Mood:
Now Playing: Day 634-The Final Road To Survival
FINALLY! I can relax and sit back on my couchbed and blog! You have no idea how much I now look forward to blogging! You know why? I am finding it an amazing way to vent and de-stress...It's also a very helpful way for me to keep up with my progress whether it be medically or personally. I also enjoy writing! Its liberating being able to literally throw myself into something besides a dentist chair. Hahahaha!
Speaking of throwing yourself into a chair!... I like to call this little part of my blog the "Oprah Couch Session." Call it coming clean if you will of any questions out there in my city regarding my health or other false information being thrown out for the world to see or hear. If you can't hear it from the horses mouth then why take it from its tail end? Hahahaha! Just call me "KimEd!" So here we go. I am going to take these one at a time so there are no further false rumors out there to make me roll in my grave later down on the road. We are talking much, much later down the road of course!...I also would rather set the record straight now than later because I honestly have had my limit of stress as my final boundaries are set in the sand.
So if you haven't read it here coming directly from me and you are hearing it via a third party then guess what folks? It isn't true and sorry but you have been dooped. Ready? I am.
- When a 'friend' contacts you on emails or information which was private information based off of feelings then turns around and back-stabs you sharing private emails then maybe this isn't a friend to start with but a drama starter. Funny how a 'friend' would play both sides isn't it? When the emails are based off my feelings of non-support and 'feeling' abandoned then guess what? Those are 'my' feelings and I am entitled to such without being thrown stones.
- I have done my best to make contact with friends from my past on a few occasions. The same friends who left me high and dry once I got sick and diagnosed with Gastroparesis. Let's just say after trying more than a few times and giving information they request but in turn still not contacting me then I got the 'hint' maybe they were just using it the same way as saying 'hi!' to someone out in public. Small talk if you will but honestly no resentment or bad feelings because I extended a second hand out and if its not given back at least at the end of the day I can say I tried.
- I am not on a list of medication as some say out in the city. I take my Drano treatments when I am not under stress and one nausea medication as needed. Tums (occasionally) for acid and Beltonna for intestinal ulcers which didn't work so that leaves me with three medications. Not sure where some think I am taking pain meds or a list of other prescriptions?. I don't even take seizure medication because mine are due to the vagus nerve damage associated with my GP so they didn't work and when I did I was only on them for a week at a time just long enough for my doctors to say, "NEXT!" Come on now. You are accusing someone who lives and will be prior 'lived' with a drug addict. Its scary enough seeing someone become Jekyll and Hyde when a pin drops so why in the world would I want to take any medication to start with? Sure, my doctors are very compassionate and rightfully so with my terminal condition but as I tell them and I am telling you now I REFUSE to take any pain medication. I would rather suffer with the pain and deal with it. Guess what? I have and I still do. Do you count holistic Peppermint Oil as a drug too? If so I guess I am guilty of applying it on a piece of paper towel at night to help ease nausea by breathing it in. No. You can't get high off of it either so might as well shoot that rumor down too if it tries to surface. Hahaha! Medication case closed.
- Doctors, specialists, surgeons, etc can NOT disclose or share any personal information of a patients by law. This includes even if you pay them to be your doctor at your business. They can get sued and their license taken away. Let's just say any specialist who has only seen you two to three times has absolutely no clue about your own 'unique' condition unless they have at least treated you for over a year as well have any and all prior records from all your specialists. My team of 16 specialists whom all treat at least one organ not to forget my dentist who cares for my teeth that makes 17 have been seeing me as their patient for over 8 years now. That makes them experts in knowing my 'unique' medical condition. They are a team and work together as a team to give me the highest quality of care available. My friend has been attending various appointments for quite sometime as well my ex did too so let's just say specialists are not dumb. They can see through things and when it is extremely important for a patient in my case to have support its in the records. Records and emergency room visits speak for themselves as well when my ex had attitude and was hungry so wanted to leave and rush the treating doctor. Or when my ex told my doctors about the lack of support he saw for years or by telling me I couldn't be at home when my condition deteriorates due to 'some' would place me in a nursing home or care facility. That didn't go over so well! Same goes for questions that are or aren't being asked. One should also be an expect at my condition if they are supporting me and are first of all around me enough to even know about Gastroparesis. You can read about a medical condition online all you want but each patient based on the severity and connected problems are going to be different. Like I said and will say it again, "Unless you are here with me and have been at the doctors appointments with me let the doctors play doctor and try not to have a doctor badge on without the degree." When those who go with me at my appointments are telling someone facts its because they are real facts. Anything else, coming from anyone else is just made up crap. If you believe it then get out of my Oprah audience because you clearly belong on the Jerry Springer show. No, my prior medical conditions of having a reaction to a herbal supplement 11 years ago with a temporary superficial clot in my left arm, etc doesn't qualify for having Gastroparesis. My specialists as well clinics who had all my files went over everything. Been there. Done that. No connections. If only it was that easy to figure out the great GP mystery! As far as my brain? Ask any of my doctors how smart I am or better yet ask friends who know me now or better yet I know! Ask SSD health professionals whom stated at my hearing that I am intelligent enough to hold two master degrees but sadly my body is in in no shape to hold any job. My two Neurologists told my ex, "Do you know how smart your wife is? Look here! Look at her brain on these tests and scans! See that? I know she's smart, she's got a great looking brain!" My other specialists always remark by saying, "I don't need to tell you everything, you are highly intelligent and smart enough you can figure it out and usually do before I can." If having 'feeling's and venting them instead of holding them in then later blowing up makes you stupid and questions your cognitive health then I must be the dumbest person around! Hahahaha! Give me a break!
