Two years ago I was diagnosed with LC after two months of urgent diarrhea. Wham! New world for me and what an adjustment it was.
My 2019 New Years Resolutions:
1. To accept MC for what it is, to do the best that I can, to not stress over small stuff, to live my life as fully as possible with friends, family and travel and to laugh a lot.
2. To not get smug when I think I have conquered MC. Oh, yes, I have felt smug before and then I find that that smugness has to be flushed down the toilet.
MC is a crazy disease. I have it and it's not going away and it's going to be always an up and down ride. Period.
I've much to be grateful for and that's what counts. Shoot, I'm even grateful for MC sometimes. I don't have to be concerned about gaining weight or wondering what aisles to go down in the grocery store. I don't labor over a restaurant menu but focus on only the one or two things I can eat. No longer do I avoid having a bowel movement in a public bathroom, like many women do. Bring it on!
And I am eternally grateful for this group of understanding, caring people.
Happy New Year!
Susan
My New Years Resolution
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi, Susan. You're spot on! I've been thinking about things that I haven't been doing since I have LC and how I've held back. My strong, healthy brother had a heart attack and died on his 50th birthday (cardiomyopathy). He loved life and traveling. I want to live life without fear of what I'm going to eat and I'm going to try to step out of my comfort zone and live while I'm alive & kicking! Happy New Year!
Marcia
------------
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
------------
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
Susan and Marcia, you've inspired me. I'm going to try something I've never attempted — I'm going to write a novel. You guessed correctly — the main character will be diagnosed with MC (which will lead to at least as many trials and tribulations as can be found in the average novel). If it manages to sell a few copies maybe it will help to increase awareness of this disease.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex, that' is fantastic news! An avid reader, I look forward to your novel and it's about time that someone with MC can be the focus.
It is so easy to get locked in with MC. I have traveled a lot in the US and am always able to work it out. One of these days, I hope to go abroad again. Restaurants don't daunt me most of the time. I am usually pleased that the server and cook are willing to communicate and work with me. And if nothing more, a hamburger patty and steamed vegetables or a small, uncomplicated salad. No doubt I have had some cross contamination but life has to go on and it's more important to me to be with friends and family and get out.
So, writing a novel is really putting yourself out there and I think it's tremendous!
Susan
It is so easy to get locked in with MC. I have traveled a lot in the US and am always able to work it out. One of these days, I hope to go abroad again. Restaurants don't daunt me most of the time. I am usually pleased that the server and cook are willing to communicate and work with me. And if nothing more, a hamburger patty and steamed vegetables or a small, uncomplicated salad. No doubt I have had some cross contamination but life has to go on and it's more important to me to be with friends and family and get out.
So, writing a novel is really putting yourself out there and I think it's tremendous!
Susan
Novel.....very interesting.....I can't say I've ever read a novel in which anyone had an IBD....crohn's or UC or celiac or MC.
The really really good thing about travel with MC is that it forces me to "live like a local."
Travel....it is easier for me to eat GF in restaurants (of any price point) in Italy, Greece, California or Manhattan than in North Florida or in the south U.S.
The really really good thing about travel with MC is that it forces me to "live like a local."
Travel....it is easier for me to eat GF in restaurants (of any price point) in Italy, Greece, California or Manhattan than in North Florida or in the south U.S.
That's probably because diarrhea is traditionally a disgusting and embarrassing topic, and most people don't like to even think about it, let alone read about it. I have a hunch that a novel about a main character who has an IBD will have a very limited potential market — IBD patients. I suspect it will be an instant turnoff for most people — I hope I'm wrong.Brandy wrote:I can't say I've ever read a novel in which anyone had an IBD....crohn's or UC or celiac or MC
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Maintain the upbeat approach Susan! It will give you miles living with MC :-) I continue along the path of this newly lived life I have to learn to live with on a daily basis...but I do it, am not perfect at it, have really good days and some rotten ones too....I am grateful for the good days and I think I am having more of them than the bad ones now ;-)
I know our site with wonderful supportive members can be partial to a Novel Tex but I think if you have the fortitude to write one there will be people out in our world that will read it :-) Who knows it may be someone that doesn't have an IBD that eventually gets one or knows someone who does....because colitis is becoming that predominant, truthfully! I can't believe how interested some get when I open up, and although they don't speak up, their intent listening must be turning some wheels in the brain because they don't leave the conversation.
