After three months of being sick, and growing concerns towards my symptoms; I had to make the toughest decision I have ever made, to come home. I came home the second week of January with the hope of american doctors figuring out exactly what is wrong with me, getting me all the way back to normal, and giving me the green light to return to my squad in South East Asia. However, my trip home has turned out not looking like that at all. After seeing a couple of different doctors in the last month Ive learned the following: five months ago when I had a parasite and three strands of salmonella in Guatemala, I was given poor antibiotics (and was prescribed far too many) to fix it. But, through the stress of the parasite/salmonella and the antibiotics, my stomach lining was torn. This caused really serious Irritable Bowel Syndrome and countless other gut health issues. Then it caused a fecal impaction (clogged my colon for a few months), which impaired the function of my colon and my intestines. In the last couple weeks my colon was finally cleared and I fully regained my energy!!! Im so stoked to be back out and active, but I’m not healthy at all. I am taking a large amount of Miralax and dietary supplements to aid my colon/intestine, because my colon and intestine wont be working together properly on their own for at least two-three months(yikes!). On top of that; I’ve been told my stomach may take YEARS to be healed and back to normal (but I’m hoping that probiotics and my uncomfortably restrictive ‘Low Fod Map diet’ will speed that healing process up). So, the doctor told me I will not be able to return to the race, and frankly; Im not sure my stomach will ever be healthy enough to do any crazy traveling again.
All that being said; I am beyond stoked to be moving and enjoying life again despite my uncomfortable stomach, and I am confident that God has big plans for me wherever I am. Following God is such a wild adventure, and His plans are so different from mine, but they are always better. I am so glad that I came home a very different version of myself than I left as. I feel so blessed for the experiences I was able to have, and for the growth I was able to experience. I’m much more comfortable to walk in who God calls me to be 100% of the time(lets go!).
My plan for the future is simple. I want to make the big decision to seek the Spirit’s movements everyday, and love the people around me while I stay in a constant search of the best version of my self.
Living out of Psalm 130:5
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits and in his word I put my hope”
Big shout out to my team/squad who called me higher and supported me through my journey. I miss you all so much and my heart aches to be with you again one day.
And even bigger shout out to my family and everyone who supported and/or prayed for me.
Thanks everyone who prayed for me, if you have any health advice, I would love to hear it in the comments!!!!
Love always,
B
