Thursday, November 25, 2010

A prolegomena to Thanksgiving; an epistemological look at my caloric intake.

 

And why I am thankful to be alive.

On this wonderful day and because more than a few have asked, I thought I would share with all how I consume. I off this accounting as merely an answer to the question of how and to let all of you know how blessed I am and how truly thankful I am that this is a blessing from God as the alternative would be starvation.

 

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I need a couple of things to begin:

A can of food which I purchase from Walgreens in one of three flavors, a cup and a syringe.

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Today, for Thanksgiving breakfast I chose Vanilla. Just because.

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Give the can a good shake, nothing like lumpy vanilla. Yucccky!

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Into that cup it goes.

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Purging my tube, nothing like stomach fluids flying every where. Sorry, but it’s a fact; I have to be careful as it can be very embarrassing if I’m not careful.

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Get a syringe full of substance.

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And, into the tube, ready to be pushed into my stomach. This is done slowly for several reasons.

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Let the line breath and allow the fluid level to find its way into my stomach via gravity….yup; just need to allow for leveling.

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After finishing a can, the cup and syringe gets a cleaning flush.

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Time for a juicy dessert if you will. For me this occurrence calls for Grape. Oh yummy. Wish I could taste.

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Same procedure, have to purge the air and allow for gravity.

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Down the hatch; well, down the tube for me. Then, when done, simply rinse and repeat as needed.

I hope this has in no way has thrown a shadow over your Thanksgiving meal. I just thought it was proper to share with you what I do for not only today but every day in order to keep alive. I am so very thankful really. If the ability and procedures of having a feeding tube were not available, I would have no way of eating and would not be alive. It is important to me to be thankful. I trust you have something in your life to be thankful for as well. 

Monday, November 8, 2010

Random Act of Culture

“On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation’s “Random Acts of Culture” at Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world’s largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers.”

Please take a moment out of the craziness of ‘the season’ and ponder the reason. I hope you enjoy…..Hallelujah at Macy’s.