Dr. Theodore Woodward once said something to the effect of, “When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don’t expect to see a zebra.” This example of Occam’s Razor simply means, in this part of the world, you are more likely to see a horse than a zebra. So when you hear hoofbeats, the simplest explanation, there are horses behind you, is probably the best.

I went to see my GP because the withdrawal symptoms are out of control. After losing 8.5 lbs in two weeks due to constant low-level nausea, having to miss 3 days of work because I felt so awful I could barely remember the code to unlock my phone, and spending two days asleep on the couch, I was officially done with feeling like this. Thankfully, my doctor’s office squeezed me in this morning and prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to get me through the fight or flight symptoms until the withdrawal runs it course.

While I was talking to my GP she mentioned how fascinating it was that before surgery, I had had so many disparate health problems, all caused by my airway issues, that no one was able to detect for decades. She said it made her think about all her patients and how important it is to look at the whole picture and if basic ailments are not going away with conventional means, maybe it’s time to think outside of the box.

Because while it would be rare to see a zebra. They are out there.

I’m really glad she saw a lesson in everything I went through and can use it to help others. I don’t want anyone else to have to experience this kind of thing again. Hopefully a little awareness can go a long way.