An open letter to my digestive system
Dear Digestive System,
We need to go over a few things, because I believe you have forgotten a few truths about my life. I know you are very sensitive and that my stomach carries the brunt of my stress, and I know that things at work and my lack of finances have both caused a LOT of stress the past few months. But I have been working hard to keep calm and not stress out. I merely ask that you do your part and stop getting so worked up, because the pain you've been causing me lately has only added to the stress. As the kids today would put it, that attitude of yours is SO not helping. And quite frankly I am sick of feeling sick all the time. I can't imagine you're enjoying it, either. At least I hope not...
I went on more pricey medicine and adjusted my diet to help us cut down on the IBS attacks, and things were going great. But then, late last month, something went wrong. Was it a stomach bug? Something I ate that I shouldn't have? Both or neither, I don't know--but I got very familiar with the consequences. I don't like spending so much time in the bathroom, and I'm pretty sure I broke my heating pad, I've had to clench it to my belly so much. I'm still not back on my regular eating schedule thanks to continuing symptoms, and now I've had to cancel plans with my best friend TWICE thanks to you. I don't have much of a social life, but dammit, I DO have one, and some Ab & Jen time would've helped SO MUCH with erasing the stress and lifting my mood. But no! You won't let me do anything but go to work. I've even missed Coffee a few times thanks to this, and will again this weekend. It's not fair.
So what do I have to do to get you back on my side again? I've upped my fiber, upped my medication, and have been eating so much bland food that church wafers are starting to sound tasty. I can't afford to go to the doctor again and again and again--hell, I can barely afford the labwork I have to get done! And I haven't been exercising due to the nausea, so I feel fat (and am, in fact, obese), and that hasn't been helping my spirits. It's bad enough I feel physically crappy; I don't like feeling emotionally crappy, either, y'know :-P
So please, PLEASE stop acting up so much. It's been nearly a month since I've felt entirely well. I'd like to get things back to normal, and I can't do that without your cooperation. Please stop hurting. Please stop cramping. Please stop making me run to the bathroom. Please just give me a break, at the absolute least.
Sincerely,
Me
We need to go over a few things, because I believe you have forgotten a few truths about my life. I know you are very sensitive and that my stomach carries the brunt of my stress, and I know that things at work and my lack of finances have both caused a LOT of stress the past few months. But I have been working hard to keep calm and not stress out. I merely ask that you do your part and stop getting so worked up, because the pain you've been causing me lately has only added to the stress. As the kids today would put it, that attitude of yours is SO not helping. And quite frankly I am sick of feeling sick all the time. I can't imagine you're enjoying it, either. At least I hope not...
I went on more pricey medicine and adjusted my diet to help us cut down on the IBS attacks, and things were going great. But then, late last month, something went wrong. Was it a stomach bug? Something I ate that I shouldn't have? Both or neither, I don't know--but I got very familiar with the consequences. I don't like spending so much time in the bathroom, and I'm pretty sure I broke my heating pad, I've had to clench it to my belly so much. I'm still not back on my regular eating schedule thanks to continuing symptoms, and now I've had to cancel plans with my best friend TWICE thanks to you. I don't have much of a social life, but dammit, I DO have one, and some Ab & Jen time would've helped SO MUCH with erasing the stress and lifting my mood. But no! You won't let me do anything but go to work. I've even missed Coffee a few times thanks to this, and will again this weekend. It's not fair.
So what do I have to do to get you back on my side again? I've upped my fiber, upped my medication, and have been eating so much bland food that church wafers are starting to sound tasty. I can't afford to go to the doctor again and again and again--hell, I can barely afford the labwork I have to get done! And I haven't been exercising due to the nausea, so I feel fat (and am, in fact, obese), and that hasn't been helping my spirits. It's bad enough I feel physically crappy; I don't like feeling emotionally crappy, either, y'know :-P
So please, PLEASE stop acting up so much. It's been nearly a month since I've felt entirely well. I'd like to get things back to normal, and I can't do that without your cooperation. Please stop hurting. Please stop cramping. Please stop making me run to the bathroom. Please just give me a break, at the absolute least.
Sincerely,
Me