Just when I think I'm starting to get it all figured out, everything changes. In the midst of my elimination diet, which doesn't seem to be doing much for me but I refuse to quit, I come home from the Ear Nose Throat specialist with a likely acid reflux diagnosis. He claims that reflux may have effect on my voice, allergies & asthma symptoms. Reading all I can about reflux, he's not the only one who connects the dots in this way. If this is true I want to do all I can to reverse it! But the process may be harder than I expected.
Reflux sufferers are supposed to avoid tomatoes, onion, garlic, wine, coffee, chocolate, citrus, mint, fatty proteins, and high-fat pastries (croissants!!) just to name a few. If I had to make a list of my favorite things to put in my mouth, 99% of these would be on it.
In comparison to going off gluten, dairy, and sugar, this is seems much more challenging to me. Part of it is that I don't know how long this will be for. It could be a permanent lifestyle change that I have to come to grips with. I hope I'm ready for this because I need to tackle it full on, like today! I'm so tired of not being able to get through my teaching week because I'm hoarse, and waking up with phlegm in my throat. I'm so tired of wondering if I will make it through rehearsal with my voice intact. I'm so tired of not knowing what is happening in my body.
A dear friend of mine is going through this at the same time I am. A gift from God, no doubt. Her support and encouragement will mean the world to me, I already know. She's a foodie too, so she'll understand my cravings.
Hopefully this is the answer I've been looking for, and God willing, taking these steps will get me healthy enough to do the things I love (namely: SING).
Lord, give me the strength to make these sacrifices and to make my health my top priority. I long to be so deeply rooted in you that times of trial can't sway me. Be my hope and my confidence. Amen.
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