- Was I dumb to put up with crap living with an addict? Yes. Did I give out too many "I forgive you cards?" Yep. Guilty as charged. Did I try to put a stop to things solo and without help from others who also got the wrath of the addictions? Yes. You can't win a war without your troops. I tried and tried my darnest but I got no where fast. Those who think enabling someones addictions will make the person stop are crazy! They look worse than the addict. Remember the addict has it easy, their actions even sober may never affect them. Its the innocent people who have to live with it that suffer ten fold. My GREAT and I will say GREAT Psychologist treated addicts on the side for a very long time and he stopped doing so and will not treat any addicts again. You know why? Because of the damage addicts do to everyone around them. If you want the best and highest quality of advice on the what to do or not to do for someone who has addictions talk to someone who treats or has treated them for over 15 years. Amen. How anyone can sympathize with an addict who would lie, cheat and steal from you over someone who is sick and suffering who didn't ask for their condition is heartless and obviously isn't thinking straight.
- If you don't know how to act around or support someone who has a chronic or terminal condition regardless what it is then go see a therapist who specialists in terminal care and find out. I guarantee they will know first hand what you should do and what NOT to do. That includes not belittling the patient and causing them additional physical and emotional stress. Not everyone is built like the great wall of China being able to handle a tremendous amount of turmoil but I am. Don't patients have enough on their plate already? I think so! As far as if someone makes a critical decision to either help out or not and quickly decides they will NOT help out there is something wrong with that picture. In the end makes you wonder if they were punishing the patient for being sick. Its not a good feeling when someone refuses to accept the person you are today. Sick or not. If you can't accept someone at face value now then don't accept them at all. Remember we are not invincible we all one day will come down with something. How would you like to be treated? Just because someone may be GREAT at reaching out and helping others doesn't mean they treat those closest to them the same way.
- We all have friends that maybe not everyone knows about. Different friends bring different things to the plate of life. Some may bring great advice while others offer humor. Some may be wise in making quick decisions while others offer support and compassion. I have been accused by some of not knowing him or her, etc. Maybe because you are not around me long enough to know or ask. I have many friends. I used to have far more friends in state than out of state. Now I have twice as many friends out of state than both combined but what you see is what you get. They except me at face-value. Take me or leave me. My blog is also real and not fictional. This is my life and my 'feelings.' Trust me this blog benefits me more than most would care to say but if over 86,000 readers can relate or connect with me in a way that helps them in their own life then I see nothing but positive by doing a daily journal about my crazy GP life. Amen.
- Those who like to accuse me over and over again of being distorted about reality need to drink a few more pots of coffee in the morning. I am without a shadow of a doubt 110% fully aware of what I have medically and what I deal with personally. I am also fully aware of bad behavior and being falsely accused maliciously over fabricated crap. Reality is knowing when someone clearly needs to get help of their own and step out of the land of make believe. I have been eyes wideeeee open folks all eight years and 10 months of medical suffering. I don't need to video tape it. I have a darn good memory like a library so if you doubt my common sense then ask me a question. I am sure to have a quick and honest answer for you.
- Try not to compare ones medical condition to another. You can't. That's like comparing apples to oranges. Anyone who uses that same analogy over and over again only shows others the lack of compassion they truly have for the person who is sick.
- When you constantly belittle someone countless times you are bound to get a back fire reaction which might include someone taking their tone of voice up a few notches. You know why? Because maybe you are not really listening and they grew tired of repeating themselves. Patients have feelings too and we are not made of stone. Same goes for any human being.
