Author Archive
Props for Toilet Box Desks
It’s time for another SemiColon Props.
I enjoy the “props” feature of the blog. It’s a way to point out and appreciate the use of bathroom or colon-related things in unusual or creative ways.
Today’s SemiColon Props goes out to my co-worker, Jeff. He was in the midst of shooting a video on location and needed a make-shift desk. I think he made a strong choice.
Mac Thrones?
Blowing Into Test Tubes aka My SIBO Test
Last week, I had the unique experience of testing for SIBO – Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. Characterized by symptoms like: bloating; gas; pain; diarrhea; irritable bowel syndrome; and other *fun* things, I thought SIBO had just become my middle name.
My friends at Midwest GI were explaining what exactly SIBO was, and suggested I take the test for it. I agreed since it seemed easy enough. I got a small kit to take home to do a breath test with simple instructions to follow. Yep, just like the cops test for booze, except this test is better – it’s testing for bacteria in your small intestine! Woo hoo!
The day before the test, I had to follow a strict diet. This wasn’t too hard, since it was basically the diet I followed post-colon surgery. I could only eat white bread, rice, meat and eggs. Here’s what my menu looked like:
Breakfast of bagels & toast
We call them "toad in the holes" (basically an egg in grilled bread)
Now, I will admit…. it started to get a little harder to follow at dinner.
Cookout! Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers
Sort of hard to pass all of this up.
I followed this diet for 24 hours before my test. Though challenging at times, I got through it. I woke up the next morning ready to dive in and blow into some test tubes!
I had to wait an hour after I woke up to begin. I started getting the preparations ready by laying out all of the kit’s contents and triple-checking the instructions. I also had to remind myself that I could not work out an hour before, nor anytime during, the test. Needless to say, I was ready to begin.
The Testing Begins
I took an initial baseline test, drank this sugary-substance stuff, and then blew into a new test tube every 20 minutes.
Halfway there!
Because I had to stay nearby, it was a great way to get some things done. But yes, after three hours of blowing into test tubes and not eating, I was ready for it to be over.
Finished!
I finished all ten test tubes and then drove it back to Midwest GI for them to run the report. Super easy, and painless. I was so thankful that I could do it at home.
In my case, the test ended up negative – I do not have an overgrowth of bacertia in my small intestine. I’m guessing more of my complications have to do with post-surgery stuff, and because I only have a few inches of large intestine, much of my digesting is taking place in the small intestine. However, for anyone who does have their entire colon and still can relate to the IBS-like symptoms, I recommend getting tested! Even if you don’t have your whole colon, it’s worth getting tested if you’re having some similiar problems like too much gas or bloating. It’s an easy test, and could be the solution to your GI-related problems.
For more info about the SIBO test, click here.
This guy…
Helped save my life. He told me to go to the doctor when my 17-year-old self wanted to ignore a “little” blood in the stool.
He’s been my caregiver, my support, my protector and my provider. He’s always made sure I have insurance. But more than that, he makes sure I smile. He loves to surprise me. And he tells me that the scar down my stomach is sexy.
I love him very much. I’m glad he’s mine. For the past five years, and many more to come, I’m glad I get to keep living life as his bride.
Five years married ... and counting.
*** Enjoy the “sneak peek” pic from a photo session with our friends at Fantasma Imagery! More to come!
Yeah … and No
Yeah, having cancer is really hard.
Yeah, it’s also one of the most eye-opening experiences you will ever have.
No, it doesn’t always hurt.
Yeah, it often does. Or at least the tests for it are a huge pain and the stuff you drink tastes nasty. Colon surgery is no cake walk either.
Yeah, I’m usually feeling pretty good. I’m recovered from surgery.
Yeah, I’m still learning the ropes to life without much colon even 10 months later.
No, I would never ask for a double-colon surgery ever again.
Yeah, others have had worse than me, though.
Yeah, it’s hard to keep up morale sometimes.
Yeah, it’s way easier with good friends and family.
No, that doesn’t always cut it though.
Yeah, sometimes you do just need a day or night alone to take it all in.
Yeah, I think about cancer just about every day.
No, not because I’m directly fighting it right now or on chemo. But because its implications impact me each day.
Yeah, I’ve found a way to manage them.
No, I still don’t have it mastered, and I want my proverbial security blanket back.
Yeah, I still go poop and am one of the lucky ones. I can eat salad.
