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Wednesday around noon I was suddenly VERY tired. I took a catnap because I still had work to do (I work from home, doing marketing for a great company). Tuesday night I was so tired I went to bed early.
Thursday dawned and I was still tired, but I had plenty of work that needed to be done and I’ve missed a lot of work as a result of having 5 weeks of XD prior to my diagnosis in early June. Come lunchtime, I laid down to take a nap again, just like on Tuesday, because I was SO exhausted. I planned to rest a half hour. One hour later, I awoke and could easily have slept longer, but work beckoned.
During this time I noticed that while Norman hasn’t visited me in several months, what little pieces I was passing were becoming mushy and almost like D. I kept analyzing what I’d eaten; I’ve been so careful, how could this be happening???
Then last night I went to see an old friend who was in town for a conference. Not only was she there, but several other college classmates were, too. All of us had not seen each other in 20+ years. Intending to stay only 2 hours, I spent 4.5 hours there! Just as I was getting ready to depart, the subject of food allergies came up and it turned out one classmate cannot eat gluten and many other foods. She happened to mention that Dove dark chocolate has milk in it. I said, “What did you say??? Please say that again.” So she repeated herself and my jaw subsequently dropped and little tears started welling up in my eyes. Oh my gosh, I had caused my own exhaustion by consuming Dove dark chocolate pieces.
The classmate with food allergies immediately took out paper and pen and starting writing down what to look for like European chocolate, ginger chews, and so forth, all from Trader Joe’s. Unfortunately, we don’t have Trader Joe’s here, but we do have Whole Foods and Sunflower Markets. So, I’ll check those places for some of the things she suggested.
Today I’m still not recovered by my dairy intake, although I’m better than yesterday. I think last night’s conversation and realization that I’d inadvertently taken in dairy drove home the point that this disease is not going to be a cinch to deal with. On one level I knew that already, but on another … well, you know the feeling. I sure wish I could beat the “low vibration/shaking” that my entire body is doing and has been for three days. It wouldn’t stop even last night so I took a Benadryl to help fall asleep.
Tomorrow is my trip to DC and Pennyslvania to see my MIL who has three kinds of cancer. She wanted to make one last trip to PA to her hometown, so we’re going. I have a bit of food packed to take, and hope there are lots of salad bars up there in PA. Wish me luck.
