Father suffering from acid reflux

[leechienut]

I have done Scott's cleanse around 10 times now, and have altered my diet beyond recognition of where it was 5 years ago. I have brought a number of friends through the cleanse now as well with great results in their overall energy, quality of skin and digestion.

My father is 71, and is a bit of a stick in the mud. He likes to eat chocolate, drink wine and coffee, loves pastries and sugary goodies, and also likes to go out for a "manly breakfast" on the weekend with sausages & bacon. My mom is a health fanatic like me, and eats beautiful organic food, lots of juicing, vegetables, whole grains, and feeds my dad like this for all meals that he eats at home. It's my dad's sneaky behaviour that is throwing his health off track.

He has now been diagnosed with an ulcerated esophagus/duadonum, and is being put on prescription medication for that, and is also on medication for high blood pressure.

I want to help him, want to do something, but am not sure where to start. Getting him to agree to a cleanse might be out of the question, and my mom is worried that it would throw his system into a crazy detox that would harm more than heal (I don't agree with her there.)

Any advice or words of wisdom is much appreciated.

[kellyleighton]

I was diagnosed with reflux 20 plus years ago. After 15 years of meds, and a diagnosis of erosion of the esophageal lining, I met a chiropractor who suggested I had food allergies and I got tested.

While I waited for results, I stopped eating wheat, soy, dairy, and eggs. Put away the coffee pot, and limited alcohol to once a month.

I have not had to take any of the reflux meds in three years. My last endoscopy (March 2010) showed a completely healed esophagus.

On the other hand, my other health issues did not resolve, and once my reflux disappeared, I started splurging again on foods that 'didn't hurt' - they were quick, easy, accessible, and I didn't see the benefit of eliminating all of the 'gunk junk' from my diet.

Until your dad's mind is made up that he Will benefit AND he Wants to benefit from changing his diet, he won't do it.

I still 'cheat' once in awhile, and will sometimes get a mini episode of reflux along with a migraine headache when I do. I still psychologically miss some of the foods that are now on my "don't do it" list. These were 'comfort' foods for me and I still associate a deep 'want' for them even now.

My daughter is like you, in that she wants me to be 'fixed' and healthy all at once, never tempted to stray into 'bad' foodland ever again! She grows exacerbated with my stealth adventures into things unhealthy.

The draw is there to eat those eggs and bacon, even as I lie here in bed recovering from a cholecystectomy.

Provide your dad as many healthy meals as you can, make it easy for him to eat well. He may or may not quit his wicked ways, but you'll have done what you can to get/keep him healthy. Convince him he's around to enjoy your company with twenty more 'good' years, vs. 10 'bad' ones.

He may not give up any of his bad habits, and you'll have to learn to love him in spite of his choices. We only get one space suit issued to us, he's blessed beyond belief to have a wife and a daughter who strive to make great health choices to keep his running well for years to come.

Free Will. It can be so hard to watch sometimes!

Good Luck!

[Scott]

That was a beautiful post, kelly. I couldn't have said it better, or be able to add much to it. Thank you.

I feel for anyone in the position of watching your parents suffer; I don't have any easy answer. Everyone has free will. The best we can do is offer ideas, and testimonials like Kelly's. But the rest is up to them.

[kellyleighton]

Thanks Scott, your remarks are kind and appreciated -

I've been wondering about L-nut's question/mother's concern that a detox throw her dad's system out of whack ~

I'm not sure, but in my opinion, I would tend to believe that the healthier and cleaner the fuel one puts into the engine, the better the engine will run.

I work at a motorcycle shop - and I am amazed at the number of people who will only run high test fuel as prescribed by the owners manual for optimum performance from their bike engines, but who will then 'fuel up' after a HOG chapter meeting, putting into their own bellies food guaranteed to cause trouble in their own 'internal engine'!

When I was first out of the hospital for the abscess in the duodenum and small intestine, I was in so much pain (think coffee grounds in the stomach) that I wouldn't eat or drink much more than clear home made chicken broth or diluted apple juice for nearly a month.

It took the next three months of eliminating all processed/packaged foods and a steady diet of 'high test' healthy soups, smoothies, and fresh cooked veggies to completely heal the intestinal lining.

Is your Dad up for the challenge? He can change the conditions that will allow his body to heal ~ and I'm rootin' for him from afar. Wishing you the best of results with your Dad!

[kellyleighton]

Thanks Scott, your remarks are kind and appreciated -

I've been wondering about L-nut's question/mother's concern that a detox throw her dad's system out of whack ~

I'm not sure, but in my opinion, I would tend to believe that the healthier and cleaner the fuel one puts into the engine, the better the engine will run.

I work at a motorcycle shop - and I am amazed at the number of people who will only run high test fuel as prescribed by the owners manual for optimum performance from their bike engines, but who will then 'fuel up' after a HOG chapter meeting, putting into their own bellies food guaranteed to cause trouble in their own 'internal engine'!

When I was first out of the hospital for the abscess in the duodenum and small intestine, I was in so much pain (think coffee grounds in the stomach) that I wouldn't eat or drink much more than clear home made chicken broth or diluted apple juice for nearly a month.

It took the next three months of eliminating all processed/packaged foods and a steady diet of 'high test' healthy soups, smoothies, and fresh cooked veggies to completely heal the intestinal lining.

Is your Dad up for the challenge? He can change the conditions that will allow his body to heal ~ and I'm rootin' for him from afar. Wishing you the best of results with your Dad!