I ran into an old high school friend the other day. Mind you high school was 21 years ago and I have not actually seen this friend for at least 20 years. She asks about my recent health struggles and says something along the lines of, "well you seem to have your weight under control" as she smiles. I just smile and laugh and say, "oh I actually need to lose some more weight". We laugh it off and say how good it is to actually see each other again (as we only "talk" on Facebook). Little does this well meaning friend know that I have actually lost 35 pounds with my struggles in learning to live with Gastroparesis. So even though I am still quite over weight, it certainly doesn't mean that I haven't really been truly sick!
Sometimes we forget that even though we can't see the problem someone else is struggling with, it doesn't mean the problem isn't real and it doesn't have devastating effects on that person. I really don't think my old friend meant to be mean by her comment but it seemed that maybe she believed that I had not really been as sick as I had claimed.
I am doing amazingly well right now, but it has been a hard road to get to this point. At one point I was making regular trips to the ER because I would get so dehydrated from extreme vomitting and diarhea. For quite a while I was sick all the time, symptomatic every day. I've really had to work hard at figuring out what works for me and I am still discovering new things every day. I have learned SO much by reading Crystal Saltrelli's blogs, websites and Facebook posts. Crystal is an amazing person with so much information to give and she delivers it with such positivity. Because of Crystal's advice I have developed my own Comprehensive Management Plan that has worked wonders for me. I am currently living 90% symptom free!
Christina, I posted a comment earlier but not sure if its going to show up! I wanted you to know how encouraged I feel just reading this blog. I am newly diagnosed and very anxious. So many horror stories online just tie me up in knots, as though my stomach isn't already in knots. If I could only hear from people like yourself on a regular basis that you're making it work, that I'm not facing the END of a beautiful life I had so been enjoying...I need this encouragement like a drowning man needs a life raft right now. Thanks for being there.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much Ellen! This is precisely the reason I started this blog. When I was first diagnosed I felt like my life was turned completely upside down and had NO hope that it would turn around. It just seemed like EVERYTHING I ate made me SO sick. And the horror stories I read online were so discouraging. My best advice is just don't give up. It may take you some time to figure out what works for you, but try to keep a positive attitude (as hard as it may be at times)and you WILL find what works for you. Crystal Saltrelli has been a Godsend for me as she has for so many others as well. Hang in there Ellen and things will turn around. Another thing I have learned is do not try to rush your Comprehensive Management Plan. Take the time to really find what works for you. For me it has been a very slow process. I literally had to go to an all liquid diet and then slowly introduce foods to my system, one or two new foods per week. Keeping a journal really helps too. Depending on how slow your stomach empties, sometimes it is a day or two after you eat something before it makes you sick. Please don't be too hard on yourself, it will get better!
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