I did have a very hard time with nausea after the surgery. After the anesthesia cleared, I was able to start taking things to drink and eat. I did not have any long term problems from the surgery. I did have a new symptom arise: debilitating pain. About nine months after my pacemaker was placed, the doctor suggested shutting it off. I agreed, and since then I have struggled with a loss of appetite. My pain has improved, likely due to a mostly liquid diet, but still, everyday is a struggle. Despite crippling fatigue, I still work over forty hours per week, but I essentially have a desk job. I do patient visits once in a while, but I really can’t run all over the place anymore as it can be exhausting. I always feel like I am not getting enough nutrition. Though I weigh myself regularly so I don’t get out of touch with the weight loss, I have still lost a total of eighty pounds to date due to nausea, lack of appetite, fullness, and generalized wasting.

After being in contact with others on a support group, I had a great thought: I have always liked helping others. All I kept on thinking was that there had to be a way to raise awareness and support those who, like me, suffer from Gastroparesis. I thought back a video that I had been shown in elementary school. The video, which made me cry, was about this new disease that people were catching and dying from called AIDS/HIV. To raise awareness and find treatment options, the people showcased in the video made a quilt.  It was absolutely huge to my recollection: big enough to fill a gym! They explained that each square in the quilt honored someone affected by this devastating disease. I have a close friend who is doing special things to help raise awareness for HIV/AIDS now, and he is my inspiration.

In honor of my friend, I would like to help raise awareness of Gastroparesis and Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction by honoring their “quilt” and making the most gigantic GP/CIP quilt that you can imagine! If you or someone you know has GP or CIP and has interest in participating in this project, please e-mail me at: ChristineG529@gmail.com.  I will be in touch with you with the details of: The Quilt Project.

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