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B₁₂

Have you had your blood checked lately to know if you are short of any essential vitamin(s) like B₁₂? During the first two years of my recovery, energy was a key concern and one of my primary interests. I didn't have the same stamina levels as before and I wanted my high energy levels back.

If B₁₂ isn't an issue for you, here are some other things you might consider to see if one might be helpful for you. If you're not sure about B₁₂ read on for a short quiz and some additional information.

Here's what I heard on a Dr. Oz episode that shows how critical it is to maintain proper levels of Vitamin B₁₂. Without adequate levels, your body can't make DNA. It's instrumental in the production of red blood cells - without adequate levels, you could be anemic. Without B₁₂ we age prematurely. Here are the five (5) questions posed on the Dr. Oz show to see if you may be lacking in B₁₂:

Are you lacking energy?
Have you noticed any unusual mood changes?
Do you have difficulty concentrating or remembering things?
Have you noticed tingling or numbness in your hands or feet?
Has your tongue become inflamed - beefy red?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be deficient in and not absorbing Vitamin B₁₂

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids or general skin irritations can be an issue you might face periodically. Tucks has witch hazel as its main ingredient and you may find its use most soothing. Also as you face adjustments, you might consider asking your doctor about Calmoseptine Ointment. It is a "multi-purpose moisture barrier ointment which temporarily relieves discomfort and itching. It protects, soothes and helps promote healing of skin irritations from urine, diarrhea, perspiration, wound or fistula drainage, cuts, scrapes, itching, etc".

If you haven't tried using baby wipes, I highly recommend them. You'll find less irritation as they soothe your skin. Baby wipes are less expensive than using other wipes and you will find them readily available at big box stores.

How’s Your Energy?

Have you had your blood checked lately to know if you are short of any essential vitamins like B₁₂? During the first two years of my recovery, energy was a key concern and one of my primary interests. I didn't have the same stamina levels as before and I wanted my high energy levels back. Of course, B₁₂ isn't the only potential energy drag you may have operating. There are many other energy solutions that you may want to look into now that you are trying to solve this puzzle.

Here's what I heard on a Dr. Oz episode that shows how critical it is to have proper levels of Vitamin B₁₂. Without adequate levels, your body can't make DNA. It's instrumental in the production of red blood cells - without adequate levels, you could be anemic. Without B₁₂ we age prematurely. Here are the five (5) questions posed on the Dr.Oz show to see if you may be lacking in B₁₂:

Are you lacking energy?
Have you noticed any unusual mood changes?
Do you have difficulty concentrating or remembering things?
Have you noticed tingling or numbness in your hands or feet?
Has your tongue become inflamed - beefy red?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be deficient in and not absorbing Vitamin B₁₂

Lots of Water - No Fizz

Water. It is so important now to remember to drink water. Lots of water - no fizz. If you think about having a soft drink, have a glass of water with some lime instead. If you think about having an iced tea, have a glass of water with lemon instead. If you think you're getting enough water in either of those drinks or getting all the benefits you need from plain water, think again. Neither is helpful to your body right now. Plus, know that you don't want carbonated water in your system. You'll find it may not be the best choice.

Water is your best friend. Jazz it up by adding lemon or lime juice. Both will provide added benefits to a plain glass of water. When you have your first glass of water in the morning, make it lukewarm and add some lime juice. It will rehydrate you in a good way. Add ice later in the day to get your metabolism going.

Here's something to try if you drink a lot of water already, but don't feel like you are absorbing it. Try taking a sip and holding it for a few seconds in your mouth. Let the water sit under your tongue. You can also try something like adding chia seeds to your diet. They will help with water absorption as they can rapidly absorb 9 - 12 times their weight in water while also being an excellent source of protein. Chia seeds will absorb and hold water prolonging hydration and retaining electrolytes in body fluids. Since without the colon we need more water to stay hydrated, implementing these options we may find a greater ability to retain water and with that better digestion.

According to studies glutamine helps cells to absorb water across the small intestines and into the bloodstream. This helps prevent dehydration, diarrhea, and a loss of vitamins, minerals and necessary nutrients from the foods consumed. It also appears that it may affect digestion and be helpful for those who have gastrointestinal problems.

