Back to Work... and Eating ?!?! But Then...

So I go back to work and am back to full-time... Feels nice to get back to reality and normalcy...

As the weeks go by, I slowly am asked by the GI team to start to increase my liquid intake. So, I begin to drink some Gatorade (slowly) throughout the day in addition to continuing the fluids and feedings thru the tube. After a few more weeks pass, we introduce some soft foods and light solids. All seems OK in small, small portions. So, as I continue to advance my diet, I also continue the feedings to maintain healthy nutrition. I'm back to Little Louie's for daily lunches (which for the most part consisted of Grilled Cheese sandwiches or Grilled Chicken Pita's). I love this place. Pete Weiss runs a quality establishment and is a great friend. It was great to be back to my routine.

The end of August is approaching now and Dr. Hirano decides that given my ability to slowly increase my diet and tolerate some things by mouth, that we would do 1 last test to see how things were moving motility-wise. So, the test is scheduled and remarkably my motility showed to be back to normal and working properly. I was ecstatic to hear the news. I was hoping this meant the end to the feeding tube. 2 weeks after the test was done, I go back to see Dr. Hirano and sure enough, he feels comfortable pulling out the tube. YES! I can eat (somethings) and can get rid of the tube. Sounded good to me as we hoped that this was it.

I'd find out after 2 months of no-tube and trying to drink and eat on my own, that in fact I was feeling some of the beginning symptoms again. Nausea, vomiting, it was all back. November 2nd I am re-admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for what would be another 30 day stay...