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A New Tracker, Part 3

19 Apr

Recently, I had to replace my activity wearable, the Xiaomi Mi Band2 with a new unit of the same model. The OLED of the old one has been very dim and I can hardly see what is showing on the screen especially under bright conditions, whether indoors or outdoors. Plus there was a couple of occasions the reading went haywire.

I guess it’s time to change. After all, I have had the old unit since Aug 2016 and the lifespan is almost up. The new unit came last Friday, courtesy of online shopping. I love online shopping!

When I put both side by side to compare, the difference is pretty obvious in its brightness. Well, goodbye old Mi Band2, you have served me well but now you need to be retired; and hello new Mi Band2, you are the way to go to continue tracking my activities, strides taken, calories burnt and all.

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The old and the new

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Readjusting the Diet

10 Apr

Now that my health problems have been resolved, I don’t see a need to avoid a whole list of food as I had been doing earlier. Although I have lost 4kgs/8.8lbs up until today, I like the way I feel and weigh now. So when readjusting the diet, I hope I won’t be putting back the pounds again.

Last week, while recuperating at home, I reintroduced hot chocolate and wheat cereal and it was okay but I somehow stayed away from coffee, I don’t know why. Maybe because I have gotten used to drinking the decaf Earl Grey which is nice.

Although the Endometriosis diagnose was mild, I shouldn’t totally avoid but just consume in moderation in case there could still be some reaction to certain food. I am still a little paranoid and should learn to get rid of this; life should be meaningful and goes on smoothly.

Hmm… Maybe I can go back to eating onions again? Or have a nice cold beer? That will be so nice!

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Staying Home

9 Apr

For the first time in a very long time, I didn’t go into the office the whole of last week and just stayed home to recuperate. The laparoscopy was successful in diagnosing and resolving the Cyst, Endometriosis and Adhesions issues.

I must admit it was nice for a change to be home the first two days, doing nothing and enjoying the peace (official pet number one was very quiet), napping, resting and focusing on gaining my strength.

By the third day, I contemplated reading the Genghis Khan novel that’s been collecting dust but just can’t seem to push myself to do it. So I ended up painting some Citizens of Gigglesville and a new baby whale that were waiting to be completed. It was good quality me time.

I am back at work today.

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Slow Poke, Part 2

6 Apr

Yesterday I felt much better but still a slow poke. Some energy returned and I could feel some strength in me when I answered the phone, unlike the day before. The pain in the right shoulder was less evident but the waistline area still hurts. Breathing also improved which is good compared to the day before.

But I waddle instead of walk. It’s kinda funny and okay if that’s the way to go to deal with the pain. Here’s towards a speedy recovery!

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Slow Poke

5 Apr

I have become a slow poke. After leaving the hospital on Tuesday, I find myself walking ever so slowly. Obviously the surgery area hurts, so does the shoulder and breathing, common after a laparoscopic surgery because of the leftover carbon dioxide in the abdomen. 

Thankfully it’s only the right shoulder that hurts and it should subside within a few days while the wound area may take longer, depending on individual. Looks like I have to take things slowly literally. But I should walk more if possible to release all that trapped gas. And I find sleeping at an angle works better than laying flat on my back.

Plenty of rest, no exertion (this means no carving!) and no strenuous activities (no gym or golf until I am fully fit). Maybe now is a good time to catch up with all my reading. Being a slow poke does have some benefits.

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My Funny Intestines

3 Apr

When the O&G doctor came this morning and with a clear mind, I now understand what the mess was.

The appendix that was removed dinosaur years ago left a void in its place and over time (I am a dinosaur so it’s a very long time), my intestines decided to ‘park’ themselves there! Haish… my funny intestines.

And over the years they got comfy and created a close-knit village there, all stuck together! On a more serious note, the technical term of this problem is adhesions whereby internal organs are stuck together when they are not supposed to at a place they’re not supposed to be at. This can happen if one had an open surgery before.

I guess we can conclude that all the problems started with the removal of the appendix and the recent Endometriosis and Cyst escalated the situation. The Infectious Colitis was not even part of the act but a side wanna-be.

The good news is I am being discharged later today to rest at home with my Citizens and Gnomes! Yay. But I still need to monitor my cramps closely to see if they do occur again.

If they do, I then have to go on a six-month treatment. Let’s cross the fingers and hope for the better.

