 |
| Private patient room at Sharp Memorial Hospital (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
This post that you are now reading is not the post that I originally planned to publish today. Due to an ironic circumstance that post seemed somewhat inappropriate for me to put up right now, though in actuality it's probably very fitting. But just not right now.
To explain in part, in the wee early hours of Monday morning I woke up extremely ill. My attempts to return to sleep were fitful and then about 4:30 I became violently ill. I wasn't even able to see my wife off to work as is my custom. Instead I stayed in bed and remained there for most of the day only getting up a couple of times to get check my email and respond to blog comments, but staying up for any length of time was out of the question. All told I think I slept for about twenty of Monday's 24 hours.
Tuesday morning I still didn't get up to see my wife off. She understood. However, I had an interview scheduled with a client with whom I am working on a writing project so I managed to get myself ready to take care of that bit of business. I was still weak and achy, but feeling better by far than I had felt the previous day. I've been eating a bit to get my strength back, but a big irony is that I'm not supposed to eat for the next couple of days and only take a liquid diet due to a colonoscopy scheduled for Thursday.
The piece that I originally scheduled for today is kind of appropriate for my current state of being, but it can wait since it's been in my publish queue for quite a while now. I had decided to use it now because it kind of fit in with my Battle of the Bands theme. I think I'll just wait now and publish that post at a later date. Or maybe never.
If you haven't voted on my most recent Battle of the Bands post I hope you'll visit "Bring Me to Life" and cast a vote. I'll be tallying the votes tomorrow (Thursday evening) and announcing the winner on Friday March 20th.
Eventually--probably in May--I'll publish that post that was meant for today. For the time being though I'll leave you with one question: To what extent do you think our mind has the power over the illnesses that we feel and to which we succumb?
Hi Lee - I think if you feel totally rotten - you need to take care of you .. I know I switched off when I was struck with a virus - but nothing like your'e going through. Good luck with the procedure ... take care and all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that I had a virus. More probably a sort of food poisoning or bad combination of foods the previous day. Today I feel much, much better.
DeleteLee
Hope you are feeling better today.
ReplyDeleteTo what extent? Probably far greater than we realize.
Other than being kind of hungry, I feel so much better. Soreness is gone, I feel well rested, and ready to take on my medical procedure.
DeleteLee
Gosh, how miserable! To answer your question, I think you mind can override sickness to a degree, but only as far as your body can go. Feel better, and I hope the procedure goes well!
ReplyDeleteI'd agree that there are certain limits to what the mind can overcome, but the mind is a powerful force.
DeleteLee
I hope you are feeling better now! Maybe you should reschedule the colonoscopy though. Not sure if it's 'mind over matter' when you are sick. I think you just have to let it run it's course.
ReplyDeleteI rescheduled that colonoscopy from January 4th and this was the next available date. They seem to be difficult to schedule with my medical plan as I guess a lot of people are having them done. Actually since I feel so well today I'm thinking that what happened was an opportune thing. If it was really a "sickness" then apparently it was one of those 24 hour bugs than just really weakened me for an extra day. Now I feel almost as good as new.
DeleteLee
Hope you are feeling much better. If you are having a colonoscopy tomorrow (Matt is too by the way) then you should drink lots today and maybe have some clear soups too or clear jellos. Hope your procedure goes well. Matt's is at 1:30, what time is yours?
ReplyDeleteI wanted to get it all over with as quickly as I could so I went for the 7:50 AM slot since I get up early anyway. I've already started my regimen of liquids and will be consuming such throughout today.
DeleteLee
Ugh. Hope you get better fast. When I get sick, I just want to be babied.
ReplyDeleteWell, since I'm home alone most of the day I just had to baby myself. My wife was pretty sympathetic though, but I have taken care of her when she's been sick. I'm much better now. And after tomorrow morning things should be quite back to normal.
DeleteLee
I felt like a poor baby on Monday, but now I'm back too being me for the most part today. I've previously had a couple of sigmoidoscopies during which I was awake the entire time and experience extreme discomfort. I never want to go through those again, but the colonoscopy doesn't sound as bad since they will sedate me. This time the prep doesn't seem quite as bad either.
ReplyDeleteLee
Puking is the worst!
ReplyDeleteIn my adult life it has not happened often (other than when I've gotten stupidly overly inebriated) but when it does happen you are right--among my least favorite things.
DeleteLee
I hope you have a speedy recovery. I believe positive thinking can have a marvellous impact on some health-related things, but ultimately, we need to rely on medicine more. Sometimes a health condition is such that we can't just cure it through prayer or imagining our own recovery. Those things should be used in conjunction with medicine, doctor visits, etc. My woonatic ex-roommate actually wrote her master's thesis on how we create our own health with the power of our thoughts, which is a pretty dangerous belief. She's into so much woo, including medical woo, and that can't be good for her health.
