My new project

One thing that I have come to realize in the past couple of days is how important it is to find ways to deal with stress. I try not to but it seems like I internalize so many of the days events sometimes. The days tick by my health is in check and then…WHAM! I can go from zero to emergency in about 2.5 seconds.

I could spend all day writing story after story of incidents involving my colitis. Could’t we all? Instead in this blog I want to share some of my recent experiences of what IS working instead of digressing to tales of crap filled pants or bursting in on my wife while she is to putting on makeup, trying to get ready for work. That’s right. we have only one bathroom in the Klein house.

My friend Shelly, who is studying in Seattle, Washington to be a nutritionist, was kind enough to send me some recipes that are anti-inflammatory and good for digestive health. The balsamic blueberries is the only one I have tried and it is awesome! I think it is going to become a staple as part of my breakfasts from now on. I will have to get back to you on the rest of them.

For the next month I will be going to have acupuncture done twice a week to help my colitis. I had my first session this past Thursday. I can’t wait to go back! Let’s just say that I am cautiously optimistic about the results. I have head of many good reports on it’s usefulness for many different ailments.

Last night me and my wife had some friends over for a cookout. There was a good time had by all. These past few weekends have been so busy that they really just seem to fly by.. With a new baby here in the upcoming weeks I don’t anticipate that changing much.

A little project I have had on the back burner for some time is to make up a photo album involving some of my favorite places in Richmond. I love the city that I live in. It is full of so much diversity and culture. There are quite many scenic, unique spots worthy of a photo or two. That being said…here is one of my favorite spots to grab a cup of coffee. I love the fact that it is just down the street!

Black Hand Coffee

Thinking outside the box...maybe.

One of the things I have discovered since after being diagnosed with UC two years ago is how my view of traditional medical treatment here in America has changed.

While I am very grateful for the doctors whose actions in the past have saved my life, it has also been my experience that, for the most part, doctors put little to no effort into educating their patients in a more holistic approach. I have heard countless accounts of those who have healed their gut, or maintained remission through this approach. I have recently been implementing more natural ways of healing. Later today, I am going in for my first acupuncture session! I feel like I have gotten to the point with this disease where I am willing to do anything to feel better. I am tired of traditional medicines that don't work that well, if at all. Let me clarify again that I am not shutting the door on traditional medicine. I just don't want to put all my eggs in that basket.

In my search for alternative treatments I have heard read many accounts of people who swear by the use of one natural remedy. The only problem for me is that it is illegal in my state to use medically. Alright, let me just put this out there. I support the use of marijuana to treat certain illnesses.

It feels weird to say that publicly because I know that our society has ingrained such a negative image of this plant into people's minds. I feel that I need to be honest and real when I write even if I might be misunderstood.

I understand that this is a complicated issue so I wanted to make as clear as possible what I am saying, as well as what I am not saying in regards to this issue. Well, rather than bore spelling out how I feel, hopefully these next statements sums up my overall point.

It bothers me that I can go get narcotics for my pain legally but for something that is naturally occurring I would be punished for seeking relief with. It also bothers me that my even considering this method of treatment makes me feel like a bad person. I believe this to be due to the misinformation, lies and fear that have been fed to myself along with the general public, about this plant. Did I say plant? What's that you say...naturally occurring? Call me crazy but I think that as an intelligent adult I should not be punished for making a well thought out, well educated decision on how to treat my illness. For me it is more about feeling better than it is about getting high. I won't lie, there have been times that I have indulged in smoking.
I liked being high. That being said, ultimately I just want to feel better.

I found this link and I found it to be very educational and informative. I heard a quote by a doctor say that, if marijuana were to be discovered today it would be hailed as the miracle drug of our time. http://medigardens.blogspot.com/2010/02/november-2009-cannabinoids-protects.html

I was wondering it there is anyone who lives somewhere where MM is legal? I would love to hear from those who have experience with this treatment method. Also I would love to hear what others opinions are on this topic. I really want to be objective, so feel free post something even it you think I won't agree.

Well....

It has been over a month since I have posted my last blog. I have had a lot going on. My wife and I, are expecting our first baby July 22nd. A date which is quickly approaching. We could not be more thrilled to be parents! I am growing more and more exited knowing that I am going to be a dad. I am especially exited knowing that the baby is going to be a little boy!

I think it is safe to say that life in the Klein house has been on the busy side of things this past month or so. People keep telling me that I need to enjoy these last few days of being able to relax and do nothing if I so choose. While I realize that this is true, I feel like those days of just "relaxing" have already passed.

I guess it goes without saying that I have had a lot of things on my plate lately. And some of those things have brought added stress. This stress has taken it's toll on my gut which has led to a flare up.



It has been a reminder to me on how this is a condition that I need to be very proactive with in order to maintain any sort of remission with. I have incorporated into my daily regiment of supplements a stronger dose of pro-biotics, boswelia, and cod liver oil. I had already been taking probiotice but I have decided that a plunking down the extra cash for a some better quality supplements is worth it when it comes to bringing my gut into check.




I have found that the supplements in liquid form, rather than pill form seem to be more effective. I could do without taking the liquid form of the cod liver oil though...nasty!

I plan on keeping up with this blog more and hopefully soon I will have better news to share in regards to my my f****ng colon.

Settling in a bit

It has been a crazy last couple of weeks! Between moving, running a 10k, work, getting ready for a baby and to top it off we spent the first couple of nights in our new place without power. It was supposed to get turned on that Friday, but because of some technical difficulties it did not happen until Monday.

Did I mention that I moved the same day as the race? In case you were wondering...the race went off without a hitch. Well....just one pit stop at about mile #3. One thing I love about this race is the way that it brings out the community.


Me before the race....after my final morning bathroom trip...or at least so I thought..

crossing the finish line..what a good feeling!

In the process of moving and all of the other stuff I have had going on I have been not eating the best. For example...

fries and ice cream!

Ya, I know bad idea and believe me I have been paying the price. This week I have been getting more on track with being pro-active regarding my UC.
One thing that I have been doing is only drinking warm water. That has been something that I have seen drastic improvement from doing.


I was skeptical at first but I figured maybe there is something to this so I gave it a shot and much to my surprise it has been very helpful. I hope that others can find this helpful as well.

As with any method or diet that I have tried, I have found it important to remember to have a balance. In other words even though I have been drinking cold water most of the time it is not the end of the world if I have something cold sometimes. I try to remember this with my diet overall.

While I know that I need to be very intentional about what I eat and don't eat. It is okay if I sway away from that sometimes. I learned this lesson in the early days after being diagnosed with UC. I felt like I would never again be able to eat anything that I once enjoyed. It was very frustrating and at times very depressing. I love a bowl of ice cream sometimes.

Nothing hits the spot on some days like a cold beer. I know that after having these things my colon more than likely will pay the price. Again I come back to what I said about having a balance. The weather is getting warmer so these are hard to turn down sometimes and that's just fine. Having UC or not. I just need to know that if I do....a bathroom should be nearby!