"Just Keep Swimming"

I am a huge fan of animated movies, especially ones that have sayings that motivate me. Mulan was one of those shows, where a few things were said, and my first thought was "Wow! That is awesome! I need to remember that." Sounds a little crazy, I know. But how many times do we turn to a feel-good movie or book to help us when we are struggling.

Let me share with you one of the lessons that I have learned through a movie that has helped me during bad health days or other struggles. With gastroparesis, you have bad days called flare ups. The extent of these flare ups vary by day and person, but mine usually consist of pain, fatigue, and nausea (usually bad enough to prevent me from eating much at all.). In the beginning, on days like this, you would find me in bed or on the couch, curled up with a book or watching a movie. On one such day, I had some stuff that needed to get done and I knew I had to do it no matter how blah I felt. I was lacking motivation, and a thought came into my head. "Just Keep Swimming. Just Keep Swimming" said in the sing-song voice of Dory from Finding Nemo. It made me chuckle and I got up and did what I needed too. Need a reminder of that scene? Here you go, from YouTube:

It has served me well to remember to keep going and move on with life, even though hard times come. Gastroparesis, or any chronic health problem for that matter, could impede one's life, if they let it. You have to make the best of the situations you are handed and act. Once we start or keep "swimming" we do not focus so much on how we feel or our problems, and it helps us to keep going.

If we don't keep going we may end up regretting it. When we keep "swimming" we will either succeed or fail. No big deal either way. Some days we try to keep moving and keep distracted but it doesn't work so well. At least we learned how much we can actually do in a day.

I love this message from Meet The Robinsons, that I found on YouTube:


Click Here To View (I Could Not Get The Video to Work Here. Sorry!)


Basically, my advice to you is this. When you are having a rough day, scared for what tomorrow may bring, frustrated with pain or trials not allow you to live life to the fullest, or just plain tired, remember these two sayings: "Just Keep Swimming" and "Keep Moving Forward".

My Diet

There is one question that I get asked quite a bit, that is hard for me to answer, so I thought that I would address that in this post. Out of care and concern, people ask me what I can and cannot eat. Gastroparesis involves problems breaking down foods in the digestive track. Because of the, it is best to avoid high fiber foods that take more effort to breakdown. One website said that an ideal GP diet should be low fat and low fiber. While this works in some ways, it is not 100% true for me. Below is a list of foods that work and do not work for me.

FOODS THAT WORK

• White Breads/Rolls
• Applesauce
• Soup (Unless tomato based or full of meat)
• Juices (low acid drinks)
• Milk
• Pastas (Cooked well)
• Pudding
• Yogurt
• Jello
• Carrots (Boiled well)
• Crackers (Not whole wheat)
• Potatoes (Mashed, boiled, baked, etc.
• Tortillas (flour or white corn)
• Cheese (Sometimes yes, Sometimes no)
• Pancakes/Waffles
• Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Popsicles
• Cakes/Donuts/Brownies (Any junk food really, unless it has nuts, coconut, or acid from lime, lemon, or orange type foods)
• Alfredo sauce
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Nutrition Drinks (Boost, Slim Fast, Ensure, etc.)
• Chips
• Peaches and Pears (Other fruits, if pureed or super soft and not seedy and low acid
• Fruit Snacks

FOODS THAT DON'T WORK

• Meat (Though thin turkey or moist chicken sometimes works)
• Tomatoes
• Oranges, Lemons, Limes
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Cooked vegetables: corn, peas, celery, etc.
•  Whole-wheat and wheat breads
• Lemonade
• Granola/Granola Bars/Oats
• Dried Fruits
• Nuts
• Rice (Unless cooked super soft)
• Watermelon and bananas (This is just a me thing. They work for most people with GP)
•  Spaghetti/Marinara sauces
• Onions
• Salads
• Acidic juices (orange juice, grapefruit juice, etc.)
• Peanut Butter

Apparently I focus more on what I can eat and not what I cannot. Now, this may not be a complete guide. The diet varies daily and things change from one day to the next. Right now, I have reduce my dairy products drastically (due to my throat and vocal issues) and cut out chocolate (to reduce acid). Who knew chocolate was something that would create acid.

It does not offend me when people ask what I can and cannot eat. It actually is nice. Feel free to comment with questions or of things that may or may not work for you, with your condition. I will update this list if I think of more. 

Acceptance

"Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune." - William James

When someone gives you a gift on your birthday, it is usually not difficult to accept it. We are also able to accept food, service, friendships, and more. These are things we tend to desire, which makes it easier to receive. However, when life throws us a trial, we struggle to accept it.

It makes perfect sense. Honestly. Why would we accept something that could hurt us? It would be like someone with lactose intolerance accepting a glass of milk or a bunch of cheese. That would be crazy.

Recently, I was given an trial that has become quite difficult. In fact, for a while, I was angry, upset and frustrated with why I had this and would not accept the fact or problem. It has affected my work, social and physical life. There have been so many ups and downs, and twists and turns, that have left me dumbfounded and confused. Then one morning, I came to a realization that I could not control what was going on with my body, but I could control of how I look at it and accepting that this trial is a part of my life. That has made all the difference in the world.

