I’ve made a few decisions this year regarding my health. I seem to do this every year, however, I never stick to it for one reason or another. First things first: I am keeping a food diary. Since Crohn’s can be affected by what you eat, I figured I need to keep an eye on my “trigger” foods. Foods that make me feel good versus foods that make me worse. So far I haven’t seen much of a pattern, but its still early yet. I will make another post on how I did this in case anyone wants any advice on how to go about this :D (Click http://www.thefoxyfemme.com/?page_id=203 to see my explanation/example)
Secondly, I have been collecting recipes. Some healthy for you, some not so healthy, but really yummy looking. Since my eating habits have to vary from other “healthy” eaters, I have done research in how to substitute, or completely remove, items from some of them, or just how to make my own version that I can actually eat.
Third, and this is due to my latest ER trip, I have decided to make a “hospital bag”. This will be my go to bag in case of being admitted to the hospital. They don’t provide you much more than food & medical care while in the hospital, and I tend to get bored. My poor husband usually runs around the house daily looking for things I may want or need. I hate doing that to him, as he is already stressed enough about me being hospitalized yet again. So I am making a bag that can sit in my closet, and all he has to do is grab it, and maybe add a few things. I will put up a list of these things I consider “vital” for anyone who wants ideas as well.
After years of eating in resturaunts, I came to the realization today of how large their serving sizes are! I am on a limited amount of meat a day – 6oz. that means basically 2 servings of meat/eggs in 24hrs. Now normally that isn’t a problem, I tend to eat a meat free meal a day. But the serving size seems soooo small after eating out all the time. Even eating at home! I’m very glad I bought the kitchen scale – I would have eaten WAY too much before I realized it.
There are several good things about this though. 1) I get to learn portion control much quicker than I would trying to portion out in a resturaunt. 2) I will be eating better, even if its not the “healthy” food, simply by reducing my portion sizes. 3) I am supposed to eat every 2-3hrs or so, which means not being as hungry at each meal. 4) I kind of get a “diet” out of my new diet due to portion control & my lack of being able to eat greasy, fried or fatty foods.
So after a 3+day hospital stay, I am now home again. I have gotten a repreive on surgery for now. However, since I won’t be having surgery, I will be having to change my eating habits. Instead of the normal diet that everyone else gets to eat, like a low fat, low fiber diet, I have to eat a NO-fiber, low-residue diet. Basically, this means that from now on, I don’t get to eat wheat bread, or fresh fruit & veggies. I am very limited in my choices currently, but I did find a cook book that I was able to order. There is very little information recipe-wise out there, as this is usually a temporary diet. Though it appears I will be on it for a bit longer than temorary…
I feel human again! It has only been 17 days since I started taking Humira (the injections) and I already feel like a new person. I have not woken up in excruciating misery, I have been able to sleep, I have had energy, and I have been feeling so well I have started taking care of things that were put aside due to my illness. I haven’t felt this well since I lived in San Diego (we’re talking 5 1/2-6 years ago!).
I actually went shopping this weekend, and didn’t feel like it was a chore. I bought some new clothes and make up, got my hair done, and even got a facial! I have been paying close attention to how I’m feeling and what my body is doing, and I like the results. Humira may just be my miracle drug!
my doctor took one look at me today, and stated i need to change medications, and change my lifestyle. so now, its up to me to make myself better. i will be starting on another set of injectable medication, on top of the one i started yesterday. i have to decide which medication i want to start, as all 3 have their own pros and cons, and lengthy list of side effects. i also have to make the decision of where i want to cut stress from my life, and where my diet will improve, as well as my exercise routine.
my thoughts so far:
i am going to take a semester off from school…namely spring 2009 – this will bring my stress level down immediately
i am going to try to find some way to afford going to the yoga studio down the street – yoga has always made me feel better, and if you believe in the holistic studies, it helps with crohns disease
i am going to improve my current diet. without having to RUN to work after school, i can better prepare my meals for work and therefore eat better, which has always been shown to improve any health issue
any ideas from anyone out there on what else i can do? any good stress relievers or a way to not have to work but still have insurance and money to cover my medical bills?
Have I complained lately? I am feeling like it today. I had to start injections today. Self-injections. Have I mentioned that I’m not a fan of needles? Even really tiny ones? Have I also mentioned that I am not a fan of poking myself with sharp objects, let alone injecting a medication into my body? Yeah. Its a bit interesting. I have to admit, I didn’t do this first one. Brandon was sweet enough to stab a sharp needle into my side. I will have to try to get used to doing it myself. Never did I think I would own my own sharps bin. *sigh* Oh well. If it helps, then I will stop complaining. But I have to do this for a while before anything improvement will show. So lets all cross our fingers, and hope that this course of medications will be more than effective and that I will be feeling better shortly.
ok so viss (see thaumatocracy in friends links) was kind enough to post his most recent BCLA talk online for those of us who were unable to see it. therefore i feel it is my duty to repost it here so that everyone i know may watch it and enjoy as much as i did!
