If I don’t make it through this…

“If I don’t make it through this I want you to promise me you will not sell Biasini. I don’t want him to be taken by someone who will just ride the hair off him and when he’s broken just dump him. Promises me that.” My husband agreed without hesitation. I was in the critical care section of the ER. I had been told that I was “very sick”.

Fast forward…… turned out I had colicked. That is what they call it when a horse gets a blocked or twisted intestine and is in severe pain and difficulty. Luckily for me my blocked small intestine released itself enough for the crisis to pass. Almost 20 years ago I had extensive abdominal surgery for cancer and the scar tissue left behind can mess up the intestines even years later.

Five days later I was allowed to go home and given extensive information about how I was going to have to change my diet. No fiber! All that healthy whole wheat eating….never again. Well, if it means I can avoid another blockage I’ll do it.

And what was my first port of call once I got out of the hospital? To the barn to see Biasini. He greeted me and gave me a nice nuzzle . I’m not back to riding for another couple of days and in the meantime my coach Belinda Trussell is riding him and I have the pleasure of watching her. I took some video with my phone. The background noise is the rain.

Here is Belinda asking Biasini for his best trot. What I like about watching Belinda ride is seeing how quick she is making corrections and how subtle but effective those corrections are.

Here is some canter work with Belinda asking for collection and then asking Biasini to go forward.

I will be back riding by the end of this week and maintaining my no fiber diet! Two great joys of this diet ….white bread which I love and …..no kale which is wonderful because I loathe it. 😃

The featured image for this post is taken at Markham Stouffville Hospital and is a sculpture with the names of donors to the hospital engraved on it.

Comments

65 responses to “If I don’t make it through this…”

  1. O.D. Avatar

    Im so happy to know you’re doing okay. I saw your comment on my post and realized I had to catch up with your posts ASAP.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you. We never know what life will throw at us. But I am grateful that I got excellent care in the hospital and was back riding within a few days of getting home. I am lucky to be an older person. Many do not make it to 70 so I am fortunate. I appreciate you taking the time to leave this kind and supportive comment

      Liked by 1 person

  2. David Avatar

    We’re back on the horse show tour, it doesn’t avail itself well to reading blogs, especially when on public wi-fi.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I understand. I hope horses and riders are doing well and enjoying it.

      Like

    2. David Avatar

      And, why does WP submit a comment automatically?

      Getting back to my thought, I thought you were relaxing, enjoying the start of your summer. Then, I read about you becoming colicky. I’m glad you are doing better. I like cinnamon rolls too, so there’s the upside (lol). You had some excellent guest riders in your stead.

      Stay off the injury list now. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. anne leueen Avatar

        I am doing my best. I have been assigned a low fiber diet and I am sticking to it religiously! I am back in the saddle and we are in training and coach Belinda has not shown me any mercy due to my colic.🤣

        Liked by 2 people

  3. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Glad to hear you are home and doing well!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you sascha!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Avery Avatar

    Glad you are on the mend!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Avery!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. violaetcetera Avatar

    It’s good to hear you got through this. Enjoy being back in the saddle!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you and I’m going for a hack in the forest today as we finally have a nice sunny day.

      Like

  6. iScriblr Avatar

    So glad to hear you are on the road to recovery, Anne. Healing prayers!🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you! I appreciate healing prayers.

      Like

  7. Wild Atlantic Rider Avatar

    Welcome home and thank goodness you’re ok! Biasini was very pleased to see you by the sounds of things X

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes he was which is nice. Today it is sunny at last so I will take him out for a hack in the forest. Thanks for your sympathetic comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Laura Wodar Avatar
    Laura Wodar

    I couldn’t believe my eyes when I began reading this post? My fingers and toes are crossed hoping that things continue to improve as they are. Biasini looks beautiful! I hope you are able to have real butter with that bread!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I can have butter on the bread and honey or Nutella or peanut butter as long as it is the smoother peanut butter.😀 thanks for your comment.

      Like

  9. whippetwisdom Avatar

    So glad you’re back home again dear Anne, that sounds like a very scary experience. Biasini looks wonderful in the video and it’s lovely he gave you a welcoming nuzzle 💜 We wish you a speedy recovery and send healing thoughts and much love to you and Biasini from all of us here 🤗💖🐎 xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Xenia. It was a very unpleasant experience but my body sorted itself out and I am optimistic that if I follow the prescribed diet I will be able to carry on as before. Thank you so much for your comment and healing thoughts. Much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Emma Cownie Avatar

    I can’t imagine how tough a no fiber diet must be, but obviously, you do what you have to avoid terrible colic! Watching Biasini is almost as good as riding him yourself.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      It is wonderful to see him ridden by someone of Belindas expertise. He is a very talented horse. It is interesting to see that he tries all the same things with her as he does with me! Thank you for commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Emma Cownie Avatar

        Ah well, at least you know its not just you he tries it on with!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. jennymarie4 Avatar

    Oh no, glad you’re feeling better! Take care, wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thanks for this comment. It cheered me up!😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. jennymarie4 Avatar

        Aw, I’m glad! xx

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Gavin & Wyatt Avatar

    Excellent news! Rest up and get well soon.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. eventerinprogress Avatar

    I am so so glad to hear you’re doing ok!

