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4 Lessons I’ve Learned From Being Chronically Ill

Last updated on Nov 5th, 2018 Authored by Alana Scott     Reviewed by Joanna Baker (APD)

I’m all down for a good old pity party now and then but as we approach the holiday season I’m taking time to reflect (yip I know it sounds cheesy!)…. And find the good stuff about life.

I’ve officially been unwell for over half my life which is crazy. I still remember the days when I was a pimply teenager too unwell to get out of bed and my only companionship was my cat and my mum.

Now I’m here. Running A Little Bit Yummy, cooking ridiculously delicious food and have a solid friend group who are always keen to eat cake and talk sh*t.

It’s got me thinking about if I’d change anything about my life. Some days still suck. And I mean suck big time. The throwing up. Passing out. Constant pain. These are the days where my biggest achievement is brushing my teeth. But for the most part life is pretty good.

Being sick has ironically shaped me in ways I could never have conceived. It’s helped me meet incredible people, inspired me to help others, and taught me more about myself than most 20 somethings know about themselves.

4 Lessons Being Chronically Ill Has Taught Me

It’s the little things that matter

Snuggling up in a fluffy duvet. Stealing cuddles with the neighbour’s cat. Sitting in the sunshine. Devouring chocolate brownie. And my fav – having hot chocolate delivered to me by my favourite person, my boyfriend (I can hear you gagging on the soppiness and I’m fine with that).

These little moments make life worth it. They make me smile and take a breath. Being a type A personality, I like to have everything planned out. It’s taken me the last five years to realize that life has other plans. I’m getting better at focusing on each day, having goals but learning to go with the flow. It’s finding the good moments in each day that makes my heart full.

Don’t treat your support network like crap (even if you feel like sh*t)

You might feel like sh*t but that doesn’t mean you can treat everyone else like that too. Some days my mouth gets away with me and the pain I’m feeling on the inside comes out. Or I’m so sore and lethargic that my body language sends the wrong message. I feel possessed by my unwellness.

And it hurts others. I can see it.

There is no excuse for this. I’m making a conscious effort to work on this behaviour and at the very least apologise if I screw up.

My friends and family are like my favourite blanket – they’ll always be there for the bad times, keep me warm, and get me through. It’s time I make sure that I nurture them.

 

Laugh every day and cry when you need to

On a bad day go to You Tube. I’m serious… you can’t not feel a little bit better after watching a cat riding on a robot vacuum wearing a shark costume.

It’s okay to feel sad and have a cry if you need to but try to have a giggle or a laugh each day. Don’t take yourself too seriously! Laughing is good for the soul and sometimes you just need to look for the giggle moment in your day.

 

Alana in Rio

Don’t wait to feel “better” to do things

I’m at peace with the fact that how I feel now might be as well as I ever feel. And goddamn it I’m still going to get through my bucket list even if it takes a bit more creativity to do it.

I used to say no a lot. Thinking I could just wait until magically I felt well again. This might not happen. It’s time to start living now.

Are you ready to take control of your gut symptoms?

YES I WANT TOO!

No thanks, my gut is perfect.

Going to Brazil last year was liberating. I survived, I explored new cities, I experienced the vibrancy of another culture. Lots of people told me I couldn’t, I was too sick, it was too risky, I was being careless. But surely being too careful is wasting the life that you have. Being too scared to push the boundaries and accepting the status quo. I planned, I took amazing support with me, we had connections and help. It was a risk that was worth it. To be brutally honest, not every day when I travelled was a great day (let’s just say thank god for Imodium) but the memories I brought home are more valuable to me than anything I could own.

I now say yes more, whether it’s going to the mall or heading out to an event. I only cancel if I know I’m going to be a serious danger to myself if I leave the house. Most of the time I know that if I go, even just for a couple of hours, I’ll enjoy it. Give your illness the finger and get back out there.

Final Thoughts

For me my health journey has been a blessing in disguise. I’ve found my passion, I have an incredible network of friends, I know the type of human I want to be. AND I know that no matter how tough it gets there will be something good in each day.

Author: Alana Scott

In 2013, Alana was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She also suffers from coeliac disease, is allergic to nuts and is intolerant to dairy products. This means she understands how difficult it can be to cook with multiple food intolerances. Her exp... Read More

Professional Reviewer: Joanna Baker (APD)

Joanna is a foodie, an accredited practising dietitian and a registered nurse, who is passionate about digestive health. She now works exclusively in IBS and food intolerance in her Melbourne based private practice Everyday Nutrition. Joanna works alon... Read More

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Jan 18

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You know what I miss? Berry Bliss Muesli. It's crunchy and delicious with little pops of strawberry... I'm making a coeliac friendly version of this very soon.

