I decided I would celebrate holidays the night before so I could enjoy the company of family and friends on the actual day of celebration. Feeling physically better helped out a lot too. For Thanksgiving I made meatloaf and gravy, my grandmother's recipe, with garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes. Keep in mind I was 4 months out of the implantation and still recovering. This was the first real meal I had cooked since the surgery. This meal would have been completely impossible for me to ingest 4 months prior without serious consequences. It was delicious and I got to enjoy with my husband and son. The next day we joined family so my husband got a traditional Thanksgiving meal and I enjoyed the company with my food in my belly since I ate before at home.
This Christmas was equally joyful. The day before my son made me brownies for a dessert. He is eight years old and so compassionate. They were gluten free. All I did was measure and put them in the oven. He did it all. I am so proud. Then, I moved on to making some chicken strips with baked potatoes. Do you see the theme? I love potatoes apparently, but these are comfort foods I enjoyed before my life consisted of smoothies and scrambled eggs. My husband and I ate before we went to our Christmas Eve mass. After we returned home, my son and I enjoyed his brownies. Thoroughly enjoyed I should say. Then, Christmas day.
As I said, BEST Christmas in years. Thanks to family, we received plenty of gifts to fill our living room. Our son woke up to Santa's gifts with so much excitement. He quickly moved on to the wrapped gifts. Luckily, my husband and I were able to get him a few things as well. It was so nice to be in our own living room, in pajamas with bedhead opening gifts together. Previously, we waited all day until we gathered with family. Yesterday we enjoyed the company of family and friends again with a traditional meal as well. I ate my food shortly before we headed out. Then, we came home back to our pajamas and relaxed while watching movies my son received for Christmas as he went from one toy to the next, loving every minute of it. My husband and son kept saying how much they had enjoyed the day as well.
I had not one complaint. I think they enjoyed it because it was great, but also I wasn't lying on the couch in pain. I wasn't asking to leave every 30 minutes because I was tired and achy. I was actually able to enjoy my presents. I had nothing on my shoulders taking away from any of it. Nothing in the back of my mind holding me down.
Many may be wondering what I am eating prior to joining the rest of the world for these celebrations, but also on a normal day. I still drink a protein shake for breakfast with a banana. Bananas have been a staple in my diet since before I can remember. The shake has tons of nutrients and the protein content helps healing as well as compensate for the protein I struggle to ingest. Protein and roughage, like lettuce, will probably be a struggle forever. They are both very difficult for a healthy person to digest. For me it feels like a brick is sitting in my belly for days. Another reason my holiday meals are so enjoyable. I make sandwiches like wraps with rice tortillas. I love potato chips....any potato really. I drink one all natural soda a day called Zevia. It is sweetened with stevia instead of artificial sweeteners. Chemicals like pesticides and preservatives or artificial anything really makes me sick for days. I still love eggs, but now in any fashion not just scrambled. I really can eat fairly normal except a little healthier than the average American. I have to avoid dairy completely, but I have vegan cheese. I also have to ration things like strawberries and cucumbers and watermelon. Overall, I think my quality of life has improved so much.
I have not gained a single ounce since the beginning of October. My doctor is fine with that though because technically I have gained about 15-18 pounds since my discharge after implantation of the gastric stimulator. My color looks so much better. A lot of people comment on that and it makes me feel good. I am able to walk my small dog several times of days as well as exercise at least 5 days a week. I usually do yoga alternated with long walks for 30-45 minutes. I enjoy the catharsis, but it stimulates digestion. This is due to gravity, body movement bouncing the insides a little, and it actually massages the intestines. Again. many are commenting on my stronger looking physique as compared to the sickly look I had a few months back. The stimulator is, as I have said, the size of a large pocket watch or a slightly (I emphasize slightly) thinner hockey puck. I am 5'2" and worth a buck so it does pop out. My abdomen is still sensitive but improving little by little. I am just enjoying the new lease on life this tiny little thing and technology has given me.
I am just on top of the world right now and eager to see what life has to offer in the coming years. Bring on 2014 and many more.
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