2017 for me
In January I got another beautiful little girl, bringing the number of my children to ten - six boys and four girls. So much exclamation over the number from everyone.
Feb and March went into ensuring recovery of full body strength.
April, I hit the exercise trail, you know, to lose the natal fat and get back in shape, fight to keep off disease that comes with age. It worked in the opposite way. I collapsed one evening on the trail because my blood pressure suddenly shot up.
May brought a friend, someone I treasure.
June, July was pure bliss. I got back on the trail and ate "healthy" or at least tried to. Along with a cocktail of pharma drugs, I did herbs to control my blood pressure.
August found me slow and disoriented and as it ended, I was told I had a terminal disease.
September I made forty. I had cracked lips, pale peeling skin, pain in the body, lost 15kgs without even trying. I cried a lot for obvious reasons. I started a herbal therapy that meant I go onto a pure vegan diet. Raw veges, lots of fruit, several liters of spring water, walking for miles each day. Misery and worry with me all the way.
October was pretty much the same. Nothing makes you sicker than being told you're sick. In and out of hospitals. One specialist after another. Long queues, more tears, loss of appetite. Seeing one more carrot, one more avocado had me gagging. My friend was there. That very much needed shoulder to cry on was always there. And when I stayed up in the night from pain and worry, my friend stayed up. Did not tell me, at any one time, to woman up. Listened when I talked and most times just held my hand and quietly let me tide over the hardest of times. Friends.
November I decided to live again. I bounced back. My sunken cheeks filled out again. My skin got back its dark chocolate luster. I got a bit of carbs and protein back in my diet plus the rare glass of wine.
December, I got back some kilos. I became hopeful. I spent a lot of time with the children. Thankful that when I was doing badly, they had school and did not notice much of my situation. Cannot say the same of the eldest daughter, though. That girl has tears!
I bid 2017 farewell in a much better state of mind. I fought to get back up and I am going to keep fighting to stay up.
Welcome 2018, let's do this!
~Alinta Kanse (I am proud of you)
