Dearest Bronwyn, how totally I feel your frustration. Just 3 months ago, I was saying the exact same thing!!!! How on earth can I live like this? How do I cope? And how can I possibly give up the things I love to do??? I got the same answers ... that my life had caused my disease. I'm still not sure I believe that ... I have had enough emotional trauma in my life to have caused it five times over ... I do not believe that my agility competitions and horseback riding caused it. I do believe that those things make me live. However, I have had to realize that agility competition, in particular, is a very stressful weekend ... a FUN stress, to be sure, but stress just the same ... high energy, adrenaline, nerves, exaltation, etc. So, I have not competed at all this year. I haven't even trained much. I will start training again shortly, but at this point, am not sure when I'll go back to competition, though I'm sure I will, at some point.
Backing down a bit and avoiding stressful situations, even those that are "fun" stresses, is probably a good idea for you, right now, too. As for the logistics of living a day in the protocol, which having to leave the house, Peter hit the nail on the head. Thermoses are critical! ;) Do your veggie juice and put it in a thermos. Do a double-shot of CCFO in the AM, and put it in thermoses. Make a salad for lunch and put it in a tupperware. Don't forget to carry plastic spoons/forks with you ... I usually wind up leaving the house shortly after breakfast, then coming home later in the afternoon, in time for my fruit/flax. I don't do the champagne (I swear, I'd get nothing done but nap in the afternoon ... LOL), but I do do a glass of organic red wine in the evenings (thank you, Dr Johanna!!!!!).
Yes, there is SO much prep involved and, at times, I get stressed by this (even though we're not supposed to stress). It's a hard thing to have to be putting something in your mouth every time you turn around ... ;) ... but it can be done! AND you can have a life too! Just get a bunch of thermoses, a good tote to put them all in, and drop the stressful things in your life, where possible. (Yeah, listen to ME ... I'm moving into a house Monday and have been living in my 80 sqft camper for a month w/my three dogs and my hubby ... no stress at all ... ROFL!!!!) You can do this, sweetie ... "I set before you, this day, the choice between life and death. Choose life that you may live!!!"
xxoo
Melissa