Yeah, I do wish I could have my colon back some days though.
No, I don’t regret having it removed. I’d rather have the least risk possible.
Yeah, that was probably me that farted.
No, I don’t like colonoscopies.
Yeah, I’m still going to tell you to get one until the day I die. You really need to get checked as you age or have problems.
No, they’re really NOT that bad.
Yeah, drinking that stuff and spending all night on the toilet is never fun for anyone. But suck it up and do it.
Yeah, I sometimes am saddened because I can’t have my own kids thanks to the surgeries and cancer treatments.
No, I don’t talk about it a lot.
Yeah, there is hope for us and adoption will be great one day.
No, we’re not ready for that yet.
Yeah, it’s frustrating to pay so much for medical care. Especially when other DINKS can do so much other fun stuff with their money.
Yeah, I struggle with that sometimes.
No, I don’t think we’ve got it as bad as so many others in the country.
Yeah, I feel blessed that we’ve been taken care of so far.
Yeah, I appreciate all of the comments about being strong and inspirational.
No, I don’t always know how to respond.
Yeah, I do feel like I’m still living in a fog sometimes. I don’t know if the impact of what I’ve gone through, what’s to come, or what’s looming over me some days really sinks in.
Yeah, the days that it does are hard. Thus, this post.
Yeah, I feel guilty sometimes when I see other survivors going through chemo or loosing their battles.
Yeah, I get jealous when others get clear results.
No, I would never wish sickness or this disease upon anyone. I truly rejoice at clear reports.
Yeah, I would trade it in myself if I could.
Yeah, I genuinely do still have hope most days.
Yeah, I think a long life ahead of me is definitely attainable.
No, my smile usually isn’t fake or fabricated.
Yeah, I’ve tried to find a way to embrace the aging effect and unique perspective all while acting my age.
Yeah, I’m typing this because today was a rough day.
Yeah, this blog helps and is therapeutic.
No, my day’s not all bathroom-related although maybe a little bit.
Yeah, it’s more about the emotional side of things tonight and what I have faced, and still face, hits me every now and then.
Yeah, I can’t do a post like this and not mention my faith.
Yeah, I think in the end, it’s what will really matter.
No, it’s not always easy for me to believe and trust that there’s a bigger plan and a greater world out there God’s created for us.
Yeah, I know it to be true though and that’s what gets me through.
The Cycling Semicolons
Colon Club Friends
Todd is loved by us all!
As many of you know, I’m involved in a community of colon cancer survivors through The Colon Club. This amazing organization has plugged me into a group of people who’ve also battled the disease under the traditional age of 50 years old. I had the unique opportunity to model for their 2009 calendar, and in the process met some amazing friends. Each one of them has a story that is so inspiring, and everyone is making strides in their own way to carry on the mission of preventing and beating this disease! One of the huge inspirations is Mr. November, Todd Colitti.
The Cycling Semicolons
Todd is cycling across the country right now in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Colon Club and Get your Guts in Gear. What’s so inspirational is that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer 10 years ago and often referred to as “The Miracle Man.” He’s peddling from the Atlantic to the Pacific , and not letting anything stop him.
His team, “The Cycling Semicolons,” (see the common theme?) is in Texas right now about about half way through. He told a reporter, “he has lost eight pounds, and is “saddle sore” some days. He has gotten three flat tires on his bicycle, but otherwise said he has plenty of energy to finish.” He hopes to make it to the Atlantic Ocean by May 14.
Today’s post goes out to support Todd and his journey. Thanks for helping spread the word, friend! All of us with semicolons, colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, ostomies or just GI-stuff appreciate it! I know you can make it!
Show Todd some Support!
To read an article about Todd’s journey at the half-way point, click here!
To learn more about the Cycling Semicolons, visit his page.
To donate to Todd’s cause for The Colon Club, go here.
Too Much Stress
A Reuters article reported this week that, “People with inflammatory bowel disease commonly believe that stress can trigger their symptoms, and a new study suggests they may be right.”
YA THINK?