- You will quickly find out about those later on in life who were fortunately enough to leave a legacy behind and foot prints in the sand. This gal never took the Gastroparesis bull by the horns fighting for years raising Gastroparesis Awareness without great cause! I find anyone who questions my compassion for helping other patients who suffer in silence or reaching out to assist their family, friends or loved ones very disheartening. There is no shame in the power of loving others out there in the world. I don't need nor did I even need to profit by being a good person. I would rather die broken knowing I gave it my all no matter how sick I was to help someone than in the end to die and be judged by how much money I made or how many toys I had. Respect isn't based off of Uncle Sam its based off of those who were always real to the end and fought for what they believed was right. That includes fighting for yourself. That's TRUE RESPECT!
- There comes a time in every ones life when relentless stress can start causing extreme harm to someone internally. You can be the strongest bull in the China shop mentally but human organs can only take so much physically. For those who feel my medical condition might kill them because they can not handle seeing me sick then it is best for now you not see me. Its sad to have to part with those we love but it never was my intention to cause anyone including family stress by being sick. I guess in a strange way in the end I am protecting their lives by putting my own on the line. Until everyone sits down with someone who specializes in treating chronic and terminal patients that can assist the tension that continues to build I must for now go my own separate way. I won't disallow anyone when my time comes to be by my bedside nor put limits on who passes by my coffin when Heaven calls but I just for once wanted to be as real as one can get. I am not dead yet so please don't talk of me as in 'past' tense. The only thing that kills is hope. This was long overdue and I can only take full responsibility of not being upfront with my feelings for years and thinking it was 'ok' to bottle them up because it wasn't. I will take this time in front of over 86,000 readers and apologize for any hell that my condition has caused my parents and my Sister as well their children. Being human means you can accept when you are right and even when your wrong. Being human also means you are sincere when you say your sorry. Its sad that I can't be that person you all once knew years ago. All I can be now is me.
This Oprah couch session went wayyyyyy past the one hour time limit...Heck! Where were the commercials? Time to give Oreo his medication and call it a night. OOPS! I mean a morning. There are other chess pieces just waiting to be moved this week and remember time waits for no one. Amen.
There wasn't much sleep for this gal last night seeing poor Oreo still isn't feel well with seizures. He had one at 10:30am that woke me up then he was disoriented stumbling to stand up so once he come to I had him sleep next to me on the couch bed. This way I could keep a close eye on him. The seizures are very scary for him as well what follows which is extreme disorientation. His blood work is still out pending and until that comes back its touch and go. Jingles isn't helping matters but he can't help it since hes still a puppy. Littleblue is still nursing her hedgehogs playing Mom to the gang. So much for a two week ordeal. We are now going on three weeks.
The veterinarian was very concerned with the other fur kids at home seeing they can rebound the same infection and virus then pass it around again. YIKES! With Oreo also being 13 years old the stress of the puppy isn't helping his seizures because over the past three days they have gotten worse. Oreo is having different type of seizures so it makes it twice as hard for the veterinarians to get things under control. "IF they can get them under control." When the blood work comes back then they will have a better understanding of Oreo's medical condition.
This all makes me wonder the other night when that nut was over the house outside in a psychotic rage while Oreo was also outside if that made his medical situation worse...Seems to me if stress makes my GP worse and others who have chronic or terminal medical conditions it can certainly do the same to fur kids. It really makes me infuriated! My back is still not 100% and I had to cancel my GI appointment for Thursday since things had to be all rearranged this week and I still have to fit in the second half of my treatment. GEES! My Gastroenterologist is very understanding and worked me into next week, same day and same time. Tomorrow I have a court appointment to put a quick stop to that nut trying to assault me for no reason then I will be taking a further step in another direction right after that so I won't be tolerating something like that from ever happening again.


My friend apologized to me today in regards to not sticking up for me while having someone attempt to assault me. Honestly he said, "I don't know what I was thinking but I sure the heck wasn't thinking." It got to him all night and around 5am he confronted my ex about the entire incident that happened all because his puppy 'accidentally' got out of the house when he was walking Littleblue. Remember anyone who comes off drugs is bound to snap for no reason same goes for the sibling and whatever they were taking or under the influence of. Detoxing should be done under a controlled environment and never on your own cold turkey. Its a step down process. Not all at once. Lord only knows but it was CRAZY! My friend asked for my ex to apologize for coming after me and screaming when it wasn't my fault that his puppy 'accidentally' got out but I would never and don't hold my breath.
