Hello everyone! I have returned from the dead! Actually I’ve been very much alive, but the past few months have been hectic to say the least (warning: this is not so much a tasting note as a life update note, so if you’re expecting tea stop now! I’ve commented a whole lot on this bad boy before so I thought it’d be a safe one to pick. Plus, it actually does tie in at the end. I promise!)
My boyfriend was diagnosed with ulcerative collitis two years ago, when he was 20. Usually when you’re young it’s an easy disease to control but he has been in a constant flare since then—if you know anything about uc, you’ll understand how totally hellish that was for both of us. None of his medications worked, the constant steroids they had to use to control the ulcers caused crazy mood changes, and he even had some very rare traits of the disease that his doctors had never seen (like ulcers on his appendix… and skin).
This summer we finally hit our limit. The disease had overwhelmed us. Surgery is a pretty extreme solution, because it involves cutting out his colon. Yup, the whole thing… at 22. And then rebuilding it 2 surgeries down the line, but it’s kind of insane to have to do something like that at this point in our lives (though we have been together for 5 years).
His family is not exactly… traditional, you could say (okay I’m being polite here they’re kind of extremely hard to deal with) and he had to have the surgery down in Philly since his doctor is there (which was worth it, since his doctor is AMAZING), but this necessitated me staying in the hospital with him. The entire time. Thankfully they do let non “family” members (at this point I consider myself family, and so does he!) stay over so I slept curled up in a chair, living off Lipton (Lipton!) for 6 days before he got the all-clear to go home. It was horrible, hellish, yet somehow a wonderful bonding experience that brought us together closer than ever, and perhaps I’ll write more about it later. But not now!
I said this tea came into play and indeed it did, because I brought it with me! His past room at UPenn had fridge, and this is his absolute favorite tea so I brought it to cold brew for him. Alas, surgery recovery rooms don’t include fridges because they want to carefully monitor the patients’ food & drink intake so neither of us had any good tea that week. So no tea for us, because Lipton brewed in coffee-tasting water is possibly the worst beverage on the entire planet.
There is no way I can ever hope to catch up on past notes since I’ve been binge drinking tea (kind of like chain smoking, except without all the bad stuff since unsweetened tea really has no negative sides!), but I’ll try to pop by more often and catch up on all the notes I’ve missed from you wonderful people! I’d also like to thank Kittenna for reminding me that I’d suddenly vanished—forgive me, but my social media obligations have been the last thing on my mind!
Welcome back and prayers for a speedy recovery!
Oh my word, that sounds awful. I’m so sorry that both of you have to go through that! The next time you’re in Philly let me know. I’ll bring you tea, and I’d be happy to sit with you while you’re boyfriend is in surgery. I’ve been there, and I remember feeling completely stircrazy a few hours in. If nothing else let me being you tea!
Lipton in coffee water. Been there. Blech! Hope there’s some deep-to-the-core rest ahead for both of you.
Oh wow! You are such a great support for him. Now you deserve some good tea!
nice to see you back Alphakitty – all the very best for you and your boyfriend
Goodness. So sorry to hear – that’s quite something to go through. I hope things improve for both of you after the surgeries.
Wow! I hope he heals quickly, and gets through those other surgeries easily as well. What a terrible thing to have to go through, especially at such a young age. He is so lucky to have you at his side, Alpha. Best wishes to both of you.
oh man hun. Glad to have you back but i wish you both all the love and luck in the world to get through these times.
Wow! So glad to have you back! But, sorry you and your fella had to go through all that.
I hope he feels better quick!
I think you deserve the biggest tea hug ever. So glad you have made it back, and that the hellish times are over (for now? hopefully the next two surgeries will be loads better xxo)
Thank you so much for the comments everyone <3 What an awesome thing to wake up to!
Oh dear! Poor thing! I really am sympathetic! My allergies have the same responses as colitis…yuck!
Sounds like the best decision considering the severity and that you tried everything else. Poor dear! Must be congenital since he’s so young.
My dad married my mom knowing she would be sick all her life and he dedicated his life to her. Your boyfriend is blessed to have you by his side. When I got sick, my husband divorced me.
I’m proud of you, and pray that the future will be filled with healing and joy for both of you! Selfless love is rare.
As someone who has a chronic condition, I can guarantee that your boyfriend appreciates your support and love more than he can ever say. Welcome back to the land of tea reviewing!
Many Blessings to both of you!
Best wishes for healing, I’m so sorry about your boyfriend’s illness!
♥♥ to you