Staying Motivated for the Long Haul

@hopeful33250 Agree-Narian on the broccoli!! Similar to tapioca. Unattractive in color and kind of a different texture which may not appeal to some. I like that it does not need to be cooked. Also high in protein w/o the fat. Just finished a platter of roasted vidalia onions/sweet potatoes/asparagus/baby bellas.
Oh dear it is almost 10 p.m.!!!! waaay past my bedtime. Glorious day playing in the dirt/watching the hummers and awaiting the hatching of the Cardinal babies.

@parus Sounds like a good day for food, bird watching and playing the dirt!

@rosemarya I forgot to mention, you do rinse them afterward. I have actually seen sites where they do not mention rinsing but other sites do mention it and I just figure I do not want a vinegar taste. I suppose if you choose to not rinse you could use a more tasteful vinegar, like champagne vinegar or something.
I did it to blueberries today and they were great, no vinegar taste.

We got home yesterday from our weekend away. I was sick yesterday morning so we did get a slightly late check out because I wasn't sure if I could make the five hour drive. We considered staying an extra night, would have to have changed rooms since they were pretty booked, but it was a thought. Other than being sick it was a great weekend. I attached the view from our room. We love it there.

This is now the third time I have had this problem in a month. I wake up with stomach pains and then have really bad diarrhea (sorry if TMI) and then start vomiting also. This continues until there is no way there is anything left, and of course leaves me totally spent. I am still recovering from that today. Has anyone else had that problem? I am assuming it is not connected with my immunosuppressants or anything else about my transplant. My husband and son immediately got concerned that it could be about rejection but I am certain it is not. Oddly, there is not a sheet in my large three-ring binder from MGH about symptoms of rejection and it is not easy to find online from reputable sources like MGH or Mayo, or Cleveland Clinic. I went by a source from Stanford Health Care, and another from Dove Med which I had never heard of before.
As I said, I doubt it has anything to do with my transplant so I think I should see a gastroenterologist. The first time I assumed it was food poisoning, the second time was milder and my daughter thought it may have been because my gut flora had not recovered (it was less than a week after the first time), but this time I think this needs to be looked into.
JK

@parus what are you referring to as being high in protein? Broccoli? I like broccoli OK, and we do eat it at least once a week generally but I hate it raw. I recently read an article about hypothyroidism that cruciferous vegetables can interfere with thyroid medication, and broccoli is one of them, along with Brussel sprouts. Overall what I eat most in the vegetable family is salads.
I love all of the other vegetables you mentioned.
JK

@contentandwell your view was beautiful! I think you should call your transplant team and get their opinion. It most likely isn't rejection, but they should know about it.
I hope you get answers.
JoDee

@jodeej I did mention it in a message on the portal. The only problem is that every message and phone call is intercepted by a nurse in whom I do not feel a lot of confidence. For this to happen three times within one month, something's going on, for sure.
JK

Wow, you sound like me! At first it seems easy to go to my water exercise classes and eat correctly. But then it seems extremely difficult! I need advice too. Please help.

@contentandwell

The picture of your view is just wonderful! I am so sorry to hear of you GI problems. Keep looking for answers and don't give up.

Teresa

@contentandwell, Three times in one month. Please do whatever you need to do to get in to see your doctor! Or a very good gastroenterogist who is connected to a transplant facility.
Hugs,
Rosemary

@rosemarya I am already looking into gastros at MGH, and I asked the nurse in transplant who is my primary contact, via the portal, if there is someone in particular I should see. I suspect not so I will just pick one, and not bother with my PCP at all. I will never trust him with an important diagnosis again. Not sure if I mentioned this, but I realized just recently that the delay in getting diagnosed could have cost me my life because if the malignant lesions I had, had been slightly larger I would have been eliminated as a candidate.
JK