I had a scare on Monday. I’ve not been feeling well for a while.
A few weeks back, I couldn’t hold door down. The mere thought of food caused a tidal wave of nausea. I honestly thought, despite the high odds stacked against it, that I was pregnant. I’m not.
This past weekend, I started having bad diarrhea. TMI, I’m sure, but it’s part of my story. Then I ate and got extremely nauseous. Sunday I spiked a fever of 102.7. I usually run around 97.5. I got the fever down and thought I was through the woods.
Monday, I was heading into work, sitting, waiting for the bus, when I got nauseous and a bit lightheaded. No work for me. I slept a bit, then went to the doctor, expecting to be poo-pooed and sent home with a note to return to work.
The next thing I knew, I was in a wheelchair, crying, heading to the ER. I was getting IV fluids, electrolytes, and pain meds. Then a Cat Scan. Then another bag of fluids. I thought…ok…time to get rid of the useless appendix.
A doctor came in, asked me a bunch of questions, then told me I have a severe case of colitis. She asked me if I’d ever been diagnosed with any inflammatory bowel disease. I was so taken aback, I didn’t know how to answer her. That’s one area of my body that I thought was in good working order. Joke’s on me, eh?
Why am I telling you all of this personal information? Why should you care? Why is the title of this blog “self care” instead of “Deneen’s sob story?”
This whole story began a long time ago. It is a tale of a woman who didn’t take care of herself. She has a long history of putting herself, her mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health way behind the health of others.
You see…where I am today is totally preventable. Whatever my diagnosis, had I taken care of my needs instead of neglecting myself, I wouldn’t be laying in med in pain, feeling my colon, instead of living my life.
If you’re still with me, you and I are embarking on a journey of self-care. I’m going to take whatever the doctor tells me tomorrow and after the inevitable colonoscopy as a clarion call. We are going to learn to truly, holistically take care of ourselves.
Do you want to take this journey with me? Do you have a similar story? Let me know!
Deneen White 
I also had a wakeup call, although mine was not as dramatic as yours. Mine came through the joint promptings of my wife, my doctor and the Holy Spirit: I really need to get in shape and start taking care of myself physically.
It is hard. I’ve been humbled by my lack of discipline. I’ve been working out some and I’m sore all over. It’s hard to find motivation to keep going, but I know I need to, that I must.
If you need inspiration, follow my journey. One of my biggest goals is to find and get involved in a church again.
I’ll be following this thread and your blog.
Church = yes! Very very good goal. As soon as you are out of bed, start visiting churches. You might try https://churches.goingfarther.net/
Let me know how it goes. I’ll check back in on you from time to time (if that’s OK).
Please do. I need accountability in that area.
The one church I like is on that list. Couldn’t be clearer, eh? #dulynoted