ReplyDeleteBut still I'm a bit suspicious about the seemingly over-reliance on pharmaceuticals to make us whole. I'm starting to wonder about the things my doctor has prescribed to me over the years.
DeleteAnd thank you, I feel so much better today! I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I've been instructed to stop taking certain medications and for today take none.
Lee
Hopefully the germs are all gone now and the up the rump procedure goes well. Been there, done that haha drinking that nasty stuff to clean one's self out is the worst part.
ReplyDeleteOur mind has a lot of power. Although it can give us a sickness/illness/fear much faster than it can take it away.
A gallon of that "nasty stuff"
DeleteSeems to be a little rough.
They provide a pack of lemon flavor,
But say drink fast and do not savor.
I'm going to put my mind to work to convince myself that I'm just real thirsty and need to gulp the stuff down. I guess depending on our mental state when sickness comes our way, I think you're right about readily succumbing to illness. And once I'm feeling sick sometimes I seem to want to stay that way for a while. It's really kind of dumb.
Lee
I sincerely hope you are much better Lee, I know the feeling when I have stayed in bed most of the day. I hope all goes well with your test.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Yvonne.
Too much rest and sleep can be very tiring.
DeleteLee
Hope you feel better soon, Lee. Our bodies and our minds sometimes just need rest to fight bacteria or virus germs.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten plenty of rest in the past couple days. After tomorrow's procedure things should be well.
DeleteLee
I sure hope you're feeling better! Take some time to rest. I hope everything goes well with your procedure.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to feel really good now except getting very hungry.
DeleteLee
While I am glad you're feeling better, the term "violently ill" has always amused me.
ReplyDeleteTalk about being at your lowest capacity for violence!
And an 'oscopy chaser! What a week!
I guess the violence is in the attack from the illness. I felt like I'd been violently attacked afterwards. But if I needed my system purged I guess this was a good way for it all to come together.
DeleteLee
Rest - hydrate - and more rest! At least that's what my wife preaches when I get ill. Usually works too. :) Get better soon.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting my rest and doing a lot of hydrating and it's been working.
DeleteLee
Hope you are feeling better by now, from the sickness, and the colonoscopy prep.
ReplyDeleteActually I'm starting to feel really good now. Maybe I need to fast more often.
DeleteLee
You need to take care of yourself. When the body screams, "I need to lie down.", sometimes you've just got to obey. Hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteBelieve I lie down plenty. I heed the call to sleep or nap whenever I can. I'm better now.
DeleteLee
Egads! I hope you feel better, and don't starve while you prepare for your colonoscopy. And I hope that goes well too.
ReplyDeleteVoted!
I'm looking forward to a good meal afterwards if I'm up to it. My wife wants to go out to eat and I don't want to cook.
DeleteLee
Feel better... and good luck with the other.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope there's more than luck involved--maybe doctor's skill and the grace of God.
DeleteLee
I think to an extent having happy thoughts and a positive attitude (and good hygiene habits) can help keep some germs at bay. But once a bug gets in there all you can do is take proper care of yourself and listen to what your body needs.
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon.
I do believe in the power of the mind, but I guess there are limits.
DeleteLee
We had a stomach virus this year and everyone I say is the worst one.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are on the mend. Take it easy to stay on the mend. The colonoscopy is quick. They put you under, do the procedure and wake you up in what it feels like a minute or two.
I hope it's just as you say. The sigmoidoscopy was a horrid experience for me. I'll welcome being put under.
DeleteLee
Glad you're feeling better, though it must have been pretty frightening at the time. A colonoscopy is more comfortable than a sigmoidoscopy, as you don't feel the added pressure. Of course the prep is much worse, but it's worth having for a more thorough procedure. Hope all goes well tomorrow, Lee.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I feel almost like I've already prepped before taking the actual prep solution. I'm feeling better about this whole procedure now.
DeleteLee
I'm sorry to hear about your illness. I hope, sincerely, that your procedure shows you are in immaculate health.
ReplyDeleteI was in the hospital twice last year, both with life-threatening illnesses (one was Sepsis). It can get better, sometimes it just doesn't feel like it.
Immaculate health would be a good report to receive.
DeleteLee
Oh, Arlee, you have got to be well, whole and fit for the challenge! Prayers going up.
ReplyDeleteLife & Faith in Caneyhead
Thanks for the prayers. They seem to be working so far!
DeleteLee
Hope you're better soon. It's best to take care of yourself and not spread it around.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm at all contagious. I'm pretty sure it's something I ate that I shouldn't have eaten. I'm better now.
DeleteLee
Oh no...feeling better just in time to drink all that goop? They say drinking the liquid is the hardest part--you're asleep for the procedure and you wake up and it's all done!
