One thing I’ve learned on this journey so far is that people seem to be really uncomfortable when you’re not eating and they are.   I’ve been going out to restaurants since a few days after surgery.  Most of the time, I can find something appropriate, but occasionally I can’t.  And I realize people are truly disturbed by this.  Are they being nice?  Do they feel bad about what they are eating? I don’t quite get it.  Maybe it’s because I have food allergies and have been around people eating food that I know I can’t.   I’m allergic to shellfish and I’m beginning to view certain foods in much the same way that I view lobster, crab and shrimp. Being around people eating shellfish doesn’t bother me.  I could have some if I really wanted, but I’d get extremely sick and possibly die depending on how much I had. I don’t know for sure that I will get sick on a lot of the foods I now avoid, but much like the amazing lobster bisque, that everyone pities me for not being able to try, I going to pass and err on the side of caution. So I went out to eat with a friend and told him about my surgery. He seemed minimally interested, but did ask me what I could eat.  He’s the type of person who truly enjoys food, a foodie. Part of me felt like I was raining on his parade.  He refused to get an ice cream cone or popcorn when I said I couldn’t have any. Maybe it’s the polite thing to do, but it really annoyed me. Have whatever you want, I’m the one that had this surgery. For the rest of my life, I’m going to have to deal with people eating all types of food that I may or may not be able to have and I’m okay with that.