Forty-seven years after being shot, I believed in healing–body and soul. I thought work hard and the Grace of God would give me strength and heal wounds in my belly and heart.
I did heal and get better but the Violence continues. The violence of 47 years replays in my head. Daily violence all around us are reminders that even with hard work there is much more to do.
From the beginning after being shot I struggled with digestion due to wound to abdomen and then I’d be ok.
Since 2007 I have experienced 1 or 2 episodes a year. My doctors ordered a CT Scan and Colonoscopy but nothing showed up to treat. I used Acupuncture and Chinese Herb Pills to maintain. I stopped eating Sugar, Gluten and Dairy.
The Violence continues as I deal with digestion problems regularly. I think– Is this it? Am I going to be ok today or Will this go into a major episode?
As of January 2022 I made it through 31 months without an episode. I was grateful to stay well. I used Acupuncture, Chinese Herb Pills, Diet Restrictions, Yoga, Peppermint Oil, Chewing Gum, Regular Exercise, Kid Interaction at Work, Resting and De-stressing.
Then last winter I had 3 episodes in 2 months. As Aging kicks in at 74 years old, the episodes happened more often. I thought this sickness was behind me but NO here it is back to haunt me. The affects of the Shooting Nightmare December 3, 1975 continues.
The nightmare never ends.
The memories still drag me down and cause me to suffer.
The Violence is never far away. It can visit me unexpected.
Why does this happen when I have an episode? The scar tissue from the bullet wound creates adhesions or a web like material that blocks the food from going through smoothly. I get really bad cramps with my belly getting tighter and tighter like a rock is inside. Then my digestive tract convulses. The pain is beyond excruciating. I am in AGONY. The pain takes me back to being shot again.
Here we go again. Deal with It!
I do make my way through the convulsions and fall asleep from exhaustion. Then it takes 3–4 days to get my strength and some appetite back.
In May of last year I went to Digestive Health Partners for help after waiting 3 months for an appointment. I continued Acupuncture and took Shu Gan regularly and Bao He for emergencies. In May I saw the GI specialist. He ordered bloodwork and CT Scan and said if nothing showed up there wasn’t much they could do. He suggested blending roughage to help food move through easier. I got blood work and CT Scan and nothing showed. I tried blending roughage. We talked about surgery but GI specialist said surgery could create more adhesions and make it worse. I started feeling better with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs and De-stressing my life so I stopped blending my roughage.
In May I retired from my job as Nursery Supervisor at First Presbyterian Church downtown Asheville which I held for 20 years and Loved. I worked at simplifying my life and went for almost 6 months without an episode. Then I had a back to back stressful two days and ate some raw kale. The next day I got sick with an episode. My GI Specialist had asked me to go to ER the next time I got sick. My husband took me and we waited for 6 ½ hours for a room. A CT Scan showed there was a blockage. They proposed surgery. I said I didn’t want to do this. They inserted a nasal/gastro tube down my throat to pull up anything that could cause a blockage.
Now 20 weeks from this last episode I feel like I sit on a land mine. Will it go off again?
I feel stronger. I have blended my roughage for over 4 months now. I still get Acupuncture and use Shu Gan every day to help with my digestion and Bao He for emergencies. I pick and choose my activities. I work in the garden or walk every day. I hike every week. I do stomach massage 3xs a day. I practice yoga and do physical exercises every day. I get therapy that helps with the trauma. I use calming exercises to relieve anxiety.
The long term grueling affects of Gun Violence is hard for the general public to understand. The lasting impact of surviving gun shots to the body and heart takes many, many years. My struggles in the aftermath of being shot are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many survivors struggling to get better as we see mass shooting after mass shooting.
We need to end Gun Violence so this Havoc of being shot Stops.
Healing from Gun Shots 