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February, 2013

chronic illness

5 Ways To Survive A Liquid Diet

For the past week, I have been on a clear liquid diet. I was able to try soft foods over the weekend but as soon as I did, the pain and nausea shot back up so I’m back on clear liquids until at least Friday. In other words, I could eat my left arm off.

Navigating the side effects and unexpected bumps in the road with chronic illness can be difficult and frustrating but sometimes you just have to try to find the humor to keep yourself moving forward. Here are 5 ways that I have attempted to survive my liquid diet without committing a crime:

1- Drink…a lot: I try to drink as much as possible but it has been difficult. I was drinking Ensure but had to stop when they moved me back to clear liquids so Coke has pretty much been my main source of calories. However, I am down 7 pounds already. It’s not working really well. It is tough to maintain a decent calories intake on Coke and popsicles.

2- Use meal break for things besides meals: My lunch breaks the last several days have been a toss-up in trying to keep myself thinking about things other than lunch. Today I went to the doctor with my husband (I learned what it was like to be on the other side of the exam table and I don’t like it. I feel so helpless when he hurts and I cannot fix it). Yesterday I spent it cleaning my floors. Good for my house, not for my hunger.

3- Stay distracted: My favorite form of distraction has been Ghost Hunters. I am up to season 6 in my collection. Anyone want to donate seasons 7 and 8?

4- Distract yourself some more: Sorry if you follow me on Pinterest and I’m blowing up your feed. I’ve got free time on my hands that I usually spend…you know…eating.

5- Plan your perfect first meal once you are cleared to eat again: When this is all over, I am going to get a nice juicy steak. The size of my head.

 

Anyone have any tips on surviving three more days of clear liquids only? I need all the help I can get!

 

chronic illness

Gearing Up for Endometriosis Awareness Month

Endometriosis Awareness Month kicks off on Friday and I cannot wait to get this year’s Blogging for Endometriosis Awareness campaign started

Festivities kick off on Friday with Yellow Shirt Day! Be sure to come back and link up showing off your yellow endo warrior pride! We will also kick off the month with a great giveaway as well! We have nine amazing sponsors that will allow us to host giveaways every week throughout the campaign! Be sure to visit our sponsors and give them a big THANK YOU and show them some love!

Throughout the month, we hope to take each and every opportunity possible to help educate others about endometriosis to help raise awareness and well as provide support, encouragement, and community for those struggling with this awful disease on a daily basis!

Here are some facts that I hope you can find useful in helping to raise awareness throughout the month:

  • Endometriosis is a disease in which the tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (called endometrium), if found outside the uterus, where it induces a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in scar tissue. It is primarily found on the pelvic peritoneum, ovaries, in the recto-vaginal septum, on the bladder, and the bowel.
  • Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide in the prime of their lives; 8.5 million suffer in North America alone.
  • It accounts for a significant loss of productivity of nearly 11 hours per woman, per week.
  • Endometriosis remains a leading cause of chronic pelvic pain and infertility, and accounts for nearly half of the 600,000 hysterectomies performed annually – though many may be needless, as the disease is not cured by the removal of the reproductive organs.
  • Endometriosis has the potential to significantly impair quality of life, sexual function and satisfaction, and negatively impacts relationships, emotional and physical health.
  • Annual associated costs to society due to endometriosis range between $70-100 billion annually.
  • Signs of endometriosis include crippling menstrual pain, pelvic pain that gets worse after sex or a pelvic exam, chronically heavy or long periods, bowel or urinary disorders associated with periods, painful sexual activity, particularly penetration, significant lower back pain with menses, and allergies, migraines or fatigue that tends to worsen around menses. (Facts and statistics from the Endometriosis Research Center)

What are some of the ways you plan on raising awareness this month? Are you excited?

chronic illness

Appointment Update: Call Me Maybe?

“Maybe” was the word of the appointment Tuesday at my gastroenterologist’s office.

Maybe my system is just a little sluggish.

Maybe my gastroparesis has just gotten worse.

or

Maybe there is in fact another obstruction on the horizon.

The last one scares me the most.

We did several x-rays in the office and they didn’t show an obstruction at that moment but my symptoms combined with my history raised some alarms. Before an obstruction forms, there is often some kinking and unkinking as scar tissue is working its magic so that could be what is causing the variance in symptoms and why nothing could be seen at the time. I had all of the same tests that showed similar results 3 weeks before my emergency surgery.

In effort to give my system a break, I’ve been on clear liquids only the last 48 hours and starting tomorrow I can transition to soft foods for the next week (the delicious gluten-free glazed donuts I ordered that were delivered today will just have to wait unfortunately). The clear liquids seemed to provide some relief from the pain and nausea but if reintroducing even soft foods causes symptoms to return, I am to call immediately. Any sudden increase or intensity of pain means I get my hiney to their ER immediately. She mentioned the two words NG Tube and I’ve been having nightmares ever since.

It really is a waiting game and its a game I am not very good at.

disclaimer

Information posted here should not be considered medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with physicians or other healthcare providers. A New Kind of Normal covers my personal experience and because every person's experience is unique, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare.

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