I am excited to say that a new chapter of my life has begun. I moved to Ft. Worth, TX. It happened so quickly. After being torn between staying where my heart is or moving to a place where my medical situation could be better handled, I got a shove in the right direction. With the help of my family, working as a ninja-intervention team, we found a place to stay that met our needs. Within days of locking a place down, our home was packed and moved. The week of July 4th, we made Texas our new home.
Within days, I quickly noticed what a God-send it was for my family to be so aggressive. I have an unlimited amount of options for food at much cheaper prices than I ever enjoyed in New Mexico. Shortly after arriving, my Dallas based gastroenterologist called with a date for the gastric stimulator implant surgery. In saying that, they requested I make a few appointments and undergo some last minute testing.
By now, I have been here with my son for two weeks. I have lessened my food bill by at least a third, which will come in handy when medical bills start rolling in. I have met with both doctors who will be involved in the implant surgery and I am being evaluated to get my gallbladder removed finally. Before, no doctor wanted to do surgery for fear of unknown risks.
I cannot even explain how good this all feels, as strange as that may sound. Not only was it nice to be readily available for all these appointments, but it was even nicer to only travel a few miles to get home to rest thereafter. I have also enjoyed the company and support of family who live close by. Beyond all that, and possibly most important, I feel like part of the human race again.
For the past 5 years, limitations have been put on my life time and time again. Friends dropped off the less active I got. They stopped calling and interacting with me with claims that I was no longer acting like myself. All of this I can understand because I often wanted to run from the uncomfortable situation I was facing, but I did not have the luxury. I got strange looks for my thinning frame and even stranger looks for my peculiar diet. Adding to that, it was a daily stress and mission to ensure I had food available that I could ingest without increasing my symptoms. I felt like an outcast. I felt like a spectacle. I felt like an alien.
I am in this new environment. Although I have not had the opportunity to make new friends, I have enjoyed the company of family. I can go to any store, even a corner store, and there are options available for me. On top of that, with as busy as I have been, it has been difficult to stay on my routine. That would normally be very troublesome, but here I can even go through a drive thru and order something. This is not to say that I am falling in to bad habits. The accommodations so many places offer for specialized diets and healthy eating are amazing.
No one looks at me strangely when I order so specifically. No one looks at me strangely when my shopping cart is filled with all natural foods minus gluten and dairy. I am sure my small frame and casual dress does spark a few questions in people's minds but you never see it in their face. Everyone from customer service to health care workers to the average Joe has been so pleasant and welcoming.
My son is adjusting well. Of course, he was sad and scared about the move but we explained all the perks we'd be able to take advantage of. As the weeks have passed and he has seen and experienced so.much, he is sinking in to comfort. He enjoys his cousins company and hasn't even spent time with them all yet. He enjoys all the outings Momma is able to make. We have found a school close by and he thinks it looks inviting. He has seen the hospital where the surgery will take place and met one of the surgeons. He feels confident that improvement is sure to follow.
With all this, I am feeling so blessed. God never answers our prayers exactly as we lay them out or in the manner we wish them to be answered, but he answers them all the same. He has laid this path that I have reluctantly followed for years. Here I am, seeing a light at the end of this tunnel of the unknown. All my life my health has been a mystery. Now, all the doctors agree. All the doctors believe the whole picture is in view. No doctor is acting scared or overwhelmed. It is a feeling of peace and ease I cannot describe.
We are still awaiting my husband's job situation to be ironed out, but we know it is simply a matter of time. It has been a challenge to be here without him.and go through all these life changing events over the phone. We miss him terribly and count the days until it is all final. Nonetheless, the feeling of grace fills my son & myself.
Gastric stimulator, we await you and welcome your implantation. July 31 is the big day. I hope to get back online and fill you all in on my new bionic body and the great changes we expect to come.
