Health Sabbatical (Hiatus)

I did not want my bad health to define me . There is a saying, “ Your health is your wealth.” I was never absent at work unless my body completely breakdown. I was not absent until something terrible happen to my body in 1999, right before spring.

It was the day a tiny subconscious voice told me to turn around and go back home. I was determined to get this errand done. The subconscious mind keep telling me to go back but I heed it no mind.

A doctor was on the scene when it happen. I was struck by a man who was rushing to get somewhere . We both end up going nowhere but the hospital.

God had other plans for me, I survived a Major Surgery and first surgery of my life even the doctors was amazed. No, I did not get a lot of money for that accident cause I was very naive then. I also had a bad lawyer who was just out of school and just pass the bar exam.

Note to Self: “Just because someone is a lawyer, they don’t really care or they don’t fight for Justice but to get the case over and done so they can get their money and get another case. “Lesson I learned the hard way to many times in life, someday I hope these lawyers’ mindset will change for the greater good of justice.

I had a few surgeries after that 2003 two times and 2014. If you get open up to many times, scar tissues accrued. That’s how I ended up with Stomach Abstractions 2017 to 2023. I was able to team up with my primary doctor, who I feel got my best interest at heart.

This is what cause my health sabbatical. My doctor put me on a six month health regimen. I lost my ten year job due to being in the hospital so many times for my stomach obstruction. You have to stay in the hospital for four days with a tube down your throat.

I was also waiting for my apartment to get ready, I was dealing with my ex husband and I used up my savings and hard earn money on supporting my 19 year old daughter. I spend over $400 a month on my daughter before my health got in the way of my working.

I was walking a lot with bad ( Snow boots to be exact)shoes, did not know it can cause plantar fasciitis syndrome.

I had a court dated July 20, 2022. I normally don’t eat anything before undergoing a stressful situation. I did not feel any pain before going into the court house. I made sure I had bowel movements before going to court. I took my medicines for my stomach. ( Note: This was before I was subscribe by a surgeon with a pill that is now part of my regimen.)

A lot of good and bad things happen in my process of getting back to health.

July 20, 2022, I started shaking with stomach pain at the court building, while waiting to be called in. My exhusband was smirking at my discomfort. He never cared, when I was sick. He take pleasure when I was in pain during our marriage so I was not surprised how he was reacting to my discomfort. The court took us in right away.

I got home and the pain gotten worst. I was going to pass out. Everything was getting blurry. I called my doctor’s office to let them know I was going to the emergency. I took Uber to the hospital, I waited from 3:30pm to 8:30pm in the emergency waiting room before I finally was taken in to be treated.

Two weeks from being discharge, I had series of doctors appointments. My primary doctor prescribed, Sertraline 25mg , to handle my stress levels.

I never took such medications before because of their side affects, they can cause dementia and suicidal thoughts . ( I am not a doctor, so, with regards to my prognosis statements in my memoir Health Sabbatical story, check with your doctor first).

Sertraline is very good at keeping your mind organized but you have to take it for six months for it to be affective. My doctor tried to have me take increase doses after a while, I suggest not for me, when I did a month ago, I start having suicidal thoughts, which my reasoning mind shut down.

You have to be very self aware when going through you health sabbatical regimen. You also have to be your own health advocate cause your doctor does not know for sure how these prescribed medications will affect your mind and body.

November 2022, my doctor assigned me a health case manager. She (1st)was very good at what she did. She help me in so many ways. My next health April 2023case manager was not so good. She (2nd)did not help in anything , she just makes excuses. She was good at that, she was a remote health caseworker.

For me Sertraline is not good if you are doing a lot of assertions activities, it cause hypertension to your heart. I also start getting chest pain when you do to much physical activity in my experience. I regulated how I take Sertraline because of the chest pains. I never had bad chest pains before until I start taking , Sertraline.

My doctor suggest I see a heart doctor. I had a very good looking young heart doctor. I did not see him much cause he was not the one doing the heart test, thank God. There were wonderful medical tech and nurses team who do the exam. I am not ashame of my body but I do prefer female medical personnel do the test if I have to bare private parts.

I did get mammogram, it’s been over nine years from my last exam. I did not want any surprises. I took the annual pops smear. The unpleasant things women have to go through to stay healthy and monitor their health.

The best way to get a colonoscopy is Colonguard. Very non invasive and you can easily do it at home.

These exams, I would never have the time for them when I am working.

I will be honest, it’s very hard for me to be around my exhusband because of the the bad flashback seeing him causes me to remember. He remind me of all the physical abused, verbal, financial and emotional abused, I endured because of his unhealthy behavior towards me. I force myself to take Sertraline so I can handle the stress of being around him when I need to go to court. I hope this is the last year, I will ever have to deal with him in court.

When I am lost for words or stop remember things that just happen, I reconnect my brain and retract . I go back step by step and that’s how my memory get restored. It takes a lot of self awareness and self focus. I was used to taking care of everyone around me except for myself before. Because of my health, I am force to take care of myself.

I am glad I took care of my grandparents, when they could not take care of themselves. They both lived till they were 89 years old. I learned that being stubborn about your health is not good. I learned to get several doctors opinions not just one. I learned from taking care of them that not all medications can be good for you, it’s always a trial or error . Trial and get the right medicine, it makes you feel you hit a jackpot.

I lot of bad things happen to me it prepare you when they try to come back around in life. I don’t want to give up on myself. I want to work again.

I don’t want to get fired because of poor health either. I am doing all I can :

1. Regular doctor visits.

2. Finding good medical case workers

3. Physical therapy

4. Mental Health therapy( It’s also nice to have someone on your side who understands the battlefield of your negative mind) knowledge is power.

5. Proper diet regimen

6. Be good to yourself

7. Keep notes, how your medications are affecting your mind and body

Before I forget, I also tried cortisone injection for my foot pain .

It’s hurts for a few days after the injection. I must warn you . The injection painkillers for the foot Fasciitis inflammation don’t last very long but the physical therapy helps with pain management. (note: Nothing helps with the pain when a change of weather happens)Winter is almost here so I will be due for a another cortisone injection soon. I also got a custom made shoe sole, orthopedic.

I am now careful on what shoes I buy. I did not know they can damage your foot. I always I thought I was supergirl until my health try to get in my way.

I still believe I will achieve my dreams. I still believe I will get my bad health under control. I thank all and God Bless all my health support people . I also pray for myself and everyone everyday in my life process.

On my last doctor visit(August 17,2023), my doctor suggest I take the new Covid vaccine, Bivalent Covid Vaccine. This had a milder side affect than the booster Covid shot. I just had a mild case of sinus. I made sure I did not drink any dairy product before or after the vaccination. Nurse Candy, made sure the injection of the Covid vaccine bivalent was painless. She was a veteran at giving painless shots. I did not even feel it when she put the needle in my skin. ( The other after affect is a couple of days of arm pain, I place ice on my arm where the shot was place).

I have develop bad allergies before Covid and so it’s very important to me to take the new Covid Bivalent vaccine before winter.

This is my story on my journey to good health, if my experience help someone else, thank God.

Don’t forget to used an air purifier, when you sleep, you will get a lot of relief from your allergies. I am glad, I purchase mine due to the bad affects the forest fires, if I did not have one.

I hope this will be my health turning point memoir. I empower myself with knowing all I can to get myself on the road of great recovery emotionally, physically, financially and mentally ♥️🌈