I am back but this time it’s going to be different. For the time I will be posting to iHeartTeas and I hope you don’t mind me expanding the conversation. I have to imagine a lot of us ol’ timers in the tea blogging world have found ourselves pivoting, I have so much to say but I know it’s probably too much for this platform.
Let me start by settling any possible concerns… YES!!! I am still absolutely in love with tea and all its variety and versatility. Tea is literally an essential part of the building blocks that make me. On a personal note, I found tea to be a comfort to me and something I feel I can count on no matter my time of need. Tea is there for me when I am overflowing with joy and even in sorrow. It is incredible, the power of such a simple leaf. I suppose there is something to be said for the simple things in life. Pretty sure someone said that somewhere, lol.
What I want to do next is definitely write again. Writing has been an excellent platform and a way to connect to myself. Plus, I love the interactions from my readers but by far all the life long friendships I have gained. However, as the subject line suggests I am ready get back on the “horse” with a huge “PIVOT!”
I won’t bore you with the details but I can say that the last few years have been the most challenging I have ever faced in my entire existence and I can’t wait to share with you how I am coming out on the other side wiser. Note, my reboot is still in progress as I am still in the very beginning stages so you all will be with me for the ride. Hold on tight! Let’s just say, I have been tossed into the fire dealing with personal issues and medical issues. These challenges came with the opportunity to learn, grow, and heal. I am talking some real deep stuff, even tackling that pesky childhood trauma we all have. I know, I know about time. Just remember it isn’t a race. We all get where we are supposed to be when it is our time to get there. I mean the other option was to give up and that is just not in me. I don’t quit! When life comes knocking me down you can count on me getting back up! My goal is to do what I can and use some of my new found knowledge and experience to help others.
One of my most recent challenges is a medical one. Without getting too graphic I have been in and out of the hospital now at least seven times in the past year, you don’t want to see the bills. These visits were primarily due to extreme nausea, cyclical vomiting (yeah, it’s a thing. Google it and pray you never have it), and severe abdominal pain. On each visit I was literally pumped full of an obscene amount of pain relieving narcotics that should have put a horse down but had barely any effect on me for literal hours and sometimes over a day. I have dealt with my fair share of pain but even this was too much for me. As a result so much of my daily consumption has changed. I am learning to navigate my new life. A life that makes me believe I will never be able to eat again. Not until an amazing doctor walked through my hospital room door one day with what seemed like an angelic glow about him. He gave me hope, possible answers, and best of all a game plan.
It is this journey I want to share with you. What I have is a rare condition/complication that can occur post bariatric surgery. Something I had never heard of and even had a hard to finding information about online called… Candy Cane Syndrome. Make no mistake, I totally recognize the irony and time of the season and believe me I am going to milk the festive coincidence that is my built in “candy cane.”
I don’t want to drop too much too fast. Thanks for reading along and I certainly hope I can bring a personal insight into this post surgical complication. Based on my research there is a larger population of women that are impacted by this syndrome and it usually appears between 3 to 11 years post surgery. I am out 10 years this past August.
On a bonus tea related note… I can still have as much tea as I want and I haven’t stopped doing so. I didn’t want you too worried about that…wink! As long as the caffeine isn’t an issue. Guess what…it isn’t…he..he..he…
It’s GREAT to be back! Let the candy cane shenanigans begin.
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