After I had my first and worst gallbladder attack, I was so scared by it that I just wanted it dealt with. I wanted an operation, as soon as possible. With hindsight, I am grateful that the NHS took two weeks to process my blood test. Because in those two weeks I had time to think and I decided to set out on an amazing journey.

I tried an alternative to surgery, hoping that I would be able to keep my body intact. A gallbladder, after all, has a function and keeping it would be a good thing. As it happens, the alternative didn't work. In the week after I tried the purge, my gallbladder gave me increasing pain, until on the Friday I contacted the surgeon. I really didn't want to take the risk of my internal organs becoming inflamed. Such as spreading infection is potentially lethal - I know because my dad narrowly survived one. I saw the surgeon on Saturday and we agreed on an operation on Monday. Having decided, there was no point putting it off any longer.

That's about ten days ago now. I am repairing really well. Things inside are still a bit uncomfortable at times, but I'm off the painkillers and I feel fine. What the long term effects will be I have no idea. I'll just have to live with it and listen to what my body tells me. I trust that I will find the diet and lifestyle that will keep me healthy.

After all that, I'm just so grateful for the journey I have been on. It still amazes me that my spirits told me something was wrong and that I had to do something drastic about it. This has made my relationship with them so much stroger. I am thankful that I did the detox and tried the purge.It wouldn't have felt right to not try. The process changed my attitude to food and my relationship with my body, all for the good.

I am also grateful for the work I was led to to with my ancestors. This part of the story is far from finished. These last couple of weeks, because of the operation, my spiritual practice has been pretty much non-existent. With the New Moon yesterday, I re-started my three moments of daily practice. It is lovely to go outside again and listen to life slowing down to winter sleep in my garden. And to sit in meditation in the evening.

One of my guiding spirits has taken charge of my evening meditation. He says he is going to teach me how to turn this practice into a sanctuary where I can develop my relationship with my ancestors. That sounds good to me! I'll just have to see how that goes.

Although having my gallbladder removed sounds pretty final and the end of the road, it doesn't feel like that. If anything, this whole episode is more like a new beginning. I can see many new journeys ahead, to do with accepting myself and with getting to know my ancestors of blood, of place and of spirit. I'll let you know how it goes!