Life with Crohn’s Disease

Crohn's disease

Life with Crohn’s Disease

Hi, welcome to Gma’sPhoto! Today I would like to share my life with Crohn’s Disease. First and foremost**-
Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice. Always consult a doctor before making any changes to your diet, medical plan, or exercise routine. Please refer to the disclaimer.

Let me first begin with, ‘What is Crohn’s disease?‘ To get a complete explanation, click the link. In my words, it’s the sshitz….. literally.

I was diagnosed at age 17. It took many years to understand what foods I could eat without triggering the horrible side affects of the disease. Stress interrupted my food intake, what my gut could and could not tolerate at that moment in my life. The weeks leading up to me qualifying for my CDL and learning a new route was a stressful time for me. Keep this in mind as you are reading….

Past employers have been wonderful working with me and my need to have restroom access as needed. However, my newest job is a tricky one. My supervisor has been wonderful. There was an incident that I could have lost my job because of the actions I took at the time of one of those restroom needs.

At this moment and time of my life, I have had to make another adjustment to my lifestyle. This will include carrying a bag of necessities on the bus. This bag will include an extra pair of pants, panties, baby wipes and a potty pad. You heard correct, a potty pad. I am now a CDL Bus driver. Thank goodness, my longest route is 2 to 2.5 hours. There is no bathroom on a bus. So guess what? I will need to pooh my britches if a bathroom urge strikes. Not looking forward to this. One of my requests was no cloth seat 🙂 I will be sitting on a potty pad!

The incident I referenced above, I could have lost my job because I did not pooh my britches. It was necessary for the administration correction taken. There is a plan now in place. Luckily the superintendent of the district is aware of Crohn’s and understood the meaning of, ‘I need to go now’! Of course, I had to provide a doctor’s note stating my diagnosis and what was needed medically for me to be successful. All is good for now. I am sure this will provide opportunities of some humorous post follow ups 😂

In all seriousness, Crohn’s is not a fun diagnosis to live with. On the other hand, I would much prefer to talk about it instead of talking about it when an ‘accident’ occurs and I am very embarrassed. Granted talking about pooh for most is embarrassing butt (pun intended), could you image how embarrassing it would be if you had to pooh your britches?

Should you have experience with Crohn’s or Ulcerative colitis, let me know. We can share tips and tricks to avoid those embarrassing moments.

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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Gma’sPhoto | ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #53

generic

Gma’sPhoto | ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #53

Hi, welcome to Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #53!

This week’s feature will be on two different linked posts. The first is simply because this looks so delicious, healthy and easy to make! The second feature is one I truly believe in and wanted to share. Enjoy.

Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Party spotlight is on:

Keto Egg Muffins with Broccoli & Cheese | Esme Salon

keto egg muffins with broccoli cheese
Click image for the Keto Egg Muffins with Broccoli & Cheese recipe.

This Party’s Theme is Generic.

Each Friday a new ge•ner•ic Linkup Party will open and end the following Thursday. Link up any family friendly post, health, diy, recipes, home decor, parenting, wordless, crafts, sewing, you get the idea.

Important things to know:

-You may add up to three family friendly blog post links, linked to specific blog posts.
-Please say hi & add your link post number when commenting below.
-Those leaving post entry numbers are eligible to be featured at the next party!
-Be sure to visit other links and leave a kind comment for each link you post.
-Party opens Friday and ends Thursday.
-Thank you for participating. Have fun!

By linking to Gma’sPhoto Party LinkUp, you give permission to share your post and images on Gma’sPhoto blog and social media. Proper credit with a photo and link back will be provided.

Let’s begin the fun at Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #53!

kindess

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Disenchantment

disenchantment pipes and drums

Disenchantment

Hi, what I was looking forward to ended in being a total disenchantment. Saturday I was bored. After searching the internet for events in my area, I found this first annual pipes and drum fundraiser. I was stoked to hear me some bagpipes. I planned a late lunch date for myself. When I arrived at the fundraiser, I asked the waitress to seat me where I can hear the pipes. I elected to sit at the bar.

