Successful SCD and STILL an Ileostomy?

Yes folks, you read correctly. I am approaching my 4th year on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet which has allowed me to live med-free and in 100% remission from Crohn's Disease.

Regardless of my digestive successes, the universe decided to make things interesting by lining up two major resection surgeries including a temporary ileostomy.

What?!? Resections and an ileostomy while claiming success with the SCD? That's right. I am still in shock myself. You see, these unfortunate events had nothing to do with Crohn's disease and everything to do with past abdominal surgeries - the primary culprit being last year's Cesarean.

It all started last fall when I was on my phone at work one minute and on my office floor the next. I was rushed to the ER and when the doctors learned of my past history with CD they assumed that this was another lapse. However, after extensive tests it was determined that I showed no signs of CD whatsoever (the silver lining in case you missed it).

After 5 LONG days in the hospital I underwent exploratory surgery (4 hours) during which time they identified a "very serious and strategically placed adhesion" which impacted several feet of my small intestines. I was also informed that I was now the owner of a temporary ileostomy.

After 2 weeks in the hospital with an NG tube and three months sporting a PICC line and an ileostomy and then a second "reversal" operation in February, I am now slowly making my way back to "normal."

Let me tell you all that these operations, PICC lines, and ileostomies are no joke but sadly they are all too common occurrences for folks with Crohn's. If you follow the SCD and it is working for you. Don't stop. If you are thinking of trying the diet but are on the fence sign up NOW!

There are so many beautiful and creative SCD sites cropping up these days, not to mention the great email groups. You will have more support than you can imagine.

The bright side of the last few months:

• Doctors couldn't believe that the CD was undetectable
• Doctors who were once skeptical now encourage me to stay on the diet
• The C Section may be to blame but I have happy healthy babies to show for it!
• I have a new found faith in the SCD
• I don't have to worry about fitting into my bathing suit this summer

Lunch with Mom

I spend most weekends at my mom's house these days.  She is an SCD expert and always makes great lunches!  Here is a picture of her roast chicken salad and ice tea with lemon.

Yummm

Fast Fish Feast

The chicken dish I referenced a few weeks ago turned out to be only OK but we enjoyed a super fast and yummy fish dish last night.

-3-4 servings of fresh Cod

- Legal prosciutto (pork and salt only)

- olive oil

- pepper

Cut the fish into appropriate portions and sprinkle with pepper.  Wrap the fish in prosciutto. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the fish for about 4 minutes on each side (medium high) or until cooked well.

No need to add salt as the prosciutto is salty enough.  As a side dish my husband had tomato, basil, and mozzarella and I enjoyed tomato, basil and avocado.

I think we had about 10 minutes to eat before needing to tend to the babies.

Cat Nap Blogging

Just a quick check-in while the babies are taking a cat nap.  So having premie infant twins must be the ultimate SCD challenge but I am still going strong.  Sometimes lunch is a piece of cheese and some almonds but I am sure that is no different than other non-SCD new moms!

Today I am trying Slow Cooker African Peanut Chicken.  It smells WONDERFUL and if it tastes just as good then I will post the recipe!

The "convenience" foods that I reach for these days includes:

- dried organic mango (my FAVORITE)

- Peanut butter and apples

- Apples and cheese

- SCD cheddar crackers with guacamole or salsa

- Cheddar cheese sticks

- Pineapple, bananas, etc

- Peanut butter Larabars (there is some dispute over whether these are legal but they work for me)

Opps- one of the twins is up... I will get back to you on that slow cooker recipe!  

Until then...

Happy SCDing

The Twins Arrive!!

The twins showed up a little earlier than expected (at 33 weeks). Considering how early they arrived, their weight was quite impressive (about 5lb and 4lb). However, because they are such premies, they will need to spend some time in the NICU.

As such, I have been putting in 10 hour days at the hospital myself. While I was pregnant my plan was to cook up a storm and freeze meals for after the babies were born. That plan went out the window when they showed up last week! Thankfully, my mom has been a huge help with meal preparations.

I spent 5 days in the hospital recovering from a C-section. During that time she brought me chicken soup with butternut squash and kale, hard boiled eggs, cinnamon cookies, fruit, and more. Of course I ate SCD yogurt for breakfast and had plenty of snacks too.

Now that I am basically living at the NICU during the days I bring my own lunch and snacks. For example, today I brought meatballs (made by mom), hard boiled eggs, a salad, cookies, cheese sticks, yogurt with blueberries and SCD granola, and an apple with peanut butter. Sound like a lot of food? You need many calories to nurse a set of twins!

