Days 242-251: Can’t Catch a Break

Piney Narrows Yacht Haven, MD

September 15-24, 2022

After John’s diagnosis of gout, he was on an anti-inflammation diet of with food like chicken and cherry juice while he was avoiding red meat and alcohol. He was on some pretty heavy-duty anti-inflammatories for his wrist. He also was having a lot of gut pain which, naturally, we attributed to the meds. The only problem: when he discontinued the prescription stuff, the pain didn’t go away – in fact, over time, it got worse.

By the night of Friday, September 16, John knew he had to get medical treatment for what he knew was diverticulitis. We took an Uber to a local urgent care who, after a few tests, referred John to the emergency room to get a CAT scan. DIverticulitis can cause absesses which can quickly become septic.

We caught a cab to the ER where after several hours we learned that John did have diverticulitis but it did not require admission to the hospital. He did require an intravenous dose of antibiotics as well as a ten-day regimen of oral antibiotics. And a bland, liquid diet.

It took a while for the antibiotics to kick in fully. John also had to suffer through eating jello and drinking protein water, soda, and broth. I tried to eat when he wasn’t around!

Slowly he has been able to add food back. We’ve learned a lesson, too, that as soon as he feels a bout of diverticulitis coming on, he should get medical attention.

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We’ve only been taking short walks because of John’s discomfort but we realize haven’t been this far north for a really long time. The signs of autumn as well are starting to creep in. I am not a fan.

We seem to have been caught in a really windy weather pattern that’s pulled in some cooler air. We’ve been wearing shorts since the middle of February; I’d like to stay in warmer temps (but it’s probably not going to happen).

There have been some pretty sunrises, though, and we’ve enjoyed sleeping with the portlights open.

We’ll be heading to St. Pete Beach soon so I can lead a workshop for a few days – it will be good to go to the warm weather and see some IB friends. John’s feeling much better and only has a few days left on his antibiotics. There’s the potential for a hurricane, but it’s far enough out that we should be fine.