There is much to be thankful for in life. This Thanksgiving, Marty and I are especially grateful that for the first time in many years Marty could enjoy the celebratory feast without ensuing dire digestive consequences. As he has been, in times gone by, a legendary eater, it was a great relief and joy for him to take part in the meal with family without worries about unpleasant results. This indicates that the surgery a year ago to remove extensive scar tissue and re-sect his bowel had very positive results. In addition, his continuing work with our excellent osteopathic physician has supported his overall health and well being. Marty's "structural" issues (numb leg, back pain, etc) have been positively changed with his work with our osteopath and with Alexander lessons with yours truly. In short, Marty is doing well, we are living a much more "normal" life and enjoying all that life brings us. OK, sleep is still our favorite sport, but at least we can sleep now without all the trauma of Marty being ill due to eating pretty much anything besides rice and pasta.
Life is good!
Best to all!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Continued Good News
It is with joy and relief that I report on sweet Marty's current health and overall condition. Long story short: he is doing well, eating sleeping and pursuing the activities of life without any of his previous health challenges!!!
We do have to be mindful of the quantity of food he eats in a meal (less better than more) and the type of food (lighter preferable to heavier, fried or raw not good options), but in general, Marty is eating widely and enjoyably. For someone with a legendary appetite prior to illness, this is a great happiness.
Marty does continue to experience some structural issues (numbness in legs and feet, for instance) due to the imposition of a very large tumor in his pelvic floor (removed in 2004) and two extensive abdominal surgeries. He has been benefiting from the work of our excellent osteopath, and is also now taking weekly Alexander lessons with yours truly. Both approaches seem to be helping!
Although HRH Carmella gets Marty up in the night for her own feline purposes and projects, the nocturnal nausea and vomiting that Marty experienced for years and years have not been a factor in our lives. We can make plans with family and friends, see films, travel, garden and generally enjoy our life together without worries for Marty's well-being. This is like a miracle, given the dire limitations of the past many years, and the endurance required on both of our parts to remain hopeful or even functional. Our resilience as individuals and especially as a partnership is well confirmed!
Now, we can have some fun and thrive beyond survival!
We do have to be mindful of the quantity of food he eats in a meal (less better than more) and the type of food (lighter preferable to heavier, fried or raw not good options), but in general, Marty is eating widely and enjoyably. For someone with a legendary appetite prior to illness, this is a great happiness.
Marty does continue to experience some structural issues (numbness in legs and feet, for instance) due to the imposition of a very large tumor in his pelvic floor (removed in 2004) and two extensive abdominal surgeries. He has been benefiting from the work of our excellent osteopath, and is also now taking weekly Alexander lessons with yours truly. Both approaches seem to be helping!
Although HRH Carmella gets Marty up in the night for her own feline purposes and projects, the nocturnal nausea and vomiting that Marty experienced for years and years have not been a factor in our lives. We can make plans with family and friends, see films, travel, garden and generally enjoy our life together without worries for Marty's well-being. This is like a miracle, given the dire limitations of the past many years, and the endurance required on both of our parts to remain hopeful or even functional. Our resilience as individuals and especially as a partnership is well confirmed!
Now, we can have some fun and thrive beyond survival!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
A few glitches..
Since surgery in November 2011, Marty's health, ease and energy have improved significantly. We have begun to live more fully and fearlessly, as threats of digestive discomfort for Marty have lessened. Both of us are sleeping, eating and living with increased ease and confidence. Life seems like a day in the country after many years of health related anxiety.
Recent glitches, however, indicate that all is not ideal and perfect (as it never is for anybody anyway). Marty has had several episodes of digestive unease that alert us to attend to food choices and quantities. In other words, his digestive system is working far more effectively, but still can't be unduly challenged. Difficult to digest foods such as pizza or potatoes need to be taken in small amounts, as they can potentially cause big discomfort, especially in larger portions.
We are thus learning as we go along. I do get a bit of PTSD when Marty feels ill, like the whole long wearying nightmare of him being constantly sick is returning. But this is just my anxiety, not a reality, and there is no reason for concern.
May life continue in this fashion of us living normally and learning from glitches with ease!
Recent glitches, however, indicate that all is not ideal and perfect (as it never is for anybody anyway). Marty has had several episodes of digestive unease that alert us to attend to food choices and quantities. In other words, his digestive system is working far more effectively, but still can't be unduly challenged. Difficult to digest foods such as pizza or potatoes need to be taken in small amounts, as they can potentially cause big discomfort, especially in larger portions.
We are thus learning as we go along. I do get a bit of PTSD when Marty feels ill, like the whole long wearying nightmare of him being constantly sick is returning. But this is just my anxiety, not a reality, and there is no reason for concern.
May life continue in this fashion of us living normally and learning from glitches with ease!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Marty's new travel ease
Marty travelled to Chicago to visit with his dear elderly mother last week. Previous to his surgery this past November, travel was very challenging for Marty, as there was no predicting his levels of discomfort or illness. He was frequently faced with the dreary possibility that he would feel very poorly in transit and upon arrival. I worried constantly about his travel without me, and even if we travelled together, had to care for him and monitor his ease with great attention, with the frustrating reality that there was little I could do to diminish his unease. I could witness but not help very much.
His recent trip demonstrated clearly and happily that the major surgery he endured in November has made a hugely positive difference. He experienced no dreary digestive sequences during his flights or his visit, so that he could comfortably enjoy precious time with his beloved and elderly mother. He was able to eat meals with dear friends, sleep without disruption from intestinal distress, and have the energy to enjoy being in Chicago without health anxiety.
Thus, more evidence that Marty's health has rebounded to a very satisfactory outcome! The surgery and ensuing recovery required endurance for both of us, as well as staggering medical expenses, but all efforts and expenses proven worthwhile as we can currently enjoy a life without excessive health and comfort challenges. Once we pay off the enormous bills, we can confidently travel together or independently again after many years of anxiety related limitations.
To say I am relieved puts it mildly; I am thrilled!
Thanks to all who have been so supportive during the rough years!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Carmella weighs in..
Hi everyone in the entire world and beyond!H.R.H. Carmella here, reporting about the wonderfully improved service for me now that Marty feels better and Jeanne is in full relief mode. I am thrilled to have my full staff available in a much more consistent fashion.
Marty gets up in the night to attend to my needs for snuggling and food instead of him being ill. Jeanne doesn't drag around all day like a limp zombie. And, they laugh and eat together far more than previous to his surgery!
This is all good news for me and for them. But let's get back to me: do you think I look fat? I think I am lovely, of course, and rely on them to maintain my admirable figure.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Latest
Marty continues to do very well 3 and 1/2 months after his surgery to remove scar tissue and a section of his intestines. It seems nearly miraculous that we can eat, sleep and live more or less normally with few difficulties for Marty's digestive system. What was challenging for nearly 8 years is now an increasingly distant set of memories. What a relief!
Thank you to all who remembered Marty on his birthday with cards, calls and emails. We went out for a lovely dinner in the neighborhood and walked home happily without fear of midnight digestive distress. How he lived for so many years with constant discomfort still astounds me! To say the least, Marty is resilient!
Friday, March 2, 2012
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