Hang in there Eric, it will all work out, saying a prayer to you and your family

Hang in there Eric. You are my hero and support for hundreds of your followers. I hope we can help you as you have helped many of us. Stay strong.

TDAP, i had one of those last summer, they gave me a paper on and it said I might get some mild side effects, well it knocked me on my butt for several days, lots of weird pains.

I've thought about your comments on feeding dogs vegan diets and how they did poorly.  the division from carnivores to herbivores does not seem that clear until you get to the herbivores digestive system.  being an omnivore doesn't seem really suggest switching to herbivore is on equal ground to being omnivorous.   while the dogs survived on vegan,  they did not flourish.

I didn't buy the LA times article.......and who know how healthy those caged laboratory dogs actually were? I could not have supported that guys research. 

maybe your system already compromised, can't handle vegan to "flourish" either?   offhand I know only 6 vegetarians , they all are very sedentary, non athletic and overweight as well.

I do hope you well, vegan or meat eater   :).

Eric...thank you for responding to my thoughts. I hope it is discovered soon what is going on with your body. That kind of pain is ridiculous to deal with...and then some. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 96, 18/18. Then Ankylosing Spondylitis, it is a harsh disease also. My Rhuematologist figured it all out for me a few years back. I did not know whether to laugh or cry. So,I cried! I was sent to a Urologist for other issues later,and he too added to the list. I can not help but wonder how many of us out here have several different diseases that affect us from a moment to moment basis. As I read what others share, I often wish to have a long chat with them as it seems I am alone in so much that I go through. I even have trouble getting to doctors and hospital when I can not safely drive myself I stay home. When it gets bad enough I call the ambulance. Trouble is I am always right when I need to be admitted and I despise NG tubes. Eric, do not lose heart or faith. Keep strong and sure of yourself. You are in tune with your body and that is important. Bad side effects to vaccines, but at the same time, which is worse, the illness from not having them when needed and the effects that has on your health? Do not second guess yourself. You have a strong mind and heart. I hope this is all sorted out for you very soon. I am sure you are doing your best in regards to your family member, you are a caring soul. Just do not forget to look after yourself in all of this.  

Linda 

Thanks for all the words of encouragement and thought, guys. I've received over 200 emails and messages since yesterday and won't be able to reply to them all, but I do appreciate everyone's support. 

So sorry for your struggles. Yes you are very resilient. Send you and yours many prayers . God Bless.

Eric, I'm so sorry to hear that you are experiencing these - to put it mildly - difficulties. To need care yourself... To be a caregiver for your family... To want to take positive action for a family member, yet have your proverbial hands bound... I can only imagine the stresses you are enduring physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. My heart is with you. And your family.

Writing to you from Reno, NV. Anticipating your visit to our UOAA Chapter, if you are up to the travel at that time. If so, a gentle hug awaits you from another ostomate. (Diag'd UC 2008. Ileostomy 2017.)

Blessed Be~

Wendy

Stay strong Eric.  Hopefully you can find something to help you manage the pain.  We're a month away from 'legalization'  so maybe this is something you may look at.  

You have done more than you can imagine to help during my husband's health problems. Words cannot express my gratitude. Please don't feel guilty if you have to change priorities. You are no good to anyone else if you don't look after yourself and those closest to you.
The videos and advice you have online will be helping a lot of people like me for a long time to come.
All the best.

My husband and I will praying for you to have the strength to get through it all! You helped my husband to see the possibilites and gave him hope on how to deal with having an ostomy from bladder cancer. We are so gracious for you! Easier said than done, but you cannot let allow someone else choices make you feel guilty. If you know all that you did to help out, then God knows you wanted to help and know all of our thoughts and prayers, He just wants to make you stronger and learn how to deal with the unexpected and the foreseen. I know because we watched a couple of family members struggle with their addictions and demons and it sounds harsh but that is where faith and strength comes and to help someone else out although we wanted so bad to help the person we love. Seek God for everything big and inbetween and little things. If I may suggest these 2 of many songs that helped us get through it all with cancer and for dear ones 1. Mandisa - Overcomer, 2.Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong United. I hope they will give you encouragement and peace! Much love!

Of course all the best wishes and prayers for you Eric. I am a recovering alcoholic, 28 years of continuous sobriety coming up October 8th. You are what we would call a family member of an alcoholic, and many go to Al-Anon for help. Don't know if it has been suggested, but thousands of individuals have benefitted from this type of support. Of course, other resources are available. It is said that alcoholism is a "family disease", as it adversely affects all those close to the suffering alcoholic, and therefore they are suffering family members/friends of a suffering alcoholic. Best wishes for your family member and you, of course

Eric, I will be praying for you and for your family, that's a promise. Your website and your work have helped me enormously to find the right products and to answer the questions that I have had so that I can provide good care for my husband. God bless you. You are the best!

So sorry for all your problems, I pray all will take a turn for the better. I & im sure many of us have missed your timely reports. They are always very useful to many of us, I’m sure. I pray all will be better in time for you & your family. Prayers heading your way. Hope to see you soon.

Stay strong and remember we’re here for you as much as you are here for us.

Eric, without your blogs and videos and advice I would still be struggling terribly as I was given literally zero ostomy education and no WOC nurse to follow up with. Everything I learned, I learned from you.
That being said, as the Mom of a recovering addict who suffered for 20+ years with his addiction, I completely understand the pain and frustration of life loving an addict. By the grace of God (and prison) my son has over 3 1/2 years clean and is thriving. I pray the same for your loved one.
This blog #TheAddictsDiary by Kevin Alter has helped so many addicts and their families. He is very active in finding help and resources for addicts and their families.
I hope you are feeling much better very soon and pray for all your family’s health and safety.

Hey Eric.  Sorry to hear of the troubles. Thinking of ya and hoping for the best. 

Chris

I'm very sorry to hear your news Eric. It must be totally frustrating not being able to find out what the exact problem is and also learning how to deal with a lack of energy and the resulting change of life-style. I do hope that they are able to find out the root cause soon. I'm glad to hear that you are so excited to be going to Reno to give a presentation. All the best with that too. Take good care, Carolyn

Hi Eric, sorry to hear about your troubles. You will get better. I am coming up on my 5 month ostmiversary, and you have been with me for all those months with tips and advice. Well I am here for youtoo. Hang in there, you will get better

Dear Eric

Among the things I’ve learned from you is there will always be setbacks of some kind, but your problem solving strategies and first hand knowledge in dealing with all sorts of Ostomy issues is what has been a guiding light for all of us. For that reason, I support your need to step back and figure things out for yourself and heal. I know the pain of watching a love one self destruct and reject all help. But find comfort that despite their difficult struggle, they knew you gave a damn. So be kind to yourself. I sent you words of encouragement and thanks for all that you have shared with us. This pause will hopefully serve as an opportunity to regroup and perhaps start a new venture for you.

Thank you for the positivity, Juana!