I am incredibly excited to share that, for the most part, I CAN EAT!
After three long years of being 100% dependent on tube feeding to my jejunum for hydration, meds, and nutrition, I’m finally able to keep down water and many solid foods. My G-POP surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, to help my gastroparesis, has significantly improved my ability to tolerate oral intake.
The journey with food has been anything but easy. In the first few weeks after surgery, I was vomiting multiple times a day. It was physically and emotionally exhausting to keep pushing myself to eat despite the pain and initial lack of success. I felt almost irrational, making myself try different foods or sip on formula, even though I was throwing up nearly everything. But as time passed, I began to keep down more food and experience much less pain. Although I still use my feeding tube for meds and supplemental nutrition, I’m so happy with the results. Now, I eat orally multiple times a day and typically keep it down which has improved my quality of life tremendously.
One of the most profound changes has been the social impact. Being able to eat food (even small amounts) and not having to carry around a feeding pump or syringe for water all the time has been such a relief, especially as I transition into college life away from home.
I’ve been cautious about sharing my surgery results because it wasn’t an “overnight fix,” and the outcome is still unfolding. While it’s hard to say the surgery “cured” me, as still experience some GI pain, nausea, and rely on my GJ tube, I’m grateful for how far I’ve come. I initially put so much pressure on myself for the surgery to be a complete success, which only added to my anxiety since the outcome was beyond my control. So choosing to focus on progress rather than perfection has allowed me to enjoy the process of reintroducing foods so much more.
As I continue to explore which foods I can tolerate, my gratitude for the progress I’ve made over the past six weeks only deepens. The ability to eat again and experience life in new ways is a victory I cherish every day, and I’m committed to savoring every moment!
