My mom never says anything when she is hurting. I can tell when something isn't right by her mannerisms. She sleeps a lot more than usual. I realized she is taking more pain pills. They always make her sleep. She doesn't want to eat . I notice her sitting in her chair with her legs drawn up. All of these things tell me she's having a direrticulitis attack. She didn't have to go to the hospital this time.

Reasons that brought on this attack:

* eating powdered donuts every morning for breakfast (process food)
* not drinking enough water
* not eating enough fiber
* not eating enough fruit and vegetables
* not enough exercise

Since I haven't had luck getting her to change her habits...I'm working on a compromise. Changes I've made in her diet:

* added a serving of fruit to her breakfast and limited her donuts to
2 days a week.
* introduced oatmeal and farina and a serving of fruit to the
mornings.
* added a serving of jello with fruit to her lunch.
* added a salad to supper every evening.
* added dried fruit to her snacks she eats during the day.
* added a jello with fruit to her evening snack.

She's starting to feel better. So far, she's been receptive to the changes I'm making in her diet. When these have all become a way of life, I'll make more changes. We are walking together down to the mailbox every day. (it's a start)

My mom is almost 80 years old. My goal is to keep her from having these diverticulitis attacks by gradually making diet/exercise changes she will accept. I want her to be healthy and happy.

Continuing this jouney.....one day at a time.