for the parents: tips for helping your child.

hello readers,

i know that it was be hard to be a parent of a GP child, or a child with any chronic illness. but here are some tips from the child's point of view to help us feel better, physically and emotionally.

1. always believe your child. no matter what or when we feel sick, we really do. we arent making it up to get out of something. we are in so much pain and we just need to feel comforted, and not like we have to convince our parents to believe us.

2. don't get mad, at least in front of us. when we are too sick to go to important events, or school, we really are not trying to get out of it. it makes us feel even worse, and more stressed when you get angry about us missing. we are too sick, you have no idea what it feels like. adding stress about our parents being upset with us only adds to the pain.

3. try to comprehend what we are going through. think of having the flu x100 every minute of every day. its torture. you dont understand one bit how we feel, so just comfort us, show compassion, love your child and remind them that. if you could just put the sickness in your head, you can understand how we cant get out of bed, we cant go to school or other places you may want us too. its too hard, you may only think its a stomach ache, but it is way more than just that.

4. be strong for your child. we need you to be strong for us when we cant. we only can handle so much, and breakdowns happen so often. we need a shoulder to cry on, and yours is the best.'

i know this is not very many tips,

but these are the most crucial and important.

be there for your child because they need you.

xoxo.

my baby gem.

hey everybody!

i wanted to post about one of the most important things that has helped me so unbelievably much through this rough past 8 months. Other than my amazing boyfriend and parents my puppy Gemma has literally been by my side every second of it.

Gemma is a 9 month Morkie. she is half maltese and half yorkie, and she is the princess. i spoil her so much. she wayy more like a maltese than a yorkie. shes the sweetest thing in the world and so attached to me. i love her so so so very much. she lies with me when im sick, sits in my lap when im in the bathroom throwing up, she sleeps in my bed with me, and we even take showers together. its easier that way since she needs bathed every week.

i take really good care of her because im home all the time, like brushing her hair and teeth atleast once a day, dressing her up in her elaborate clothes and taking pictures, and doing her luscious hair.

Pets are such great stress relievers and company. not only dogs but cats or other comforting pets. it has been shown in many studies that people suffering from illnesses or recovering from operations recover quicker when a pet is there to give them support and companionship.Animals are often very predictable and constant in their reaction to their owner. Pets, especially dogs, can help a person feel safe from a security perspective. This can be a source of relief. Animals, in general, give unconditional acceptance to their owners. A person can be themselves with their animals and not fear for rejection.

i really suggest that anoyone who is stuggling with not only gastroparesis, but any other longterm chronic illness to invest in a pet. you have a life long best friend who will always be there at your side. i know gemma has helped me so incredibly much throughout the time that we've had her. money can buy love && happiness because it bought me her and it was the best purchase we have ever bought.

here are some pictures of the baby:

when we first got her:

she loves my boy.

she loves her wardrobe and the great outdoors.

especially snow!

i hope everyone is doing well!

dont forget to ask me any questions!

xoxoxo.

FOOD! how to get nutrients you need!

hey lovlies!

so we've been trying so hard to find good food that follows all of my diets, but give me the nutrients and protein i need without making me want to puke. i know this is sooo difficult for most people with GP or IBS and Acid Reflux, because if you have more than one the diets overlap and contradict one another. so here are a couple of foods i've found that really help me.

1. Carnation Instant Breakfast Essentials. These are actually good, i did NOT like Ensure or any other nutrient drink, caus they were just gross! But these instant breakfasts taste great and have so many nutrients that i need. They are excellent sources of Protein, Calcium, and have 21 vitamins and minerals in each drink. They come in packs with a whole bunch of different flavors like CHOCOLATE! i cant eat chocolate for my acid reflux diet, but i can with these drinks. theyre really good and i drink them every morning with my dose of erythromycin.

2. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich. The funny thing about this is that i hate peanut butter and i hate bananas, but together theyre quite good. I was watching Paula Deen and she made a similar recipe that looked sooo good, but i changed it just a bit. This is my recipe: Take a english muffin and toast it in the toaster. Them take peanut butter, honey, and ground cinnamon and mix them together. No real measurements just put as much as you like until they taste is good. Them slather that mixture on your english muffins. Put the peanut butter on both sides of the muffin so that the bananas sick. Then cut piece of banana in the middle of the sandwich. And thats it! you get the protein from the peanuts, and great nutrition from the banana.

3. Kashi Go Lean Cinnamon Harvest Cereal. I just eat this plain since i cant drink milk. i know GP people are not supposed to eat fiber because its bad for digestion but it conflicts with my other stomach diets for acid relux and gerd and since i can keep it down i still try ot eat it. Its a really good snack if youre starving but dont want anything heavy or make a full meal. You can get a huge pack of two bags at Sams Club.

Alright i know its only three but its soo hard to find food.

i'll keep posting when i find more!

Tips to help that tummy feel good!

hey my lovelies,

i wanted to share some tips that i've learned over the years to help me get through my nausea and feel better. so here they are!

1. Keep busy && distracted. Always have something to do. Don't just lay around and fee sorry for yourself. I don't mean run around and go to the gym, do something like get on the computer, play a game, or create something. Get involved with something other than your stomach.

2. Surround yourself with positive thoughts. Don't sit around and feel sorry for yourself. Think about good things that have happened, and plans in the future. Think about the good points of your day and not the bad.

3. Be with the people you love. Love is a wonderful medicine. Don't be by yourself. Its great to be surrounded by people who care about you and that you can share your frustration and hurt. People are great distractions.

4. Get a pet. This is a tip that has seriously helped me so much. I got my puppy Gemma this summer and she has been my angel. She is always by my side. She keeps me company and loves me no matter what. She sleeps with me so i always have someone there. Dogs are great stress relievers and amazing companions. so get yourself a nice fluffy animal to cuddle up with.

5. Keep warm. Snuggle up with a blanket and put a heating pad on your tum. It feels really nice and helps your tummy muscles relax.

6. Drink fluids if you cant eat. you wont get dehydrated as easily with nothing in your stomach. they go down easier and wont make you as sick as big solid food.

7. Always believe in yourself. Keep strong and remind yourself that you can get through this. Tell yourself it could be worse and that you are beautiful. Your mind a such a powerful tool and you can make yourself believe anything.

8. Just relax. Everything is going to be ok. God has his plan for you, so just life your life the best you can.

Hope these can help you guys.

I'll be posting more tips as i discover them.

hope you are all feeling good!

xoxox.