ReplyDeleteI'm psyched up to drink the goop. I'm going to start in a few minutes.
DeleteLee
Lee, you've posed an interesting question - one I feel contains subsets of probables.
ReplyDelete>> "To what extent do you think our mind has the power over the illnesses that we feel and to which we succumb?"
Knowledge is power. That said, our minds are in direct control of the body. If it's attacked, the mind is attacked. The mind will seek solutions to alleviate the problem of illness. Medical books are full of miraculous healing.
I might also say, it depends on the illness. Let's say you were bitten by a spider and didn't know it. Not enough venom to cause fluctuations in temp., blood pressure, or heart rate. Still enough to make you feel weak, nauseated, and achy. This could be taken as signs your body need to rest and expel the venom. Most of us do not have knowledge on symptoms of most illnesses. To aid your body, your mind seeks solutions, often without your awareness. You don't know that a spider was involved, but your mind may have prescribed orders of rest, and a system flush.
The flip-side? Most people who have the flu know it within a day or so. The symptom knowledge is more readily available. The solution to overcome it is there also, in the mind. We know people who have flu that lasted longer with some than others... could this be their resolve?
When I took this test a few years back, I had to come off a couple of meds. That threw me in a loop for 48 hours, that I wasn't prepared for. Eventually I was okay, and the test went on as scheduled. But I didn't know stopping the particular meds would affect me. I figure it'd been almost a week; there must be something else going on. The doctor later confirmed it could have affected me. Not saying that's the case for you. I am very glad you're better, and will be praying for happy results!
Excuse the lengthy comment. (smile)
You make some interesting points. I think sometimes we can cause ourselves to be sick or exhibit symptoms for certain reasons. That's part of my postponed post so I'll go into it later.
DeleteI was concerned about the meds that I've had to stop, but it seems the effects of stopping them have been somewhat positive. I'll see what happens after tomorrow and after I've started taking those meds again.
Lengthy comments always welcomed.
Lee
Sorry to hear you're sick. Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe the mind plays a big part in our ability to heal. The body is built to heal itself. We need to work with it-mind and body to get the job done.
I think the sickness is over. Now it's a matter of getting through the procedure and having lunch. I hope I can enjoy some lunch because right now I'm really hungry with maybe 15 hours to go before I can eat..
DeleteLee
Glad to hear from your responses to comments that you're feeling better Arlee - illness of any kind is always a message sometimes I'm not of what. At least maybe a message that we are vulnerable and perhaps a reminder to take care of ourselves, take time out to let the body heal .. and to have faith trust that it will ... perhaps this is where the mind body association can help
ReplyDeleteand good luck with the colonoscopy procedure
ReplyDeleteThanks! As I respond to this it is nearly 4 AM as I have taken the final dose of cleansing liquid in preparation for my procedure which I am ready to start in a little over 3 hours..
DeleteLee
To answer your question:
ReplyDeleteI think people people with a positive attitude tend to feel better (most of the time). I think if we can learn to adopt a positive attitude in the midst of chronic pain, the pain will lessen. I think the brain works in ways we cannot begin to understand.
I think a stomach virus and/or the flu cancels out everything I just said. You just have to weather that storm and pray for blue skies.
Also, I hope you get a clean bill of health with your colonoscopy.
DeleteAll's done, all went well, and now to wait a week for the analysis. But it was all so quick and such a breeze that I've encouraged my wife to listen to her doctor and schedule hers.
DeleteLee
Just stopped by to say hello. Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. Hope all goes well with your colonoscopy. You are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAll went well. Good to hear from you. It's been a while!
DeleteLee
I think our mind plays a bigger part than most of us realize.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better.
This Friday morning after a blissful sleep I feel wonderful.
DeleteLee
Glad you're feeling better now, Lee and that all went well with the colonoscopy. Being sick is never fun, but yes, I think if we wallow in it, it gets even worse.
ReplyDeleteBest not to wallow. Some people talk so much about their sickness that it makes me sick and I tend to stay away from them.
DeleteLee
Leapin' Lizards! What a week you've had. Sounds as though your mind has worked wonderfully well over matters of late - Good for you! :-)
ReplyDeleteMind over matter is all we've got sometimes.
DeleteLee
Super sorry for the late response Lee! Hope you're feeling better. Sounded like you were in agony. My worst bout was with viral meningitis a few years back. I tried to will my way back to health, but I was in very bad shape. I tried to past the time by using my mind to move objects, but that never worked. I do believe your mind does have power over matter. If you stay positive I'm sure you will recover faster. Negative thoughts would make your body more stressed and weak. Sadly my mind isn't powerful enough to move objects. Take care! Buck
ReplyDeleteThankfully my illness seemed a lot worse at the time and actually didn't last long at all. Now I'm feeling back to 100%--well, maybe 99.9%
DeleteLee