Happy Sunday friends!
Well, last Thursday I received a few answers in regards to my poor health. If you follow me on Twitter, then you most likely already know that I somehow or another managed to develop salmonella poisoning. Yes, SALMONELLA POISONING! The thing you typically get from eating raw eggs and meat? The thing that SIX HUNDRED US citizens die annually from? The thing that usually departs your body in 4 to 7 days, if it hasn’t crippled you to a hospital bed?
A few thoughts for everyone:
- I’ve been a solid vegan for 2 years.
- I don’t have a spleen and I suffer from an immune deficiency disorder, as well as four other blood disorders. This leaves my body very undefended in terms of illness.
- My doctor estimates that I’ve had this salmonella poisoning for SEVERAL MONTHS now. My body didn’t have the tools to fight it off alone, so it’s just been… sitting in me. It’s incredible that I’m not dead, really.
No wonder I’ve been feeling horrid lately!
To top this all off, I also learned that I have a severe intolerance to chocolate. CHOCOLATE! My ultimate favorite food. There is nothing more brilliant then a tiny piece of 80% dark chocolate after several hours of rigorous, yet blissful writing. I grew up on chocolate milk, every day, sometimes 3 times a day. Chocolate. I’m intolerant to chocolate. Really? REALLY, BODY?!
Yes, I’m intolerant to chocolate, as well as about a hundred other foods. I now have another new medical term to add to my list! Intestinal Permeability. Basically, my gut is ridiculously and tragically sensitive. I’m practically intolerant to everything, really. It’s very likely I did this to myself, that this yet another lovely after effect of Anorexia. I’m trying to not think about this. I’m just going to push forward, eat what feels best for my tummy, and hope that I eventually regain my body’s trust again.
My name is Heather Ezell and I’ve been chocolate free for 3 days. Please comfort me during this tragic time.
I’m still waiting to hear back from other tests, the more important tests, actually. Blood work. Yes, we now are worried something new is occurring with my blood. I’m praying everything will turn out normal (normal for me, that is), but I won’t get any answers until late August…
Until then, I’m enjoying my life and not fretting over silly things like food sensitivities and salmonella poisoning (which I’m now on intensive medication for). Both have been caught and now I can only move on. While I could morn my new dietary restrictions and last six months of sickening health, it simply DOES NOT matter and there is no point in obsessing over it.
What matters?
Spending time with my family and friends, the fact that my body has managed to put up with all of this turmoil, writing to my heart’s desire, being in the moment, traveling and learning from new sights, and honestly, being optimistic. I know personally that life is too fragile and short to let the small things break you down.
Enjoy your week, friends! Take a moment and dedicate it to something extraordinarily simple and special in your life, perhaps something you’re taking for granted. Cheers for good health!
You’re so inspirational, Heather … I don’t know how you do it, staying so cheerful and optimistic!
And that’s truly amazing about the salmonella poisoning just waiting in your body like that, ready to suddenly pounce after months of crouching in the brambles. Truly amazing, in a scary way. Did the doctor ((or you)) have any idea how you got it …?
I suppose it doesn’t matter, so long as you’re treating it, but it strikes me as extremely odd you could get something like that when you’re a vegan! X_X; No one’s safe … >_>;
And I have a question, just out of curiousity … How are you able to be vegan when you have such a low immune system/blood disorders …? Doesn’t being vegomatic make those things worse …? Or do you take iron/protein supplements and so on? Again, just curious!
Comment by Mallory — July 26, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
I really liked this post. I think because it’s slightly longer than normal. And because I feel your pain about chocolate. Sort of. I am lactose intolerant so no dairy products. Including chocolate. I never personally liked chocolate though so I s’pose that makes me weird.
I couldn’t imagine life without my favourite food (pasta) though. That would be crazy. It would drive me crazy! >.< Awwh, wow. It really does suck about you and chocolate now I think about a life without pasta. :'( A life without pasta isn't a life worth living for me, but I am certain you and chocolate love each over enough to live apart. Unlike my fickle infatuation with you.
