Brad Paisley - Hard Life

before, during and after

these are pics that were taken 6 months apart. The first one is just me, before I lost soo much weight, pigment in skin goes away, all hair fell out. The 2nd one was at during the time I was a patient in a rehabilitation center to help me get m,y body functioning and out of starvation mode. Mt feet, legs hands and practically everything else was swollen, even my face, my stomach was bloated looked like I was 6 months pregnant. The last pic is me, healthy, gaining weight, all my pigment had come back and my hair was growing out. Laugh even when you feel too sick too worn out or too tired smile even when you want to cry and the tears are blurring your vision. Sing even when people stare at you and tell you that your voice is terrible. Trust even when your heart begs you not to. Sleep even when youre afraid what your dreams may bring. Run even when you feel like you cant run no more. And always remember even when the memories pinch your heart. Because the pain of all your experiences is what makes you the person you are now. And without your experience you are an empty page, a blank notebook, a missing song lyric. What makes you brave is your willingness to live through your tough life and hold your head up high the next day. So dont live life in fear. You are strong now, after all the battles you have fought, than youve ever been before

What is Chronic pancreatitis?

Symptoms Patients with chronic pancreatitis usually present with persistent abdominal pain or steatorrhea resulting from malabsorption of the fats in food. Diabetes is a common complication due to the chronic pancreatic damage and may require treatment with insulin. Some patients with chronic pancreatitis look very sick, while others don't appear to be unhealthy at all. Considerable weight loss, due to malabsorption, is evident in a high percentage of patients, and can continue to be a health problem as the condition progresses. The patient may also complain about pain related to their food intake, especially those meals containing a high percentage of fats and protein. Some chronic pancreatitis patients do not experience pain while others suffer from constant, debilitating pain. Weight loss can also be attributed to a reduction in food intake in patients with severe abdominal pain. [edit] Causes Alcohol Tropical (nutritional) Hereditary Trypsinogen and inhibitory protein defects Cystic fibrosis Idiopathic Trauma Hypercalcaemia Calcific stones In developed countries, the most common causes of chronic pancreatitis are alcohol and idiopathic. Across the rest of the world malnutrition and associated dietary factors have been implicated. In a small group of patients chronic pancreatitis has been shown to be hereditary, inherited as an autosomal dominant condition with variable penetrance. Almost all patients with cystic fibrosis have established chronic pancreatitis, usually from birth. Cystic fibrosis gene mutations have also been identified in patients with chronic pancreatitis but in whom there were no other manifestations of cystic fibrosis. Obstruction of the pancreatic duct because of either a benign or malignant process may result in chronic pancreatitis. Congenital abnormalities of the pancreatic duct, in particular pancreas divisum, have been implicated.″[1] [edit]Diagnosis The diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis is typically based on tests on pancreatic structure and function, as direct biopsy of the pancreas is considered excessively risky. Serum amylase and lipase may or may not be moderately elevated in cases of chronic pancreatitis, owing to the uncertain levels of productive cell damage, though elevated lipase is the more likely found of the two. Amylase and lipase are nearly always found elevated in the acute condition along with an elevated CRP inflammatory marker that is broadly in line with the severity of the condition. A secretin stimulation test is considered the gold standard functional test for diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis but not often used clinically. The observation that bi-carbonate production is impaired early in chronic pancreatitis has led to the rationale of use of this test in early stages of disease (sensitivity of 95%). Other common tests used to determine chronic pancreatitis are faecal elastase measurement in stool, serum trypsinogen, Computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, EUS, MRI, ERCP and MRCP. Pancreatic calcification can often be seen on plain abdominal X-rays, as well as CT scans. There are other non-specific laboratory studies useful in diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase can be elevated, indicating stricturing of the common bile duct due to edema, fibrosis or cancer. When the chronic pancreatitis is due to an autoimmune process, elevations in ESR, IgG4, rheumatoid factor, ANA and antismooth muscle antibody may be seen. The common symptom of chronic pancreatitis, steatorrhea, can be diagnosed by two different studies: Sudan chemical staining of feces or fecal fat excretion of 7 grams or more over a 24hr period on a 100g fat diet. To check for pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, the most sensitive and specific test is the measurement of fecal elastase, which can be done with a single stool sample, and a value of less than 200 ug/g indicates pancreatic insufficiency.[2] [edit] Treatment The different treatment modalities for management of chronic pancreatitis are medical measures, therapeutic endoscopy and surgery.[3] Treatment is directed, when possible, to the underlying cause, and to relieve pain and malabsorption. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus may occur and need long term insulin therapy. The abdominal pain can be very severe and require high doses of analgesics, sometimes including opiates. Disability and mood problems are common, although early diagnosis and support can make these problems manageable. Alcohol cessation and dietary modifications (low-fat diet) are important to manage pain and slow the calcific process. Recent research indicates smoking may be a high-risk factor. [edit] Pancreatic Enzyme Supplementation Replacement pancreatic enzymes are often effective in treating the malabsorption and steatorrhea. However, the outcome from 6 randomized trials has been inconclusive regarding pain reduction.[4] While the outcome of trials regarding pain reduction with pancreatic enzyme replacement is inconclusive, some patients do have pain reduction with enzyme replacement and since they are relatively safe, giving enzyme replacement to a chronic pancreatitis patient is an acceptable step in treatment for most patients. Treatment may be more likely to be successful in those without involvement of large ducts and those with idiopathic pancreatitis. Patients with alcoholic pancreatitis may be less likely to respond.[2] [edit] Surgery Traditional Surgery for Chronic Pancreatitis tends to be divided into two areas - resectional and drainage procedures.[5] New and proven transplantation options prevent the patient from becoming diabetic following the surgical removal (resection) of their pancreas. This is achieved by transplanting back in the patient's own insulin-producing beta cells.[6] [edit]

