Microscopic Colitis – 60plus and loving life

We all have our battles: a Journey of Resilience and Connection…

By 60plus&lovinglife August 10, 2024 0

I was chatting before class with one of my trainers at the gym. She was checking in with how I am travelling after my hectic health issues last year😊

I told her that the breast cancer is in remission; the non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is still “watch & wait” with 6 monthly check-ups; the Lymphocytic Colitis is mostly under control and I have my Cochlear implant in my left ear so hearing is awesome!

So this year is pretty good really.

She confided that she is feeling a bit unmotivated with life at the moment, but feels that when she hears about my journey that she has nothing really to worry about.

I told her that we all have our own things to deal with and to not feel that hers are any less valid. They are absolutely real for her and there are times we all feel unmotivated with life.

Life, in all its complexity, is a series of battles. Some days, the sun shines bright, and the path ahead seems clear. On others, the road is shrouded in darkness, and every step feels like an uphill climb.

Whether it’s relationship troubles, health issues, or the general malaise that sometimes settles in our souls, we all face challenges that test our strength and resolve.

But here’s the thing: it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to feel lost, tired, or overwhelmed.

The important part is that we keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time.

I’ve come to understand that life isn’t about avoiding difficulties—it’s about how we respond to them. It’s about resilience, that quiet, persistent strength that keeps us going even when the odds seem stacked against us.

And while it’s essential to draw from our inner reserves, we also need to recognize the power of connection, of leaning on others when our strength wanes.

Lifting Each Other Up

No one is an island. We weren’t meant to walk this journey alone. Yet, how often do we hesitate to reach out, to ask for help, or to simply share what’s weighing on our hearts? We worry about being a burden, about showing vulnerability, about not having it all together.

But here’s the truth: we all have our moments of doubt and despair. When we share these moments with others, we often find that we are not alone in our struggles. Our friends, family, and even those who might just be passing through our lives for a brief time—they’ve been there too.

And in that shared understanding, we can find comfort and strength. There’s a profound power in lifting each other up. A kind word, a listening ear, a simple “I’m here for you”—these small gestures can make a world of difference. They remind us that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone.

Being Our Authentic Selves

Authenticity is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and to others. In a world that often pushes us to present a curated, polished version of our lives, being real can feel risky.

But it’s through authenticity that true connections are made. When we allow ourselves to be seen—flaws, scars, and all—we create space for others to do the same.

We open the door to deeper relationships, where we can support each other not just in our successes, but in our struggles too. Being authentic isn’t about oversharing or laying bare every detail of our lives; it’s about being true to who we are.

It’s about acknowledging our battles and facing them head-on, with the understanding that it’s okay not to have all the answers.

Checking In with Each Other

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of the people around us. We get caught up in our routines, our to-do lists, our own worries. But it’s so important to take a moment to check in with those we care about.

A simple, “How are you, really?” can open the door to meaningful conversation and connection. It shows that we care, that we’re paying attention, that we’re here to support each other.

Sometimes, that check-in is all it takes to remind someone that they’re not alone in their battle.

Life is a journey filled with highs and lows, with triumphs and trials. We all have our battles, but we don’t have to face them alone.

By lifting each other up, being our authentic selves, and checking in with one another, we can create a community of support and love—a place where we can all find the strength to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Let’s be there for each other. Let’s face our battles with courage and compassion. And let’s never forget the power of connection in this beautiful, messy journey called life.

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health and fitness

Breaking Up with My Doctor: Trusting My Gut and Advocating for My Health

By 60plus&lovinglife August 17, 2023 0

They say that doctors are our partners in health, guiding us through the intricacies of our well-being. But what happens when that partnership falls short, leaving you feeling unheard and dismissed?

For years, I’ve grappled with ongoing gastrointestinal issues that have turned my life into a roller coaster of discomfort. Today, I’m sharing my journey of frustration, persistence, and ultimately, self-advocacy.

It’s a story of trusting my gut – both literally and figuratively – and finally finding the answers I needed after years of being dismissively brushed aside.

A Long Road of Gastrointestinal Struggles:

The road of gastrointestinal issues has been a long and winding one for me. Some days were manageable, but others felt like a battleground within my own body.

If you’ve experienced these struggles, you’ll understand the frustration, pain, and sense of helplessness that comes with them. Despite the challenges, I knew deep down that something was amiss, and it was time to take action.

Dismissals and Questionable Diagnoses:

My journey began over 10 years ago with conversations with my regular doctor who, time and again, dismissed my concerns. “It’s just a bug,” he’d say nonchalantly, as if my pain and discomfort were inconsequential.

Last year he diagnosed me with “Diverticulitis” without doing any testing at all, just assumption based on my age (female over 60). He was incorrect as tests I had this year cleared me of diverticulitis.

I even tried a different GP (General Practitioner/doctor) and I vividly remember her reaction when I mentioned my dinner of chickpea curry when she asked what I had eaten the night prior. She laughed, labeling my meal as the root cause of my issues. Even after assuring her that chickpeas weren’t a daily staple, but gut issues were an ongoing problem, she dismissed my concerns without a second thought.

These interactions left me feeling unheard and invalidated and questioning if anyone would take my plight seriously.

A Year of Health Struggles and Rediscovering My Voice:

As this year began, my health took a turn for the worse. Amidst battling other serious health issues, my gastrointestinal problems intensified. My doctor’s dismissive stance persisted, attributing everything to a “it’s just a bug going around.”

Then, a sobering realization struck him (on my third visit to him as I had been getting sicker and sicker) – he had forgotten about my ongoing cancer battle. It was this moment that led him to finally order a colonoscopy and in his own words “I don’t want to be sued.” Not that he was in the least concerned about my health, just that he didn’t want to be legally liable!

He then proceeded to tell me a horrendous story of a patient he knew (not sure if it was his patient). This poor man had cancer and an underlying inflammatory bowel disease which had not been picked up. After a series of chemotherapy treatments, the man’s bowel ruptured as the bowel wall had thinned due to the chemo. My doctor was concerned the same would happen to me!

Finally, A Long-Awaited Diagnosis:

The colonoscopy became a turning point in my journey. Biopsies were taken, and the results held the key to my years of agony. The diagnosis: Lymphocytic Colitis. Here is a link for further information if you are interested – Lymphocytic Colitis.

Finally, a name to the pain I’d been enduring, a validation that I wasn’t imagining my struggles. The revelation came with a mix of emotions – relief, frustration, and determination.

Lymphocytic Colitis is treatable, but it is not curable. It can flare up again. I am currently undergoing 6 weeks of steroid treatment to see if that calms it all down.

Trusting My Gut (literally) and Advocating for My Health:

Through this tumultuous journey, I learned the importance of trusting my gut, both in the literal and metaphorical sense. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s crucial to persist until you find the answers you deserve.

Our bodies have a way of communicating when something is wrong, and it’s up to us to advocate for the care we need. My experience taught me that self-advocacy is a vital component of our health journey, and seeking second opinions can lead us to the right path.

My journey of battling gastrointestinal issues, dismissals, and incorrect diagnoses has ultimately been a testament to the power of persistence and self-advocacy. The road to my Colitis diagnosis was fraught with frustration, but it also rekindled my determination to be my own health advocate.

As I break up with my dismissive doctor, I hope my story serves as a reminder to all that your health matters, your concerns are valid, and your voice deserves to be heard.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re not being taken seriously, remember: trust your gut, stand up for yourself, and keep pushing for the answers you deserve.

image credit:egakusdiarto

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