I have been unable to write for about 2 months.

At its best, blogging is an unusual combination of wisdom, narcissism and passion. And, hopefully, there is some talent for putting words together in interesting ways. So I have hoped that my absence has been noted, and, even more, that my return will be welcome.

For more than 2 months, I’ve wondered how detailed, how personal, I should be in explaining my sudden absence. Since the experiences of the last two months have been life changing in every respect, I don’t see how to avoid telling at least a bit of the story.

Nala the Rhodesian Ridgeback enjoying my convalescence.

Linda Diane Feldt | Contributor

The week before Thanksgiving I had major abdominal surgery to remove more than a dozen fibroid tumors. For the second time, I carried the equivalent of a full-term pregnancy in my belly, my reproductive system gone haywire, causing all sorts of complications even to the point of being life threatening.

Ten years ago, I had these same tumors embolized - a radiological process where the blood supply is cut off to the tumors and they shrink. It was a fabulous success, although, ultimately, only lasting about 10 years. The first time around, the Uterine Artery Embolization required just a few days of recuperation, no pain and total elimination of all symptoms. The tumors slowly shrank, it took about a year. I would do it again, even though it eventually failed.

As a holistic health practitioner, I am often asked if I “believe” in conventional medicine. I never stopped believing. I just want us to combine holistic thinking, hands-on healing, herbs, and so many other "traditional" therapies proven over time with the brilliance and wisdom of modern medicine. The combination is truly awesome.

And so yes, I “believed” to the point of asking for my belly to be sliced open, my uterus and tumors removed and then stitched (and stapled) back up. And let me assure you, allowing oneself to go under the knife in this way is still a huge leap of faith. One that I enthusiastically participated in. Yes, I believe and am grateful to have one of the best medical facilities in the world right here - the University of Michigan Hospital.

The result was over 10 pounds of tumors removed, about a 15-inch incision closed with 58 staples, and a long period of rest and recovery. And a writers block like none I have ever before experienced.

It is now 5 1/2 weeks since my surgery, and I feel great. I did combine the conventional with alternative therapies.

I got off the drugs as soon as possible, while still acknowledging the importance of pain relief and minimizing inflammation to heal. I used homeopathic arnica montana while still in the recovery room and very small doses of echinacea tincture before and after the surgery to ensure I didn’t get sick. I took milk thistle tincture to help protect my liver from the side effects of so many drugs, comfrey tea and then St. John’s Wort Oil on the incision once it was closed.

I drank nettle infusion to bring my iron count back to normal after some blood loss (8.5 hemoglobin to 12.5 in less than three weeks). I drank ginger and ginseng infusions once I stopped the anti-inflammatory drugs and used the homeopathic arnica for pain once I could stop the narcotics, about a week after surgery. Slippery elm bark powder helped my digestive system get back on line.

I received energy bodywork the day of the surgery, as well as the next day. Gentle chiropractic as my body adjusted to sudden weight loss and an altered center of gravity. Massage, and relaxation work.

And food? Friends brought me food in the hospital. I didn’t trust that the food would be nourishing, or even vegetarian for that matter. Miso soup the first night was perfect, and I made my own oatmeal with a thermos and a bit of help from a nurse. A salad with grilled veggies was the perfect solid food the day after surgery, and then I was home for dinner - pumpkin soup.

I do believe that the wild foods, local foods, organic foods, whole foods and greens and lots of veggies and fruit are a part of the healing process. And I have been enjoying those more than ever. And chocolate. So many visitors brought me high quality chocolate. What a treat.

I am more in love with Ann Arbor than ever before. I should say the people of Ann Arbor. I had amazing care, every day, provided by friends who jumped in to feed me, bathe me, watch over me and walk my dog as well. It was an amazing experience of being showered with love and attention and care. Recovery would not have been possible without that help, and in 5 weeks I’ve progressed from near immobility to long walks and the ability to mostly take care of myself again. The simple action of getting up from a chair? I no longer take it for granted.

And I can write again. While the healing will continue over the next few months, my self-absorption that gained momentum before the surgery, and continued for so many weeks after, has finally waned. That makes writing possible again.

I have been tweeting about wild food and foraging this whole time. Those short updates were very doable. So even as so many plants have gone dormant, the ground has frozen so that digging roots is difficult, and there are far fewer treats to find outside, I have a lot to say and share. I’ll do a bit of catching up over the next few weeks. And winter is a great time to share recipes using the stores of food collected over the last year.

Thanks for listening. It feels great to be back and blogging again!

Linda Diane Feldt is a local holistic health practitioner, author and teacher. A student of the healing arts since 1973, you can follow her on www.twitter.com/wildcrafting. Or holisticwisdom.org Free classes on herbology are offered the fourth Thursday of each month, sponsored by The People’s Food Co-op.