I am not sure whether I am humored or disturbed by this recent study by Canadian researchers. Maybe if more of them would get out of the lab and spend a week or two with some of us, they’d get even more perspective for what we go through. All I need is a bad day where my nerves are shot and my hands are shaking because I’ve got so much adrenaline and nervous energy pumping through my veins … and see where I am that night and the next morning. It’s not really rocket science here. Or here’s a tip for those who are on the cutting edge of colon cancer genetic research – come and test my blood after one of those days and see if stress impacts my MLH1 gene, or if I happen to grow a new round of little polyps after one of these seasons. I’ve got a hunch that there’s a corolation.
HOWEVER;
Although these researchers are just now finding some ‘validity’ to some of our ‘claims’ – it still doesn’t take away the real problem most of us face: too much stress. And while I’m sure we’d love it sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to isolate ourselves from it or just throw in the towel (although I do feel sometimes a total break from a bad situation is what it will take.) But generally as a culture,we’ve got to find a way to manage our stress better. My colon takes a toll, while for others it’s their skin, teeth, weight, blood pressure (or all of the above.) I’ve come to realize that if we all don’t start taking steps in this direction, we’ll be sorry. Some of us will get sick and deal with a poor immunity the rest of our lives, others will be on chronic care, and then some of us just might not even make it. Sorry to sound grim, but it’s reality. It will eventually kill us.
SO…
In the spirit of helpfulness, let’s talk about how to make this even a little bit better. Here are 5 things I am trying to put into practice when I hit those high-level stress days. Granted, I need to listen to myself more than I do, but here’s a start.
– Take a walk
– Landscape (a recent find)
– Boxing class
– Leave the situation
– Drink wine
OK … your turn. Chime in and toss out your ideas about how you try to manage your stress to add to the list.
Blog Reading Tips
Hello to my faithful readers! I wanted to give a few tips for those of you who are still learning how this whole blog thing works.
If you’re like me, I often forget to check websites that I indend to visit often, and especially blogs. That’s why these two features have helped save my social media life….
1. Google Reader. If you have a Google account, you can sign up to use Google Reader. This is a site that makes reading blogs very easy. Instead of visiting each web page, it funnels all of the new posts into one place. Consider it your own personal news ticker, except for blogs. To use Google Reader, read this.
2. Email Subscriptions! You’ll see a small box to the right of my blog that says “Email Subscription.” This means that every time I post on the blog, you’ll receive an email with the content. It’s a great way to stay connected while you’re on-the-go, and still keep caught up with all that’s happening out there!
Hope that helps some of you who might be looking for a way to keep up! There is hope! Enjoy!
SemiColon Props for Grandma
Today’s the day for another SemiColon Props. (To see who’s received the honor in the past, click here and here.)
Today, the props goes out to my good friend Amy … or should I say her grandma. This baby blows garden gnomes and bird fountains out of the water in the world of outdoor decorating. Take that Pier 1!
Patio Furniture?
Ask Dr. T
Ever wonder about those new colon cleanse diets and if they’re really healthy for you?
Curious about how many times you should be going #2 every day?
Wondering what kind of diet you should be on?
Well… Ask Dr. T!
The SemiColon Blog is excited to announce a partnership with my doctor and friends at Midwest Gastroenterology. Just like Dr. Oz, but better, Dr. Taormina and his practice have agreed to help answer some of your most embarrassing questions on our blog! Get advice and tips from a local doctor here in the Kansas City area! Ask him anything and everything, and don’t worry, you won’t gross him out. He gives colonoscopies for a living now.
Submit your questions by emailing me at SemiColonCommunications@gmail.com or leave a comment (it will not be posted!) We’ll choose a few questions to answer each month, so if you don’t see your answer this month, keep checking back!!
This is going to be so fun, I can’t wait! Please ask away, and lets work together to make digestive health a priority!
p.s. I realize not everyone is as excited to associate their name to poo, or other GI issues, as I am. For that reason, you questions will be anonymous on the blog. 🙂
Favorite Foods
Hmmm, what to blog about.
Well, food is on my mind tonight. I feel so fortunate these days that I can still enjoy all kinds of food. While some give easier… results … than others, I can still eat just about anything. I am so thankful for that.
So, in the spirit of food, here are my top 5 favorite foods (at least as of today) … in no particular order.
1. Pizza – Margherita or cheese these days. Especially from Spin or Waldo Pizza.
2. Thai noodles w/ a soy sauce
3. Cake, cupcakes and more cake
4. Sopapillas w/ honey
5. Did I mention cake?
Ok now I listed mine, let’s hear some of yours…..
Semicolon Stories 