My goal each day is to feel good for as long as possible.  I had two good days in a row this past week.  I’ve had some skin irritation related to my ileostomy bag, learning the quirks of each bag type poses various hurdles and it is a steady effort to balance my caloric intake.  If I eat too little I get weak, achey and tired.  If I eat too much it causes abdominal pain and pretty much knocks me out of action.  When I leave the house I carry around a handful of Jelly Bellies so I can ensure a constant caloric intake – this may clarify for you just how fine the line is.  This pretty much leads to me eating small amounts throughout the day.

The cocktail of drugs I have been taking have been making my vision blurred.  This makes for a Twilight Zone episode because it means I have difficulty reading and checking scores and stats on the television all while cooped up in my house.  Needless to say, movies have been my diversion along with wisecracks with the lovely wife.

Fortunately, the tapering has begun on some of these drugs so my vision has returned.  Here is what I have in front of me for reading:  “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns”, “Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again”, “Lonesome Dove”, “The Human Body” (for the illustrator, Cornelius De Witt, really!), “Empire of Illusion” and a few different X-Men titles (thanks, Tal & KC!).

I must say I have been eating very poorly this week, but until I finish off all the junk food, my temporary unhealthy ways will continue.  Its been great. . . Doritos, beef enchiladas, BBQ chips, pumpkin pie, blueberry muffins, loaf of french bread, jelly beans, Reese’s Cups, chocolate pudding, pizza, etc.  Some of you that know me know that these are all items I tend to keep away to make my workouts worthwhile.  I have lost approximately 22 lbs., and shed weight quite easily due to my body’s efforts to right the ship (or so I was told by the doctors).  Regardless, I really should be putting better food and nutrients down my gullet.