What is gastroparesis

What is gastroparesis? Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Normally, the muscles of the stomach, which are controlled by the vagus nerve, contract to break up food and move it through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. The movement of muscles in the GI tract, along with the release of hormones and enzymes, allows for the digestion of food. Gastroparesis can occur when the vagus nerve is damaged by illness or injury and the stomach muscles stop working normally. Food then moves slowly from the stomach to the small intestine or stops moving altogether What causes gastroparesis? Most people diagnosed with gastroparesis have idiopathic gastroparesis, which means a health care provider cannot identify the cause, even with medical tests. Diabetes is the most common known cause of gastroparesis. People with diabetes have high levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the vagus nerve. Other identifiable causes of gastroparesis include intestinal surgery and nervous system diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. For reasons that are still unclear, gastroparesis is more commonly found in women than in men. [Top] What are the symptoms of gastroparesis? The most common symptoms of gastroparesis are nausea, a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food, and vomiting undigested food—sometimes several hours after a meal. Other symptoms of gastroparesis include gastroesophageal reflux (GER), also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation—a condition in which stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, the organ that connects the mouth to the stomach pain in the stomach area abdominal bloating lack of appetite Symptoms may be aggravated by eating greasy or rich foods, large quantities of foods with fiber—such as raw fruits and vegetables—or drinking beverages high in fat or carbonation. Symptoms may be mild or severe, and they can occur frequently in some people and less often in others. The symptoms of gastroparesis may also vary in intensity over time in the same individual. Sometimes gastroparesis is difficult to diagnose because people experience a range of symptoms similar to those of other diseases. [Top] How is gastroparesis diagnosed? Gastroparesis is diagnosed through a physical exam, medical history, blood tests, tests to rule out blockage or structural problems in the GI tract, and gastric emptying tests. Tests may also identify a nutritional disorder or underlying disease. To rule out any blockage or other structural problems, the health care provider may perform one or more of the following tests: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. This procedure involves using an endoscope—a small, flexible tube with a light—to see the upper GI tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum—the first part of the small intestine. The test is performed at a hospital or outpatient center by a gastroenterologist—a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases. The endoscope is carefully fed down the esophagus and into the stomach and duodenum. A small camera mounted on the endoscope transmits a video image to a monitor, allowing close examination of the intestinal lining. A person may receive a liquid anesthetic that is gargled or sprayed on the back of the throat. An intravenous (IV) needle is placed in a vein in the arm if general anesthesia is given. The test may show blockage or large bezoars—solid collections of food, mucus, vegetable fiber, hair, or other material that cannot be digested in the stomach—that are sometimes softened, dissolved, or broken up during an upper GI endoscopy. Upper GI series. An upper GI series may be done to look at the small intestine. The test is performed at a hospital or outpatient center by an x-ray technician, and the images are interpreted by a radiologist—a doctor who specializes in medical imaging. Anesthesia is not needed. No eating or drinking is allowed for 8 hours before the procedure, if possible. If the person has diabetes, a health care provider may give different instructions about fasting before the test. During the procedure, the person will stand or sit in front of an x-ray machine and drink barium, a chalky liquid. Barium coats the small intestine, making signs of gastroparesis show up more clearly on x rays. Gastroparesis is likely if the x ray shows food in the stomach after fasting. A person may experience bloating and nausea for a short time after the test. For several days afterward, barium liquid in the GI tract causes stools to be white or light colored. A health care provider will give the person specific instructions about eating and drinking after the test. Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses a device, called a transducer, that bounces safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure. The procedure is performed in a health care provider’s office, outpatient center, or hospital by a specially trained technician, and the images are interpreted by a radiologist; anesthesia is not needed. The images can show whether gallbladder disease and pancreatitis could be the cause of a person’s digestive symptoms, rather than gastroparesis. Gastric emptying scintigraphy. The test involves eating a bland meal—such as eggs or an egg substitute—that contains a small amount of radioactive material. The test is performed in a radiology center or hospital by a specially trained technician and interpreted by a radiologist; anesthesia is not needed. An external camera scans the abdomen to show where the radioactive material is located. The radiologist is then able to measure the rate of gastric emptying at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after