In 3 weeks, my good friend, Stefani Bush, and I will be joining mito families from all over New England for the MitoAction 5K and Family Fun Walk. While we are not actively seeking donations this time around (we just asked for donations for the UMDF walk we planned in May), we do want to invite you to join our team in an act of solidarity. If you’re not in the area (or are but busy that day), we encourage you to join as a “virtual walker” to show your support and help us raise awareness of this horrible disease. To join, simply click on our link and go to “Join Team” on the left-hand side of the site (right above our team members). From there, you can register to walk ($20) or register as a “virtual walker” (FREE).
Archive for the ‘Raising Awareness’ Category
United in Hope
Posted in Boston, Friends, mito, Raising Awareness on 31 August 2010| Leave a Comment »
Let’s talk about Butts: Digestive Tract Paralysis
Posted in Friends, Guest stars, Kiddos, mito, Raising Awareness, Sharing is caring, Tummy troubles on 27 August 2010| 3 Comments »
August 22-29 is Digestive Tract Paralysis (DTP) Awareness Week.
Because I suffer from DTP, I thought I’d share a little about DTP, my story, and the stories of some friends.
I have what’s called “gastroparesis.” That’s gastro– (meaning stomach) and –paresis (meaning partial paralysis). I also have intestinal dysmotility which has resulted in many episodes of intestinal psuedo-obstruction. And that’s intestinal (meaning relating to the small intestines and colon), pseudo- (meaning false), and obstruction (a blockage). Both issues are common with many types of mito.
As a friend with Crohn’s disease has said about GI-tract disorders:
“What are those?” you ask. Butt diseases. Nobody talks about them because butts are embarrassing.
But these are real and serious conditions because the GI (gastrointestinal) system processes your food (which contributes to how well your entire body functions), GI disorders are very serious. They are something that people should talk about because without vital nutrition, your body deteriorates rapidly. There are, however, some medical “solutions” to poor nutrition. Although doctors initially try treatment with medication and diet, they may eventually resort to using TPN (total parenteral nutrition), which is essentially IV nutrition, and/or a GJ (Gastrojejunal) tube, a tube that directly feeds into the small bowel, bypassing the stomach.
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The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-Robert Frost Archives
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