Guilt Trip and Update

[JoAnn]

Hi Everyone, All right, Linda, you put me on a guilt trip which I deserve. I've been away much too long also, not giving back when this board has given me so much.
I've checked in here and there, but not long enough to post. My time seems to have been consumed with family and teaching concerns. I not only teach school now but have voluntarily taken on an assignment to teach adults. Adult children and grandchildren seem to need a lot also, but the grandchildren are definitely a lot more fun. I have two sons getting married this summer along with some other plans which are very consuming. My husband just had a prostate biopsy which came back clear for which we are very relieved and grateful.
I am in a very good place as far as MC is concerned. I will have been off entocort for 1 year next month. I continue to be vigilant with diet and do fine unless I accidentally get into something and I seem to recover quickly. I have added a new "machine" in my management of MC. I invested in a Vitamix blender. I never thought I would pay $450.00 for a blender, but I discovered it was much more than a blender. I bought it on a trial basis and was sure I would probably return it, but I didn't. I have been able to put things back in my diet that previously bothered me. I don't know if it is because it pulverizes it to a point that my digestive system deals with it better or what. I've put all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables back into my diet that used to bother me. I know I've healed a lot also, but I know this machine has helped because the change was so noticeable when I began using it. You can also make soup in it and it heats it up as it processes it. I can also grind my gluten free grains in it and mix dough. Gee, it sounds like I should quit teaching and become a salesperson for Vitamix
I want to welcome all the new members and thank the veterans for still being there. I guess the main thing I can add at this time to the board is that if you put in the work and hang in there, you will get well. I have multi-sensitivities and it has not been easy but it would have been impossible without all the wisdom here.
My attitude has changed a lot too. I realized the other day as I walked into the grocery store that instead seeing all this food I couldn't have, I was looking at it as junk food that most people should avoid.
Thanks again for this great board, love you all, JoAnn

[Gloria]

Hi JoAnn,

I've been wondering how you've been. I'm happy to read that you are doing well and your hubby's biopsy is clear. I've been wondering about the Vitamix - whether it is as good as advertised. It's interesting that you noticed a difference right away after using it. Have you used it to make nut butters?

I've been off Entocort for a little over a month. I have had good days and not-so-good days, but so far I've been able to manage the off days using 1/2 pill of Imodium. The most Imodium I've used in a week is 1 pill. Time will tell - I still have another month before I'll know if I can remain off of it. Meanwhile, I'm stocking up on Entocort in case I need it after DH retires and we're on Medicare next year.

No need to feel guilty about not being here. It sounds like you've got a pretty busy summer planned with two weddings. Check in when you can - we always like good reports!

Gloria

[sarkin]

JoAnn,

What an encouraging update! I have the other brand of wildly expensive blender - the BlendTec. We use it constantly - pre-MC we often had 'breakfast smoothies' during the warmer months, with a combo of frozen fruits/veg, plus other goodies (many of which I'm not attempting at the moment). It was only recently that we started again with smoothies - my husband added a protein powder to his, after I poured out my portion (and mine was so much tastier without it!). I did feel more confident having my first try of blueberries in that form (and I sure hope it's a good sign for the future, because I have a lot of blueberry bushes in my tiny garden).

Gloria, my fingers are crossed for you - a total of 1 Imodium a week sounds like a huge accomplishment. As far as the blender goes - I think the two brands are very similar. If a coupon or deal ever shows up, I'd jump on that one. I usually discourage most people from adding to their equipment, but my sense is that you will really use it and benefit. I plan to do an experiment with kale leaves and eggs, 'super-blended' - and made into an omelet, based on an idea I got from Elana's Pantry. I have made a 'kale pesto' in the past that was very successful, and popular even with kids who don't like green stuff. It sure makes quick work out of the nut milks, but you already have that down to a science ;)

JoAnn, I love what you said about your changed attitude in the grocery store. There sure is a lot of stuff that no one should pay good money for (much less ingest!). The whole 'health-food junk food' thing is hilarious (and scary, and sad).

Most successful 'convenience food' purchase lately: my husband found pre-peeled butternut squash at our farmer's market a few weeks back.

Safe eating and good health!

Love,
Sara

[tex]

Hi JoAnn,

It's great to see a post from you. I'm glad you had the time to post an update. Please don't feel obligated, of course, but whenever you have the time to post, we appreciate your input, much more than you probably realize, and this applies to all members who are in control of their symptoms. Here's why:

Input from experienced members who have found their solution, and who now have their symptoms under control, is more valuable here than a post by the head of the gastroenterology department at the Mayo Clinic. That's pretty profound, when you stop to think about it. The doctors who are trying to treat this disease are valiantly trying to learn to deal with it, but unfortunately, they're shackled by the rigors of formal rules and protocol, combined with inadequate research data, (to say nothing of inappropriate peer pressure in some instances). The crucial difference between them and us, I believe, is motivation. No doctor can truly be as motivated as someone who has this disease, (unless, of course they also have it).