the meal. If more than 10 percent of the meal is still in the stomach at 4 hours, the diagnosis of gastroparesis is confirmed. SmartPill. The SmartPill is a small electronic device in capsule form. The SmartPill test is available at specialized outpatient centers. The images are interpreted by a radiologist. The device is swallowed and moves through the entire digestive tract, sending information to a cell-phone-sized receiver worn around the person’s waist or neck. The recorded information provides a detailed record of how quickly food travels through each part of the digestive tract. Breath test. With this test, the person eats a meal containing a small amount of radioactive material; then breath samples are taken over a period of several hours to measure the amount of radioactive material in the exhaled breath. The results allow the health care provider to calculate how fast the stomach is emptying. [Top] How is gastroparesis treated? Treatment of gastroparesis depends on the severity of the person’s symptoms. In most cases, treatment does not cure gastroparesis, which is usually a chronic, or long-lasting, condition. Gastroparesis is also a relapsing condition—the symptoms can come and go for periods of time. Treatment helps people manage the condition so they can be as comfortable and active as possible. Eating, Diet, and Nutrition Changing eating habits can sometimes help control the severity of gastroparesis symptoms. A health care provider may suggest eating six small meals a day instead of three large ones. If less food enters the stomach each time a person eats, the stomach may not become overly full, allowing it to empty more easily. Chewing food well, drinking noncarbonated liquids with a meal, and walking or sitting for 2 hours after a meal—instead of lying down—may assist with gastric emptying. A health care provider may also recommend avoiding high-fat and fibrous foods. Fat naturally slows digestion and some raw vegetables and fruits are more difficult to digest than other foods. Some foods, such as oranges and broccoli, contain fibrous parts that do not digest well. People with gastroparesis should minimize their intake of large portions of these foods because the undigested parts may remain in the stomach too long. Sometimes, the undigested parts form bezoars. When a person has severe symptoms, a liquid or puréed diet may be prescribed. As liquids tend to empty more quickly from the stomach, some people may find a puréed diet helps improve symptoms. Puréed fresh or cooked fruits and vegetables can be incorporated into shakes and soups. A health care provider may recommend a dietitian to help a person plan meals that minimize symptoms and ensure all nutritional needs are met. When the most extreme cases of gastroparesis lead to severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, urgent care may be required at a medical facility where IV fluids can be given. Medications Several prescription medications are available to treat gastroparesis. A combination of medications may be used to find the most effective treatment. Metoclopramide (Reglan). This medication stimulates stomach muscle contractions to help with gastric emptying. Metoclopramide also helps reduce nausea and vomiting. The medication is taken 20 to 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. Possible side effects of metoclopramide include fatigue, sleepiness, and depression. Currently, this is the only medication approved by the FDA for treatment of gastroparesis. However, the FDA has placed a black box warning on this medication because of rare reports of it causing an irreversible neurologic side effect called tardive dyskinesia—a disorder that affects movement. Erythromycin. This antibiotic, prescribed at low doses, may improve gastric emptying. Like metaclopramide, erythromycin works by increasing the contractions that move food through the stomach. Possible side effects of erythromycin include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Other medications. Other medications may be used to treat symptoms and problems related to gastroparesis. For example, medications known as antiemetics are used to help control nausea and vomiting. Botulinum Toxin Botulinum toxin is a nerve blocking agent also known as Botox. After passing an endoscope into the stomach, a health care provider injects the Botox into the pylorus, the opening from the stomach into the duodenum. Botox is supposed to help keep the pylorus open for longer periods of time and improve symptoms of gastroparesis. Although some initial research trials showed modest improvement in gastroparesis symptoms and the rate of gastric emptying following the injections, other studies have failed to show the same degree of effectiveness of the Botox injections.1 1Bai Y, Xu MJ, Yang X, et al. A systematic review on intrapyloric botulinum toxin injection for gastroparesis. Digestion. 