Hard to Believe? Lessons from Life of Pi

faith: confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a deity or in the doctrines or teachings of a religion.  It may also be belief that is not based on proof.  

-Wikipedia

It is a just a word right?  Letters put together to form some sort of meaning?  Often used during hardships, when no one, not friends or family, no medical practice or scientific studies, no midnight Google searches nor shared experiences can provide an answer to.  When there is no one left to ask, where do we turn?  For years I've been told to "have faith, things will work out, don't give up, you will get through this."  And though it gets old to hear, I have told myself this everyday, because there is just no other choice.  But until recently, I'm not sure I really and deeply thought about this word, these letters, the meaning of faith.  Today I have formed my own simple definition: to believe.

Gaining with TPN and Finding Purpose

It's actually happening...the numbers are going up, slowly but surely.  The last few days I have held a steady 95 lbs, up 2 lbs from when I started the TPN at 93.  What a strange and unusual feeling to have this happen without pushing myself to eat all day.  Before the flare with the tube troubles last fall, it was no problem to maintain the weight but once it drops, especially this low, it became an impossible and exhausting feat to get it back up.

Homemade Nut Butter - Mmm!

Image credit to www.paleoblocks.com

Have you ever had the chance to experiment with making your own nut butter?  I recently came across the picture below that shows the simple how to steps and just had to share.  Nut butters are a great way for those with gastroparesis to fit in some extra, nutrient dense calories in the day.  Most can tolerate 1 tablespoon which can provide a source of good fats and protein.  By making your own you can not only choose your favorite nut (peanut, almond, cashew, etc) and save money, you can get creative with the ingredients.

Macrobar Giveaway

It's time for the monthly giveaway.  I'm so excited because Go Macro has kindly offered to participate by giving three of their most GP friendly Macrobars out to not only one, but THREE of you!

If you have been following me for awhile you are probably aware of my love for these delicious, protein packed, organic, non-GM0 bars.  Most of the GP'ers I've worked with and have been in contact with seem to tolerate them quite well, including myself.  In addition, Go Macro was a big sponsor of the first annual Awareness for Gastroparesis Walk last September, donating funds for GP research and boxes of bars for the walkers and volunteers.  

Feeding Tube Awareness Week and TPN Week 1

Last year at this time I posted about my experience and success with the first feeding tube and how it changed my life.  What a year a difference makes!  Though the week is wrapping up, I want to again bring light to another Feeding Tube Awareness Week, 2013.  I've shared my own experiences with the j-tube over the last 1 1/2 years and though I'm not currently using the one I have, there are many other resources available to learn more.  These tubes have saved countless lives and provide essential nutrition and calories to those who cannot take enough in otherwise.

TPN - Next on the GP Bucket List

“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't."

- Thomas A. Edison

Oh how the road blocks just keep on coming.  Lately, I'm being quite honest and open with you as I navigate this new path of uncertainty.  The journey has not changed...the story of my experience with gastroparesis and any ideas, inspiration and support for others along the way.  Even when it feels like walking in circles,  dizzy with frustrations, or possibly sliding backwards, I want to continue to share what is going on.