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Posted 12/19/2007 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
I missed the Symphony.  Three hours sitting in a concert hall. $75.00 dollars down the drain.

I missed the Company Christmas party.  Dinner at 8PM at a fancy restaurant with dancing to follow (right, that'll happen!).  Distance to travel? One hour.

I declined my son's offer of dinner at a swanky and expensive restaurant.  Reservations were for 8PM.  Distance to travel?  One hour.

I had a couple of "good" weeks and got complacent.  I thought it might be okay to actually PLAN something OUTRAGEOUS like going to the Symphony.  How silly of me. 

My employers, who only know the basic essentials of my gut problems, really don't grasp the enormity of the situation and really can't understand why dining at 8 in the evening and then having to drive an hour to get home might cause me some stress.

My son, who certainly knows the situation well, (after all, I raised him), decides to give me a Christmas gift of dining out.  I thought he was pretty clear on how I feel about eating in restaurants, especially those that are 50 miles away from my home.  And how crappy do I feel that I had to decline the offer?  Worst mother ever, right?

So, I'm having a pity party.  You are all invited. 

 

Posted 12/19/2007 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, I feel your pain! I'd love to join in your pity party. Study group Wednesday night? Kind of a pain in the library, as you have to walk down two flights of stairs and to the other side of the building from the "study group" room. So it has to take place here, at my house, where I can eat my medicated applesauce in peace. Plans for dinner, perhaps some drinks out? Get the emergency TP ready, you never know when I might have to make a pit stop in the gutter off to the side of the road. Seriously, this is lame-O. Can you take anything for these events, like Immodium or something, that'll keep your guts under control for those special occasions?
Posted 12/20/2007 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
Gosh, you guys, I was feeling sorry for myself tonight cause I had to use oxygen to climb some stairs at the theater because I get so out of breath with my emphysema but at least I can go and enjoy these things. I am so sorry that this is so tough for you all. It is not fair. At least I am not feeling so bad now.
Posted 12/20/2007 7:14 AM (GMT 0)

Canyonbabe711 said...
Gosh, you guys, I was feeling sorry for myself tonight cause I had to use oxygen to climb some stairs at the theater because I get so out of breath with my emphysema but at least I can go and enjoy these things. I am so sorry that this is so tough for you all. It is not fair. At least I am not feeling so bad now.

Oh my.  I think you win.  IBS, no matter how severe, can't compete with emphysema.  I live in fear of developing this.  What a pretty picture I would be with a bad belly and lousy lungs!

Sarita, as usual, you made me chuckle.  Medicated applesauce?  That is a pity.  You probably know, from my previous posts, that I alternate D and C - usually all within a 12 hour period of time.  Immodium would send me to the ER.  I would be plugged up for weeks on end.  My main issue is pain and unpredictability.  Hard to enjoy oneself at the Symphony when your gut is making more noise than the string section.  Hard to relax at dinner when your bowels suddenly decide it's time to let all hell loose!  Hard to face your co-workers the day after the Christmas party when you've spent the better part of the evening in the bathroom emitting sounds that could only have a demonic origin.

I'm feeling a bit better emotionally today, though still physically down for the count.  And, as always, I feel consoled by my peeps here - the only other humans I can count on for understanding!

Posted 12/20/2007 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
Anytime, anytime!

You'll get a kick out of this - I played violin in a city symphony where I used to live and we'd have concerts for 2,000+ people every month or so. I remember once I thought I was going to have to run off the stage in the middle of the Enigma Variations. I just about plotzed. Luckily, I made it to intermission. Man, that was the worst.

And getting up in the middle of the symphony to go potty would be no more annoying (and probably quite a bit LESS so) than those ridiculous people who would never turn off their cell phones (which always rang at the most inopportune times, like in the middle of an adagio) or even worse, the people who would start coughing and sit there and unwrap cough drop after cough drop! Crinkle, crinkle, smack, hack, retch, crinkle, ding-a-ling...it was like a whole other symphony just in the audience!

Hang in there, buddy!
Posted 12/20/2007 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gutastrophe- You know , this is a very difficult time of year for many particularly when you are dealing with your type of issues - with this being a time of year completely centered around eating and such.  I think that during the rest of the year for the most part, it is a bit easier (or maybe we just convince ourselves of that) but then it's thrown in your face at Thansgiving/xmas/birthdays, etc. then the difficulty is exacerbated.  People go out to eat, they travel, have parites that are all about food and drinking. You know, I have also suffered from eating disorders in the past (am now fully recovered and one MD said that that time in my life may well have contributed to current issues. The irony!!)  At that time, I really realized how much this country focuses on food in general. So, I am very sensitive to that myself.  Several years ago I would panic if I had to go out to eat because eating caused such guilt and angst.  Today, depending on what way things are going, I panic because anything can happen :).  For the record, I do love the holidays from Halloween all the way to New Years.  I'm sorry your son wants you to travel an hour- maybe he could compromise and meet you closer so at least you are more comfortable and less stressed out.  I wish I had more answers but hope that venting has you feeling a little lighter at least for the moment.  I feel for you.  And I hope you can enjoy some of the holiday. Good luck to you!    