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It’s a Lot More Complicated

3 Apr

My head is clearer today; the nausea and urge to vomit has passed but pain has kicked in. The O&G doctor came and explained my problem to me yesterday and it’s a lot more complicated than originally thought. The nurses’ earlier feedback was off.

There was a case of Endometriosis (the initial suspected problem) but mild on the right and a tiny Cyst on the left. And there was another problem on the right side as well, a bigger problem. Dang. So convoluted! It’s around my appendix area, the old surgery that I did when I was 17 years old. Early dinosaur era.

Apparently the Gastroenterologist whom I saw for my Infectious Colitis diagnosis had to be called in. And in very basic terms, he had to clean out that messy appendix area! Things were stuck, bunched up and yucky.

My goodness. I am such a complicated one. Even the doctors were baffled with the scenario, a problem on the right that’s causing so much pain on the left. I hope to see both doctors later today to understand again this what this mess was

So stayed the night at the hospital to be observed to ensure a speedy recovery. Although all vital signs are good, an early discharge is only upon the doctor’s approval. We shall see.

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At the Hospital

2 Apr

This is a late post from my usual pattern because this morning, I went to the hospital for the scheduled laparoscopic surgery. And had the longest wait of my life.

So much so I was contemplating so many things in my mind. Without my iPad and I didn’t want to drain my phone battery, a lot can go through the mind.

The first thing being I am glad to take this step because over the weekend, I had an excruciating cramp again. And this morning, it was painful to cross my left leg, something I do all the time! The body seems to have a mind of its own, doing things to me when it knows it’s going to be discovered.

Dang! It’s cold. Can I wear socks to keep my feet warm? Hmm… then again, I had to shed every piece of clothing, so maybe not.

The anaesthetist came by to explain the procedure and it was almost one before I was wheeled in to the OT.

Three hours later…

Out from OT. And it’s not Endometriosis but a cyst! I await the doctor to come by and give me a clearer picture. Dang! It’s cold. I finally get to wear my socks.

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I Shouldn’t Worry

30 Mar

Well, the doctor’s appointment went well and I am scheduled for a Monday slot for the laparoscopy. My assumption that I would be admitted yesterday was off. After consulting with the O&G doctor on what’s ahead, I did a blood test and an ECG, necessary procedures before surgery.

I shouldn’t worry too much because this is not something unusual. Apparently, 176 million women worldwide are impacted by Endometriosis and I am just another percentage to the statistics if the laparoscopy confirms it. I should just focus on having a good weekend ahead.

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What Can I Eat? Part 2

29 Mar

It has been seven weeks since I last drank a cup of coffee or had a glass of alcohol. Yes, I am keeping track and I am very proud to say I have not had any withdrawal symptoms. In other words, the Infectious Colitis did me good in a good weird way, losing weight, shaping up and feeling lighter.

Although I cannot eat a whole lot of things for fear of a negative reaction and suffering the consequences later (remember the onions and turnips episode?), there were a couple of instances I could not resist chocolate.

I ate some several weeks ago and this was the only thing I caved in. I am okay skipping my cheeses, dairy, wheat, fried and spicy food but resistance to chocolate was futile. Sucker.

So when I discovered I could be having Endometriosis, suddenly the staples that I relied on (tofu, soy sauce, white bread, eggs and tuna) had to be eliminated, I was aghast. What can I eat then? The list of food to avoid is so long! Apparently, these food (plus beef and those to avoid for Colitis) do cause some imbalance and reaction. And the outcome is worse; sigh… so I better not chance it. And the chocolate indulgence has stopped too. But avoiding soy sauce is the hardest because of the food I am used to eating.

Two days ago, I stepped on the bathroom scale. Hmm… down another 0.5kg. It’s not that I am not eating, I am but small meals despite the limited choices. Honestly.

I rely on white meat to appease the protein urge. Vegetables and fruits have to be moderate, not excessive because I need to have the right balance. A high-fibre diet is bad for Infectious Colitis but good for Endometriosis while a low-fibre diet is bad for Endometriosis but good for Infectious Colitis. See the dilemma?

Coincidentally, the abdominal cramps struck last night albeit less intense due to the restrictive diet, so I am glad I am seeing my O&G doctor today at the hospital. Most likely I will be admitted for a laparoscopic surgery to get to the root of my problem. From there, we will then decide what course of action to take to resolve this once and for all.

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