12 month milestone

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:25 pm

This week is my 1 year anniversary of diagnosis.

I can still remember my relief, the feeling of peace and belonging that i felt when i found this forum and was welcomed into this family.

being diagnosed was a blessing, unexlpained symptoms were explained, i have met and formed friendships with some pretty amazing people, have learnt the true value of patience and tenancity, and the importance of wellness for my mind and body.

my life has changed considerably and there have been tears along the way,
the most recent was on the weekend as i searched for some turkey to have as a treat for xmas, in Australia there is no turkey that hasnt been enhanced with yeast and/or soy (even the $70 free range organic have been enhanced with onion salt, dextrose and soy emulsifiers and various other things) the limitations of intolerances bug me for a while and then i think "ok so i am not meant to have turkey, i will treat myself to some duck instead....:

In the next week i am moving house, in the new year start a new job, with a new employer in a new town, I am looking foward to a simplier, quieter lifestyle where i can nurture my mind and body and maintain med free control of the MC symptoms.

A huge heartfelt thankyou to the wonderful people in this family who were the shoulders to lean on during the bad days, the support and encouragement on the good days and celebrations for the achievements.

I hope that we all have contimination free yummy meals over the next couple of weeks. Wishing everyone happiness, wellness and minimal symptoms for the new year

Take care - big hugs to all

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:41 pm

Happy Anniversary Gabes... I know a strange thing to say given the context. Certainly I am not happy that you have this disease, but am thankful for all of your great contributions to the PP family.

I would like to thank you for all of your advice and encouragement over the past 8 months that I have been here, it certainly has made my time adjusting to MC far more bearable. What you have taught us has been incredible. Your ability to manage this disease with diet alone has been an inspiration and a lesson in patience and discipline

Instead of letting MC bring you down you have excelled in your endeavors.

Duck sounds great Gabes. I was just trying to figure out what to cook for Christmas myself.

Good luck with your move and best wishes for the new year.

--Joe

Post by **tex** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:56 pm

Gabes,

I have a hunch that in the past year you've taught the rest of us more about dealing with MC, than we've taught you. You continue to be an inspiration - a perfect example of how to maintain an attitude that prevents the disease from controlling your life. Most of us have to "downsize" our lives significantly, while trying to gain control of the symptoms. While I realize that you've had to do some of that from time to time, (especially on the worst days), overall, you've managed to achieve some very impressive milestones in your career, during the past year. Kudos to you.

If I remember correctly, in Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol, when Ebenezer Scrooge finally saw the light, he sent out for the "finest" goose they could find, for the Cratchit family's Christmas dinner.

Tex

P. S. Ya know, there's something seriously wrong with the food industry when you can't even buy an "organic" turkey that isn't intentionally contaminated with allergens. What on earth are they thinking? Apparently they believe that contaminating an organic product with organic adulterants is acceptable.

How convoluted is that?

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 12:14 am

It's late, Gabes and I am falling asleep at the keyboard , but I wanted to respond to your Anniversary post and say "Good on ya!" for all that you have achieved in the past year, both in terms of taking control of your disease and your life, and also in your work . You truly are an inspiration and a wonderful , beautiful voice on this forum. I know I 'm not alone when I say I always look forward to, and enjoy, reading your posts.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and enjoy that goose, my dear.

Christmas hugs,
Linda

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:34 am

Gabes,
You truly are most certainly admirable and an inspiration to all.

I hope everything goes even better than you hope and this change in your life causes many, many benefits for you.

Looking forward to reading about the resluts.

:yourock:

Love, Shirley

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:17 am

Gabes,

Not a day we would want to celebrate but for you - one who has accomplished so, so much in a year - I wish you Happy Anniversary.

By the way regarding turkey or meats. Living as I do next to Lancaster County, PA - Amish country - we just go to almost any farm and get what we need. On Saturday we went no more than 3/4 of a mile from our house and got a fresh killed turkey and also a wonderful pork roast. So nice to just get really clean fixings.

Happy Holidays.

Love, Maggie

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:23 am

Dear Gabes,

Congradulations on your Anniversary. I also remember how much relief I felt when I got my diagnosis over 5 years ago. You truly have come so far in this past year. You have shown us all that even traveling with this disease does not have to be a burden, but rather an adventure.

May the new year show you all those wonderful things that you are dreaming of. May you also continue in med free remission.

Jan

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:41 pm

Gabes,

You sure have a lot of adventures ahead of you in the new year. I wish you the best of luck with it all, and look forward to reading lots of updates from you. I'll say it again: you are a true inspiration!!!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and hope the new year holds much success and happiness for you - you certainly deserve everything you've worked so hard to get!!!

