Diagnosis Thus Far: IBS

I used to like saying "Hi Friends" to people as I approached them. I think John McCain has completely ruined my opportunity to do that in a genuine way. ARGH!

So, hi.

Saw the GI doc on Friday morning. What a wonderful, wonderful man. I could have kissed him. He sat with me for an hour and talked over all my problems. He was sincere, concise, compassionate, and action-oriented. I am now on two drugs, one every day and one taken as needed, to see if this helps. I'll be checking in with him in two weeks on the phone (he says I can call every day if I want), and then we'll move forward from there. The only downfall to the whole thing was my blood draw. They are testing me for Celiac disease, but he didn't seem to think this was a serious concern (thank God, because I thought it might be). Also, I seem to be lactose-intolerance-free! Hooray! I can continue eating my favorite food—cheese. In fact, as I sit typing this I'm enjoying some Gouda. As he said, "It's not the food, it's your stomach."

So, in the couple days leading up I was starting to feel quite a bit better, since the appointment I've been feeling like myself and eating whatever I please. (It definitely goes in cycles. I assume I bottomed out and am now back on the upswing, at least for a while.) I may still have to modify my diet if I find certain foods bring on the episodes or exacerbate them, but for now, I say, full steam ahead!

By the way, after that you'd think I'd lose a couple pounds...oh no. I gained! How is that possible?

Saturday morning I was feeling pretty good. I drove to dance class and it was the most blazing fall day. Warm, vibrant, no hint of what's yet to come. Vivid blue sky, and underneath it, trees aflame on every corner. I drove past farmers' fields, full of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens, sometimes all on the same tree. I turned up some Thievery Corporation and drove along, thinking about how sometimes, you can forget everything for a few minutes and feel like life is just beautiful.