, fistula, bowel obstruction or frank perforation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459316/. Mine is the complicated one due to the fistula. You can’t heal it with diet. You need to remove the bad section of the colon with the fistula.

If you are like me and like to know the metaphysical reasoning.
According to Maureen Gaetz-Faubert in her website: https://www.headtoheart.ca/blog/understanding-the-mindbody-connection-diverticulitis, the Psychological reasoning is INSECURITY.
I get this, I was going to say stress, but can appreciate this is a form of stress.
The new thought pattern she suggests is:

I am part of the perfect rhythm and flow of life. All is in Divine right order.

How I received my diagnosis.

Happy 2024!

Enter the magical Year 8.

January 1, 2024, I was still in the hospital and at 8:27 am the earth jolted. It was a 4.1 earthquake to welcome to 2024.

My year began as a surprise, nothing I could foresee coming.
First a little background. December 25 was a lovely Christmas spent with dear friends sharing, catching up and eating of course. Followed by games and many laughs. Oh yes, and a book sale of BLACK HEART WORDS & POEMS to Diane. Thank you for your interest and support, that really made my Christmas.

The following day December 26th was a lovely day to regroup before the new year. I did a few errands, picked up some items from the store to prepare for the next few days and some dinner so that I did not have to cook. I then settled with the cats to watch a silly movie before bed. Nothing felt awry.
I did feel a bit tired, but I’ve felt that way for a while. I figured go to bed and get some good rest.
As soon as I lay down, I felt a searing burning pain in my lower abdomen. Left and right sides radiating to my back. It was intense and violent. I knew this pain as I’d experienced a similar episode last month. I had also had intermittent pain for the past few years. I attributed it to the chronic back pain I’d been experiencing frequently for the past six months, or much longer.

This episode was acute and severe. I was forced to get up and make my way to the bathroom. I did not make it to the toilet, only as far as the sink. My dinner that I had purchased; spaghetti and meatballs reappeared in the sink, undigested like I had not eaten it. Initially, still in shock I felt ripped off, as I’d eaten my dinner but not been able to digest it. At this stage I began breaking a sweat and shivering at the same time. I felt awful. I attempted to scoop the slop into the toilet and rinse the remains.
Back in bed, not a minute had passed, and the process was repeated, but I’d gotten better at making it to the toilet. This process continued throughout the night until I finally got some respite.

The next day I struggled through a phone call and at 10:00 am and then I decided I’d better go and get checked out, especially before the holiday weekend approaching.

Urgent Care / Emergency Room experience – the note I sent to my family once I knew why I was in hospital.

I’ve been a bit MIA for past couple of days wanted to share the why and where. On Wednesday night I had terrible stomach pain like I experienced in November. I threw up all night. Thursday, I thought let me run to doctor. At least to rule out appendicitis or something. I went to URGENT CARE and waited 3 hours to be seen. They were very busy. They said hmm could be appendix go to emergency room hospital. The one in my insurance was about 20 mins away. I made it there. Another 3-4 hours waiting as now there was ten-times the amount of people. They took me in. Took blood. Sent me to get a cat scan and then put me on a gurney in a hallway and hooked me to tubes. I think hydration at that stage. Different docs and nurses flying around. They took pee samples, blood samples and kept buzzing around. All the while I’m in the midst of all the craziness surrounding me. A couple of hours later the lovely doctor came to me and said it was not the flu. I had acute diverticulitis most likely. They were finding me a bed overnight for more tests. Luckily, I had seen my lovely neighbors as I cancelled a walk due to my pain. I cancelled attending Paula’s pizza party. Boo hoo. They were asking how I was and did I need help. Luckily my neighbor Steph with the cats had keys to my place. She fed my cats. A blessing.
Another hour or so they said we’ve found you a bed. And I was whisked off to a much more normal quiet room with lovely nurses and aids. I was put to bed and hooked up to antibiotics and fluids. The next day, Friday, there are more tests, and scans. Infectious disease Doctor stopped by and said it was serious. They were ruling out what it was not. It was not appendicitis. They said I would be here until next week. Another lovely gastro doctor arrived. He confirmed acute diverticulitis; a section of my colon was bad, and this was causing inflammation and problems. He said my flare ups would continue unless I fix it with a laparoscopic procedure. They remove a part of colon, put it back together, then you are good. He said it’s about a 4 day in hospital process. I guess I’ll be doing that next. Work knows I’m here and is supportive.
A dear friend from work came last night and brought flowers and goodies. I’m still not allowed to eat or drink anything. My hydration and antibiotics are all coming through the ivs. My neighbor Steph then came. Brought my phone and cables, underwear, and notebook. Fernando offered to fly back home from his family trip to stay with the kitties. I said no as Steph has it under control. He should stay with his family.
I’ll be nestled in my cocoon bed with tubes going in and people taking my vitals every few hours. Eek. That’s my adventure. I’ll be here for New Year’s Eve. We hoo. Just no champagne. I’ll let you know when I am home. When the next procedure is scheduled for. I am feeling blessed by my support network. Ok. Back to trying to rest. Love you all. Don’t send anything as I’m in a small room. Lots of activities happening here. I have a roommate too. Nancy.
Lol. Anyway, glad they’ve found it and I can work my way to recovery.

That is how I spent New Year’s Eve and entered 2024.

You might be tempted to say, “poor you.” In fact, I feel the opposite. Still battling through the pain and the nasty side effects I finally felt a sense of relief knowing WHY I was experiencing this, and that there was a path to recovery.
I am blessed by my guardian angels I call friends and neighbors. I owe you such gratitude for going above and beyond at my moment of need. I’d planned to be gone for a few hours and it turned into a few days. I’d abandoned my cats, plus the strays that stop by for food daily. I was surrounded by uncertainty, but I felt peace and supported. My friends selflessly put their plans aside to help me, going to my place to feed the fur babies. They brought me things I needed and things I did not but appreciated. They brought me clean clothes and my toothbrush. Told me I was going to be OK. I asked one of my friends to bring me two pairs of underwear. I assumed I’d be home by the weekend. She had been in my place before and brought me 6-7 pairs to choose from. Little did I know that I’d need them. Others checked in on me, sent me prayers and blessings.

Thank you to my beautiful tribe who allowed me to focus on my healing while not feeling alone.

Once I had the diagnosis, I informed my family that lives overseas, so that I’d have the answers I knew they’d ask. They sent their love and support and offers to come and help and also put the crystals out. He he. I am truly blessed, and I know that 2024 is going to be about me healing and getting back to my true self.

Much gratitude and love and healing to all.

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