I'm happy to say that Helen has been reasonably well in the last few months! The gastroparesis condition is still there, but not as severe! We hope it just goes away as mysteriously as it showed up.... Helen is now living in New Westminster with her boyfriend "Chris" and her psycho giant hamster "Puff".
Since my last post here, our family has had its "ups" and "downs". On May 31st my second grandchild was born! Logan Neale Wesley Honeybourne! ;)
... two weeks later my mom passed away =[
with my mom's passing we asked for donations to the GPDA in lieu of flowers, and thankfully some people did! There definitely needs to be more research done, and as of last March 2008 there is a Western Canadian Neuro-enteric Research Centre and Gastrointestinal Motility Centre in Calgary, Alberta!
I found this story about another mother and her daughter's plight with her condition... Holy smokes, could I ever relate! http://www.digestivedistress.com/main/page.php?page_id=48
"Happy Thanksgiving" everyone! I'm sooooooo thankful that Helen has been feeling better!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Dr. McCann & Dr. Jill Scott
Helen saw Dr. McCann (chiro) and Dr. Jill Scott (naturopath) yesterday... Helen has been doing really quite well this last month, and has been busy. She graduated, she has been doing volunteer work as a youth worker, and she has even had a few nights out with her girlfriends!
Dr. Scott has recomended she take the rest of the Unda (homeopathic) formulas and digestive enzymes, along with the dietary restrictions and changes. Helen is to take note of all food intake that makes her feel worse.
Dr. Scott has recomended she take the rest of the Unda (homeopathic) formulas and digestive enzymes, along with the dietary restrictions and changes. Helen is to take note of all food intake that makes her feel worse.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Dr. Michael McCann
last monday - May 5th, Helen went to see Dr. Michael McCann. He is truly an amazing chiropractor. He checked Helen thoroughly and came to the interesting conclustion that Helen has had a very serious fall and injury to her tailbone area. He went on to state that the injury could definately be the cause of her scoliosis and gastroparesis conditions.
Helen immediately remembered a time about 5 or 6 years ago when she fell while skating. She remembered the fall as being really bad and that her whole back ached for quite awhile after.
She will be seeing Dr. McCann twice a week for the next month or so.
Helen immediately remembered a time about 5 or 6 years ago when she fell while skating. She remembered the fall as being really bad and that her whole back ached for quite awhile after.
She will be seeing Dr. McCann twice a week for the next month or so.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Not a good day =(
Helen started out feeling somewhat OK. I gave her some soup to take to school, and when I picked her up, she said she had just gotten sick. She is extremely nauseated and throwing up.
Yesterday was an emotional day for Helen. She is realizing the impact of this condition and the dietary restrictions.
Yesterday was an emotional day for Helen. She is realizing the impact of this condition and the dietary restrictions.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Naturopathic Visit
Today we went to see Dr. Jill Scott! She is a fabulous Naturopathic doctor in Port Moody.
She recommended a few dietary changes like "no wheat or dairy", blenderized foods and smoothies. All vegetables are to be cooked and blenderized. No, or very little pork.
She gave Helen some Unda Remedies and suggested digestive enzymes, apple cider vinegar and the castor oil packs.
Overall the visit was a very positive one for us, and we are very hopefull for a recovery.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Last week we ran into Katolen Yardley (Medical Herbalist) at the Pharmasave here in PoCo. She gave us some great recommendations and ideas also. Definately the blenderized food, no raw vegetables, juicing etc. Slippery Elm, and the Core Health Tea blend are what we are starting with.
She recommended a few dietary changes like "no wheat or dairy", blenderized foods and smoothies. All vegetables are to be cooked and blenderized. No, or very little pork.
She gave Helen some Unda Remedies and suggested digestive enzymes, apple cider vinegar and the castor oil packs.
Overall the visit was a very positive one for us, and we are very hopefull for a recovery.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
diagnosis confirmed "gastroparesis"
Helen saw Dr. Henry Chung today, and he confirmed the diagnosis of the condition gastroparesis, a severe digestive motility (neuromuscular) disorder. He said to eat several small meals a day (Helen is already doing this) and to supplement with the nutritional liquid meal replacements like Boost or Ensure. He also advised her to drink milkshakes from McDonalds. She has been prescribe Domperidone and Erythromycin.
It is hard to imagine that in countries as prosperous as the USA and Canada that anybody could suffer from severe malnutrition. However, it does happen and is one of the major complications of Gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is not just an inconvenience. It is a serious gastro-intestinal condition that profoundly affects the lives of many of those who suffer from it. Although there are different severities of the condition, everyone who suffers from Gastroparesis experiences significant disruption of daily activities. No one is immune to developing the disorder, and it appears in all age groups.
Gastroparesis literally means paralyzed stomach. It is a devastating condition that is fairly common among the diabetic population, although it can be caused by a number of other factors as well. Gastroparesis results in delayed emptying of food and liquid from the stomach. Once food is ingested, it often sits in the stomach for hours or even days because the stomach does not contract very well, if at all. Gastroparesis is one of the most difficult gastrointestinal disorders to treat. There are limited treatment options, but uncontrolled Gastroparesis can have serious consequences including malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss. Many doctors know very little about Gastroparesis so often newly diagnosed patients do not understand their condition or the treatment options available to them.
Food Suggestions and Tips for People who have Idiopathic Gastroparesis or Delayed Emptying of the Stomach
source: The Gastroparesis & Dysmotilities Association
It is hard to imagine that in countries as prosperous as the USA and Canada that anybody could suffer from severe malnutrition. However, it does happen and is one of the major complications of Gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is not just an inconvenience. It is a serious gastro-intestinal condition that profoundly affects the lives of many of those who suffer from it. Although there are different severities of the condition, everyone who suffers from Gastroparesis experiences significant disruption of daily activities. No one is immune to developing the disorder, and it appears in all age groups.
Gastroparesis literally means paralyzed stomach. It is a devastating condition that is fairly common among the diabetic population, although it can be caused by a number of other factors as well. Gastroparesis results in delayed emptying of food and liquid from the stomach. Once food is ingested, it often sits in the stomach for hours or even days because the stomach does not contract very well, if at all. Gastroparesis is one of the most difficult gastrointestinal disorders to treat. There are limited treatment options, but uncontrolled Gastroparesis can have serious consequences including malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss. Many doctors know very little about Gastroparesis so often newly diagnosed patients do not understand their condition or the treatment options available to them.
Food Suggestions and Tips for People who have Idiopathic Gastroparesis or Delayed Emptying of the Stomach
source: The Gastroparesis & Dysmotilities Association
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