Malnutrition Defeated: A Journey of Healing with a Compassionate Team
By: Option Care Health
August 26, 2024
In 2022, I graduated from nursing school with dreams of starting my career as a nurse. However, life had other plans. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a condition that made it impossible for me to work and pursue my passion. As my condition worsened, I had to put my career on hold to focus on my health.
Initially, my local clinicians recommended jejunal feedings, which I tolerated well at first. However, after my J-tube surgery, my condition began to deteriorate, and eventually I became severely malnourished. I was surviving on a mere 500 calories a day, leaving me too weak to perform even the simplest tasks. My mom had to help me with everything, including bathing. Living in a two-story home became a daily struggle, as I had to crawl up the stairs, feeling my body slowly giving up.
My local registered dietitian recommended Parenteral Nutrition (PN) and sent the order. We were then referred to Option Care Health (OPCH). I was scared to start PN, but my OPCH dietitian reassured me, saying, “Just because you’re on PN doesn’t mean your life is over. The goal is to give you back more of your life than before.” Her words stuck with me, offering hope during a difficult time.
Due to my blood sugar issues, I’m on 23-hour PN feeds and carry a backpack that has become a part of me. Despite these challenges, my OPCH team has been incredible. My registered dietitian and pharmacist have truly been lifesavers. I continue to speak with my OPCH registered dietitian weekly because she genuinely cares about my well-being and supports me through every step of my journey.
Thanks to the unwavering support of my Option Care Health team and my local registered dietitian, I am back to work and feeling so much better. I wholeheartedly recommend Option Care Health to anyone in need. They have played a crucial role in my recovery, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and care.
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