happy New year to you too. Yes Im tired very exhausted with this.. and Other digestive track conditions.. Im praying it all just up and goes away.. for me too. Its so painful and tiring.. I never know how horrible Ill feel from one day to the next. wake up in pain. some days just worse than others..... 61 now.. and can barely eat much. only in my case? I still gaining.. Go figure..

happy New year.. I hope your s just up and goes away too.. a miracle.. for sure as ever Ellen..

thanks for your support. I'm sure we'll all be well again one day. I would love to eat without fear, even if I'm stuck with my limited choices. Onwards and upwards.
Cas

Yes I even at my age. LOL yes. someday. I still think Like this... YES!!

onward and up-wards.. Forge... On .. Good attitude.. Happy new year!!!

Well Friend- Happy New Year to you also. Don't be sad. I know a year of illness is difficult. I hit my year in October and last night, I too sat reflecting on all the losses I was feeling and the overcoming emotion of being here a year later-and how much my life has changed, not necessarily for the better in many ways. And then I took a moment and I started to count my blessings. I looked at myself a year ago, six months ago and how I felt when I woke up that very morning. And I must say, no matter where my road in life is leading- there has been improvement and even when everything was taken away, I still had HOPE. It is hope and love that fill our hearts and ease our doubts, just as they are the heart of the holiday and new year season.
Today, I started the second dose of my experimental treatment. That means I made it at least through round 1. I don't know if I will make it through round 2 or even 3, but I can say I ended the year knowing at least I made progress. Additionally we were blessed this week with the knowledge that our dog, Molly, who has been suffering from an unknown cause has a chance of getting better. (My sister-in-law is our vet. Either it is an immune issue or cancer. We will know depending on how she does on the treatment and when it stops, what happens). Here again though, is hope. Never let go of it, hold it close and whenever you begin to doubt yourself or where your life is going, look at all those moments that you did get to celebrate- even the smallest ones. That is what really matters- any day of the year. The little blessings we receive. And the fact that everyday is a blessing that we are given.

thanks dear friend. After I had a good bubble I counted the blessings I do have and like you remember how far I've come from those dark early days of constant pain, tears and fear.
I guess I was simply feeling sorry for myself but my pity party is over. I've too much living to do.
Great news about your treatment and your beautiful dog. Pets are such a blessing in our lives and are a part of our family.
Thanks again,
Cas

You are right about my health and Molly dog's. Sometimes I feel like we are on the same road. Hopefully things improve soon for both of us and turnaround all together.

If it makes you feel better I am still crying days later off and on. I guess the end of the year mark is harder to take in stride, when you have so much stress already bubbling inside your mind. I guess though we will all get through it. One day at a time, right? As my mother says, chin up chippy. It is a beautiful day. And every beautiful day deserves a beautiful smile- even if you have to cry your heart out until you feel better to get there!

Ravenfish I love what your mother has to say.. had many cry out moments myself.. what your mom has to say.. Is to me beautiful.. ..

oh yes beautiful words from your mum. I never beat myself up when I have a cry. I believe in releasing all emotions. I only kick myself if I let the pity party carry on too long. thanks again for all your support and encouragment.
Cas

OHHHHHHHHH CAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I SO SO SOOOOOOOO feel your pain hun!
ACTUALLY - I just wrote a blog too!
I'm very upset & frustrated too :(
I don't know what to do anymore :(
Did you have another flare up OR just upset?
Please tell me what you're going to do & we can fight this together!!!!!
If you have a great suggestion - I'll gladly go for it!
Thinking of you!
xo

I didn't have a flare up just emotions hitting me. I'm at the end of a food reaction today. I think it was the new bread I tried. That or corriander powder. I'd been ok with that in the past but it had been months since I had it and maybe things have changed. I will wait until next week and try the bread (now in the freezer) and corriander again...on different days of course.
The pain isn't so bad and I was able to get to work today. I guess that's a blessing.
I want a stomach transplant and end this horror. I'd been flying so high after gaining more weight and starting to feel like i was getting somewhere. I know I still am improving but am over how long it all takes.
I'm so sorry that you're still doing it so tough too. I'll put my thinking cap on for ideas and get back to you.
Cas

Woman, stay away from the corriander! No, no, no, no, no! At least that is what my instinct tells me. I still can't handle that stuff. Let me know. If it works for you, maybe I will be brave and give it another go.

i've managed corriander before. I think it was the linseeds in the soy/linseed bread. The size of the reaction indicated to me I'd eaten a large portion of the bad food. I only had a smidge of corriander powder and two slices of the bread. I intend to try corriander again tomorrow to know for sure. I can manage linseeds(flax) but they need to be ground. I eat LSA every morning with my fruit and yoghurt.
Wait till I revist it and then see how you feel.
Cas

You eat flaxseeds? Perhaps you could give me some advice then.... my ID doctor wants me to start on it, but I am unsure of two things: first, is there a big difference between the dark and light colored flaxseed and secondly, how well ground does it need to be? Like coffee grounds or more powdery? Help would be greatly appreciated!

It wasn't the corriander. woohoo. The birds will now get that bread to enjoy. Maybe even a fox will have some. I heard them last night going crazy in my back yard!
Ok linseeds of flaxseeds need to be ground up to offer any value and be safe enough for us to digest. Like coffe grounds would be fine enough. In Australia we can buy LSA which is ground linseed, sunflower seed and almond. I sprinkle it on my fruit and yoghurt or on my oat porridge. I only have a dessert spoon at most. I still feel moderation is best.
I'm unsure about the light and dark thing but will email my naturopath and get back to you on that.
I can safely manage the Italian herbs, turmeric, ground ginger and ground corriander. I don't use gob loads, just enough for flavour and I go lighter on the corriander than the others.
Let me know how you go with the linseeds. those oils are so good for us.

Ive always loved salads. Only.. when I eat a loaded one? all the raw veggies. I within a n hour or two if even that long have and attack.. any suggestions? as to some kind of salads? to eat? and dressings? at all. any one not have any problems with raw vegies and salads?