Over the last 10 years, I have tried to pry family history information out of my Uncle Bob (my Dad’s brother). For a few years, Bob was reading my blogs and if I picked topics that he knew, he would send me an e-mail. Subjects like his Grandparents farm in Waukesha, Wis., portrayal of my Dad, and the City Club would tweak his interest. I did obtain a little bit of information about our family Medical history. As I read some of the old e-mails, there is a pattern of “sensitive stomach” issues.
My Great Grandpa Elmer had a nervous stomach. His daughter-in-law, Myrna would describe Elmer as being very “loose”. Her description was that after eating, he “sh– like a goose”. I always thought that Myrna’s description of Elmer was just a funny story.
Elmer’s son (my Grandpa Chalk) was hospitalized several times for bleeding ulcers. My Uncle Bob attributed the ulcers to stress. Hmmmm?
My Dad must have inherited the sensitive stomach from his Dad (Chalk). My Dad was hospitalized for bleeding ulcers during the 1950’s.
My uncle Bob acknowledged stomach issues of his own over the years but kept problems under control with “Tums and antacid medication”.
I have been know to have a “sensitive stomach”. I have found that what I eat plays a big role in my stomach issues. Greasy foods including gravy bother me. Spicy food additives including salad dressings (such as olive oil) are a “no-no”. I try to avoid milk products. Cheese needs to be eaten in moderation. Like my Uncle Bob, “Tums” seem to work. The truth is I can eat almost anything as along as I do it in moderation. Daaaa!
I know that Grasshopper No.3 doesn’t handle some foods very well. The cooking oils at Hu-Hot cause havoc. I’m not sure stress is involved (he always looks in control). No.3 would have to share his eating sensitivities. Maybe he carries the stress inside?
And then there is Grasshopper No.5. She seems to have “drawn the short straw” when it comes to stomach sensitivity. I think she is finding that food plays a major role in managing the stomach and system. Maybe she’ll solve the family stomach sensitivity issues and write a book.
My reason for chronicling generational stomach issues is so that maybe you can use the information. If you seem to be sensitive to digestive problems, maybe it is something you inherited.
It has dawned on me that maybe we just eat too much food? Too much wrong food? No!
Love,
Dad