I'm currently working with my daughter due to her getting symptoms of depression, and signs of light asthma in Spring and Fall and encouraging her as much as I can in regards to VitD, and Mag (she has a phobia about swallowing pills so another obstacle to cross finding liquid and means she can remember to take or deal with). We just sent in her 23andMe and I am hoping having something in black and white based on my trials and tribulations it will open her eyes with the proof that she needs to at least go gluten free and start learning to live with that aspect of life instead of it all crashing down on her as I had to go thru....that was heart wrenching to say the least for me.
Continue with the positive stories everyone and its ok to vent to....looking forward to following your journey Tex, in book form
Hugs
Erica
I know our site with wonderful supportive members can be partial to a Novel Tex but I think if you have the fortitude to write one there will be people out in our world that will read it :-) Who knows it may be someone that doesn't have an IBD that eventually gets one or knows someone who does....because colitis is becoming that predominant, truthfully! I can't believe how interested some get when I open up, and although they don't speak up, their intent listening must be turning some wheels in the brain because they don't leave the conversation.
I'm currently working with my daughter due to her getting symptoms of depression, and signs of light asthma in Spring and Fall and encouraging her as much as I can in regards to VitD, and Mag (she has a phobia about swallowing pills so another obstacle to cross finding liquid and means she can remember to take or deal with). We just sent in her 23andMe and I am hoping having something in black and white based on my trials and tribulations it will open her eyes with the proof that she needs to at least go gluten free and start learning to live with that aspect of life instead of it all crashing down on her as I had to go thru....that was heart wrenching to say the least for me.
Continue with the positive stories everyone and its ok to vent to....looking forward to following your journey Tex, in book form
Hugs
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Tex, I think, hope, that more folks will read a novel about IBD than you think. You can, perhaps, draw on stories from this site and use humor which we have all know you have.
Marcia, I'm sorry to learn of your brother's sudden death at a younger age. That is definitely a wake-up call to all of us.
As I age, I become more aware of the fact that most of us have will have something if not MC. Forms of arthritis with pain, skin disorders, dry eye, diabetes, heart problems that might have required surgery, breast cancer, hip or knee replacements, and so on. As Erica said, it's mindful to be grateful every day.
Brandy, I agree about eating in the south. I live in NC but in a foodie community that is pretty good about gluten free in many restaurants. The last time I traveled abroad, I didn't have MC but have heard that GF can be easier in several countries.
Susan
Marcia, I'm sorry to learn of your brother's sudden death at a younger age. That is definitely a wake-up call to all of us.
As I age, I become more aware of the fact that most of us have will have something if not MC. Forms of arthritis with pain, skin disorders, dry eye, diabetes, heart problems that might have required surgery, breast cancer, hip or knee replacements, and so on. As Erica said, it's mindful to be grateful every day.
Brandy, I agree about eating in the south. I live in NC but in a foodie community that is pretty good about gluten free in many restaurants. The last time I traveled abroad, I didn't have MC but have heard that GF can be easier in several countries.
Susan
OK, since I had the stroke I can never be sure that others see what I write the way that I do, and I'm new to novel writing anyway. Would someone mind critiquing the way I started the book to see if it might work or am I all wet? Is this just an example of how not to start a novel? I've attached part of the introduction and the first chapter as a jpg file. In order to be able to read it you'll have to enlarge it by clicking on it and then zooming. Remember, this is just a first draft.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex, Just my opinion but I think I'd leave off the intro. Your first chapter is looking good and makes the reader wonder what is going on with Heather. She doesn't yet know she has a chronic disease. Let it unfold, let the reader learn as they go.
The intro gives too much info and ends the suspense.
Susan
The intro gives too much info and ends the suspense.
Susan
You know what? I agree. I don't know why I put that in there — force of habit I guess. I'm used to scientific/technical writing, and with scientific/technical writing you have to explain what you are going to accomplish or prove, then present your evidence, and then you have to summarize what you just got through presenting. Gee, when you consider all that, readers of scientific/technical material must be either hard-headed, or slow learners. LOL.
Thanks,
Tex
Thanks,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.