Today was my first day back to work since January. I worked only 3 weeks back then before a relapse. I stopped by the labs on my way into work to get tested for pork/bacon/ham this week. I started oatmeal today. It didn't sit super well, but I wasn't sure if that was work or the oatmeal or a combo. So, we'll see what tomorrow brings.
I had a decent day, but am pretty tired after work, then coming home, getting the kids in bed, washing dishes, and finally sitting down. I probably will be in bed by 9 :) The meds make me sleepy, so that is a constant struggle. Hopefully in time it will stop, but it's been like this for months, so I am having doubts. I just have to be patient and wait until I can get off of it at the end of the year. It'll be a nice Christmas gift to finish the trials in October, and taper off the meds by the holidays. I don't want to rush the year, but I definitely look forward to it.
I'm very grateful I'm doing better; I hope I'll be able to say the same for my brother really soon.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Passed 2 meats!
I just got the lab results, and the turkey labs came back normal. Eosinophils are still hovering in the middle of normal range. So, chicken and turkey are ok. This week I'm testing pork, which includes ham, pork chops, bacon - Adam is looking forward to this week, especially me making bacon which we rarely have. I'm curious how my gallbladder - or lack thereof - will adjust as the fat increases in my diet.
I went out to lunch for the first time since August 31, 2011. I visited some friends from my former employer, and we went to panera. I ordered the Strawberry Poppyseed salad - less the pecans and dressing as I haven't tested those yet. Basically an expensive chicken, lettuce and fruit salad, but it was nice to feel "normal" and go out.
I'm officially off the Neocate juice boxes. It took my GI tract a while to digest, but it was a huge accomplishment to get a full diet and get protein from the meats to get off the drinks. Unfortunately, I have nearly a full order from Apria in my possession. So, if anyone wants to try what I've been drinking, I'd be happy to provide Samples. I've heard of fundraisers like "Eat like Betsy for a day" where people fundraise then do my diet. I laughed when I saw it - so many people getting indigestion and diahrrea; it just doesn't seem like a nice thing to do for people that are raising funds for you.
I am feeling really good, exercising every night and not having any pain. I'm really glad I got the gallbladder surgery and really do wonder if this whole thing was caused by it and the rest of this mess was all the medication reactions (eg. prednisone). Oh well, too late to stop the trials now. I'm over halfway done . But even if it was all gallbladder attacks and my immune response to my GI tract, I won't return to Connie's to get deep dish pizza and test my fate. I feel bad; it's such a nice restaurant and good buffet, but brings back awful memories. I'll order Malnati's ;)
I head back to work next Tuesday. I'll stay on the psych meds and the GI meds at least until I finish the food trials. I've scheduled out every week of food trials this year, and I would have the 4th endoscopy on 8/6, and likely the last one on 10/1. The final group only has 8 foods, so it goes quick, but they are the most allergenic - peanuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, corn, peas, and beef. I can't wait. I told my parents we will have my birthday cake in October since I won't be through these trials by early August.
My parents and Adam have been great, making me foods I can eat and making extras so I can eat the same thing daily to ensure I'm not reacting. Lots of chicken and turkey. Tonight I had ham - it was yummy. I've got the strangest cravings, and must force myself into an exercise routine or I will get super fat come the holidays :) I want an Arby's roast beef sandwich and curly fries, chicken mcnuggets and a chocolate shake at McDonald's, a fried chicken sandwich at Wendy's with a frosty, our homemade yellow cake with buttercream frosting, milk and even dark chocolate, a nice glass of Reisling (which I hope to try in a week or so), a Potbelly Italian sub and an oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies, homemade chocolate chip cookies, milk duds, Giardelli Chocolate Brownies, Panera Italian sandwich with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, PIZZA, the list goes on. I guess we should start saving for eating out :) I thought I would list everything I've had cravings for, but it would be too long and probably depressing how many calories would be in it!
I feel that God has finally answered my prayers. This has truly been a humbling experience and I'm glad to be on the mend. I won't take my health for granted again. I'm really happy to be feeling good.
I went out to lunch for the first time since August 31, 2011. I visited some friends from my former employer, and we went to panera. I ordered the Strawberry Poppyseed salad - less the pecans and dressing as I haven't tested those yet. Basically an expensive chicken, lettuce and fruit salad, but it was nice to feel "normal" and go out.
