Two Years Later...

Exactly two years ago this month, I ended up in the hospital after attending a friend's baby shower.  My "heartburn" had intensified over a course of four weeks, and I had limited my dietary intake to plain bread and broth.  Needless to say, I was not getting the necessary nutrition to function.  I was informed that my gallbladder was functioning at "less than zero percent."  That's right; less than zero percent.  As a result of my extreme attempt to tame the "heartburn", my blood work showed nutritional deficiencies and I was immediately put on supplements.  I also met with the available surgeon at the hospital, who confirmed that my gallbladder would be removed within a matter of days.

While the surgeon claimed it was likely that I would receive a tremendous relief from the surgery, relief could not be guaranteed.  I'm grateful he didn't guarantee anything, because my cynicism about the small chance I would not feel better allowed me to remain grounded.

Immediately following the removal of my gallbladder, my gastroenterological symptoms intensified even more.  *Disclaimer: Do not continue reading if you believe that some people provide TMI.  It was at this time that I would bend over to pick up a basket of laundry and bile would fall out of my mouth.  It just fell, I didn't even gag.  I lost too much weight.  I couldn't eat anything without getting sick.  I was living on dietary supplements and Gatorade.

I'll eliminate several details of the journey that brought me to this day.  But inevitably, I acquired a phenomenal gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, who declared without doubt that I exhibit super-gastric belches.  Amazing.  I'm a party favor.  He has been my physician for almost two years.  Several treatments have been attempted with little success.  I'm still suffering with extreme stomach discomfort ranging from gut-wrenching, stomach-holding pain, to intolerable reflux sensations.  

I returned from Mayo this week after having an upper and lower GI, a manometry, and a gastric emptying test...all a part of my check-up.  Many solutions were discussed, but the one I started implementing this week is a gluten-free diet.  It is my intent to document my symptoms, dietary changes, and challenges.  On day four, gluten-free has already proven to be more than difficult.

I hope not to scare people away with this seemingly boring blog. Rather, I seek advice and stories from people who share similar stories.