Update on Healing

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:00 pm

I am 6 months into my healing now, and thought I'd give an update on my progress. I know how much I loved reading all the success stories when I was first diagnosed. It always gave me so much hope. I was feeling pretty hopeless and like my life was pretty much over when I was first diagnosed. I didn't know if I was going to live or die and really didn't care, I felt so badly.

I haven't had any D since the end of Aug. sometime. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of rough days I've had since the end of Aug. I followed the restricted diet religiously for about 2 months or so before attempting to add any other foods back in at all. I ate chicken, rice, and banana. That's it! Once I got my Enterolab results back, I began to add a few things back in very slowly. I started with pork. I found that I could eat bacon, sausage, pork roast, and pork chops with no problem. I added in turkey. I added in Yukon potatoes. I stuck with that for quite awhile. Then I tried beef. I had a little trouble with it at first, (and I think you do with any new food you add back in after not eating for awhile - your stomach has to learn how to digest it.) I don't eat a lot of beef, but I do eat it at least once or twice a week. I fix it in tacos (I can eat corn products with no problem) with a little picante sauce. I eat hamburgers and I've eaten it with a safe spaghetti sauce over baked spaghetti squash and a combo corn/rice pasta (that I love better than that gluten stuff I used to eat!). I can eat cauliflower and broccoli and am learning to like cooked carrots (Well, I can't say that I love them or anything, but they aren't bad when you are hungry!) LOL!

I love the Coconut Bliss Naked Coconut ice cream and the double chocolate Enjoy Life cookies. I make those Paleo muffins from the recipes on here. I don't feel deprived in any way anymore.

I've recently tried those little fruit cups of pears, peaches, and pineapple. They don't have any sugar and are packed in monk fruit juice. I do really well with those, so I am confident that one day soon, I'll be able to eat a salad and some fresh fruit again.

My Enterolab results showed high egg sensitivity, but I got brave over Christmas and tried a cherry pie (baked by a wonderful local bakery I've found with the best gluten, soy, dairy, and egg free bread in the world) that was gluten, soy, and dairy free, but had egg in the crust. I did just fine with it. I was thrilled! I'm beginning to branch out more and more and try more and more things.

I'm weaning off of Budesonide. I'm only taking one every 3 days now. It never masked the symptoms for me in the first place. It just helped jump start me on my way to wellness, but when I ate something I shouldn't have, it never masked the symptoms. The symptoms were always there and made themselves known.

I go back to see my GI next week. I've lost 45 pounds since Memorial Day last year (I needed to lose it), and I plan to keep going a few more pounds to get to my ideal weight (whatever that is!)

I've learned that every day of life is a gift and I look at things a whole lot differently now than before I got sick. I appreciate things a whole lot more. So, I'd like to say a sincere thanks to Tex, Gabes, Erica, and all others who have answered my many questions about "Will I be able to go back to work? Will I be able to travel again? Can I? What happens? Will the pains ever go away? What about this pain?" You have no idea how much you all mean to me and how thankful I am for each and every one of you. Your support was what helped me get to where I am. Those of you who have just recently been diagnosed, stick with the elimination diet and don't give up. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. I feel better now than I have felt in years (and look better too!). So, to all the new folks, hang in there! It does get better!

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:07 pm

I also make those gluten, soy, dairy, and egg free waffles that Erica recommended and I eat a lot of almond butter and cashew butter (on my bananas and waffles).

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:53 pm

Good for you, Jari!

What's in the waffle recipe?

Thanks!

Post by **tex** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:00 pm

Jari,

Great post!

This if very helpful (and encouraging) for new members, especially since you included examples of what you ate during recovery and how you determined your recovery diet.

I hope that you continue to feel even better with each passing day.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:08 pm

fantastic update Jari!!
great post and thank you for taking the time to share.

awesome that you are starting to safely add foods in..
hope the wellness and improvements keep happening

take care

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 4:00 pm

Great update! It takes time but it is worth it!

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 5:17 pm

This deserves a BIG HUG

At first the time doesn't seem to fly by fast enough, but then 6,7, even 8 months goes by and it's like 'wow, I'm doing it!'

So happy to read this post Jari. Tex and Gabes are right when they say those that start to feel human or 'normal' again don't visit quite as much anymore, and it is true.

I took to the help here like a sponge and am humbled to be included in your thanks, thank you for being there for me too

Here's to continued healing and a more expanded life journey!
Hugs
Erica

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 5:19 pm

Linda....here is the link to the site and ingredient list for the waffle/pancake mix

http://www.thecravingsplace.com/

Cheers
Erica

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Thu Jan 07, 2016 8:33 pm

Thanks for the wonderful update, Jari! I hope someone just starting their journey will read it. We all feel so hopeless when we're sick and don't know what to eat. I wish you continued success!