Good Morning Lovelies, 

Recently, I fell really ill. I mean to the point where I didn’t get out of bed, unless to go to the hospital or to the doctors to try and find out what was wrong. It all came on suddenly, during the last evening in Belfast and lasted well over a week. To me, it was a real hardship, as I am often someone who is very much a get up and go person. 

Yet, I was left feeling sick, having to go to the toilet a lot and very lightheaded. Speaking to the number of doctors during that time, it was found that I had contracted a severe case of gastroenteritis. Something we still to this day don’t know how I got. 

Those days in bed were horrid. Battling a number of health issues that leave me feeling restless, to have to lie in bed and recover was torture. I hate being ill and often can’t accept it. Therefore, I had to really talk myself into not rushing my recovery and accepting what was happening to my body until I could get better. 

This led to me thinking again about the importance of rest. This time though in the duration or aftermath of being ill. Being able to really care for oneself is vital and the following reasons as to why resting in sickness or in health is really actually okay. Even when your head is telling you that it is now. They include…

Catching Up On Sleep: From noisy neighbours to the non-stop sightseeing we did on holiday, my body has not been able to rest well for a long time. I often survive on less than five hours of sleep, which is never a good thing, because of it. Being ill meant my body actually got a really good amount of sleep, which it definitely needed to heal best. 

Seeing What My Body Is Really Like: As someone who suffers from chronic inflammation and bloating within the stomach area, I often walk around with a little protruding tummy. Something that my head is never accepting of, due to my eating disorder and body dysmorphia. Due to the stomach bug, I was unable to eat a lot, which led to the bloating going away a little. Now, I am in no way praising this but by eating less, I could see that the lies those voices in my head tell me about how big my body is were really lies. It was actually quite scary to see my real shape and when I was able to eat better again, I was really thankful for it. 

Food Adapting Is Okay: Speaking of foods, whilst I was ill, I couldn’t eat the meals that I had gotten into a pattern of eating. Many of them had things in them that would upset the lining of my stomach and lead to my being in the toilet quicker than anything. This meant I had to adapt or change up my meals, which again reinstated that I don’t have to stick with the same meals or patterns. It really helped to challenge the ED and AuDHD within me. Some of the meals have now actually stayed a permanent fixture in my diet and I am loving them. Who knew a sweet potato could be so blissful! 

Ask For A Second Opinion Or Appointment: Throughout the time I was ill, I was constantly speaking to doctors and nurses about my condition. I was even taken to A&E due to the pain in my stomach. At first, the doctors believed it was to do with my sinuses, but then it became so much worse. Leading to a second and a third opinion. As well as different medications to try. It was upon the fourth time seeing a doctor that I found the anti-sickness medicine that helped me to be able to move without feeling like I was going to pass out, as well as giving me the actual name of what I was going through. If you feel like you need another assessment or a change in the medication that has been given, never be afraid to reach out and ask for it. 

You Are Not Being Lazy: Resting is something I really struggle with. I don’t like to sit around for too long. I like to be up and busy. I have to keep my mind occupied otherwise the ED and AuDHD take hold and everything goes to shit to put it politely. I really had to remind myself that I was not being lazy by sitting or sleeping more. I was allowing my body to recover. I was allowing myself to get back on top form so that I didn’t have to have this happen again hopefully. I was still moving in little ways. I was still writing and replying to emails when I could. Small steps to my recovery made for a better outcome. One that I hope will mean I don’t have to go through any of this again for a long long time. 

Being ill is never pleasant but by resting, eating the right things and staying on top of what the experts are saying can all make the recovery process a lot easier. I am now thankfully on the mend, yet, I won’t lie when I say that it was a tough time. I really and truly hope that it doesn’t come back for a long long time, if ever, as I don’t think I can handle anymore daytime TV shows for a while! Though I have to admit, I did get very drawn into The Bidding Room!

Joey X