So, what’s this all about?

It’s sometimes hard to know where to begin an explanation of something that has been coming my whole adult life, so I will start with the event that triggered the birth of this blog.

A couple of weeks ago, I ended up in the hospital for almost a week as the result of acute pancreatitis brought on by a dangerous elevation of my blood-borne triglycerides. The condition was serious enough the doctors opted to reduce my triglyceride levels by removing them using a process called plasmapheresis. The whole experience was the most intense and painful thing I have ever experienced in my entire life, and I realized that I am willing to do extreme things to never have to experience it again.

That brings me to the reality of how I ended up in that state. The circumstances that lead to my hospitalization were not just the result of some unexplained biological malfunction, although there is also that element to the story. Instead, a large part of how I ended up in that state began decades ago when I, for a variety of reasons I suppose I may get into over the life of this blog, chose to stop taking care of my body.

In fact, over the past decade, I had pretty much given up on taking care of myself at all, most often with the excuse I had more important things to do. I didn’t. Instead, that excuse was worse than an excuse: it was a lie.

This blog will be my documentation of the refutation of that lie. Over the course of the next weeks and months and, perhaps, even years, I plan to document my journey away from the lie of not taking care of myself toward the truth of taking care of myself so I can do all the things I do better. I want to share this journey with anyone who cares to follow along for the accountability of it, for mutual encouragement, and to provide a place to document the things I discover along the way.

As to the name of the blog, once upon a time, I considered myself to be a rambler, or as the Irish call it, a rover. I tend to wander without being lost, and have long believed that the journey is more important than the destination. I suspect my journey back to health will follow the same meandering but purposeful path so many other parts of my life have.

So, this is all about finding my way back to a place I should have never left: healthy and productive. I invite you to join me on that road.

DLH

7 thoughts on “So, what’s this all about?

  1. I can clearly relate to your health situation. I’ve seen it in friends, family, & even myself. For several years now (despite knowing better), apathy & denial have lead to me eating poorly & becoming sedentary. Lately, I’ve noticed a significant change in my overall feeling of wellness. Like you, I’ve decided it’s well past time to make some changes & I’ve been looking into exercise routines & dietary habits (“gut health” in particular). I look forward to hearing what changes you implement as well as your progress in the upcoming months. Best wishes!

  2. First I congratulate you on identifying and accepting your situation. Everyone has had to deal with some mental, physical, emotional or financial set back so you are not alone. The biggest advice I can provide is to not let yourself (mind) get in the way. It will constantly tell you a million reasons to not do something. Stay motivated. Power through your own mind. You can do it Dennis. I’m proud of you and proud to be your friend.

    • Thank you, my friend. And you are right: staying out of my own way is going to be one of the biggest challenges I have going forward.

  3. Pingback: Reintroducing this blog | My View from the Ramparts

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