And I can't believe how ill you are. my friend Lottie had cancer of the spleen. it caused it to swell and it rested on her bladder so she needed to take a slash all the time. Plus she was really ill all the time. But you seem a lot worse so I can’t imagine what you’re going through. You have my thoughts though.
You are most definitely right about what’s important in life. Friends and Family.
Oh and I am glad my last post made you giggle. Trying to lead a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is tough when you talk about the simple pleasure. Don’t throw away your boots. Secretly I have a leather bag which I’ve had for about 4 years and it’s my my to day bag. It does everything, and no way on this planet or the next will I get rid of it. I like to think the animal died of natural causes.
P.S Happy Sunday.
Comment by Shola — July 26, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
“Unlike my fickle infatuation with you.”
IS meant to be:
“Unlike my fickle infatuation with pasta.”
WUAHH. >.<
That sounds way creepy.
WTH.
Made me giggle though.
In a nervous "Oh shit" way.
Apologies.
Comment by Shola — July 26, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
I’m sorry about your illness, I know one of my friend’s who suffers from a lot of pain and immune deficiencies as well, he also experiences random anaphlatic shocks and is extremely sensitive to nuts, I guess I understand how much Pain your going through.
As for cbeing intolerant to chocolate I feel for you I seriously do I cant imagine life with chocolate but then again I cant imagine life without meat! Judging from your post and you ability to be a vegan I get the feeling that your a strong person Heather and You are right about what’s important in life. I really wish you a speedy recovery and Hope that your blood work report is not serious.
Tc and it was a pleasure reading your post.
Ash
P.S I added you to my blog roll hope you dont mind
Comment by Ash — July 26, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
Oh geez, you can’t have *chocolate*? Well, I suppose you could, but it probably wouldn’t make you feel very good after, eh? That really sucks and I hope you feel much better soon from the salmonella soon…
-hugs-
Comment by Michelle — July 27, 2009 @ 1:21 am
Salmonella! D: I remember having that a while ago when I went overseas, and I ate chicken.
But how shocking that you’ve had it in you for months and you’re a vegan too. I find it so strange!
I hope your mood is better soon though. No one likes being in a bad mood without CHOCOLATE! :O
And I love dark chocolate, very much. So much better than other kinds.
Hopefully you’ll get to have a BIG CHOMP soon. ^_^
Take care!
Comment by Georgina — July 27, 2009 @ 11:42 am
Oh my goodness what a horrible thing to have to deal with. I’m so sorry that you can’t have chocolate anymore. Food allergies are so cruel, aren’t they? I hope you feel better soon!
Comment by Caity — July 27, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Heather, you are so amazingly strong.
To be forced through so much by your body and able to still look on the bright side of things shows just how awesome you are. 
I am terribly sorry to hear of your intolerance for chocolate; that sucks hardcore. But I’m very glad they found the Salmonella before anything very bad happened.
You are awe-inspiring, dear. I love you, and I will continue to hope that everything turns out well for you. <3
Comment by Lauren — July 27, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
Oh my gosh! Good thing you’re still going strong. You must be to be able to fight off the salmonella for so long. You’re a vegan and got salmonella? Did the doctors tell you what you could have gotten it from? I’m sorry you can no longer eat chocolate.
That’s really sad. Can you maybe have it in small doses or every once in a while? Maybe your tolerance will come back someday. =)
But it’s good to hear you’re looking up and staying positive. You’re going to be healthy soon and pretty much back to normal after all of this.
Comment by Ashley — July 28, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
It’s not unheard of for vegans to get salmonella. Unfortunately, sometimes the natural fertilizers and stuff used to grow vegetables can contain diseases that cause food poisoning and can’t be easily washed off.
I’m sorry you can no longer eat chocolate. What is it in the chocolate that you can’t have? I have to be careful with it because it has caffeine, which I’m almost deathly allergic to…luckily, I still get to eat it, but it’s something I have to be careful with.
Comment by Janet — July 29, 2009 @ 1:52 pm