George Orwell has said, "Happiness can exist only in acceptance." How true that is. We become truly happy when we accept whatever we've been given. Looking at a different vista has given me more joy. It doesn't mean that it isn't hard. It does mean that the outcome, whatever it may be, will be what is supposed to happen.

In the end, we can accept what we are given, and hope for more. This quote says it all. "Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them." Brendon Francis

A Continuation of My Journey

The months after the diagnosis were very difficult. It was almost like I was attempting to relearn how to eat and how much eat at a time. I felt like a baby, especially when people would suggest that I use baby food to get the needed nutrients. I never could bring myself to try it. I would go to activities and spend time with friends, and would bring my water bottle, and that would be my treat because for the most past, I couldn't eat what they were serving. Not only that, but I seriously had no energy to play and have fun.

People would ask me what I could eat, and I couldn't really tell them, because I couldn't eat. I would tell them I was on a milkshake a day diet. Sounds pretty good, right? False. It was nice in the beginning but it got really old. I was only able to take a drink every 15 minutes. If I did too much more than that, it would not stay. As yummy as milkshakes are, they get old after having one everyday, even if you change flavors. 

I went to a dietitian. She did not know much about my condition and was not able to set up much of a diet for me. She had me write down what I ate and how it worked. She also recommended that I eat empty calories, such as fat free candies. She said that she had never told anyone to do that before, but I needed those calories to function. She did give me some suggestions.

I would drink Boost everyday and attempt to make smoothies with Carnation Instant Breakfast. I would always attempt to try to eat something semi-solid for dinner. Somethings worked and some didn't. One thing that worked one day, would not work the next day. 

My original plan was to attend college for the fall semester, but because my health was out of control, that was not an option. I ended up working full-time instead. There were okay days, bad days, and really tough days. Honestly not sure how I made it through. My job changed a bit once the fall semester started, my job changed a bit, which helped, but it was still incredibly difficult to make it through an 8-hour day. 

With time, I began to realize foods that I could and couldn't eat. White bread, peaches, nutritional drinks, tended to work. It was still a little awkward socially but I learned to explain it and then go with the flow. I began to adapt to what I could eat and the amounts, even though I didn't have much self control in some times. This is about the time when I realized that I need to accept the condition and explain it to people to try to help them understand. It changed my attitude and helped people to see me in the a different light.

Before this realization, I would go places and not eat. When I wouldn't eat, I would make excuses like "I'm not hungry" or "I've already eaten" to avoid bringing up the stomach condition. Sometimes I felt like people would look at me and think "Wow, she's too good to eat with us", when in reality I just didn't want to bring up the reason why I wasn't eating. After I began to explain it to people, there was a different light shed. They would understand a little more why I wasn't eating, which was nice. 

That has become something common now. It is so much better to accept what you have, explain it to people so they understand, and then go on with your life doing what is best for you. 

I'm Okay

How many times do we say "I'm Fine", when, in all reality, we are struggling beyond what they can see. I saw this picture a couple months ago and loved it. Story of my life. Hopefully you all can relate too!

Sending hugs out to all.

The Question Why

One of the first questions that a child asks as he or she is learning how to talk is "Why?" Throughout our lives we all want to know the reason things happen. There is a reason for everything, but it is so important for us to understand the why in the situation.

Why did this happen?

Why do I have to go through this trial?

Why is life so difficult?

Why can't something good happen?

Why?

Why?

Why?

I'm sure that you can add a few more questions on here. The inevitable why, is usually followed by the answer because. Doesn't that drive you crazy?

Last night, I had an experience where I learned the why to a particular health difficulty. Part of the reason was to help people learn service, or, in other words, let people help me and put aside my pride. Look back at what you've been through and find a reason. The reason can be anything from having it to make you stronger, to help others, to gain empathy, or to fix a broken relationship. There is a reason. I promise.

People often look at me in shock when I answer the because questions in a positive manner. 

Asking the questions why helps us to gain understanding. That is how a child learns the reason of not playing in the street, touching a hot stove, or playing nicely and kindly with others. They ask and are taught the because. That because leads them to a knowledge that will help them throughout their life.

Make a list of your "Why" questions from whatever stage or trial of your life. If it has been a trial of the past, look for the reason why that had to happen to help your life end up where it is today. Look at the current trial and see how it could bring you to a better spot in life. 

Blessings

About a year and a half ago, I attended a meeting and heard a song that touched me so deeply.I had been struggling with my health and been through a few rough days, and the lyrics helped me to realize a few important things. I went home that day and searched the internet for the song and lyrics. It is called "Blessings" by Laura Story. Here are the lyrics:

                                                                       "Blessings"

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Lyrics from AZ Lyrics

Our trials can be blessings in disguise. When we recognize those blessings, we become more grateful for what we have. We may not be completely healthy, but we have a inner strength that is unmatched, or a life experience that has made us better. Sometimes it take going through rough times heal us from other pains. Healing can come from tears and strength can come from trials. Look for the blessings. What blessings have you seen if your life when going through difficulties?