My parents called to ask if my husband and I would like to join them to celebrate their anniversary at a steak house. Ummm... was my response. Everything was going through my head: 1) What can I eat 2) How will I feel 3) I can't break their heart and say 'no' 4) Can I really pull this off after the last few days of not feeling good 4) I am sure much more ran through my head during my "Ummm" response. My mom let me 'talk it over' with my husband to make sure it was okay.
When my husband got home I told him where and when my parents wanted to meet for dinner. Can you guess his first response? Maybe you can, if you have a wonderful GP Husband! It was, "What are you going to eat", followed by "Sure, that's fine". Keep in mind that they place they wanted to go, we both do not like. What a keeper he is!
Let me also say that it was my parents 45th Wedding Anniversary. So, I HAD to go. At least in my mind. They will not be around forever and have never asked much from us! They are truly wonderful parents that would do anything for us and then some!
At the steak house, I ask what the soup is (knowing that is GP Friendly) and of course, it is nothing that I can tolerate. Okay, onto the next plan. That is to order a baked potato with 
To not explain WHY you are ordering such a little amount of food or to only eat a small amount of what you are served and get asked 96+ times if it is okay, is so very frustrating. Example: During a nice dinner out with my husband, by the 6th time (for real) the server asked (very concerned) if the meal was okay, I told her about gastroparesis. And I am not too sure how she really took the info, but seemed to be relieved that the quality of food was okay. I got so tired of her asking and my husband just looking at me with a smile to say 'it's okay, I understand'. When he is around I try to limit my GP talk and focus on other issues; since he sometimes just doesn't want to hear about it (I can't blame him, either).
This brings me to my meal with my parents. The potato went down fine. I was so happy and Dad asked about me a few times during the meal. Later, they ordered dessert and I had a couple bites. Well, it didn't go well (I didn't think it would, but wanted to try) and I made a sound (tried not to) as I held my stomach. Dad asked, 'are you okay' and I said 'sure, it happens all the time'. Then he asked, "What does it feel like?" and my mom hit him at the table and said, "you don't ask people those things". I had a smile on my face and told him, "imagine the worst stomach cramp you have had". I wanted to tell him more, but didn't dare get hit too!
All in all, it was a very successful dinner out and everybody had a good time. It was nice to see them and just be around people for a little bit. Some days we just got to do it and see what happens!
PS: Dad called to check up on me. And I lie (at times) to spare him the heartache. But, I know he knows with the tone of my voice.