That makes anyone who has personally developed a treatment program that has allowed them to control their symptoms, and get on with their life, a shining example, and a priceless source of information for someone who is newly diagnosed, and/or currently trying to develop a treatment plan.

Remember the old TV commercials where everyone was sitting around talking in small groups, and suddenly someone mentions the name of his broker, "My broker is E F ______, and E F ______ says . . . ", and dead silence falls on the room, as everyone strains to hear what he has to say? That's what happens here, when an experienced voice from the past is kind enough to offer some insight into their journey to remission.

Gee, it sounds like I should quit teaching and become a salesperson for Vitamix

You might be right - I had never given it any thought, before, but suddenly I have the urge to check it out.

Love,

Tex

[barbaranoela]

Joann good to see U posting again-- will catch up---- for now tis off to bed for me---

Barbara

[Kari]

JoAnn,

So nice to hear from you. I agree 100% with Tex that it's so important and encouraging for us who are still struggling to hear from someone who has successfully "tamed" this monster of a disease.

You certainly sound like you're keeping busy, and now you're going to marry off 2 of your sons - how very exciting!!! Perhaps grandkids are in your future:). I loved your story about the vitamix. I actually have the old version (inherited) in storage. I think it's 25 years old, but I know it still works just fine, so you're inspiring me to drag it out.

Hope you keep popping by from time to time.

Love,
Kari

[Gabes-Apg]

JoAnn
Fantastic to hear from you.

i love this thought process

I was looking at it as junk food that most people should avoid.

do you mind if use this as well??

I also got the delight to try duck eggs. There is a butcher here in Toowoomba that sells them. It was a great treat to have something that tasted different to chook eggs.
I am pleased the vitamex has been a success

take care

[JoAnn]

Thank you, Tex, Gloria, Sara, Barbara, Kari, and Gabes. It's so nice to know you can always come home and the family is there to greet you! Thanks for making me feel like my experience is meaningful and can help others. Wow, Tex, those were such gracious thoughtful words. Your opinion means a lot to me and your guidance along with others on this board is why I am where I am. Gloria I am so happy that you have come so far and are on the verge being able to be off entocort. I am grateful that entocort was there when I needed it and I know it helped me get to where I am. I still keep a supply on hand because I never take remission for granted. I've taken a few here and there when I was in unpredictable situations with food and it seemed to help, probably mentally as much as physically. I never was one who could get away with cheating while taking entocort. I would still react if it was a food I shouldn't have. It was a bit of a bumpy road when I went off, but like you I used immodium and pepto to help steady me through the process. You have been such a rock and inspiration to so many.
Sara, I look forward to knowing you better. You've contributed so much since you've joined the board. I think I read about you celebrating Passover. I'm not Jewish, but I did go to a Passover celebration and had a wonderful experience. That was one of those times I took an entocort because I wasn't sure what I was getting into. I did alright though and didn't have any noticeable reaction. Barabara, sometimes I just have to check in to see what you are up to! Your sense of humor and stories are an important part of this board's backbone. What I wouldn't give to just hang out with you sometime.
Kari, you are working so hard to find remission and I know you will. My first year trying to figure everything out was so difficult. I was grateful for the Enterolab testing which put me in the right direction. I would have never known about it without this board. It's good you also have the MRT to help you. I'm sure I would have done that if I had of been aware of it at the time. It sounds like it's helped a lot of members here. If things ever start declining with me again, I think I will do it.
Gabes, you are welcome to use anything you want that I say. I'm surprised I said anything that you haven't already come up with. You are such a source of inspiration and courage and have strengthened me many times. I saw some of your adventures with Joe and it looked like such fun! It must be great to be around someone who really gets what your life is like.
Gloria, you asked if I had tried the nut butter in the Vitamix. I haven't, but it's coming up soon. I still have some jars of almond butter that I'm using and then I'm going to try it. I'm sure it will be great . Everything else I've tried has worked fantastic. The reason I even looked into the Vitamix was because it seemed to provide a way for someone with MC to have "fast food", not what you usually think of as fast food, but healthy "my ingredients" fast food. Sara mentioned the smoothies she makes and I do a lot of those, fruity types and vegetable types kind of like V8. I often put rice protein in both. My crockpot and my vitamix have really helped me find my way through food preparation.
Thanks again all of you and you are all always in my prayers for help and healing,
Love JoAnn

[MaggieRedwings]

So happy to see you JoAnn!

Yes - it does get crazy in life and sometimes we just can't get here but you are thought about often. Also, I love the atitude in the grocery store and I too think often when I see the junk food that I can't eat that it is what is making America fat. So happy not to deal with it.

Love to you, Maggie