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. 

3 comments:

Sarah said...

I am thankful for YOU! <3

Connie Moreno said...

Thufer, while it is easy for me to sit here and say, "Yes, modern medicine helps millions", you bring the fact home. I admit, it's easy to become so focused on one's own "problems" and forget what other people go through. I hope you have a great day surrounded by your family. Know that I am thankful for "meeting" you, my friend!

JG said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Thufer. I deeply appreciate your courage in sharing. I offer you and your family all my best wishes. God has blessed us all with friends. I am thankful for "meeting" you too.

JG