So many of you have emailed me or sending me private messages asking where I’ve gone lately. Thank you for the concern! I’m hoping this post will answer some questions.
First off, let me say that VeganOstomy is one of the most important things in my life, and new content is on the way (I promise!).
Members of my Community Forums likely haven’t noticed my absence since I am still active there. But a few things have come up that have taken time away from working on the website and being able to advocate the way I would like. I do wish to remain private with some things, but I’m comfortable enough to open up about these, so here it goes…
Earlier in the year, I had a health setback that’s created an extra physical and mental burden on me. I haven’t shared much about it because we’re still not sure exactly what’s going on yet.
So, back in February of this year, I received two vaccines: one was a Hepatitis B shot and the other was Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal vaccine).
Several days after the shots I started to get body pains, which worsened and spread over the course of several weeks and months. Well, after over a dozen x-rays, an MRI, blood tests and specialists, we still don’t know what is actually happening in my body.
And this isn’t the first time this has happened. Back in Feb 2014, I had the “TDAP” (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine and experienced the same symptoms beginning several days after that one.
In that case, the pains lasted nearly a year and then went away. The health department was notified of this possible adverse reaction back then and they suggested that I continue to have regular vaccines.
And I did, without trouble, until this year.
But this time, the symptoms haven’t been going away. Seven months later and they seem to be getting worse. My doctor’s appointments are still ongoing and I have a special appointment in November to explore what triggered this (so I can avoid it in the future).
That said, these chronic symptoms have been draining and make it difficult to move with the energy I’m used to having. It also creates more challenges as I still have to maintain all my work and family responsibilities on top of that.
But I’m no stranger to physical pain and I’m generally able to persevere through it.
What’s really grounded me to a halt, however, is witnessing a family member, who I love dearly, struggle with substance abuse over the course of the last year and having no power to alter their course.
It feels like I’m watching someone drown ten feet away from me and I have no way of rescuing them.
This has taken a significant toll on my drive to help others. I carry a huge sense of guilt every time I plan to make a new video or write another article to help others while knowing the one person I desperately want to help is out of reach.
Please, accept my apology for this absence.
There has been so much that I’ve wanted to share with you, but social media has been a source of anxiety, so I’ve avoided it. And my newsletter – well, quite frankly, I’ve been embarrassed that I have so little new content this year when my goal was to have at least 30 new articles/videos done for 2018, so I haven’t sent out any newsletters for most of the summer.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through the last 10 years of having Crohn’s Disease, and 5 years of living with an ostomy, it’s resilience.
I will find a way through this.
Hey there Eric… Addiction is a nasty issue. It is a whole other kind of pain. So sorry you are going through so much right now. As for yourself, have you or will you be seeing a Rhuematologist? They deal with chronic pain issues all the time and often know things our GP may fail to recommend or see. They also do blood work that our GP’s never think to do. It would not hurt to see one. Auto Immune disease is a tricky thing. I recently discovered how linked together my IBD and Ankylosing Spondylitis are. Eric, we get that you can not be on the job 24/7. We love you for what you are doing and have done for us all. You are taking your priorities the way they need to be handled and I admire you so much for you that. We would all do the same. Family first is a must. Take all the time you need. New content is always welcome, the old never gets old, it is ongoing and continues to teach even after the fifth time of viewing or reading. Anything else is bonus. You will get to these other things eventually, and as usual, you will do an awesome job. One day at a time Eric. It happens when it happens. I too will keep you and your loved one in my prayers.Linda
Hey Eric . First off you have no reason to be sorry for anything you and your site have helped me and so many others so much and will continue to do so . Take a break . I am sorry to here that a loved one of yours is having a problem of such magnitude and I am sure it is very frustrating for you . I am wishing you and your Loved one the best with getting through this problem . You know even if we all can’t be there physically to help we are ALL there for you with moral support and prayers . I am also sorry to hear that you are having such problems with your health and I am wishing you the best with everything they will get it figured out . You are a FIGHTER and I know you will get through all of this .
You’re so awesome Eric- you got me through one of the most difficult times. Please don’t feel guilty. I watch your videos several times so personally I don’t need new content! I have been so overwhelmed with questions that no one else can seem to answer. Your website is alive and well. I am sure you will get through this and be yourself again soon. I wish you all the best health and strength as you deal with your family member. Been there- it’s awful- totally powerless. I know it really sucks. Hang in !
Please accept my sympathy for the troubles that you are bearing.
I am sure that you have heard that God only challenges those who are capable of overcoming the difficulty.
You know how much we respect your strengths. We constantly praise your accomplishments. We pray that you will find the source of the pain and cure it.
Then, you can tell us about it so that we can overcome it , too.
Respectfully,
Z
P.s. your frustration with a drug addled relative is a common problem. It seems that no family is immune to this disease. Especially now, when the opioid epidemic is not due to moral weaknesses.
Prayer does work.
You cannot teach “stupid".
You can pray for “stupid " to survive and recover.
Z
Thank you all for the love and support.
I wanted to clarify a few points about the vaccines and reaction I had.
Firstly, I encourage everyone to have their regular vaccinations. At this point, my doctors simply don’t know what specifically I’ve had a reaction to – maybe a specific ingredient is triggering things to go crazy, or maybe it’s just my body not taking the shot very well.
I’ve had Hep. B shots over the last few years without any problem – the two outlying vaccines that possibly caused a reaction need to be tested further, and I’ll be doing that at a special clinic beginning in November.
I will say that all physical signs (x-rays, MRI, blood tests, physical exam) show NO problems. Pain is there, but there is no apparent inflammation (i.e. Nothing indicates that my immune system is active).
So we are still investigating what’s going on, but I did not post what I did to scare anyone about having vaccines! The health department has been contacted both times I had a reaction, and both times they urged me to continue to have my regular shots. I agree with them, but I would like to identify which vaccines are more likely to cause a reaction in my body before I get any more shots in the future.
These problems don’t appear to be Crohn’s related (i.e. I’m not in a flare), so that’s a good thing.
We understand Eric………….. Not to worry– now get back to taking care of yourself with NO mental stress here………… We have lots of back logged information to get back into and advance ourselves with all the new approaches you have done.. This should take us a bit of time.. We will take care of each other the best we can.. After all-we are family Right !!!!!!!!