    Sending all the recovery vibes to you x

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you I appreciate those vibes very much!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Alli Farkas Avatar

    Wow! Glad you didn’t have to have “colic surgery”–you’d be out on stall rest way too long! I loved watching Belinda ride Biasini. She just flows right with him. I totally get the part about quick tiny corrections. My trainer is always urging me to be quicker and quieter. Fortunately she occasionally lets me know that I’m getting there…Hope to see you back in the saddle soon💗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I am immensely glad not to have had colic surgery and stall rest! It is nice to watch Belinda ride Biasini and to see that he throws the same things at her as he throws at me but she is so quick to say Nope! Thanks for your comment.

      Like

  15. Nurul Fitri Lubis Avatar

    Glad to know that you’re out of hospital, Anne. I wish you the speed recovery. Can’t wait to see you and Biasini rock again. Get well soon.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Nurul. I am on the mend!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. dprastka Avatar

    I’m so thankful you made it through that very scary, painful ordeal. Colic sounds dreadful, and I’m so thankful you’ll be able to ride soon. The videos are WONDERFUL, so happy you could see your horse in action! I’m sure he was very happy to see you! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      He was happy to see me /He even gave me a hug which is not like him as he is not a snuggly fellow. It was a pretty bad experience and I know that riding will help me to put it behind me. Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. cagedunn Avatar

    Speedy recovery wishes

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Judy Avatar

    Beautiful… good for the soul. I can’t tolerate much fiber either. I love white bread, not the balloon bread that can be squished into a tiny ball. 😀 Spend the money on the yummy good kind. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thanks Judy I will start to research and experiment with the different white breads.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. sandyjwhite Avatar

    So glad to hear you are on the road to recovery, Anne. Take care!

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Robyn Avatar

    So glad to hear you are feeling better and will be riding again soon. What a scare!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes it was the worst! I’ve had quite a bit of medical history nothing as dramatic as this. I will be riding again tomorrow. Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it!

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Laura Avatar

    Continued healing, Anne, I am thankful that you’re able to heal and ride again. Biasini is such an incredibly beautiful part of your life. My prayers are with you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Laura I certainly appreciate your prayers.

      Like

  22. susiesopinions Avatar

    So pleased it wasn’t life threatening, and that you are home. Please take it easy so we don’t have to worry ❤🥀💐🌷🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Susie. It was touch and go there but the medical team were great and looked after me well. Best of all no surgery was needed. I will be very vigilant about my no fiber diet and i will look after myself. I promise.

      Like

      1. susiesopinions Avatar

        You had better. I know how hard it is with diets, because of Len ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  23. cigarman501 Avatar

    So glad you made it through it! Don’t go riding too quickly.

    Liked by 2 people

  24. I'm Just Horsing Around Avatar

    So glad you’re ok! What a scare. Glad you’re able to get back to riding quickly. Our horse is truly our best medicine.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Our horses are healers for sure. Thank you.

      Like

  25. Irene Avatar

    Oh, my goodness! So glad you are well enough to be released from the hospital. I am sure Biasini is as well. Surprised by a diet of no fiber. I would have thought just the opposite. No kale – good. Cinnamon rolls are made with white flour – very good. 😁

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I think the low fiber is because it makes less bulk going through the intestines and since somewhere in my insides there is a narrowed part that has an adhesion to some old scar tissue it is less likely to cause a twist or blockage with less bulk. And thanks for the cinnamon roll suggestion. I love those!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Cyranny Avatar

    Oh my… My heart skipped a beat when I read the first line of this post!! What a relief to know that all is well now (given the circumstances)! I’m sending you mega big virtual *hugs* xx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for those hugs. I appreciate them! Whe I said that to my husband it was the worst of it .My blood work had come back dreadful and my blood pressure was stratospheric. I also went into shock and started shaking uncontrollably. But….they got me on an IV for fluid and a pain killer and it all started to turn around. What a relief!

      Like

  27. map195 Avatar
    map195

    its fAntastic

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Lys Avatar
    Lys

    Thank goodness you’re on the mend x x

    Liked by 2 people

  29. Elayne Avatar
    Elayne

    Thank goodness you’re on the mend x x

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Paula Light Avatar

    I’m glad you’re out of the hospital!

    No kale… bonus! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Shelagh Northey Avatar
    Shelagh Northey

    Hooray!!! So relieved you are making it through this ordeal! Thank you for your wonderful, wonderful blog! Wishing you a speedy recovery and good rides ahead with Biasini.

    Liked by 2 people

  32. Katrin Avatar

    I’m glad you are recovering from your bout of colic!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Katrin for 😀

      Like

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