This Blog

So I just redid this blog. I changed the theme, added and rearranged pages, and added a little color. I like it better. I think it’s easier for you to find information this way. One page I added is called Diabetes. You’ll see it at the top. I was diagnosed with it last summer, I think in August. But I wasn’t ready to talk about it. I am now.

I also added an About page. Not like I’m not already talking about me enough in these posts! I felt it was needed. I know I always look for an About page when I’m reading blogs.

I’ve Accepted My Fate

I am at the point where I don’t think about this every day. Which is a good thing. Some things are starting to become a habit. I’ve severely slowed down on my drinking at night. I don’t consciously not eat within 2 hours of bed. It’s just become a habit.

I still clear my throat every day. I’ve been out of gum for a week. I went out a couple of times this week too and I forgot to pick up gum. I have to work on that habit, maybe buy a month’s worth and make sure I get it at the beginning of each month.

I have been avoiding rice. It’s just too dry. I try to make sure I walk a bit after each meal to help aid digestion. I guess at this time next year there will be nothing left to say.

Tell me how you really feel

So, why am I blogging?

Well, right now my goal is to have a record of what works and what doesn’t. Also to have a place to keep information organized that I find online. Like my “safe foods” and “foods to avoid” lists. Maybe in the future I’ll meet the 15 other people on earth with this diagnosis and we’ll all talk on a Ning forum.

I think I will have two types of posts. The first will be the accounting of what I ate for the day and the effects it had. I categorized those types of posts as Meal Check-Ins. The second will be my thoughts. I’ve categorized those as Ramblings. I think I should also have a third type of posts that will be more about the medical side of LRD.  

How do I feel about this diagnosis?

On one hand it’s like people say – it’s a relief to finally have a diagnosis. On the other hand, I don’t know how I feel. I only know why I feel.

I feel because this is a life changing diagnosis. I can’t go on clearing my throat every time I eat or drink something. I can’t keep taking the chance of choking. I certainly can’t keep coughing like this. I feel like I will never be free. Either I change my habits or suffer the consequences.

There! I said it. It’s about losing my freedom and my youth. I have my very first old people’s disease. This will never, ever go away.

I used to worry about getting diabetes. My father and my mother’s father both died of the disease. I didn’t want to have to change my eating habits and give up sugar. So now I get this obscure disease that’s forcing me to do something similar. The main difference is that I have to give up fat, not sugar. This doesn’t mean I won’t ever get diabetes, either. I may still get it and have to give up both fat and sugar. That will suck.

Today I will change my habits. Check in with me in a month and see how I feel then!

Saturday, July 19, 2008 – Day 1 of the Rest of My Life

Today I was diagnosed with LRD, or Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease as it’s more commonly known as by… probably 3 other people.

What is LRD?

How will it change my life?

How will I change my life?

How did I get it?

Good questions! I’m hoping that by blogging I will be able to answer them.

You know what’s funny? I was married to my first husband on July 19th. Let’s hope this ends better than my marriage did!