Survival, and Choices We Make. Chose Life.

Running in the forest with my dog George 4 days after being discharged from the hospital

This story is a personal one, was not sure if I should share it, but decided that it did have a happy continuance, and also may encourage anyone else who may have a similar issue they are dealing with.

I have been running now for almost 2 years. I started very late in life, but as they say it is never too late to start. I used to be quite active when I was younger but then discovered a whole bunch of activities which never lent itself to keeping in shape :-)

On 26 November 2015, I was rushed into hospital with extreme cramping in my abdominal area. I got to the emergency room where they immediately sent me in for testing as I was shaking and sweating profusely almost doubled over with pain, which was enough for the nurses to warrant immediate emergency assistance. I was then admitted and they ran a battery of tests. Eventually ending with the doctor standing at the foot of my hospital bed delivering what seemed to be a damning prognosis at the time.

Due to my unhealthy and extremely indulgent lifestyle, I had inadvertently driven my body to respond with a pretty stern warning, and that warning was delivered in the form of Pancreatitis.

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What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Pancreatic damage happens when the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the small intestine and begin attacking the pancreas.

There are two forms of pancreatitis: acute and chronic.

Acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that lasts for a short time. It may range from mild discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness. Most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely after getting the right treatment. In severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst formation. Severe pancreatitis can also harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

The best food choices for those suffering from chronic pancreatitis are
fruits,
vegetables,
whole grains,
legumes,
nonfat/low fat dairy,
lean cuts of meat.

Healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds, may be consumed with careful portion control.

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At first I was not exactly sure what that meant but after he gave me a brief but concise explanation he left, and I now had time to let it all soak in. I immediately started researching this "disease" on my phone, fumbling through any information, articles, forums, basically anything I could find pertaining to this subject. After hours of searching, and trying my best to educate myself I felt an overwhelming feeling of despair.

I was not one to wallow in self pity or despair, so this was not a feeling I was too familiar with so I decided to take a step back and just contemplate this new information. Information I, just a few short hours ago, was not aware of and certainly never imagined.

I was at a cross road, and I knew deep down that I had critical choices to make. After hearing everything the Doctor had to say, and doing all my own research, which included calling a friend of mine who is a Doctor, I started weighing up all my options, of which there really was only two.

My initial response, as I said was of despair, but after having a long conversation with my Doctor friend, he informed me that it was not necessarily a death sentence, all I had to do was change my lifestyle and all would be ok. That night I never had much sleep as I lay contemplating all that had just transpired, and I suddenly had a paradigm shift, my perception changed from one of negativity to elated excitement, at this new challenge that I was presented with.

I made a conscious decision to live...

It was now around 3am, I immediately started positive research, meaning, I now was searching for various diets and healthy eating plans. I started planning my exercise routines, by the morning, I had mapped out my entire life with new found vigor. I embraced what was ahead and smiled with self assurance. When my specialist arrived later that day, I gave him a breakdown of my plans and he agreed and together we worked out an official plan of action. I spent the rest of the week fine tuning everything I had laid out and by the time I was ready to be discharged I knew exactly what needed to be done.

The very day I left the hospital; I went straight to Virgin Active, our local gym down the road and signed up. I also made an appointment with a biokineticist. That was the Friday, by the Monday; I had gone grocery shopping for my new diet and also started my first gym session. I went to gym from that day 5 days a week, and started running 2 days a week, starting with short 5 Kilometer runs. One of which was parkrun, which I can’t thank enough for giving me the environment and opportunity to start training slowly at my own pace. – Thank you parkrun. I also started cycling.

Within 3 months I had changed my diet, which now consisted of much healthier options and I had gone from being 100 Kilograms to my ideal weight for my body, height etc. of 85 Kilograms. I had also completely given up any alcohol, which admittedly I did enjoy, but now do not miss it at all.

I have never felt better, I have boundless energy and my mind is clear.

On the Trail in Wessa uMngeni Valley, Howick - KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa.

I only have one regret, and that is that I never did this sooner. I am currently doing Trail and Road running, I do on average 2-3 races a month, and just recently completed my 3rd 21km race.

Pietermaritzburg City Marathon, 21km.

Taking all my nieces and nephews out on short 5km trails once a week.

1000 Hills Challenge.

Mandela Day Marathon. http://www.mandeladaymarathon.org.za/Official_Site/

"Sport has the power to change the world... it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers." _Nelson Mandela

Rhino Run - Save the Rhino project. http://therhinorun.com/wp
Our dream is to turn The Rhino Run into the biggest 1 day trail running event in the world by hosting Rhino Runs all over the planet, and at the same time uniting the global trail running community in a common cause – that of protecting and saving our rhinos!

The Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic - one of South Africa’s largest and most exciting cycle races on 22 October. The race starts in Pietermaritzburg and finishes on Durban’s Golden Mile. Make a weekend of it by enjoying a big race and a fantastic weekend away.
https://www.tsogosun.com/offers/amashova-accommodation-offer?utm_source=reprise&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=amashova-accommodation_search&gclid=CM_6_t7c0NYCFcUcGwod2uMEww

I am sharing this video which Hold Your Coffee produced and I feature in it at 3:01 in the white sleeveless top getting my jog on. lol.

Forgive me if it seems self indulgent, but I am extremely proud of how far I have come, and am strangely thankful for me being lead or rather forced onto this path.

There are so many other details I left out, as I wanted to try and keep this as short as possible, but I would like to add further to this story in future, giving the diet plan which helped me overcome this disease. I have since been back for full blood tests and all other related tests, and have been given the ALL CLEAR!!!

How the choices we make directly affects the quality of the life WE CHOOSE to LIVE.

I hope that this story could mean something to someone who is faced with a difficult situation and feel like all hope is lost. I have learnt that it is indeed our minds and how we choose to react is what ultimately determines the outcome.

Stay Blessed
m

Thank you to the following for references and inspiration

KZNTR
https://www.kzntrailrunning.co.za

HOLD MY COFFEE
https://holdmycoffee.co.za

PARKRUN – SOUTH AFRICA – DuZi parkrun
http://www.parkrun.co.za

TRAIL RACE WITH KZN Trail Running - WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve. This was one of my favourite races with many challenges and exciting climbs and single tracks.

This reserve on the edge of the Howick Falls is a true gem, rarely explored but breath-takingly scenic! Single track hugging the edge of the valley with thick bushveld, aloes and game as spectators.

The Course explores the clifftops and valley bottoms of the reserve, while the Medium Course traverses the Black Eagle trail.

KZNTR stands for KZN Trail Running
A Trail Running Company based in the Natal Midlands and have been operating since 2009. We play a central role in the sport by providing a trail running calendar with all of KZN’s events. We host a number of events throughout the year ranging from 5km through to 50km.

For more information:
https://www.kzntrailrunning.co.za

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