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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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 Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:19 Post subject: I want to share something
with you guys. And it's a little hard for me to do.
I have been fighting an illness since January. It was finally diagnosed around my son's birthday at the end of March.
I have been unable to eat solid food since January. I have been able to eat a few pieces of chicken breast, but overall my diet has consisted of Boost, scrambled eggs, pudding, shakes, applesauce and soup. The last three weeks has been mainly just Boost. My caloric intake has been approximately 800 cals a day. Most days less, some days more. I have quit running an have lost a large amount of weight. Even though I'm losing weight at an unsafe pace, the nutritionist expects me to lose even more weight. I have had to give up the two things I love most: running and cooking.
It turns out I have something called Gastroparesis. (literally means "paralyzed stomach" ) It is commonly found in those with diabetes. It can be caused by eating disorders, thyroid disorders, lupus or nothing at all. Mine is idiopathic, meaning "no known cause". Which, can be a downer, because in many instances, when you get the underlying cause taken care of, the Gastroparesis starts to resolve. Unfortunately, this is likely a lifelong condition.
What it is: my stomach no longer digests food effectively. My doc said that of all the cases he's seen, mine is one of the worst. What regular stomachs do in 90 minutes, it takes mine well over 6 hours to do. About 4000 people are getting this every year, mostly young people. Male and female, across the cultural spectrum.
There are three meds we can try. The first meds didn't work. I am currently trying the second kind. And then the last option is surgery to install a pace maker. (The stomach functions very similarly to the heart, come to find out)
I wanted to share, because I've grown pretty close to some of you and felt I should let you know. Also, because I feel like I'm living a lie since I can no longer run. And I don't know how long I won't be able to run. I walk 3-4 nights a week, which is all I can do. I can't even walk as far as I could run.
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:23 Post subject:
May God give the doctors the wisdom to treat you and your family the strength to support you.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 8924
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:24 Post subject:
I don't know what to say, Aire, except that my thoughts and prayers are with you, and 
It's not meant to be a platitude, so please don't take it as such.
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pokychick
Member
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Joined: 02 Oct 2002
Posts: 5640
Location: City of Dis
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:26 Post subject: Re: I want to share something
I'm so sorry about your illness. My thoughts are with you.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:28 Post subject:
Thought and Prayers to you from my family
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:33 Post subject:
Aire -
You are not living a lie. Don't even talk like that. Everyone has stuff thrown at them in life - we've talked about that once or twice, have we not? 
It says volumes about you to take this leap you have (in telling everyone about your situation). And it says a lot about the folks here that you trust them that much.
I'm in this with you, kiddo. So is LC. And everyone here. Courage. But you've shown us you've already got that. 
Last edited by gretriever on 05/04/04 - 15:48; edited 1 time in total
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Molly600
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Joined: 15 May 2002
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:37 Post subject:
I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. I'll pray you and your doctors find a solution very soon. Thanks for sharing with us. Hang in there.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:41 Post subject:
Your stomach might not work, but you have GUTS. From the glimpses I know about you from these forums, you have the stamina and courage to overcome this. God be with you Angie.
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brie k
Member
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 5661
Location: where the wild things are
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:44 Post subject:
what everyone else has said. big hugs to you as you get through this.
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kristin31
Member
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 8045
Location: Caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:45 Post subject:
I'm very sorry to hear that, aire. You're in my thoughts.
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Maddies Wench
Flailing Homosapiens
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Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 6103
Location: Seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go.
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:47 Post subject:
Living a lie? What lie? So...you're taking a hiatus until you feel well enough is all.
Let me know if you need anything okay??
And please pm me your address. I won't use it except to send you ridiculous cards.
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:47 Post subject:
Hang tough Aire. Now with a diagnosis you and your doctors can develop the solution that gets you back on track.
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:48 Post subject:
Ang, you are most certainly NOT living a lie and you are as much a part of this community as anyone, whether you are able to run or not. So don't ever think that you don't have a right to be here. 
This sounds very scary and horrible and I can't begin to imagine what you must be going through, but you'll definitely be in my thoughts and prayers and you know my inbox is always open if you need to use it.
{{{{{{{Aire}}}}}}
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akern
Member
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Joined: 31 May 2002
Posts: 17149
Location: CTU
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:48 Post subject: Re: I want to share something
| pokychick wrote: | | I'm so sorry about your illness. My thoughts are with you. |
I hope you feel better soon!
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 05/04/04 - 15:53 Post subject:
Thank you guys for your kind words. They mean the world to me. They mean more than you will ever know.
I'm getting to the acceptance part of this illness and it's starting to get tough.
Thank you guys again for being so wonderful
You rock my world!
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