Holidays & Five Course Meals

[Guest guest]

Fliss,

You wrote,

" I've just arrived back from my holiday in Cornwall. It was

great ... The owner of the hotel turned out to be a fabulous

cook. She adapted everything for my needs and I still had a superb

5 - course meal. "

What a wonderful experience. It usually turns out the opposite way.

I don't ever expect to have anything available for my diet when

we go out. I tend to fill my cooler with foods that I can tolerate,

pop in a couple of ice blocks, and I am off. It's been so long now

that it isn't any trouble. I can imagine what a delight and joy it

must have been to receive such individualized nutritional care and

attention. That sure makes someone feel part of and makes the

experience that much more enjoyable!

Now…about the five course part of the meal? Hmmm? I am sure you

were full to the brim. But, you know, on the other hand, a grand and

fancy 5-part meal is really so much fun; it is more about the hours

of fine food, friends, and conversation. You don't have to eat a

huge amount with each part. It is the difference being drinking a

pot of regular coffee or one cup of an exquisite bean roast.

Hearing you share reminds me of a time years ago when I lived in

Austin, TX. We had a very large dining room and a table that sat 12.

We regularly had fun-formal dinner parties. They were formal in the

presentation of it all, but otherwise we had a great time. We would

dress up in vintage clothing; dress the table up with fine china,

every piece of silverware imagined, and place cards with the

guests'

names. We often invited friends that did not know each other. The

place cards were set at the table to purposely bring new people

together, separating couples, spouses, etc. and watched the magic at

work. It was really interesting.

That was probably more than anyone really needed to know, but

sharing served me well. It is like a breath of fresh air to allow

the memories of yesteryear to rekindle the pre-diagnosis days. In

the midst of nausea, pain, fear, and depression, it is easy for us

to lose touch, with who we were, the things we used to enjoy doing,

and re-define our identity with our disease. Yes, there is reality,

but then there is also hope, which I believe is what keeps me alive.

That is why I enjoy hearing others share about their vacations, etc.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

http://www.pancassociation.org

Pancreatitis Association International