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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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It’s meatless Monday! What’s on your dinner menu today? Leave me a comment below 👇

On our menu is a low FODMAP vegan chili.

#chilli #veganchile  #tummyfriendly #foodintolerances #ibs #fodmapfriendly #fodmap #glutenfree #glutenfreelife #coeliac #fodmap #lowfodmap #meatlessmonday #inmykitchen

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Feb 26

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End of summer veggies are the best and these roasted eggplants are call my name right now.

These are super simple too - roast the eggplant in oil, salt and pepper until golden and tender. Smother in golden sunshine tahini sauce and sprinkle with toasted seeds.

If you are low FODMAP the 1 small-medium eggplant = 4 servings.

Sunshine tahini dressing:
1 tsp garlic infused oil
1.5 tsp gluten free soy sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp water
3 tbsp tahini
1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Place in a jar and shake until well combined.

This recipe is part of our premium FODMAP recipe club (along with 700+ other low FODMAP recipes).

#lowfodmap #fodmap #roastedeggplant #aubergine #vegan #seasonalfood #glutenfreeliving #coeliac #foodintolerances #food52 #inmykitchen #nutfree #nutrition #plantbased

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Feb 22

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I'm stuck at the office and I'm staving! Definitely didn't pack enough snacks today... if I could I'd be drinking this right now.

Give me a ❤️ if you want to be drinking this too. Say hello to my low FODMAP strawberry and rhubarb smoothie.

Strawberries and rhubarb make the best smoothie buddies. It might sound like an odd combo but the tanginess of the rhubarb pairs super well with the sweetness from the strawberries to create a refreshing and vibrant drink.

1 serve 👇

🍓140 g (1 cup)fresh or frozen strawberries
🍓60 g (1/4 cup)stewed rhubarb
🍓250 ml (1 cup) low FODMAP milk 
🍓2 tsp pure maple syrup (add to taste) 
🍓1/2 tsp vanilla essence
🍓6 ice cubes (use if you are using fresh strawberries)

METHOD
Slice the strawberries in half, be super careful doing this if they are frozen. Place all the ingredients in the blender. Add the ice cubes if your strawberries aren’t frozen.

Blend until smooth. Taste and add a little bit more sweetener if it’s too tangy. The tanginess will depend on your stewed rhubarb (ours wasn’t sweetened).

Pour into your favourite glass and enjoy! 

FYI this recipe is also in our premium recipe club.

#lowfodmap #vegan #strawberries #rhubarb #strawberrysmoothie #fodmap #dairyfree #foodintolerances #ibsdiet #bloatfree #happytummy #nutrition #goodfood #fodmapfriendly #foodphotography #lowfodmapdiet #coeliac #glutenfreelife #foodblogger

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Feb 13

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It’s brunch time! It’s also Valentine’s Day so I thought I’d treat my man to a cooked breakfast. Say hello to my Greek scrambled eggs.
 
Serves 2:

1 medium-sized ripe tomato (diced or grated)
1 tbsp fresh chives (finely chopped)
1 tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
2 tsp garlic infused oil
2 tsp olive oil 
3 eggs (beaten)
Salt and pepper

Fry the diced tomato in the garlic infused oil for 2 to 3 minutes until the liquid reduces. Then add the olive oil, chives and parsley to the pan along with the beaten eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Move the egg mixture gently around the pan for 1 to 2 minutes until the eggs are cooked to your liking.

Serve on toast of your choice (we used gluten free bread). Enjoy!

Do you have a favourite brunch meal? Tell me below 👇

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Jan 29

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Who loves eating the rainbow for dinner? 🙌 I do! 

It's hot here at the moment which means rice paper rolls make a refreshing low FODMAP dinner option.

I love that you can prep all of the ingredients in advance so you don't have to slave over a hot stove in the evenings.

What's your go-to summer meal?

P.S. You can get the recipe on alittlebityummy.com or follow my profile link.
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Jan 28

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I have exciting news! I’m incredibly honoured to announce that I’ve been nominated as a semi-finalist for the 2021 Young New Zealander Of The Year award.

It’s a privilege supporting people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other gut issues and I can’t wait to see what 2021 brings.

I also want to say thanks to the team behind the New Zealander of the Year Awards for making these awards possible.

@nzeroftheyear @kiwibanknz 
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#newzealanderoftheyear #nzeroftheyear #lowfodmap #coeliac #irritablebowelsyndrome #digitalhealth #telehealth #healthcare #fodmap #nutrition #guthealth
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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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