Mood:
brightNow Playing: Day 2819-Next GP Chapter... Turning Lemons Into Lemonade :)
Can you believe it?!
The 2017 United GP Walk, Walk-Run-Ride for Gastroparesis Awareness is almost a week away! Right around the corner!
Can you also believe that the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign has already hit over 110,000 server requests in less than a month?! Over 110,000 visitors from all around the world! INCREDIBLE! AMAZING!
We are still honoring shirt orders for the 2017 United GP Walk, Walk-Run-Ride. However we can not promise specific delivery dates of the shirts or other gear from the printing company. As always...United GP Walk shirts and other gear will continue being sold at cost. I made a promise over a decade ago when starting the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign that it will remain a not-for-profit organization. Over a decade later...I still stand by my word.
Over the past month. I have been receiving so many emails that honestly...I would never have the time to read nor answer regarding this seasons hit television show, Big Brother. If you are a fan of Big Brother, then you might have watched a fellow GP'er, Raven who is a Gastroparesis patient. I can not begin to tell you how many emails we have received regarding a little bit of this and a little bit of that when it comes to not only the show, but questions regarding the contestants Gastroparesis and gastric pacemaker. Even some asking questions of other health issues that may or may not have come to light either on the show or during the Big Brother after hours program. Live stream/24-7.
I will be very honest by saying that I do not feel it is within my position to answer questions regarding another patient. I also will not be answering personal or private questions regarding another patients lifestyle. As with any medical condition. We all must understand that each and every patient is unique. Each and every medical case is different in how the patient handles day-to-day symptoms. Also each patient is truly unique when it comes to possible complications. While some patients may be diagnosed with a mild case of Gastroparesis. Meaning the stomach still may have a fairly good percentage of gastric emptying left to help digest food. As compared to those who have severe Gastroparesis with little to no gastric emptying. Some Gastroparesis patients may as well have progressive factors associated with their condition such as intestinal motility issues. Even some patients progress to a point with secondary GP complications such as with other gastrointestinal organs.
Each and every Gastroparesis patient is truly unique. Especially when it comes to their daily diet. What they may or may not be able to consume with their Gastroparesis.
While some may have seen Raven eating what they felt where 'non-GP foods.' Foods that some patients could only dream of consuming if they were diagnosed with a severe case of Gastroparesis. While maybe other patients who suffer with a mild case of Gastroparesis saw no problem or concern with what Raven had been eating while under the Big Brother roof. Regardless of which side you are on. What I have unfortunately read is far too much judgment. Folks being far too critical towards Raven. Even those who as well have dealt with their own Gastroparesis for years. Some...even for decades. Those who should already know that each and every GP patient is truly unique in the first place. Yes, some patients can still eat solid foods and do very well with even consuming red meat. Yes, some patients can even still consume alcohol beverages. As you see...we are all unique and so is each diagnosed case of Gastroparesis. Same as with any other medical condition. Even breast cancer, lung cancer, bone cancer, ovarian cancer or any other cancer is not going to be one and the same.
We must also understand that with regards to the controversial gastric pacemaker. You first must have at least a required percentage of gastric motility still left in your stomach before you are considered to be qualified for the gastric pacemaker. I know this oh-to-well due to being denied the gastric pacemaker many years ago. My stomach motility is less than 1.5%. So as you can probably safely guess. This is why my diet consists of mainly liquids. Yes, you can still live on liquids. What you can't live without...is water.
Although some may still have their opinions. Some even still remain skeptics on whether Raven did a good job or did not do a good job as a face behind Gastroparesis. We all must understand that the casting requirements for Big Brother do require contestants to pass mental and physical mandatory testing. This is a requirement for every single contestant. Remember...this is a television show. What is cut in the editing room is done so for the highest viewer ratings possible. And of course...It's a game folks!
So...we may not agree with everything that everyone does in life. But what we all can agree on as fellow GP'ers is that we still have no cure.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But at the end of the day. At least someone got on a hit television show and finally got enough folks to talk about Gastroparesis. Good publicity OR bad publicity. In my book...It's ALL good! It's publicity for Gastroparesis. Now maybe the public will take the time to research and educate themselves on Gastroparesis. In hopes of one day finding a cure. It only takes one scientist to crack the code!
And...there's my long answer to everyone's Big Brother-Raven questions. Tis no further need to say more.
Now let's all join together! Get those walking, running and riding shoes ready!!
Let's get out there and spread Gastroparesis Awareness!