I'm officially off the Neocate juice boxes. It took my GI tract a while to digest, but it was a huge accomplishment to get a full diet and get protein from the meats to get off the drinks. Unfortunately, I have nearly a full order from Apria in my possession. So, if anyone wants to try what I've been drinking, I'd be happy to provide Samples. I've heard of fundraisers like "Eat like Betsy for a day" where people fundraise then do my diet. I laughed when I saw it - so many people getting indigestion and diahrrea; it just doesn't seem like a nice thing to do for people that are raising funds for you.
I am feeling really good, exercising every night and not having any pain. I'm really glad I got the gallbladder surgery and really do wonder if this whole thing was caused by it and the rest of this mess was all the medication reactions (eg. prednisone). Oh well, too late to stop the trials now. I'm over halfway done . But even if it was all gallbladder attacks and my immune response to my GI tract, I won't return to Connie's to get deep dish pizza and test my fate. I feel bad; it's such a nice restaurant and good buffet, but brings back awful memories. I'll order Malnati's ;)
I head back to work next Tuesday. I'll stay on the psych meds and the GI meds at least until I finish the food trials. I've scheduled out every week of food trials this year, and I would have the 4th endoscopy on 8/6, and likely the last one on 10/1. The final group only has 8 foods, so it goes quick, but they are the most allergenic - peanuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat, corn, peas, and beef. I can't wait. I told my parents we will have my birthday cake in October since I won't be through these trials by early August.
My parents and Adam have been great, making me foods I can eat and making extras so I can eat the same thing daily to ensure I'm not reacting. Lots of chicken and turkey. Tonight I had ham - it was yummy. I've got the strangest cravings, and must force myself into an exercise routine or I will get super fat come the holidays :) I want an Arby's roast beef sandwich and curly fries, chicken mcnuggets and a chocolate shake at McDonald's, a fried chicken sandwich at Wendy's with a frosty, our homemade yellow cake with buttercream frosting, milk and even dark chocolate, a nice glass of Reisling (which I hope to try in a week or so), a Potbelly Italian sub and an oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies, homemade chocolate chip cookies, milk duds, Giardelli Chocolate Brownies, Panera Italian sandwich with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, PIZZA, the list goes on. I guess we should start saving for eating out :) I thought I would list everything I've had cravings for, but it would be too long and probably depressing how many calories would be in it!
I feel that God has finally answered my prayers. This has truly been a humbling experience and I'm glad to be on the mend. I won't take my health for granted again. I'm really happy to be feeling good.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Started 2nd meat today!
No, this whole experience has not turned me into a Neocate Juice Box fanatic or a vegetarian. I've been craving meats for months. Last Monday, after my endoscopy, I started chicken. Today I found out I'm not allergic. I got to start turkey, and made turkey, sweet potatoes (mashed but plain), cranberries, and a salad for dinner. It has been really nice to start eating two meats, and eat what Adam and Drew are eating.
It's strange to think in 2 weeks from tomorrow, I'll be back at work. I left work in May 2011 just before Lucy was born, was on maternity leave 3 months, went back for 3 weeks, got sick with EoG, back to work in January for 3 weeks, then on disability. It'll be essentially a full year that marks my return. Time has flown by looking back, but remembering the pain and the mental aspects I went through, I remember how the days dragged on and how I just wanted to sleep the days away and feel good when I woke up. I'm finally here - well, tired, but here.
I've been relieved to not experience any issue with my gall bladder removed, and the abdominal pain went away after it was gone. I've fully recovered and have 4 scars. I figure with 7 scars on my back for mole removal, a pacemaker scar, heck, what's a few more. The surgeon was more concerned than me :)
So, I've been thinking... since things are rolling along so smoothly. Could this whole thing have been triggered by my gall bladder? It got bad during pregnancy, I had a gallbladder attack after Connie's (that was a high fat meal), and was so inflammed inside due to the gallbladder in such bad shape, eosinophils started attacking the entire GI tract. I don't know how plausible that is, but I remember my allergist stating that my surgery spiked eosinophils in my blood. So, knowing I had inflammation in my GI tract, maybe the Eos were there because of it. It would kind of explain why on my first trip to the ER, my Eos counts were normal. Second trip - after I started eating more chicken broth, they were through the roof. I'm not sure if we could ever prove the theory, but Dr. Gordon said it definitely could have been my gallbladder the whole time. I will still continue the food trials, but I'm thinking now that I'm not allergic to anything. We shall see.
