730 days later

Well well, here we are at the 2 years mark. I must admit I've felt rather uneasey the past couple of weeks as today (29th April) approaced. I thought twice about making this post in all honesty, as it probably gives it more weight than I should award it. However, I then thought that its a good opportunity to reflect on just how far those 730 days have brought me. 

So how has the last 2 years played out? Well in a nutshell:

- 18 months were spent trying to understand what the heck is wrong, with a fair few detours taken on the way, eventually being confirmed to have Centrally Mediated Abdominal Pain Syndrome.

 - The last 6 months has probably been the first real section I can name 'recovery'. With the likes of PTSD treatment, accupuncture, yoga and now hypnotherapy, all playing a very important role in what is to be a long road to recovery. 

Yes, it's been frustrating, and I'd absolutely rather be healthy and not going through this, but it has also taught me some extremely important lessons. The main theme of these lessons being 'you need to listen to your body, that nagging exhaustion, and look after yourself'. I've also learned just how much our mental health impacts our physical well-being, and the extent our bodies will go to until they say 'enough'. This experience has also meant meeting new people, starting new hobbies, getting a couple of extra unexpected diagnoses (ADHD and endometriosis) that bring their own challenges, and most Importantly, beggining to unlock many years of trauma that had been hidden away.

Today also signifies that this very blog is now 1 year old! The fact I'm still posting on a fairly regular basis is a surprise in itself; I genuinely thought it may just peter out but it's become an important part of recovery. How so? Because its a place that all the rubbish that swirls around my noggin can be put to something useful and hopefully help others in similar positions not feel quite so alone. 

So what does the next 12 months have in store? I honestly don't know, but I can only hope it's a continuation of the upward trend towards recovery. I've already been prepared by consultants that it's likely to be another 2-3 years, but whose saying I can't beat those odds? Especially with the progress I'm already seeing from the hypno! So, here's to the ongoing ride, I hope you'll continue with me along the way.

Ta ta for now! 

P.s. there won't be a post next week, I'm taking a week or so's break! But I'll be back!