2010;81(1):27–34. Gastric Electrical Stimulation This treatment alternative may be effective for some people whose nausea and vomiting do not improve with dietary changes or medications. A gastric neurostimulator is a surgically implanted battery-operated device that sends mild electrical pulses to the stomach muscles to help control nausea and vomiting. The procedure may be performed at a hospital or outpatient center by a gastroenterologist. General anesthesia may be required. The gastroenterologist makes several tiny incisions in the abdomen and inserts a laparoscope—a thin tube with a tiny video camera attached. The camera sends a magnified image from inside the stomach to a video monitor, giving the gastroenterologist a close-up view of the tissues. Once implanted, the settings on the battery-operated device can be adjusted to determine the settings that best control symptoms. Jejunostomy If medications and dietary changes don’t work, and the person is losing weight or requires frequent hospitalization for dehydration, a health care provider may recommend surgically placing a feeding tube through the abdominal wall directly into a part of the small intestine called the jejunum. The surgical procedure is known as a jejunostomy. The procedure is performed by a surgeon at a hospital or outpatient center. Anesthesia is needed. The feeding tube bypasses the stomach and delivers a special liquid food with nutrients directly into the jejunum. The jejunostomy is used only when gastroparesis is extremely severe. Parenteral Nutrition When gastroparesis is so severe that dietary measures and other treatments are not helping, a health care provider may recommend parenteral nutrition—an IV liquid food mixture supplied through a special tube in the chest. The procedure is performed by a surgeon at a hospital or outpatient center; anesthesia is needed. The surgeon inserts a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a chest vein, with the catheter opening outside the skin. A bag containing liquid nutrients is attached to the catheter, and the nutrients are transported through the catheter into the chest vein and into the bloodstream. This approach is a less preferable alternative to a jejunostomy and is usually a temporary treatment to get through a difficult period of gastroparesis. [Top] How is gastroparesis treated if a person has diabetes? An elevated blood glucose level directly interferes with normal stomach emptying, so good blood glucose control in people with diabetes is important. However, gastroparesis can make blood glucose control difficult. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise. Gastric emptying is unpredictable with gastroparesis, causing a person’s blood glucose levels to be erratic and difficult to control. The primary treatment goals for gastroparesis related to diabetes are to improve gastric emptying and regain control of blood glucose levels. In addition to the dietary changes and treatments already described, a health care provider will likely adjust the person’s insulin regimen. To better control blood glucose, people with diabetes and gastroparesis may need to take insulin more often or change the type of insulin they take take insulin after meals, instead of before check blood glucose levels frequently after eating and administer insulin when necessary A health care provider will give specific instructions for taking insulin based on the individual’s needs and the severity of gastroparesis. In some cases, the dietitian may suggest eating several liquid or puréed meals a day until gastroparesis symptoms improve and blood glucose levels are more stable. [Top] What are the problems of gastroparesis? The problems of gastroparesis can include severe dehydration due to persistent vomiting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is GER that occurs more than twice a week for a few weeks; GERD can lead to esophagitis— irritation of the esophagus bezoars, which can cause nausea, vomiting, obstruction, or interfere with absorption of some medications in pill form difficulty managing blood glucose levels in people with diabetes malnutrition due to poor absorption of nutrients or a low calorie intake decreased quality of life, including work absences due to severe symptoms [Top] Points to Remember Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine. Gastroparesis can occur when the vagus nerve is damaged by illness or injury and the stomach muscles stop working normally. Food then moves slowly from the stomach to the small intestine or stops moving altogether. Most people diagnosed with gastroparesis have idiopathic gastroparesis, which means a health care provider cannot identify the cause, even with medical tests. Diabetes is the most common known cause of gastroparesis. People with diabetes have high levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the vagus nerve. The most common symptoms of gastroparesis are nausea, a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food, and vomiting undigested food— sometimes several hours after a meal. Other common symptoms include gastroesophageal reflux (GER), pain in the stomach area, abdominal bloating, and lack of appetite. Gastroparesis is diagnosed through a physical exam, medical history, blood tests, tests to rule out blockage or structural problems in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and gastric emptying tests. Changing eating habits can sometimes help control the severity of gastroparesis symptoms. A health care provider may suggest eating six small meals a day instead of three large ones. When a person has severe symptoms, a liquid or puréed diet may be prescribed. Treatment of gastroparesis may include medications, botulinum toxin, gastric electrical stimulation, jejunostomy, and parenteral nutrition. For people with gastroparesis and diabetes, a health care provider will likely adjust the person’s insulin regimen. [Top] Hope through Research The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK’s) Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition supports basic and clinical research into GI motility disorders, including gastroparesis. Researchers are studying whether new medications or surgery can improve gastric emptying and reduce gastroparesis symptoms. Researchers are evaluating the safety and effectiveness of nortriptyline for treatment of gastroparesis. More information about one such study, funded under the National Institutes of Health clinical trial number NCT00765895, can be found at www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov. [Top]

