Dependable Me

You know that saying about life derailing even the best-laid plans? I did, too, but it has never seemed more accurate than this week. How else would I go from thrilled about my excellent life, with lofty and detailed fitness goals for the impending new year, to buying discount Depends-knockoffs in the "Incontinence" section of a local Safeway?

"Discreet," eh? I'll be the judge of that.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease--a mysterious, chronic, currently incurable autoimmune disease involving those two most lovely words in the English language, "inflamed bowels"--when I was 19, but not until just after my 21st birthday a couple weeks ago did I have my first real "flare."

A flare is when the disease kicks it up a notch. Bam.

So I spent my week off from work at home, yes, but instead of bucolic scenes of Christmas bliss, there was a lot of sobbing and despair and blood. Now I'm on three medications and slated for periodic lab work to make sure the medications are doing more good than harm.

It gets better, I swear. Here's a cute picture of my cats to lighten the mood.

My condition is improving now, and though I'm still somewhat bitter about my current puffy-bottomed situation, I've learned some important lessons here.

Support--from family, friends, cats--is vital and not to be taken for granted. In a way, this flare couldn't have come at a better time. I got to be around those who love me and encourage me even at my worst.

Health is also not to be taken for granted. Never have I appreciated the prospect of exercise so much as when I was afraid (yes, a little melodramatically so) that I wouldn't be able to do it again for months.

My exercise of choice: Zumba

Plans are awesome, but there needs to be flexibility.

Flexibility.
(No, I can't do that anymore.)

A few mislaid plans don't spell doom. They may just spell change.

Despite everything, I'm still cautiously optimistic about the coming year. I can't wait to see what I'll be capable of.