Venting my spleen

[clevermanka]

I am head over heels for Shane, my mother's acupuncture/TCM guy. He's a giant adorable bear whom I suspect is gay like whoa but has been married for nineteen years so whatever and is so kind and thoughtful and compassionate. Loved him.

I sent him my Giant Depressing Five Year List of Grievances several months ago, so he had time to review that and when he saw me in person he said "Oh good, I was right! You're a textbook case for Spleen Qi Deficiency!" Now, I've never been a textbook case for anything, medical-wise, so that alone made me feel great. How often do I want to be normal about something? Not often, but in this case, they were the most beautiful words evar. He also said that the Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth diagnosis from KU Med meshed perfectly with his own diagnosis (instead of just dismissing it like whats-her-face did at Southwind). Second major point for him.

We talked for nearly an hour before he stuck any pins in me, and he listened and responded to what I was saying instead of offering suggestions of how I should be feeling, or what he thought was wrong. It was awesome. After the needles were out, he sent me on my way with a book recommendation and a bottle of Xiao Yao Wan tea pills that look like rabbit turds. The universe is smiling on me, because the Lawrence library has the book on the shelf. Yay for one fewer expenditure right now!

Alas, one thing Shane said I needed to nix for the time being (and probably limit in the future) are raw foods. So no more salads for me for a while! Rather disappointing. I'm going to email him to ask about how I should approach fruits (especially my beloved summer berries and peaches). Ice cream is absolutely the worst thing I could eat ever. Which is true for a number of reasons, but now even more so.

You guys, I wanted some doughnuts so bad yesterday. Oh, man. It was crazy-making. mckitterick was talking to me about this event he went to, and after a few minutes he stopped and asked, "You're not listening, are you? You're thinking about doughnuts." Maybe. But I resisted. Obviously, though, they are still on my mind.



Aaaaanyway.

I have a diagnosis from a non-Western medical practitioner that meshes surprisingly well with my Western medicine diagnosis. I'm pleased. Now I need to find a Lawrence acupuncturist who is willing to work with this information.

And I have my appointment with Dr. Burt this afternoon to talk with him about upping my dosage of levothyroxine. Just think, by the end of May, I could be feeling all sorts of awesome! It's very exciting.

Comments

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

Wah-hoo!

"You're not listening, are you? You're thinking about doughnuts."

How well he knows you.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

How well he knows you.

For real.

He's awesome.

<3

[nottygypsy.livejournal.com]

end of May, I could be feeling all sorts of awesome! It's very exciting.

Oh I hope I hope!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Me, too! Just the anticipation of good things is energizing!

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOUR INSIDES!!!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Me, too!

I thought of you and roya_spirit afterward. I wish you could have an appointment with Shane, too! If I find a TCM/acupuncture practitioner half so awesome here in town, I'll send you their contact info.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited to hear this.
I had considered either going to Dr. Andi Chang for acupuncture or seeing Farhang and Mehndi Khosh, the naturopaths.

oh, and I'll bring the Primal book tonight for the hand-off.


ETA spelling argh.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

If I go with Dr. Chang, I'll be sure to put you down for a referral. Maybe you'll get $$ off your next visit.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

cool! and if you call the Khosh brothers, you can tell them I sent you also, although they know me by either Roya or my former last name.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna miss donuts...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

For real. I know I'll still have a few every once in a while, though. Maybe I'll make it an annual event or something.

[gamera-spinning.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed for the power of Eastern medicine. Yay for a physician who actually listens to the patient.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay for a physician who actually listens to the patient.

I know, right? It was disappointing for me that my first experience with an acupuncture person here in town was so incredibly shitty. Shane restored my faith in the possibility of acupuncture/Chinese medicine.

[zhukora1.livejournal.com]

Hooray for good medical experiences! Hope this is the sign of a big turnaround and good things! :D

Damn you for the doughnut picture, though. It's about lunchtime here, and now I'm going to be craving doughnuts all day.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that doughnut picture is a killer. I've used it for years. It is the Platonic Doughnut Ideal in my mind.

I should probably make it into an icon.

[zhukora1.livejournal.com]

That would be pretty evil of you, but I full acknowledge the effectiveness of such an icon to instill doughnut lust in all who see it. OM NOM NOM NOM

Awesome

[wyckedgood.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a super positive experience. Bummer on the no raws and I think I might die without ice cream, but I know you will overcome!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I think I might die without ice cream

It's surprising what foods one can give up when suddenly one is reminded of what it feels like to feel healthy. =D

:)

[wyckedgood.livejournal.com]

I know you are right. I feel better without soda but still...WANT!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Hey, I haven't asked how that soda thing is going! Still successful?

:)

[wyckedgood.livejournal.com]

Yes but I still want it all the time. Still living a soda free existance though and I didn't sub any other sugary drinks for the soda. I will have an occasional lemonaid or juice but mostly now I dirnk water and tea.

[fairgoldberry.livejournal.com]

I just attempted to contemplate a life with neither raw vegetables nor doughnuts.

My brain exploded. You are a far stronger woman than I. But you do have a pretty powerful incentive, so I will wish you luck and success and happy healthiness!

Much love,
Rowan

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I just attempted to contemplate a life with neither raw vegetables nor doughnuts.

There will come a time when I eat both again. That I know. Just not very often. The vegetables are easier to give up.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

Berry berry good. Happy to hear you're feeling progress on health at last. ABOUT TIME!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

For! Real!

Here's hoping this works.