Well… we turned in our application for the new apartment and are still waiting to hear back. I’m starting to get a little impatient but we’re doing everything we can to turn this mini-relapse around.
Thankfully I’m tolerating the cholestyramine very well and haven’t had to miss any doses. I’m also doing infrared sauna treatments twice a week. It all seems to be helping but I’m pretty sure that I need to get out of this apartment in order to really bounce back.
On the warmer days, I’ve been able to go hiking and I always feel better within ten minutes or so. It’s hard getting out the door when I’m exhausted or in pain but I usually don’t regret it. After those first few minutes of struggle, the clean air brings relief and energy.
If you’ve been following my blog from the beginning you might remember that I went hiking for the first time in years on my birthday back in April. That hike was 2.8 miles and it took me 3 hours to complete it because I had to stop to rest so frequently.
Well, yesterday, despite not feeling well when I started, I hiked 3.4 miles in 1 hour and 17 minutes. It was amazing. And I felt so much better afterwards. That means that in spite of my relapse I’m hiking three times faster than I was in April!
It really encouraged me to remember that even though I’m not doing as well as I was two months ago, I’m still way stronger than I was 8 months ago. Yes, I can feel pretty awful in our apartment but not too long ago I couldn’t even go indoors without risking anaphylactic shock.
We weren’t sure if I would ever be able to live in a normal apartment. This summer we were thinking we might need to spend the winter camping in New Mexico. My relapse is disappointing because I was finally starting to feel like a normal person. After having such a great September and October, I started to expect good days and lots of energy. But before that, we didn’t have such grand expectations. We just wanted to get through the winter without freezing to death or suffering a major health crash. And by those standards, I think we’re still on track. Sometimes you just need to readjust your expectations and keep putting one foot in front of the other. 🙂
By the way, Brett and I made a beautiful PDF of my favorite resources for suffering souls. I created the content and he made it look fancy with his superduper graphic design skills. It’s available for free to my email subscribers. Click here to sign up and receive 5 Resources for the Suffering Soul.
11 Comments
Ana, it was so encouraging to hear that you have so much energy even in the relapse! Yesterday Brett you have to spend a lot of time in bed. 😔 But you are always so hopeful! I can’t wait for warmer weather so we can hear LOTS of good news.
December 20, 2017 at 1:43 pmThanks so much for being so encouraging Bethany! I have been spending a lot of time in bed but I’m hoping that the new apartment will change that. 💕
December 20, 2017 at 6:08 pmYou’re on my heart, Ana. Love you!!
December 20, 2017 at 9:30 pmThank you so much Courtney! I love you! 💕
December 22, 2017 at 8:13 pmI am hoping and praying that the new apartment will help propel you forward again. It’s interesting how you feel prior to the hike, and then how you feel after. Such a sign that the open air is good for you. Good air. I really appreciate how you looked back and compared . That can really help to adjust our prospective, to look at reality, to be thankful, and then to be hopeful. I like that, Ana.
December 20, 2017 at 11:14 pmAww… Thank you so much Nanette. I really appreciate the prayers and kind words. I think of you often. 💕
December 22, 2017 at 8:14 pmIt’s good that you’re in a location where the fresh air helps so much. And good that you’re keeping things in perspective. It must be hard to not get discouraged though. Praying against that and that the new apt helps.
December 21, 2017 at 7:11 amIt is very hard. But yes, I’m so thankful for the good location. This is still the best winter I’ve ever had since getting sick. Thank you so much for the prayers!
December 22, 2017 at 8:15 pmAna. I’ll pray the application goes through very soon. I hope this new place doesn’t have carpet or other potential problems. I’m not sure what it is that’s causing these reactions but I know it’s hard to track these things down. You probably feel like a mad scientist trying to sort it all out. Plus doing it all while not feeling well. If we lived closer we’d help you guys out with bringing food, cleaning, or whatever you need. I pray the Lord brings the right people. I’m looking forward to a better update next week!!!!!!
December 22, 2017 at 4:27 pmAww… You’re so kind! Thank you so so so so much for praying! The application went through! 😊 Really hoping this new apartment will end up being much better.
December 22, 2017 at 8:17 pmPraying for you to move to new apartment as soon as possible. ..and, naturally, for you to recover fully. Keep the faith in spite of this setback….day by day….continue putting one foot in front of the other. I realize it must be very discouraging BUT I know that you are capable of overcoming….Just look at how far you have progressed!!!! Jesus has wrapped you with His Love so that you can continue to touch others with His Love…via AnaHarriswrites! You are ministering to a lot of folks, Ana…just because of Jesus in your heart.
December 28, 2017 at 11:26 am