First outing with Family since MC diagnosis = DISASTER

[A lot of work ahead of me]

Had my first official outing with family last weekend in honor of my father's 81st birthday. We went to a casino and spent night.

"why can't you drink beer anymore?"
"you don't look sick"
"can you have a piece of this irish cream cake?"
"why are you picking the breading off your chicken?"
"you don't look sick"
"can you have wine?"
"you aren't as much fun anymore"
"what's in your food bag your brought?"
"you seem tired"
"can you have a beer?"
"oh pasta sounds good, huh?"
"that's what you eat?"
"want some eggs?"

It was a disaster. I did have some wine to appease them all and join the fun but I felt so cruddy - I am still on the Budesonide and now I know why it says not to drink - made me feel cruddy.

I advised my family I will not be going out to eat with them for a very long time - LOL We did, however, have fun playing the slot machines and my father had a great time.

I miss Nachos. That's the only thing I miss. A big pile of nachos.

Jeanine

[tex]

Hi Jeanine,

I'm sorry things didn't go particularly well, but unfortunately, that's typical. Most family members and friends don't understand, so almost all of us have had similar experiences. But we learn to live with it, and eventually most of them do too (although if may take some of them a decade or two ).

You're right, though. All the questions and nagging to try a little of this or that is probably worse than not being able to eat most of that great-looking food. Hope you're feeling OK today.

Tex

[CathyMe.]

I remember this all too well. It does get easier and most of my family and good friends now go out of their way to choose "safe" places that they know I can eat or go along with my bringing my own food.

[Erica P-G]

Oh Jeanine,...

This about made me cry...the mental part of MC has probably been the worse for me....I think I could have handled the bathroom trips, the fatigue, pain, and new diet if I could have done it all by myself along with the help of this great forum...but throw friends and family into the mix and my stress level almost crushed me....there are times my job still crushes me but it has been a lot easier there than at home.

Stress.... probably one of the biggest issues in my world and many with MC.

I do hope you feel better.

[A lot of work ahead of me]

Thanks for words of encouragement! Yep - as time goes on they will get it.

Today was a really big day for me at work because one of the owner's actually stopped me to ask how it was all going so far (one month). It meant a lot to me to have a "normal" person recognize that the reason I look frail is because I AM frail.

Thanks again - love this forum and all the great pick-me-ups!

Jeanine

Think Spring!

[carolm]

Hi Jeanine-
Some may get and some won’t but it won’t matter because YOU get it. You will heal and get stronger plus your diet will eventually expand and not be so restricted. And your strategies to adjust, blend in and cope will grow as well. It takes time and practice.

I have a friend who is just sure that I miss bread or breaded foods (I don’t). Finally one day I just confronted it and said “that stuff is poison to me. I don’t miss it and I don’t want it”. I think she ‘got it’ that day. . I think people tend to project on to us their own feelings- they would miss bread (or whatever) so they assume we do.

I think you are off to a good start. Hang in there and stick to your plan. It does get better.

Best wishes,
Carol