In the meantime give me a ❤️ if you want to try this gorgeous low FODMAP version. I make this for my mum and she absolutely adores it!

Recipe on alittlebityummy.com or follow my profile link.

I'd also love to know what your favourite breakfast is so let me know in the comments 👇
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Jan 10

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Leave me a ❤️ if this is your sort of meal!It's lunch time here and I always find fritters are always a good option when I don't know what to eat.

These cheesy broccoli fritters are a favourite. What's not to love about tender pieces of broccoli and zucchini all packaged up in a cheesy batter and served with zesty lime aioli?

You can grab this low FODMAP and gluten free recipe from alittlebityummy.com or follow my profile link.

What’s your favourite lunch at the moment?

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Jan 2

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Calling all pizza lovers! 🍕Who enjoys a sneaky slice of pizza? I know I do.

Did you know it's possible to make a range of different pizza options low FODMAP? 

You need to find a gluten free pizza base and create a base sauce using a dollop of tomato paste, a sprinkle of oregano, and a few grinds of black pepper. Then add your favourite low FODMAP veggies and plain cooked meat. You can even use a small serve of chorizo or salami.

Then top with mozzarella or cheddar cheese which are both low FODMAP options or mix it up and add a garlic oil infused mayo instead.

One of my favourite combos is smoked chicken, salami, spinach & red capsicum/pepper 😍 What are your go-to toppings?

#pizza #fodmap #glutenfree #soulfood #pizzalover #coeliac #glutenfreelife #foodintolerances #fodmapfriendly #lowfodmap #smokedchicken #treatyourself #weekendvibes #lowfodmapdiet

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Jan 1

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Oh hello 2021... thank you for finally joining us! Congratulations to everyone who made it through the homeschooling, sourdough baking, and Zoom meetings with no pants on year that was 2020.

Normally I’d be bouncing around setting lofty New Year resolutions right about now... but I’ve kinda lost my mojo. So instead I’ve decided just to set a few simple intentions for the year:

1️⃣ Make the bed a device free zone and get better sleep.

2️⃣Eat more veggies by making them fun.

3️⃣Take more ‘me’ time to recharge.

4️⃣Accept that I am me and that despite the health challenges and crazy struggles I’m exactly who I am meant to be and I don’t need to change.

If you want to hear more about these intentions then follow my bio link.

Otherwise leave me a comment below with your intentions for 2021 👇

#newyears #fodmap #coeliac #foodintolerances #newyearresolution #intentions #mindfullness #lowfodmap #happylife

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Dec 28

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🌟🌟 Giveaway closed - the lucky recipient is @talianoya 🌟🌟

Giveaway Time! I thought I’d share some post-Christmas cheer with a little giveaway.

We have 2 prize packs to giveaway. Each prize pack includes:
⭐ 1 x copy of The Gut Friendly Cookbook
⭐ 1 x copy of the Coeliac New Zealand Gluten Free Recipe Calendar
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To go in the draw simply:

1️⃣ Like the giveaway post on the  A Little Bit Yummy Facebook page or Instagram

2️⃣ On the giveaway post - tell us the name of a recipe you would love to be made low FODMAP or gluten free

There are no country restrictions with this giveaway. The giveaway is open till 10am 1st January 2021 (NZDT time).

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Dec 24

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Christmas cake time! I’m actually not a big fan of Christmas Cake so I made a spiced carrot cake instead.

It’s my gluten free and low FODMAP option that the whole family love.

What treats are you enjoying this Christmas?

PS you can grab this recipe on alittlebityummy.com

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Comments

  1. Larissa Chase says

    November 6, 2018 at 10:30 am

    Amazing Alana, thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration and helping so many people too on their life journeys.

    Reply
    • Alana ScottAlana Scott says

      November 6, 2018 at 7:42 pm

      Thank you for the lovely comment Larissa. If I can help make the journey easier for just one person then I’ve achieved my mission!

      Reply
  2. Heather says

    November 6, 2018 at 6:23 pm

    I’m the kind of person who would generally rather miss out on life than risk “disaster”. I am very risk averse! But now I am having to question myself. My IBS controls a lot of my life. It stops me from doing all sorts of things. But now, as a mother of one toddler who hopes to have 4 or 5 children, I am devastated at the thought of my IBS related limitations scaring me from having a family of that size, or worse, that it would negatively effect my child(ren)’s opportunities, experiences, and our relationship. I go through spells where several times a week it’s like having food poisoning and a stomach bug at the same time. How are you supposed to parent from the bathroom floor? You can’t drive your kids to lessons, cuddle them or play with them in that state, much less keep up with the necessities of life. Hopefully one day a cure will come.

