27/11/2024
A BIG THANK YOU.
Warning - This is a really long post. Not my usual short one liners.
Those of you who know me, or follow me on social media, may have noticed that I been a little quiet recently. As mentioned a couple of months ago, I had a health issue that needed addressing.
I have been very fortunate to be super healthy until very recently, and at 61 to have not seen my GP (apart from 5 yearly checks) in decades has been wonderful.
Firstly, would like to thank my wonderful GP Dr Overton (he is now my GP as mine retired at some point) who referred me promptly when I said something was a bit off. He was kind and supportive and for that I am very grateful. He could have fobbed me off, but he didn't.
On Monday I went for a procedure to investigate what the issue was. I can only say that the Jersey General Hospital, Aubin Ward, Dr Duku and his team were incredible. The ward was spotless, I was welcomed by everyone in a supportive and friendly manner. I was a little afraid as I have not needed a hospital since I gave birth to my last child 25 years ago. I am so grateful to all of the staff on the ward. I wish I could remember all their names, but no food for 30 hours and being nervous, my brain didn't take them all in, Hopefully, they will know who they are. Their kindness and professionalism was ten out of ten. We hear so many negative tales, but that was not my experience. (I did not go private for those wondering.)
Next to me was a really wonderful earth angel, a beautiful lady of 81 years young. We chatted, she was so lovely, looking very smart, unlike me in my Uggs. She went ahead of me and came back smiling, all was well for her and I was delighted. We chatted about healthy lifestyle, which she clearly lived by, and it showed in her beautiful skin, smiling face and bright eyes. I really wish I had got her name, but I am so grateful to have met her for that short time as I felt much less apprehensive when my turn came quickly after.
The caring nature and professionalism of the theatre staff was brilliant. It was very interesting for me to see the issue on screen and to have a conversation about everything I was looking at. The one thing I had not considered was an autoimmune issue. Good heavens! It could have been far worse, but I was a little annoyed with my body for attacking itself.
When originally I became aware of the health issue, I had just received news that I had been granted a scholarship from Vanessa Kimbell's Sourdough school. I was over the moon, dream come true. I was doing a job I loved with the Health Improvement Team at FNHC, seeing a few clients and studying with The Health Science Academy, along with finishing my Culinary Medicine final.
I immediately took action, turning down the scholarship, boy was I gutted about that, stopped studying, changed my work hours.... alas, the horse had already left the stable at this point!
Sometimes the universe decides to humble us. I am grateful every minute of everyday for my health, my beautiful family, work I love, and so forth. I do look after myself very well, however, we lost 3 close family members in 3 months last year, which was devastating, I have felt a little sad since. My darling dad is becoming increasingly fragile, as are my step-parents, so a bunch of emotions going on there. Work had the odd tension, which I should have raised earlier, but it didn't seem worth making a fuss about. My youngest also left home, a good thing of course, but it is sad for us parents when the children fly the nest.
The body holds the score as we know, so it really isn't so much of a surprise, that my body might decide to rebel, even if my mind was powering ahead. Yes, I know, the irony! My private practice is about mind-body, emotions impacting on the physical health. I know, I know!
Frustrating, yes, but not such a bad thing as I became my own science project and it has been interesting to go through all of this and learning even more. The positive side is, I know my body very well. Even though I didn't think of autoimmune, I knew the other suggestions didn't feel right. All the pieces fell into place the second I heard the diagnosis.
It is so important for us all to be aware of what is normal for us. Know you body, treat it well. It may struggle at times, but I still firmly believe living a healthy lifestyle is worth it. I doubt I would have been so healthy all this time if I hadn't. On reflection, I had a minor flare in my mid-twenties, which was mis-diagnosed and a flare in my mid-thirties, which led to me creating Rainbow Healing.
I walk my talk.
You also find out who really cares.
I am enormously grateful to my workmate Abi, who has debated, discussed, disagreed with and laughed hysterically through the last two months, not that she had much choice! Thankfully, I am back sharing an office with her and feeling much happier. She tolerates all my quirks. No drafts, must have fresh air, radio on and so forth.
Every day we have the choice about how we wish to live our life. Sometimes, we have to make choices to slow down. Not everything has to be done now. I think losing family members, two of which went too soon, might have made me shift up a gear and I went too fast for a while.
I hope to join the Sourdough School at a later date. If it meant to be it will happen.
Now that we know what it is, hopefully, treatment will settle things down.
Thank you to all the medical professionals. We need to stay as healthy as we can, so that they treat the stuff we can't.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Until next time, stay healthy, stay happy. 😉
Kathryn x