My next scope is August 6th, just after my birthday. I have to test pork, turkey, ham, tuna, oats, barley, rye, all nuts (individually per week), and beans (maybe I'll skip that for now). After the 8/6 scope, we're on to the final trials, which will be 8 weeks of high allergy items. That means, I'll be done by early October. Yippee! The end is year, and I can hopefully indulge in chocolate just in time for halloween. No cake for my birthday, but it's a small sacrifice when I can eat so much other stuff.
I'm happy things are finally looking up, and I'm feeling good. The tiredness is irritating, but I'm able to push through most days. Thanks for the prayers; I feel God has finally heard us and answered me. It was a nice mother's day feeling good :)
It's strange to think in 2 weeks from tomorrow, I'll be back at work. I left work in May 2011 just before Lucy was born, was on maternity leave 3 months, went back for 3 weeks, got sick with EoG, back to work in January for 3 weeks, then on disability. It'll be essentially a full year that marks my return. Time has flown by looking back, but remembering the pain and the mental aspects I went through, I remember how the days dragged on and how I just wanted to sleep the days away and feel good when I woke up. I'm finally here - well, tired, but here.
I've been relieved to not experience any issue with my gall bladder removed, and the abdominal pain went away after it was gone. I've fully recovered and have 4 scars. I figure with 7 scars on my back for mole removal, a pacemaker scar, heck, what's a few more. The surgeon was more concerned than me :)
So, I've been thinking... since things are rolling along so smoothly. Could this whole thing have been triggered by my gall bladder? It got bad during pregnancy, I had a gallbladder attack after Connie's (that was a high fat meal), and was so inflammed inside due to the gallbladder in such bad shape, eosinophils started attacking the entire GI tract. I don't know how plausible that is, but I remember my allergist stating that my surgery spiked eosinophils in my blood. So, knowing I had inflammation in my GI tract, maybe the Eos were there because of it. It would kind of explain why on my first trip to the ER, my Eos counts were normal. Second trip - after I started eating more chicken broth, they were through the roof. I'm not sure if we could ever prove the theory, but Dr. Gordon said it definitely could have been my gallbladder the whole time. I will still continue the food trials, but I'm thinking now that I'm not allergic to anything. We shall see.
My next scope is August 6th, just after my birthday. I have to test pork, turkey, ham, tuna, oats, barley, rye, all nuts (individually per week), and beans (maybe I'll skip that for now). After the 8/6 scope, we're on to the final trials, which will be 8 weeks of high allergy items. That means, I'll be done by early October. Yippee! The end is year, and I can hopefully indulge in chocolate just in time for halloween. No cake for my birthday, but it's a small sacrifice when I can eat so much other stuff.
I'm happy things are finally looking up, and I'm feeling good. The tiredness is irritating, but I'm able to push through most days. Thanks for the prayers; I feel God has finally heard us and answered me. It was a nice mother's day feeling good :)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
On to food trials round 3!
Well, I'm happy to report all good news. My endoscopy on Monday showed inflammation of the stomach, but I passed enough to start the third group of food trials. I have weeks mapped out until September on what I try - I started chicken this week. It seems to be setting well and I haven't reacted. Blood work on Monday; next scope on August 6th. This food trial has all white meats, beans, fish, and nuts. It'll take me until August to pass everything. I'm just excited to be cutting down from the juice boxes.
I've been pain free since my gall bladder surgery so I'm still happy we made that choice. The psych meds are working well. After the kids go to bed, I work out for 20 minutes and then go to bed. At least tiredness is my only side effect. I'm still planning to return to work after memorial day; I just spoke with my boss today.
I'm very grateful things have turned around. I still can't believe it's been 9 months now and Lucy is a year old already. It's amazing how time flies. We hope to celebrate a nice mothers day and hopefully Dave will be showing health improvements by then as well. I really appreciate the prayers. It's been a long journey but we are surviving. Makes you really appreciate life and all the people God blesses you with along the way.
BTW - the doctor at Loyola seemed a little overwhelmed by my case. She recommended sticking with my current team at Northwestern for consistancy. She reminded me I'm more than halfway done, and it was worth finishing and having the same doctor continue the endoscopies. Makes sense; we're sticking through it.
BTW - the doctor at Loyola seemed a little overwhelmed by my case. She recommended sticking with my current team at Northwestern for consistancy. She reminded me I'm more than halfway done, and it was worth finishing and having the same doctor continue the endoscopies. Makes sense; we're sticking through it.
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