The event was scheduled 2 to 6pm. Naturally I thought I could arrive any time during the event and expect to hear the pipes and drum. Certainly- if no music, then some sort of program information about pipes and drum, right? Nothing. I arrived at 2:15 pm. The bartender handed me the menu, I ordered, ate and still no pipes. Eventually I paid and left. On my way out of the tavern, I seen a firefighter. It was then that I was able to tell him I was disappointed. Disenchantment really. Needless to say, they did not receive any funds from me.

Heck, after proof reading my post, I’m wondering why am I even writing about this letdown. Expectations. This is why. Hopefully when an event is planned and the event is publicly posted, the planners will learn from the experience I had.

Now, on the upside of this disenchantment, my meal was delicious!

disenchantment
Delicious Chicken Quesadilla

One of the workers noticed me taking this image inside Johnny’s Tavern. He explained this is the original brick wall of the original Johnny’s Tavern. The building is 134 years old. The brick was in outstanding condition. All that was needed was brushing, cleaning and a finish applied to the brick. Looks fabulous!

Johnny's Tavern
The original Johnny’s Tavern

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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Fish Fry

fish fry

Fish Fry | My Sunday Snapshot 18

Hi, welcome to My Sunday Snapshot 18. We had an invite to go to a fish fry. Kevin’s friend, Ed, called last week and extended the invitation. Kevin and Ed have been friends since their high school days. Ed’s large extended family celebrated several graduates, birthdays and an anniversary. Lots of family and friends, food and fish! The fish was excellent.

pathway to outhouse
The pathway that leads to the outhouse.

The gathering was held outside, quite the distance from the main house. Ed had his uncle build this luxury commodity. Much better than finding a ‘tree’.

brand new outhouse
Brand new outhouse.

In case you were wondering about the truck; the blue barrel filled with water, had a faucet that could be turned on or off. A bar of soap is to the left of the barrel.

the distant view

On the walk back to the fish fry, this was the view of the pond.

In short, I never have liked using an ‘outhouse’. I have always cringed at needing to use one. This time the experience was somewhat ‘pleasant’. Very unexpected 🙂

Have a wonderful week!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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my Sunday snapshot

Pictures can produce so many different emotions and feelings. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words! Share your fun and interesting image from the past week.

My Sunday Snapshot 18

kindess

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Click here to enter


Girl Scout Cookies, or Not?

Girl Scout cookies or not

Girl Scout Cookies, or Not?

Hi, welcome to Gma’sPhoto!

Each week when Adam and I share dinner and a movie, I like to pick up some sort of dessert/snack. This particular time I had gone down the cookie isle at the grocery store. The Oreo’s were all on special. The mint creme caught my attention. So I bought one package of them and of course one package of chocolate chips.

If you like the Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, you will enjoy the Mint Oreo’s. Not only are they tasty, the price is even better! Between me and Adam, we ate the whole package that evening.

Have a wonderful week!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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Wamego Tulip Festival | 101 in 1001

wamego tulip festival

Wamego Tulip Festival | 101 in 1001

Hi, I am so excited. Two of my 101 in 1001 I can mark completed, #21 and #44.

#21 Drive to Wamego for the Tulip Festival.

tulip festival
101 in 1001 #21

Saturday, April 13, 2024 after my Weight Watchers meeting I met up with Linda and we drove to the tulip festival.

linda and deb
On our way to the Wamego Tulip Festival!

Meeting people is fun. While visiting Wamego, Jim was the person who greeted us as we went into the ‘Old Town’ area. He was in front of the communication building featuring the telephones. To see images of the antique telephones and other festival images, click here.

Jim from Wamego tulip festival

Ten years ago, there were just a few vendors, mainly informational. This year it was packed, vendors, food vendors and visitors! The main entrance took you thru the food court. Many different foods to pick. We arrived right at lunch time. For lunch we went to the tent where the Knights of Columbus grilled hamburgers, right side in picture. And on the way out we went to the Stumpy’s Smoked Cheese food truck on the left in the image. Oh my, the Mac and Cheese with bacon was delicious!

food trucks
#44, 101 in 1001. Eat at a food truck!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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