Thank you for the helpful comments. I can eat most foods, even gluten and dairy, just not too much at one time, and I do try to chew everything well. Two foods I definitely avoid are candy and nuts. In November I ate a bunch of Snickers leftover from Halloween followed by snacking on a big jar of nuts (which I knew had given me problems before). I think this is what led to the small bowel blockage. Stupid me! This led to my hospitalization and diagnosis--which came as a complete surprise. Now I am trying to figure out how to deal with it.
Do you see someone at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester? How did you manage to get an appointment? Was there a waiting list? Just want to keep that in mind for the future. Rochester is a long way from Albuquerque NM. Arizona would be closer if there is a specialist there. For now I am seeing an oncology doctor who has never seen a case of SM/MP. I am just waiting to see if the PET scan scheduled for March will show any change in size of the neoplasm. If it is not growing, then I think I will be OK, but if it is getting larger, then it presents a problem -- since it cannot be safely removed. I do feel fortunate that I have not had any more blockages, so I must be doing something right! Being able to connect with others on this website is helpful.