At night when we come home hungry and exhausted, my husband and I make a simple dinner of grilled meat with veggies or a stir fry, taco salad, etc. I am making SCD yogurt from organic half and half to help increase my caloric intake.

The twins are doing really well and gaining weight at a great pace. We hope they can come home soon. My husband swears that their stellar progress is due to the SCD and I tend to agree. : )

SCD Twins!

I am such a blog-slacker but I have a great excuse - I promise. Since November 08 I have been ultra busy preparing for the two twin boys that I am expecting this spring. That's right, SCD twins!! I am taking the Perry prenatal vitamins, fish oil, vitamin D and LOTS of SCD yogurt.

So far so good on the intestinal front. I have also gained about 26 pounds at last check (I hear you are supposed to gain about 35-40 with twins). I credit the weight gain with lots of SCD baked goods (thank goodness for the SCD Bakery), organic SCD yogurt made from Half and Half, lots of fruits and 100% juices.

I have been on the diet for about 2 and 1/2 years and, thankfully, I can eat just about any legal food that I want. The only thing that doesn't agree with me completely is cauliflower.

So, as you can imagine, my posts will probably remain pretty sparse for the near future as I venture into my 3rd trimester and then embark on the journey of twinfants.

In the meantime, please be sure to check out all of the great SCD blogs (listed on the left hand side of this page) and Bon Appetite!

Jill

Thanksgiving Sandwiches

Thanksgiving was great. We enjoyed the usual turkey along with a roast beef and SCD legal gravy. I also made homemade cranberry sauce with apples and honey and some cheddar biscuits from Grainfree Gourmet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The biscuits were terrific for turkey sandwiches. I carefully cut the biscuits in half horizontally, toasted them and then added SCD mayo, cranberry sauce, gravy and turkey.

YUMMM

Too bad I forgot all of the leftovers at my mom's house.

Hot & Sour Soup

Yesterday I had a craving for Oodles of Noodles and in reviewing my recipe books I came across Hot & Sour Soup in Eat Well Feel Well.

I had to go grocery shopping anyhow so I picked up the ingredients and it was no trouble at all to whip up a batch.

This soup really hit the spot and satisfied that craving for a noodle-like soup. It is loaded with shitake mushrooms, boy choy, ginger, garlic, eggs, and thinly sliced pork. For those of you who like Hot & Sour soup, or just miss the taste of Chinese cuisine...it is a winner.

SCD Surf & Turf

Last night at my in-law's we enjoyed a delicious tomato and avocado salad followed by steamed lobster and steak with green beans.

Scrumptious

Monkeying Around

So tonight I was craving something with peanut butter and bananas. The result was a creamy smoothie dessert.

Monkeying Around

1 cup SCD Yogurt
1 big tablespoon of SCD legal peanut butter
1/2 of a frozen banana
Honey to taste

Blend and enjoy. Mine lasted about 4 minutes.

SCD Sweet French Waffles

Well folks we have a winner. I saw this recipe from Debbie on the BTVC-SCD listserv a year ago and filed it away. Then yesterday morning on a whim I decided to whip up a batch. All I can say is that these babies are delicious. I froze the remaining waffles and heated one up this morning with a little butter and honey.

From Debbie....

"These waffles filled the house with the most WONDERFUL smell! And they taste GREAT too.

They have a light, crepe-like texture, which makes removing them from the waffle iron a little tricky. Since they have a higher egg to flour ratio than other waffle recipes you have to be quick and have your cooling rack real handy. The extra effort is well worth it, believe me. I cover my racks with paper towels to absorb moisture.

To freeze, I cut waffle size squares of wax paper and layer the paper between individual waffles and freeze in gallon size zip-lock freezer bags." - Debbie


SWEET FRENCH WAFFLES:
-3 Large eggs
-1/4 c. SCD dripped yogurt
-1/4 c. Farmers cheese or DCCC (Debbie uses Farmers)
-2 Tbls. Melted butter
-1 Tbls. Honey
-1 teas. Vanilla extract
-1/4 c. Almond flour
-1/4 teas. Salt
-1/2 teas. Baking soda
-1/4-1/2 teas. Cinnamon
-2 Tbls. chopped pecans

In large bowl, mix first 6 ingredients until creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix until well blended and creamy. Prepare as usual for your waffle maker.

Here's the ingredients for a TRIPLE BATCH:
-9 Large eggs
-3/4 c. Dripped SCD yogurt
-3/4 c. Farmers cheese or DCCC
-6 Tbls. Melted butter
-Scant 1/4c. Honey
-3 teas. Vanilla
-3/4 c. Almond flour
-Scant 1/2 teas. salt
-1 1/2 teas. Baking soda
-1 teas. Cinnamon
-1/4 c. Chopped Pecans