    Reply
    • Alana ScottAlana Scott says

      November 6, 2018 at 7:45 pm

      Thank you for sharing Heather. It can be really tough but being open to seizing opportunities as they come is a really good first step. Have you had a chat with a dietitian who specialises in gut issues? They might be able to help you put together a better management plan to help manage symptoms. In the meantime, there is a lot of research happening behind the scenes on IBS and hopefully we will have some more answers or at least symptom management plans soon.

      Reply
    • Kelly Debenham says

      November 29, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      Hi Heather, I know exactly how you feel. I was 30 y/o with a 9 month old baby when I was officially diagnosed with IBS. I always had a sensitive stomach but after my son’s birth I had frequent episodes of sudden diarrhea. I had a full GI work-up with intestinal biopsies and was given the diagnoses IBS. At the time there was no diet such as the Fodmap to help and little was known. So I began a food journal to track my symptoms, eliminated foods and began taking Imodium daily. I went on to have 2 more children and experience all that motherhood had to offer. I think the most important thing for you to do (if you haven’t yet) is to find a good gastroenterologist and a dietitian to help you navigate this illness. There are so many wonderful resources available today! I have since over the years built up a tolerance to all the traditional oral medications (which was all that my doctor had to offer at that time) and now take a medication called Viberzi daily for IBS with diarrhea. I am confident with the Fodmap diet (from Monash University), a GI doctor who knows IBS and a good dietitian that you can go on to experience all your dreams of motherhood and stay in optimum health. Good luck!

      Reply
  3. Ann says

    January 19, 2019 at 1:37 am

    Hi, thank you all for being there. I have just been put on the Fodmap Diet. Not very happy about it but if it will make me feel better I will certainly give it a try !
    I am having a hard time figuring it all out. I do not have a dietitian or much info, but maybe being connected to you’ll will help, plus my calming down is helping.
    Thank you for being there !

    Reply
    • Alana ScottAlana Scott says

      January 21, 2019 at 7:14 pm

      Hi Ann,

      It can be really overwhelming at first but it does get much easier! We’re here to help. If you feel like you need more support as you move through the different phases of the low FODMAP diet then you might find our Wellness Club useful. It contains e-courses that walk you through every phase of the low FODMAP diet, meal plans, hundreds of recipes and you can email us with questions or for support as you need to. Here’s the link if you would like more information: https://app.alittlebityummy.com/meal-plan

      Reply
  4. Joan says

    February 16, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Hi Alana,
    I am an 80 year old granny and recently retired Eng. Professor who has a food blog, but also has had IBS my entire life. I applaud your courage and grit. I have not focused on IBS with my food blog; instead, I blog about my Italian family recipes and southern family recipes; but now I want to include the truth about my IBS and that is that I cannot eat many of the family recipes that I include in my blog. I am not a Dr., nurse or dietician, but I know a lot about IBS since I have had it for so long. My question is: how did you introduce your illness to your readers? Was it from day one or did you do so later on in your blog journey? I want to start talking about my IBS but I don’t know how to start. Any thoughts? I would also like to share an occasional recipe from your website and link it to your site. Do you do that?

    Reply
    • Alana ScottAlana Scott says

      February 17, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      Hi Joan,

      Thanks for reaching out to us. I’ve had a quick look at your blog and you have a lovely genuine voice that comes through your recipes. I think your readers will be open to you talking about your IBS experiences. I don’t think it matters that your blog didn’t start as something IBS focused – your readers will be invested in who you are and interested in what you’re going through. If you are concerned you could always start with a humorous snippet about living with IBS or a fun fact and work your way up to a detailed post from there.

      In terms of sharing recipes we don’t let other sites fully republish our recipes to protect our copyright. However, if you are doing a recipe round up you are welcome to share the photo and a brief description of the recipe with links back to our website.

      All the best with your lovely food blog!

      Reply
  5. Sherry says

    March 3, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    I was diagnosed with IBS over two years ago after a series of extremely stressful life events. I became a faithful Low Fodmap eater with the help of a couple of blogs (including this one) Low Fodmap cookbooks and the Monash University app.
    What I found to be extremely helpful, too, was cognitive behavioral counseling. My counselor helped me understand why I was feeling so stressed and how to better manage my stress. The brain and gut are closely linked and once I started working on managing my stress, I was better able to manage my gut.

    Reply
    • Alana ScottAlana Scott says

      March 6, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Hi Sherry,

      Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so happy to hear you have found some strategies to help. I highly recommend cognitive behavioural counselling or therapy too!

      Reply

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