WEAR GREEN FOR VALENTINES DAY 2013

Valentine's Day is coming up. There is a movement going around in the Gastroparesis communities to wear green on the 14th of February. This image was made by one of our fellow Gastroparesis fighters. I know that Valentine's Day is a celebration of love. People normally wear reds, pinks, and purple hues, but how about showing a different kind of love and support this year? Will you please wear green to show support and love to those of us with this illness? We are asking that you stand with us in unity to show support. It's a small thing to ask to support the GP fighters out there. We can't eat the Valentine's candy and most of us can't even sit in a restaurant because the smells make us ill. It would be appreciated so much. If you could take a picture showing that you wore green on Valentine's Day, we can compile them to make an awareness video! It will help to spread more awareness! No awareness, no research, no cure.

FEEDING TUBE AWARENESS

As alot of you may or may not know, I had a J-tube (feeding tube) placed into my small intestine in Match 2010. It was the only way I was able to eat, maintain weight and attempt to stay healthy. It became my lifeline. It is responsible for mwe still being here today. Luckily I had my tube removed 12/26/2012 and I am so happy! I am in a much better place and for the time being I am able to take care of myself. Please support, my nephew Eric, has CF and has a feeding tube, so does my little niece Roeroe, she has AMC THANK YOU!!! <3

Hair

When my gastroparesis started to take a really bad turn, I didnt notice it at first, but my hair was thinning and even turning white. It was the strangest thing ever. The doctors finally said I was loosing my hair due to malnutrition. I was devestated! My hair was awesome! IT was how long i wanted, shiny, the perfect color and just so many fun things you could do with it. Its very hard as a woman to accept this change and deal with the emotional and the mental challenges that this brings. You dont really even feel like a girl let alone a cute one. Another weird thing that happened with my hair was it stopped growing everywhere. I didnt have to shave my legs for like 6 months! I have acquired quite the selection of hats, beanies scarves and bandanas. Well since August my hair has been doing really good. Ive had several haircuts to keep it in a style wqhile it grows out! And its gonna be long long before I stop growing it out! In a way its kinda been fun to play with all the funky hairstyles and colors, but I have to admit I totally hate short hair! Too much work and I think I look funny! Anyways I am putting up pictures from the beginning of August how short it was and a current ( well its a week old) picture of hair progress. xxx