Posted 12/20/2007 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Well, this is one contest I would rather not win. If any of you smoke please quit now. There is no guarantee that you will still not get lung disease but your chances are much less and the severity will be much less. I smoked longer than most of your have been alive but your head has to be in the right place to quit and when it finally was the quit was easy as pie for me. I had already been diagnosed with lung disease but when I found out that smoking causes acid reflux, Barretts disease and digestive problems I knew I had pushed the envelope as far as I could and still have some life. I know this isn't a lung forum but because it does affect digestion also I am posting this so bear with me this time for being off topic. nono
Posted 12/21/2007 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Canyon, I don't see any problem at all giving people such good advice on any health issue.
Posted 12/21/2007 9:18 AM (GMT 0)

Sarita said...
Anytime, anytime!

You'll get a kick out of this - I played violin in a city symphony where I used to live and we'd have concerts for 2,000+ people every month or so. I remember once I thought I was going to have to run off the stage in the middle of the Enigma Variations. I just about plotzed. Luckily, I made it to intermission. Man, that was the worst.

And getting up in the middle of the symphony to go potty would be no more annoying (and probably quite a bit LESS so) than those ridiculous people who would never turn off their cell phones (which always rang at the most inopportune times, like in the middle of an adagio) or even worse, the people who would start coughing and sit there and unwrap cough drop after cough drop! Crinkle, crinkle, smack, hack, retch, crinkle, ding-a-ling...it was like a whole other symphony just in the audience!

Hang in there, buddy!

Let me say I am so impressed that you played violin in the city symphony.  I was a piano performance major many, many moons ago and if it weren't for the horrific performance anxiety, I may have stuck with it and spent more time on stage.  But the mere thought of being in the situation you described gives me agita (Italian word for heartburn!).

I agree that the downside of going to the Symphony (or the Opera or the theatre) is the PEOPLE! 

I worked as a caterer for a time in Seattle's Symphony Hall.  During my breaks, I would sneak into the hall to listen to the orchestra rehearse.  It was the most precious experience - to be all alone amidst that huge and astonishing sound.  Those were the days!

Posted 12/21/2007 9:22 AM (GMT 0)

carell said...
Hi Gutastrophe- You know , this is a very difficult time of year for many particularly when you are dealing with your type of issues - with this being a time of year completely centered around eating and such.  I think that during the rest of the year for the most part, it is a bit easier (or maybe we just convince ourselves of that) but then it's thrown in your face at Thansgiving/xmas/birthdays, etc. then the difficulty is exacerbated.  People go out to eat, they travel, have parites that are all about food and drinking. You know, I have also suffered from eating disorders in the past (am now fully recovered and one MD said that that time in my life may well have contributed to current issues. The irony!!)  At that time, I really realized how much this country focuses on food in general. So, I am very sensitive to that myself.  Several years ago I would panic if I had to go out to eat because eating caused such guilt and angst.  Today, depending on what way things are going, I panic because anything can happen :).  For the record, I do love the holidays from Halloween all the way to New Years.  I'm sorry your son wants you to travel an hour- maybe he could compromise and meet you closer so at least you are more comfortable and less stressed out.  I wish I had more answers but hope that venting has you feeling a little lighter at least for the moment.  I feel for you.  And I hope you can enjoy some of the holiday. Good luck to you!    

Thanks for your support!  I too battled an eating disorder for years and I have no doubt it contributed to my condition.  But now I have a love affair with food.  I've been a chef for close to 20 years now and creating great cuisine is a ministry more than a job.  Unfortunately, the act of EATING is still fraught with distress - not because of the eating disorder but because of the stomach disorder.  I wish I could eat with abandon but my guts won't let me!


Posted 12/21/2007 9:23 AM (GMT 0)

Canyonbabe711 said...
Well, this is one contest I would rather not win. If any of you smoke please quit now. There is no guarantee that you will still not get lung disease but your chances are much less and the severity will be much less. I smoked longer than most of your have been alive but your head has to be in the right place to quit and when it finally was the quit was easy as pie for me. I had already been diagnosed with lung disease but when I found out that smoking causes acid reflux, Barretts disease and digestive problems I knew I had pushed the envelope as far as I could and still have some life. I know this isn't a lung forum but because it does affect digestion also I am posting this so bear with me this time for being off topic. nono

Thanks for those words of wisdom.  I am painfully aware of the consequences of smoking but it is good to be reminded every so often, even on a gut board!

Posted 12/22/2007 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Gut, how are you doing today? Any crazy plans for the weekend, like taking a walk around the block? Yeah, I want to do that too! :)
Posted 12/22/2007 5:22 PM (GMT 0)

Sarita said...
Gut, how are you doing today? Any crazy plans for the weekend, like taking a walk around the block? Yeah, I want to do that too! :)

Thanks for asking!

Son and future wife ended up coming to my home for dinner.  I expressed my regret over having to decline their invitation to dine out 60 miles from my house.  They seemed to take it in stride.  I am certain that I am much more sensitive about these things than anyone else!

The good news is I have 6 days off from work!  I have "organized" the holiday so that I am not obligated to do anything - hence no one (including me) will be disappointed.  To all invitations, I have responded "I will do my best!". 

Does walking around the store count?  I live in Seattle and the rain is currently coming down sideways.  Not exactly conducive to outdoor activity.

Big plan for the weekend?  Intestinal clean out.  Now, how fun does that sound?

Posted 12/22/2007 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, never a better way to spend the weekend...

I am glad that your son and future daughter-in-law seemed understanding about going too far away for din-din. That is quite a haul for dinner, I must say!
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