September has been an absolute nightmare for both Kirsten and me. It’s just been one health issue after another, and honestly, it’s a month we’d rather forget.
James Issues
Before I got the gastric sleeve, I struggled with insomnia for years, but post-surgery, it finally seemed to get better. Unfortunately, it’s back now with a vengeance, like it missed me too much! On top of that, I’ve been experiencing severe sleep paralysis multiple times a night, which is both terrifying and exhausting.
And as if that wasn’t enough, I’ve had a bout of pancreatitis. After a gastric sleeve, around 30-40% of people develop gallstone issues, and out of that group, about 5-10% end up with pancreatitis – lucky me, right?
Kirsten Issues
Kirsten hasn’t had it easy either. She started a new birth control and ended up with a three-week-long heavy period, which resulted in multiple visits to the GP. She even collapsed right outside the GP’s office once, but thankfully, there was a nurse nearby, and she didn’t hit her head. The blood loss left her with a major iron deficiency, which has been causing dizziness and fainting whenever she stands up.
Just as things started to improve a bit, Kirsten’s chronic condition, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, decided to flare up. We tried all the usual home treatments—salt baths, tea tree oil—but nothing worked. The GP prescribed cream, then metformin, then doubled the dose, and when that didn’t work, they moved on to flucloxacillin. Still no luck, the local hospital couldn’t take her in for further treatment because they didn’t have any beds available. So now, she’s on a double dose of flucloxacillin. Most of September, she hasn’t been able to get out of bed, so I’ve taken on the role of carer, helping her bathe, change, doing all the housework, and trying to manage work—all while dealing with my own health issues. It’s been incredibly stressful.
Mental Toll
The worst part, though, has been the mental toll. I’ve made plans with friends multiple times this month, only to cancel again and again because things just haven’t improved. It’s caused some tension, and now they seem annoyed with me. It makes me feel like they don’t believe how bad things are. Maybe I need friends who are more supportive and understanding, rather than just ‘the lads’.
And then there’s just the general sense of failure and setback that’s been hanging over us. We had so many plans for this website in September—more social media integrations like adding our Instagram feed, starting YouTube videos about life with a gastric sleeve, being more active on TikTok and Instagram—but none of it moved forward. I even signed up for a 100-mile charity walk that ends in two weeks, and I’ve still got 80 miles left to go. I just haven’t been able to get out there and walk, with everything going on and constantly worrying about Kirsten, not to mention just keeping up with daily life.
One thing is for sure: I cannot wait for our little retreat in October, if we’re both feeling up for it by then!