Pete Bunce's blog
Lady J and the saga of Crohn's
01:25 AM on Jan 06, 2007

Never having been one to dwell on the past, Judy now requests that the blog on her recent scare be laid to rest (is there any way to delete blogs?), with thanks to all who offered support.
Having finally been given the all clear for her skin cancer earlier this year and the latest scare done and dusted, it's now back to focusing on her Crohn's disease. Good to hear from Marc, who's colleagues are involved in research from a genetic perspective. Many medics believe there is a link here, though it does require a trigger to set it off. In Judy's case, it was a dose of food poisoning around 20 years ago. Many (unpleasant!) tests and a dose or two of Sir Finn's nuclear shit confirmed the diagnosis.
Symptoms vary from the mild attack (which most times she tries to hide from me, but the hang-dog expression and conversation of short sentences of even shorter words are a sure give-away!) to the 'big ones' - extremely violent stomach cramps and much time spent face-down over the khasi! These are to be avoided at all costs, since each attack weakens the infected area and could lead to perforation. The consequences of that don't bear thinking about!
Marc touched on medication in the previous blog, but the only treatment available is steroids - something to be avoided for obvious reasons! Other options include surgery, but that isn't a cure either as it is highly likely that the disease will re-appear somewhere else with greater vigour. The final, and preferable option is to control it by diet - an option that at the time was rarely considered by most consultants. Fortunately ours was rather more progressive in his outlook.
Trying to figure out what foods can & can't be tolerated is a seriously long-winded process and pretty much trial & error, but in an organised way. Basically, if you don't cramp 'n puke afterwards it's OK!
We've now got a whole list of stuff Judy can't eat, including corn or any ingredient/additive made from corn, most green veggies, fresh fruit, fresh herbs, some cuts of meat, tap water unless boiled....the list goes on! Odd, though, burgers & pizza are just fine! So is gin & tonic. As you can imagine, eating out is a nightmare best avoided. Questions like -
What's in the {menu item}?
What's it fried in? (Corn oil a big no-no)
and when the food arrives -
What are the green bits?
"Oh, chef thought it looked too dull...." AAAARRRGGGH!
Well, you get the picture, so we just stay home. Holidays? Forget it. Haven't been away in 20 years, don't even have passports! Fortunately, we're quite happy to pass vacation time on the golf course or in the garden.
Meals need to be taken at consistent times - 1pm for a light lunch, with the main meal between 7 & 8pm (this is one of the reasons I rarely do 'late' races). With a little imagination, fairly basic ingredients can be made appetising! Still there's a lot worse things around so we're grateful for what we have and life ticks along (a little too quickly for our liking!)
Thanks again for the recent support and our thoughts are with all those who are still battling through diagnosis/treatment for their ailments

Sir Pete (edited by Lady Judy!)




Posted by Johan Nilsson at 10:05 AM on Jan 06, 2007
 Comment #1

I believe a slight definition is needed: with "a dose or two of Sir Finn's nuclear shit" Sir Pete refers to stuff that Sir Finn refers as "nuclear shit". :P

There are a lot of chronic diseases nowadays that are very tiresome and require a lot of daily focusing for example the way you described ie. constant following of what to eat and when etc. etc. Sometimes I wonder how much our "modern" society is responsible for causing these health problems as the food that we eat is so industrialized and pure from all those things that give people natural immunity and resistance. Something is wrong when I see a two year old kid being fed with fries and burger.

I hope that the necessary diet, eating schedules and all that are something that can be lived with and perhaps considered as annoyance. It is unfortunate and unavoidable but the older we get the more health problems we tend to get.

Life is a precious commodity which we never have too much of. I started jogging after a long pause as I tend to be around for a long time. Good way to clear the head of work and other stuff.

All the best to both of you and thank you for the kind support.

BR,
Finn perhaps to be known as Duke Nuked or was it naked...

Posted by Bill Stephens at 06:10 PM on Jan 06, 2007
 Comment #2

I understand totally. I have food allergies, so I have to watch what I eat or suffer a bout of Acid Reflux at worst or just the poops at best. Nothing on par with what she has to deal with I am sure, but I do understand. Lactouse intollerant(SP), Onions & Peanut Oil get me. Have to really watch out. So, needless to say when I go out or go to another country, I have to pay attention to what I am eating. It's no fun & at times, if I have a good run of IBS, can make you a shut in, not wanting to stray from familair surroundings.(If you know what I mean) :)

I wish her the best & both of you all the luck. Take care.'

Willie :)

Posted by Ted Rupert at 07:40 PM on Jan 06, 2007
 Comment #3

Well I too wish you the best in the future and just keep working thur it.

I don't say that lightly either as I have colitis have had it for about 15 years now. During those 15 years have had about 5 bouts of it.
But I'm convinced that fighting thur things weather they be physical or emotional or even just the every day things is or can be a good part of life, in the sense thn grow from them.

Anyway I'll leave it at that, and once again the best to both of you!

Posted by Dan Ortega at 04:30 AM on Jan 16, 2007
 Comment #4

Just letting you know, Lady Judy has not been forgotten!

Both of you are in our prayers.

Dan & MJ

Posted by Tracy Nolte at 03:35 PM on Jan 29, 2007
 Comment #5

Hey Pete - have a good friend of mine whose mother has severe Chron's disease...it's frightful, frustrating and painful as hell...

It's tough to live with but she's not alone...people have made it through it.

I happen to agree with Sir Finn's Nuclear Bullshit...denying what the mightly Finn stated so eloquently is like denying that the increasing use of refined sugar over the past 100 years has NOT resulted in more cavaties. 2 year olds being weaned from mothers milk to mcdonalds "milk" is just not right. I've got two kids of my own and it is for that "implied" reason and the value system behind it, that I can't remember the last time we had fast food...but for some folks, it is unfortunately too easy and too inexpensive to avoid.

Living in what is considered one of the fattest cities in the US, San Antonio has a large segment of the population who rely on quick over the counter fast meals to survive and cheaply as possible without eating only Macaroni and Cheese of Bean and Cheese Tacos for dinner everyday.

Best wishes to you and the missus, Pete.

mogwai


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