My struggle for life

Back in 2004,while I was living in Salt Lake City, UT, I started feeling sick one day and figured it was just the stomach flu or something I ate. So I just took it easy for a couple days but the problem kept getting worse and more painful.While I was up visiting my parents in Rexburg, I ended up having to go in the the ER to have an ultrasound done because my gall bladder seemed suspicious. But, nothing. I went to my doctor, when I got home, and she told me if you get any worse, go to the ER. So I am at home with some friends and before I know it I am doubled over in so much pain. We went to the ER and they started doing so many tests and pumping me full of drugs which I had never experienced before. I was scared silly. Finally after hours of waiting the Dr informs me that they were going to admit me and that I would need to have a scope done the next day by a specialist.I had pancreatitis. My pancreas was making stones and my blood levels were so high that my liver was infected and was shedding billy rueben thru urine. So I was freaked out and I called my mom and dad and without a seconds hesitation they were heading down to Salt Lake. This was the start of a whole new life. They did the scope and removed several stones from my pancreas and placed a shunt, larger opening, for my pancreas to get rid of junk. I was in the hospital 5 days before I went home. Once I finally got home everything had changed, my habits, what I can or cant eat, all the meds I have to be on and worrying if the problem will happen again. So we began the struggle of being admitted to hospital and then being released a few days later only to be put back in the hospital several days later. This went on and on for months when my mom made the decision that I needed to move back to Idaho so I can be around family and have everyones help when needed and yes it was a good thing. The in and out of the hospital continued for another 6 months or so to where I got to the point and wanted them to remove m6y pancreas so I wouldnt have to deal with it anymore. I was at a bbq with friends and there was a gentleman there who was having surgery in Salt Lake soon and he told me about his amazing surgeon, so being curious and looking for any help I could get made an appointment to go down and see him. When we got to the surgeons office we thought he might say he needed to place a larger, more permanent shunt, but oh were we wrong. He started talking to me and asking me all these questions and he finally said that I needed a procedure known as the "Frey" procedure. He was going to make an 18 inch incision down my stomach and remove my gall bladder and then he was going to cut part of my small intestine out and cut the top half of my pancreas off and cover the whole with healthy small intestine. He aslo told me and my mom that my condition was life threatening and he couldnt say that I would hold out that long. SWo we scheduled it for the next week. Well the surgery was a nightmare, I had so many tubes and monitors coming off me and I hurt so bad I couldnt move. We kept pushing for me to walk a little further and work on my breathing. Finall y 14 days later I was a ta good healing spot and was able to go home. The recovery was rough and painful but it was worth it because i was alive. So the next year was actually pretty uneventful. no hospital visits, nothing. Then... 2007 came around. I started getting really sick in the end of 2007. We coiuldnt figure out what it was and why I was always throwing up. we ran the hospital course again for like 6 months before they diagnosed me having Gastroparesis ( paralyzed stomach) and chronic pancreatitis. So I was basically throwing up anything and everything that went into my stomach. It got really extreme and we decided to go pay my surgeon a visit to see what are options were. The next thing I know I was being scheduled for another surgery. Just as bad as the first. The surgery was to remove 80% of my stomach and reroute things so I would be able to digest them. So far it seemed like the surgery was working until getting sick came back on and in full force. They started me on a motility drug which told your stomach muscle to move but my condition was going down hill fast. After movin gback to Rexburg so my mom was close, w were hitting the ER alot. One night in particular I had been throwing up for 19 days straight and I was just exhausted. The dr comes in and says your condition is too serious we need to transport to a different hospital. That scared the crap outta me. I did and still do alot of crying with these diseases, anyways. So we make it to Pocatello and they put a pic line in my arm and just drugged the crap outta me. The next day a new surgeon came and told me that they were going to place a J-tube, feeding tube ( insert thru stomach ibnto small intestine)but needed to wait because I was so malnourished they had to balance me out a little. The m orning finally came and it was time to go to surgery. When I got out I looked down and there was this tube sticking out of