So if water seems to come in and go out too quickly, try one of these options. But above all, be sure to drink lots of water. That's the bottom line.

Response to a Question Posed

My colon was removed in 2006/2007 and I have had to adjust as you are doing now. The best-recommended items for you to incorporate immediately into your diet are Glutamine powder, fiber, lots of water and Colestipol tablets (1 gm). Colestipol is taken by prescription. I took two tabs before eating or drinking anything for many months which helped to reduce the acid in the bile. The acid in my bile was quite painful and hard to manage before I found out about this prescription remedy. Yes, Colestipol is primarily prescribed to regulate and lower cholesterol, but it offers a side effect. It also removes acid from the bile. For me, it was a true lifesaver. Also, you should not take this prescription drug with any other medications as it will lessen the effectiveness it offers. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist questions about implementing this solution into your daily routine.

Glutamine or L-Glutamine can be purchased in most health food stores or on Amazon. It is the best product to get the remaining organs (small intestine, rectum or whatever is left) really healthy. I found my body required a lot of this to heal. Your body will dictate how much you need, but you will find it most essential. I added two heaping scoops to daily smoothies for nearly a year, until my body indicated that it didn't need as much anymore. It has a gritty consistency to it - so you will want to mix it with something else.

If you can, eat dinners early. If you eat late meals - you may be up all night going to the bathroom. So, if you can eat a bit earlier and cut off food intake by late afternoon, you will have an easier time of it.

Fiber is key. You'll want to find a fiber that works for you. Benefiber is my fiber of choice. There was a time when it went out of production and during that time, I used a Canadian fiber called PGX Daily. You can order PGX online via Amazon too. Whichever fiber you choose, take enough so that you can bulk things up. For those who have all their parts, it also works well to ease constipation issues.

You'll want to take fiber 20 minutes before eating along with Imodium® and lots of water. That should help with diarrhea. Whether you take the original or a generic form of Imodium®, just know that one version may work better for you than another. You'll find that your body changes, so be sure to revisit and try again if something doesn't work well now. Thus, it will adapt to things in your future that don't seem to work for it now. All is possible.

Gratitude Journal

Gratitude Journal & Breathing Exercise by Dr. Andrew Weil

Here is a good exercise to reset your mood. A positive attitude is key. If you are depressed, getting beyond that negative mood is the most important, first step to take today. Scientific research supports the power of gratitude in boosting your mood. Two aspects are involved here. The first is feeling grateful and the other is expressing gratitude. There's a little exercise from the Field of Positive Psychology that Dr. Weil recommends to shift your mood.

Please get a notebook and dedicate it as your Gratitude Journal. During the day, make mental notes of those things that you are grateful for and then jot them down at night before bed in your journal. Doing this for one week has been shown to boost your attitude for up to six months. It's so easy to do this one simple exercise. This has been proven to have a scientifically valid positive effect on your mood.

A second recommendation is to do a breathing exercise. Dr. Weil calls it the Life Balancer Breathing Exercise (4-7-8): This exercise changes the balance in your involuntary nervous system, slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and improves digestion.

Breath in for a count of 4;
Hold your breath for a count of 7;
Exhale for a count of 8, breathing out by pushing out the air with a little noise. This will help to empty your lungs completely which you need to do to make this an effective exercise.
Do this exercise for 4 breath cycles. Takes less than a total of 20 seconds to complete.
Now go have a great day!

New Venue

I am thrilled to have this new venue to find those who are searching for answers as it relates to a loss of what I thought were vital internal organs. I no longer have my colon or portions of my small intestine and rectum. They were removed during surgeries occurring in 2006 and 2007. It's created situations that challenged me. I hope to give some insights as to what I discovered to make your road to recovery a bit easier, especially if you are traveling a similar path.

I intend to share the knowledge I have gained through many trial and error processes. I want to share what I discovered. What worked and what didn't work for me. I realize that everyone is different, but maybe this will help some of you avoid a few of the pitfalls I experienced in the process. I hope to assist anyone who is facing similar circumstances and looking for a reliable resource. I am here to answer your questions as best I can. This was my journey. God bless you in yours.