I Started Gardening Because of Illness And Now!

Dr Theresa Phillips
Aug 12
2 min read

A couple of years ago, I kept having a digestive issue that consistently took me to the hospital.

Severe pain in my side.

Not appendicitis, but they kept telling me I had diverticulitis, but the pain was on my right side.

In the meantime, my body was swelling, and my abdomen looked horrendous.

On another trip to the hospital I was told it's your age and it comes with age.

I could not buy that, I was in pain!

One night it was so bad I drove myself to the hospital and there they found it—an internal hernia that had burst and part of my intestine had jumped into the hole and tied a knot!

I was in pain but we also had several members of family and church who were passing or passed away in 2 months' time and I could not do anything about it.

Well, on one trip back from Wisconsin I said to my Robert I may not make it.

We got home, saw a surgeon, and immediately he took me into surgery. Whew! We prayed all the way and the doctors prayed too. ( I was grateful I had a beleiving Dr)

When I came out of surgery they said it was worse than imagined. I said God has me here for a reason. The doctor said I believe you.

It happens during that time when the knot was stuck my intestine stretched an extra 6 feet ALL UP FRONT making my belly HUGE!

Ugh, no diet helped.

We did some research and knew some exercises would help and of course keeping healthy gut routines.

So I planted a garden.

Potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, onions... These contain fiber to help keep things regular.

I planted herbs: sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender, parsley, chamomile, nasturtiums. Roses!

I have a fitness app and weights, etc.

Still, many times I have that belly. Sometimes I dont. YAY!

But something has happened. My blood work is normal. Organs normal.

I do have pain from time to time but I'm working on it! The surgery was long and invasive BUT God!

I'm baking, cooking, and enjoying a small bit of homesteading. I'm outside more often, I'm realizing I'm enjoying life and cherish going to markets, asking questions, and yes, I'm freezing veggies and making jams... Life is interesting.

But here is what I want to leave with you. Ive learned to appriciate this scripture more than ever.