Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Remicade : Day 1282

It's funny, when you see 1282 days, it doesn't look like a lot.....but when you convert it to years, it's 3 1/2 years!  Certainly doesn't feel like it that's for sure.
But after all this time getting treatment sitting in those chairs, getting poked and juiced up and reading my iPad, I came across yet another Crohn's patient passing away from complications to this god forsaken disease.
It doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to die from it, but there is always the possibility I guess.  I know I will be at a higher risk for colon cancer or lung disease and as I age, there's the risk of malnutrition.  Then again....anything can happen at any time no matter if you have a disease or not. 
I thought of my wife and kids and how they would be when I'm gone.  Then I thought about how many days, outings and trips I've missed because of my Crohn's.  So maybe I should make each day count we spend together, whether that be having dinner together, watching a movie or reading a book together. #makeeachdaycount
Then after all that "thinking", my infusion was over and I thought, you do an awful lot of thinking while sitting in a leather Lazy Boy.







Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Protein Bars


Finally found a protein bar that doesn't cause me any discomfort or pain. I found them at WalMart and Costco here in Canada.



Saturday, January 16, 2016

What Happens In Vegas.......

My wife and I just returned from a great trip to Las Vegas and it got me thinking how much more difficult it is for me to prepare for a trip compared to a "normal" person.  I have to think days ahead and prepare for what "could" happen as apposed to just getting on a plane and go on vacation.


Prior to leaving, I need to make sure I have all my meds in place, making sure they remained in the original bottles as they could be confiscated at security if they are not.  I also have to get extra travel insurance, just in case.  Insurance for those of us with pre-existing conditions, it only costs an extra $25, so worth every penny. The morning we left, I didn't really eat, just a little bit of my wife's muffin and a little water.  I don't want to have to have any problems before getting on the plane or on the plane.  I would rather not eat, then have to "worry".  I repeated the routine on the flight home as well.


Now, while in Vegas, it's not as bad because if I have to get to a washroom fast, there are plenty of public washrooms around, in the hotels and on the strip itself, so good on Vegas for that.  If you're like me though, I'm not fond of the public washrooms, our hotel room was not far.  We stayed at Caesar's Palace (great hotel).  Each day was planned, where most people just head out, if we were going to be out for a long period, I didn't eat, but we didn't go too too far.  We saw Cirque du Soleil's LOVE the first night (great show)...the show starts at 7, so we had dinner at 4 so I had time to go to the bathroom prior to the show.  I highly recommend Gordon Ramsay's Pub and Grill in Caesar's Palace.  I took power bars with me just in case, but never ate one. 
Breakfast the next day was at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel, highly recommend as well, but instead of having what I wanted, I had to think what we were doing after breakfast, which was walking the strip and shopping, so I had French Toast with fruit, simple.  We had dinner at 4 again at the Bellagio Buffet because we were going to see Celine Dion at 730, again, giving me time.  With the hundreds of selections of food, I still can only eat a small amount of what's available.  I should say, I can eat whatever I want, but not if I pay for it later. The next day was breakfast at Terrance Point CafĂ© at the Wynn, highly recommend again and then at Gordon Ramsay's Pub and Grill around 4pm as we were at another show for 730, Terry Fator and the Mirage, another great show.
We were leaving the next day and repeated my routine for flying as when arriving.


All in all, I wish I could have had more to eat and I would have loved to have some drinks, but this is my life now and the life of a Crohnie sometimes.  I need to think ahead to avoid problems and to enjoy myself.  Drinking lots of water helps make me feel full.  My wife ate and drank whatever she wanted to and I love her for that because why should she suffer because of me.  I don't feel I lost anything and we had a wonderful time in Las Vegas.  I personally recommend Caesar's Palace for the rooms, staff, restaurants, shopping, shows and overall cleanliness.  Some of the hotels we walked through smelled liked we were walking through an ashtray full of sweat, so disgusting.