First Christmas with A Gastric Stimulator

Yesterday was my first Christmas with the gastric stimulator. I have to say it was the best Christmas I have had in years. My husband and I came up with an idea at Thanksgiving to make our own traditions because I am always so stressed and lonely at the holidays. With us being in a new city with different surroundings and relatives, we were a little lost. Not only did I have trouble eating because of gastroparesis, but I do have Celiac disease and food allergies. At holidays it is very difficult to accommodate for me because contamination is also an issue. That would leave me feeling physically awful as well as emotionally left out. This year was a drastic turn-around.

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.

Tips For Reducing Holiday Stress For The Chronically Ill

A lot of stress comes with the holidays. It can increase even more if you have a chronic illness. Some of the major stressors during the holidays for everybody are long lines and crowds, seeing certain relatives, gaining weight, and money. Add to that any chronic illness and all of those stressors seem a bit greater. So, how should one handle the stress of the holidays. Remember it is just another day. Remember the things that are not stressful and focus on those. Who really wants to add to the burdens they already carry?

I'd like to offer up a few tips I have learned along the way. Keep in mind, I am only human and there is no way to have butterflies and sunshine everyday. First, let's start with long lines and crowds. An easy answer to that is to avoid them, but that is definitely not realistic. As your weaving through crowds or standing in long lines try to have a little compassion and empathy to those around you. Not one person in that long line is thinking "This is amazing, I'll never get home. Woohoo." Also, inching closer and closer to the person in front of you does not make the line move more quickly. It just violates every one's personal space including your own causing more tension. Realistically speaking, if you do have a chronic illness and long lines and/or crowds are difficult for you try to go shopping during non peak hours. During the week people are rushing to get things done on their lunch break or after work so go mid morning or mid afternoon when the crowds and lines may be a little more scarce.

Everyone has those relatives they dread seeing. Equally, everyone has those relatives the love seeing. Not always do they come in the same crowd or on the same holiday, but there is probably a good mix at any holiday. Try not to focus on the relative and definitely don't waste precious time preparing for the holiday dreading that person. You are only adding fuel to the fire. Another good thing to keep in mind is that many of the relatives you will be seeing do not see you on a daily basis. Sure, everyone in the family knows about your chronic illness, but do they understand? Probably not fully. With grace and dignity, hold your head high. Continue to treat and manage your illness as usual. Don't take comments of ignorance personally. Depending on your personality, you can politely educate this person or simply move forward with the celebration. Even the relatives you look forward to seeing are bound to make a misstep as will you. Let's not take things too seriously so we can enjoy the holidays as we should.

Gaining weight is a stressors that follows so many of us throughout the year and certainly increases with the holidays. There are a host of chronic illnesses that use weight management in conjunction with other treatments and therapies to manage the disease. That can definitely put a dent in the holiday fun. You can still enjoy a holiday party or meal without the weight gain. Many of us will chronic illnesses know enough about our condition to manage our weight, but like everyone else we like to be carefree sometimes and eat that cookie. An easy fix is to allow yourself those treats that may be possible with the illness you face. But work the treats into your "diet" , so to speak. If you know you want the cookie or piece of pie, skip the extra roll or sweet potato casserole. you can even ration the treats. There are going to be plenty of parties and meals and goodies throughout the holidays. Throw in treats here and there as suggested earlier and you can rest easy knowing weight gain is not inevitable.

Most importantly, maintain your management routine. Taking care of yourself is always number one, but for the holidays it allows you to fully embrace them. Medicines should be taken on time. Hydrate well and allow time for rest. If you regularly exercise, try to work physical activity in to your holiday experiences. Shopping burns calories, the walking is gentle on the joints, and you don't even realize your exercising while your enjoying yourself. Sleep is also essential. Life happens and you may not go to bed at the same time as usual or wake as normal, but do the best you can knowing you will pay for overextending yourself. This should be a general rule among all, not just the chronically ill. There is no shame in taking care of yourself so you can enjoy this holiday season and more to come.

Finally, money. When is money not an issue. Now matter how much we have there are so many opportunities to spend it, it always goes quickly while leaving you still needing more for that one thing you need. With an illness the finances are stretched a little further. Remember that the holidays are not about money. No one will think you love them more if the gift you get is top notch. If they do, they are shallow. It is such a good feeling to give to others and see them happy by what you have done. Gifts do not have to be bought. With sites like Pinterest, there are a million ideas out there for homemade or inexpensive yet thoughtful gifts. Do not give in to the propaganda of the holidays; give in to the joy the togetherness and remembrance of the holidays.

Anyone with a chronic illness is dragged down daily by this disease to manage. Know that the disease does not define you. It is as much a part of you as an arm or a leg, but it is simply one puzzle piece that makes the masterpiece that is YOU. We all deserve to celebrate. We all deserve some togetherness. Whether these things are wrapped in to holidays or otherwise, embrace every moment you have. Good or bad, it's another moment. How do you want to spend it?