Saturday, August 2, 2008

What If Food Made You Sick?

When I started blogging I told myself I was never going to post one of those "I'm sorry" posts after a long period of time without posting. Saying I'm sorry implies that there are people that are offended. I'm assuming no one was offending by me not posting for over two months, so I don't feel the need to apologize.:)

As I've mentioned earlier, my son was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), a rare (but increasingly diagnosed) disease which can cause people to be allergic to a wide variety of foods. Often, EE patients cannot eat any food or only a handful of foods. These patients, like my son, are kept nourished using special total nutrition formulas which usually need to be taken via a feeding tube. Fortunately, the disease is not fatal. However, it is chronic and can significantly impair quality of life. To learn more about it, view this video produced by the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders. It is touching, and for my family it hits close to home.

This has been a trial for my family, and as things came to a boil I could no longer sustain regular posting here. I'm not sure what the future of this blog will be. For the few of you still reading this blog, let me tell you that I would not trade our trials for any of yours. I'm grateful to have a son that teaches me that you don't have to be "normal" to be happy. I try to keep a positive attitude, because I don't want my son growing up feeling like a victim. If we want him to be strong, we must show him how.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Mike,

I can relate to this condition, though I don't have the exact same issues.

I've been dealing with losing foods to eat for 6 years. I'm gluten intolerant (no wheat etc), can't digest dairy, fats-oil, and stay away from red meat. Love salmon but it's high in oil.

I'm getting along, but this week I lost a Buckwheat cereal I like. For breakfast I'm eating just fruit for now.

Most of my meals consist of chicken, rice, some potatoes, some vegetables. I need to eat soluble fiber to avoid "passing out pain".

I just want to give you enough info so you'll take the time to check out a website that deals with related issues. You might just come across something useful.

www.helpforibs.com

I have found great help using herbal teas to settle my system. There is no medication for my condition. I give myself vitamin shots because I can't handle them by mouth.

I'm past 60 years so you'll know.

Doctors often misdiagnose, so I suggest you keep and eye out for other possibilities for what your son is dealing with.

Lastly, I have found that Heavenly Father is our best source for help. Doctors are great, but I put my faith in the Lord. I've been blessed many times when I thought I was a goner. The Lord allows us to deal with some pretty nasty health issues. I have found I am thankful for what I've had to deal with, because it is the Lord's will for me. When the pain is great I try to think of the Savior and what He suffered for me.

I wish your and family the best.