Honestly. Our healthcare system is the WORST. I spent 4 1/2 hours waiting in the Emergency waiting room with a bunch of drunken teenaged hooligans at the crack of dawn on Friday. I was in such excruciating pain that my symptoms WORSENED by the time I actually got to see a doctor. 1 bag of IV fluids and 2 bags of drip pain killers, blood tests and XRays to confirm that nothing was wrong with me, and I was out of there....another 5 hours later!
After 25 years of doctors unable to confirm why I suffer from chronic stomach pains, I have decided to take a different route and consult a naturopath.
My first appointment is next week and starts off with an hour and a half long consultation. Usually visits with an MD lasts less than 3 minutes. How is a doctor supposed to properly diagnose a person in an amount of time that is insufficient to drink a cup of coffee? They never ask about my medical history, my diet, my lifestyle. Hopefully a holisitc approach will help narrow down some key problems and identify some areas for change.
I must admit that I'm a skeptic when it comes to alternative medicine, but I've heard such great stories from other people that I've decided to check it out for myself. Besides...I think it's time for a sense of renewed faith when it comes to health.
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Anyway, the weekend wasn't completely shot. I felt better by Saturday morning, though kind of weak from not eating and losing 6lbs from dehydration.
Sharl and I decided to relax outdoors in some fresh air so we took Xhosa, and headed down to the beaches. Sam and Jeff joined us later on and we spent a nice relaxing afternoon in the sun.
In the evening, we went down to the Harbourfront to listen to some music from the more chilled out Caribana event.
Sunday, after church, Sharl and I went for a bike ride through Kensington Market and Chinatown where we picked up fresh cheese, bread, deli meats and fish and vegetables.
For dinner we cooked up some steamed whole red snappers with ginger and green onion with soysauce, tofu and sautéd snow pea tips with garlic. Felt so good to have home cooked Chinese food. Especially when I had no appetite.
Monday, we took Xhosa to the dog park where she tried to pick a fight with a Great Dane. Later on, we met with Sam and Tristan for Dim Sum at lunch time. We had such a nice time together that we decided to carry on hanging out at Tristan's for a backyard BBQ. Sharl, Sam and I bought some chicken, ribs, corn on the cob and salad fixings to bring over. After a quick nap at home, we rode our bikes up to Tristan's, where we feasted on Endless BBQ until the sun went down. I couldn't eat too much which sucked for me. :( My stomach had shrunk.
After dinner we walked down College street for some Gelato and then stopped in a used-book store. I've been reading a ton this month for some reason. I used to be such a good reader until recently, but it seems I've started up again, which is great....thanks to Mandy!
I didn't get any books, but I'm looking for a book called A Girl Like Sugar. I'll keep my eyes open.
Anyway...weekend was nice and chill.
Next weekend is our first anniversary. Can't believe it's been a year...
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