Late Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I've been wanting to write since being released from the hospital, but I have felt horrible.  Constant fevers, different BM patterns everyday, waking up covered in sweat, and SUPER cramps have kept me away. 

My temp off and on since leaving hospital

If I feel better I would like to post a video I made and have lots of other things on I mind I want to share.  We will see.

Healing my body with food

Besides looking at stronger medicines like Humira, I've been looking for ways to heal my gut with food.  There is tons of info on the internet.  So many different diets.  Gluten Free. Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and countless others.  I would rather use something natural instead of chemicals found in super strong genetically engineered compounds like biologics.

There are two books that I recently purchased that I'm hoping will set me on the right path.

The first is Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health.



The second is African Holistic Health: Your True Source for Holistic Health



I will try to share what I learn from these two books once I get a chance to read them.   

My Quick Ensure Banana Shake

I picked up these Ensure Milk Chocolate Immune Health shakes as meal replacements when I left the hospital. They taste pretty good, but are a little rich by themselves.  My mother-in-law suggested making a shake with them.  I love chocolate and bananas, so decided to give it a try. 

I decided to wait until breakfast, and figured this was something that wouldn't hurt my stomach too much. The Ensure site mentions that they are gluten free, and suitable for lactose intolerance.   

To Humira or not

While in the hospital, I missed the appointment set up by my Gastroenterologist to talk about Humira.   I'm wanting to move on to the stronger treatment hoping it will help me get some things under control.  My goal is to get my Crohn's in remission sooner rather than later.

I've never asked another Crohn's Disease sufferer about using it, so maybe some readers can help.   How does the medicine work for you? How do you feel using it?  How long did it take to start working for you.  Has it lived up to your expectations?  Please let me know.  Thank you.

Maybe I'll get out of here sooner than I thought

Being Prepared

Every time I go to my GI, I try to keep a list of things in my head that I want to talk about or mention.  But, when it comes time to talk with the doc, I either forget things or feel weird about bringing them up.  The best way to get around that and make sure all your questions and concerns are taken care of?  Make a list.  Give a copy to your doctor.

I made a list the last time I met with my GI.  He thought is was great, and we discussed everything on the page. Here's a example of some of the info I discussed.


Weight loss

• Down to 150
• Should i be concerned about my current weight? Is it too low?

Exhaustion

• Things like raising my hands above my head.
• Walking up stairs.
• Feel week throughout the day.

Hello from my room

Still here, so I thought I would share a pick of my room and one of me in bed.  The room is pretty large.  The bathroom is big.  Two tvs.  Private.