Why am I here tonight? What led me to create this blog?
In January 2015, I got sick – not sure why but we’re working on that. Hopefully there will be an entry one day with an explanation. Basically, I can’t tolerate enough food / drink to stay nourished / hydrated. This led to the placement of a feeding tube – first through the nose, then though the abdominal wall (gastrojejenostomy). The problem seems to lie in the stomach or the way it functions so the tube I use most bypasses the stomach & empties into my small intestines.
As I learn to live with this, I found a gap in the information & support – how to be active. My life has been filled with adventures – especially pushing my body with outdoor activities. I love to snowboard, swim, hike, cycle, etc.
This is me trying to live my active lifestyle in the setting of this tube – a gadget to help me. It helps me get my nutrition & hydration to feel good, to stay active & to be myself. It has not been easy, but I am trying to look at the tube as a help not a hindrance. Join me if you’d like.
I’m happy to answer questions, take advice, give advice or just listen – I ask you to do the same.
Here is a quote which has given me strength. It was shared by a as we celebrated the life of a patient.
Refuse to fall down. If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down, If you cannot refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven and like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled and it will be filled. You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven–Only you. It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear. The one who says nothing good came of this, is not yet listening. – Clarisse Pinkola Estés (The Faithful Gardener)
Go Go Gadget GJ 