Day 3: I'm Still Here

I guess the question should be "How did I get here in the first place?" Here's a bit of backstory: Seven years ago I was infected by Giardia that happened to be swimming laps with me in a pool. It's a nasty little parasite (they're all little, really, but so invasive) that wreaked havoc on my gut. It went undiagnosed for a few months and by then the opportunistic critters had opened up a parasite hotel, inviting all their friends and relatives to stay free of charge—doors are open fellas, come on in! I tested positive for toxoplasma, trichinella, C-difficile, candida and a tapeworm. Yes, major yuck. With the help of a brilliant and caring Naturopath I was able to evict almost all the squatters and years later live a mostly healthy life. But I was left with numerous food allergies that continue to haunt me today (or should I say taunt?): gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and others that I am intolerant to. Somehow I managed to find substitutions. I've created dozens of recipes that I hope will someday become a cookbook. Still, I'm left with two symptoms: gas and bloating. Annoying mostly, but occasionally sleep disrupting and uncomfortable. Then last winter holiday season I entered a baking contest using my newfound skills at dairy-free, gluten-free baking. The recipes were fun and delicious, if I do say so myself, but they were NOT sugar-free. Every good baker must test their creations, and test I did, with wild abandon and delight. But weeks later I paid the price—the systemic candida was back with a vengeance and I haven't been able to rid myself of this pest since. And do you think I won the baking contest? No! Not even an honorable mention, for crying out loud!
A practitioner suggested the GAPS diet and after doing some reading online (gaps.me) I decided to give it a go, not quite so casually but desperation has a way making hard decisions, if not easier, at least a little more persuasive. More on the Gaps specifics soon. Off to enjoy some more chicken soup. Oy!