Love,
Kari

P.S. In commiseration with you, I just found out from my MRT results that I can no longer have turkey :(

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:46 pm

Gabes,

I've always appreciated your non-judgmental way of helping others deal with the ups and downs of MC. I call you the board's philosopher. You've been a wonderful asset for all of us.

I hope your new job, home and location will bring you the peace and tranquility you desire. This will truly be a new year and a new beginning for you.

Gloria

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:38 am

Gabes,

Best wishes in your move, your new town, your new employer, and an easier, simpler life. May the next year be filled with joy.

Like the others, I enjoy reading your posts, and applaud your positive attitude towards controlling MC.

Merry Christmas!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:53 pm

Thank you Joe, Tex, Linda, Shirley, Maggie, Jan, Kari, Gloria, Martha for your responses, it was the big hug i needed this week.

today is my last day at Australian Aerospace, i have made some great friends there and they were very supportive before and after the MC diagnosis. With everyone in the the christmas/summer holiday wind down mode it doesnt feel like i am leaving, i dont think it will hit me fully until i move. I made a GF/YF/DF/SF chocolate cake for the morning tea yesterday to prove that life MC is not all bad......

Gloria, thank you for your response, i am in total awe of your patience and tenancity with MC and figuring out your foods, my journey has been relatively easy mostly because of the shared wisdom provided by this family, the posts about your journey have really helped me with the acceptance that my diet/ingredients as they are now may be as good as it gets... I am relatively healthy, I can travel for work and it could be way way harder.

turkey update........
with much hunting around (thank you google) i did find a place that has untainted turkeys and other meats. went to the store yesterday afternoon, turns out the turkey farmer is a cealiac so they are not feed any wheat/gluten based grain but... they had sold out i would have had to order it 1 month ago. oh well cie la vie, i have a plan for next time
but all their meats and poultry are organic and nitrate free, and their prep room is wheat free so all of their products are guarenteed gluten free. I didnt get the turkey but i found a heap of other stuff......

big hugs to all - thanks for being my family.

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 1:05 pm

Good news about the gluten free farmer! May your house move go smoothly, Gabes. Hope you have some time off between now and starting your new job, to unpack and rest.

Cheers,
Linda

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 8:45 am

Hi Gabes!

Sorry to be so late to respond.

Has it been a whole year? What a rollercoaster it has been, right? You deserve so much credit for the way you have tackled the MC beast and refused to let it beat you. And, as everyone says, you have been a significant source of info, support, and inspiration to everyone here.

Best wishes for an uneventful move and transition into your new job. And I know you will enjoy thoroughly getting used to a slower, saner, healthier pace of life.

Have a wonderful holiday, my friend from Oz. Here's a big hug for next week.... :bigbighug:

Love,

Polly

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 12:27 pm

I'm late, too, Gabes, but I want to tender heart-felt congratulations on your journey and thanks for your courage that is such an example to me and to others.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and an easy move!!

harma · Post by **harma** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:56 am

Hello Gabes, I think your "first year celebration" has already past. But anyway, congrats with your first star. I really admire you, how you have been dealing with your MC the last year. The struggle with the diet, what to eat and what not to eat, that's the question

And also your choice to do it without (real) medication (than I mean entocort). Of course we are all "lights" on this board, but your are really one of the brightest here.

I am surprized to read you are going to move and next year starting a new job. This means that one of your dreams comes true? I remember a while ago you were writing about, that you would like to move to a smaller town, and have a more quit life and had some job interviews. But than the next thing I remember is your job promotion with your current employer, which brought you all the way to France. Well we wouldn't want to have missed that, your great adventure in France, including a pick-nick on hong-kong airport with Ant.

You have been a great inspiration to me (and I am sure to many others). In the first place how you deal with your disease in general and your positive attitude. A special thanks for your doctor's letter, it was very useful for my trip to Jordan. Another thing in where you were an example for me, is your sunday afternoon cooking (for the whole week). One of the things I struggled with in Jordan, was a new food routine. It was much more work than in the Netherlands, since less frozen or canned stuff was available (yes I am a lazy cook). I could only use fresh, had to wash, peel cut and cook it all. What a fuzz every day!!!Thinking of you, every Sunday afternoon cooking for the whole week inspired me to the same. One other positive of it, that, being back in the Netherlands, I didn't go back to my tins of carrots and frozen broccoli, I am buying fresh now.

I hope your new house and job will give you the life you are longing for, give you inner piece and that you will be happy there.

Also you Gabes a happy, well and minimum MC symptoms year. And thank you so much for being such an inspiration to all of us.

:yourock:

harma