Not so long ago, I became depressed over my myriad health problems: a newly diagnosed duodenal ulcer that created a very mild yet persistent nausea that caused me to refrain from eating, a needed stent in the heart before a disaster occurs, and the ulcerated skin on my calves that I had already decided was chronic and would never heal. I had been following doctors’ orders as prescribed. Yet nothing appeared to help, and I felt like my body was simply falling apart (see my previous post). But recently my attitude has changed.
I still have not returned to my previous appetite for food and drink as before and, consequently, I have lost over fifty pounds with further weight loss expected. The affect of such loss is that my clothes hang off me and my shoe size has gotten smaller (new crocs ordered for the remaining summer season, but I must still go clothes shopping). This is a good thing, Martha.
The ulcers on my legs are healing very rapidly. When the nurse looked at them, she asked me how they were healing so quickly. I hadn't a clue. I project that they will be fully healed by the end of September.
I am feeling so well that I even forget to take my daily pills, which is ironic since one of the pills was supposed to help with mild cognitive impairment. You may wonder what driving force has caused this transformation. Well, I must tell you that I have fallen in love – with Rochester.
Rochester is the brand name of a product from an Australian company that produces a wide variety of healthy and nonalcoholic beverages. I prefer the original “Dickensian Recipe” (https://www.naturaldrinks.com.au/products/rochester-ginger-original). This is not a ginger ale (and most ginger ales contain no actual ginger), but a ginger syrup. I first carbonate a liter of water with my SodaStream, then add a generous shot of this syrup to the bottle. The results are delicious, and I drink massive amounts of this stuff throughout the day. Ginger is purported to boost brain function, ease stomach pain, fight infection, and decrease cholesterol. If drinking this elixir possesses any of the claimed benefits, that is just “icing on the cake” .
In other news…
My friends Michał, Magda, and Leon came to visit. Unfortunately, the trip to Slovakia was a bit stressful for them and, therefore, for me, too. I think I’ll suggest in the future that we simply meet somewhere. But we went to a spectacular restaurant for lunch in Spišská Kapitula. I had a Mediterranean-style salad served as a sandwich, along with French fries (potato chips would have been more suitable). My first real meal in quite some time, I managed to down three-quarters of the sandwich and one or two fries. I will definitely return.
My Polish neighbor, Edyta, has always been kind to me. She goes hiking in the mountains and later presents me with a bag of Chanterelle mushrooms. This week, she ordered items on Allegro.pl for me; I later transferred money to her account. It is cheaper than Amazon and just as fast. Since we are not in Poland, Edyta uses a system where they deliver to a nearby Polish locked storage area. With a swipe of her phone, the locker opens, and she takes the package with her. So, on Thursday I will get 1) Nordic trekking sticks, a nice pair of sandals for summer, and slippers for when I go to hospital. I’ll send photos.