my stomach I just wanted to cry. So far Id been able to hide things they were just scars, but now, you cant hide that!!! They started me on feedings and I was there for 7 days before they let me go home. When I was finally home all I could do for nourishment was through the feeding tube. I couldnt drink or eat ANYTHING!! So about 3 months of that went by and one day I said whats the worse that could happen, I throw up no biggie. So I tried peanut butter and it stayed down, lets just say I ate so much peanut butter after I found out. So for thwe next 3 years it was still the in and out of hospital stuff all the time. Not knowing what to do or getting the right answers. To help with my chronic pain I was seeing a specialist and they dcecided to place a pain pump in my back attached to my spine, but before that happened, they had to get me better. I was going to hospital some times a couple times a day. I had lost all color to my skin and my hair was turning write, then all my hair fell out and I got down to about 117, for a 5'9 me, that was tiny. A baggy size 0. My blood levels were so far gone and everything else because my body was basically being starved.My arms, legs, face everything on me was bloated, odd I know, but I guess thats what happens, I couldnt even barely wear flip flops, I was having a nurse come into my house on a daily basis to treat me with meds and IV fluid. One day we ended up back at the ER and my dr finally made the call that they would keep me in the hospital for 3 days and then transport me to a rehabilitation center. I walked into the center place and wanted to scream. I couldnt believe things had gotten that bad. They did 24 hour no stop feedings on my and so so soooo many different medication. I had to gain weight and everything was just a nightmare. Every one around me were like saying goodbye like I was going to die and it freaked me out, but I honestly know now that everyone who was around me at the time, thought I was dying as well. So it was a pretty intense time. I wasnt just fighting to get out of that place, I was fighting so I would be able to live and watch my nieces and nephews grow up, be around my family and just truly live life. After about 3 weeks at being there my dr said it was time for me to go home. I still had to do 12 hour feedings a day at home plus eating, physical therapy and so on. After a couple weeks I started feeling so much better. I wasnt in pain I wasnt throwing up I finally felt like I was progressing. Time just kept passing and no hospital for me and I was slowly getting everything back.I could go out and do things with my friends and I could actually be an active participant of my life. I still get sick once in a while, but now they just know how to approach it better. Everyone who saw me go through it couldnt even believe I was the same girl. In December 2012 one of the most difficult part of all this was my feeding tube and it was removed. I wanted to cry, wait, I did lol. I have gained all the weight that I needed to gain and then some, Blah, but everyone says better to have a few extra pounds then be sick and dying again, VERY TRUE!!!!! So now Io am just doing maintenance and follow ups every 6 months with my doctors. I still have struggles with it but for now it is under control. There are some people that I need to say thank you to. My mom, makes me cry just thinking about it. She made sure she was always right by my side, no matter how far or bad timing it was. Always supporting me, taking care of me and going above and beyond things that I have never seen in my life. She is my rock, my best friend and I love her and hope she knows how much she means to me. My dad is amazing. He always would think of questions to ask that we wouldnt and just being there and having him by my side and supporting me, was everything. My sister Amy and my brother Royce showed me so much kindness, support and love. Sharsti for being by my side and talking me thru the medical crisis I was dealing with. Always knowing if I turned to you, you would be there. Carrie, I love you, from all the texts and emails back and forth and the gifts you would send to the hospital were always a smile on ym face kinda thing. I wont ever forget how you showed up to see me and visit me every chance you guys all got! I am truly blessed to have friends like you. So alot of people ask me what causes this or how did I get sick, I honestly have no clue and either do the dr's. And there was nothing really specific as to why I made such a dramatic turn around. I have a feeling deep inside my soul that the constant prayers of so many people and the blessings and my own little plea to help me finally kicked in. I strongly believe that my heavenly father loves me and does answer prayers. And yes I do believe in miracles because I am a walking one myself. 9 years later and here we sit today...... I can not wait for the next 9 and then some, only good things from here on out! Thank you all for your prayers and support, I could never repay you. It humbles me..... I love you all!!!!