On top of the chain of events this is Drano treatment day and I still have a swollen back. Its important for me to walk around still due to my Idiopathic Gastroparesis but it doesn't come without the heavy price of constant pain. I have been through worse and I will just have to continue sucking up and dealing with it. I didn't sleep hardly at all last night into the morning and early afternoon. I got a few hours here and there in between the constant text messages and calls from very concerned out of state friends. At least they did talk me into some rational sense and helped me decide the next of many moves which will allow some peace back into my life. Its true! Unless you have lived it yourself or walked in someones shoes you will never know first hand what its like. They all know because they either have been through the same things or live it now. Consider it being a back bone for each other. 
So much for this being the start of a stress-free weekend. I should had just caned or wheel-chaired my way out of the house tonight but instead some how I made my back much worse last night. It could had been from moving a box or just bending the wrong way. Regardless I figured late last night it would just 'go away' if I just took it easy and used some ice. Instead I didn't sleep well and couldn't get comfortable. The pressure pain was horrible trying to sit up and when I went to move it only got worse. When I looked in the mirror my entire lower back was swollen. I think I bit my own tongue by not listening to my specialists and taking it easy. I had planned to go out this evening but instead got stuck once again inside my house-jail. At least the animal gang are enjoying having me home. So much for getting out once a week and with treatment tomorrow it doesn't look like I will be getting out to escape anytime soon. If I do it will only be to my local police department or county courthouse.
Let's be honest by saying anyone who has a drug or alcohol addiction problem you won't be winning any arguments nor reasoning. While I am hearing it from him I am hearing it from his sibling and things were getting NUTS! From minding my own business to once again being a punching bag I had to literally try to shut and lock the door on his sibling who was trying to grab and punch me all at the same time. YES! All this unnecessary stress and madness was going on while my friend of all people was just standing there. Call me crazy but I am not sure what he was thinking! He should had protected me by escorted the sibling off the property so they didn't cause me any further stress nor physical harm but...he didn't. My ex didn't help matters either by continuing to say they can come over and visit when they want. This was also going on while the sibling was still calling me every name under the sun while still reaching for the door and me. I am not sure what they were loaded or tanked on but I was just waiting for them to put their fists through the glass storm door. I wish they would had then maybe when they woke up the next day they would had realized how crazy they looked! I don't even talk to my ex's siblings nor family. I haven't in years so I am not sure why this sibling felt it was 'OK' to come after me like that. Its called aggravated menacing. 
The new water is called MetroElectro and after I checked the ingredients it has the same as SmartWater but the difference is the added nutrients such as zinc. I decided to buy four large bottles and give it a try. So far so good! I don't taste much of a difference with MetroElectro water compared with SmartWater but any added benefits I can get all the better! I plan on sticking with this water over the next four weeks pending if I do ok and it doesn't make me nauseated or cause any further GI problems. With Gastroparesis if something doesn't agree your body it will definitely let you know!
I had an appointment with Miss Clairol this afternoon. Although my hair is literally coming out in chunks I still have to deal with darn gray hairs! This of course will be temporary. Something I won't miss when I lose the rest of my hair is coloring it. Same goes with trying a zillion hair care products that all say one thing but I don't see a darn thing but a waste of money. I have used all the Biotin products out there on the market but nada-zip! Same goes with nutritional supplements. They never worked for me either. If all this waste of money really worked wouldn't I have a full head of hair again? EXACTLY! Instead I should had spent all that money on wigs that guarantee me hair on my head. Hahahahaha!
Jingles puppy has been off his antibiotics the past few days but this evening I could hear chest congestion starting up again. Looks like he will be going back to the vet this weekend for a second round of medication. Poor little guy! No wonder he wasn't been as energetic today. He even took a seat next to me before I laid down with the heating pad. I love puppies! They are just the cutest! Jingles is starting to develop a personality too and a darn fiesty one! Hahahaha! I tend to think he will be a very BIG BOY in a year. His feet are huge on top of having some very long legs. Littleblue and Oreo at least got to take a few walks to the park across the street today. This weather makes no sense! The temperature was around 65 degrees today and my spring flowers are starting to come up again! YIKES! If we don't start having more winter like weather I can only imagine how horrific allergies will be this coming spring and summer. Forget me stepping out of the house! I'm praying for SNOW! SNOW! and more SNOW!
My friend got his 'school photos' back. Hahahaha! OK. More like work photos. He tried to hide them from me seeing he doesn't like any of them so I had to choose a few for him. Since I already had a photo editor program same that magazines use I can tweak with backgrounds, etc. I decided to send him some chuckles while he was at work this evening and boy! were the photos FUNNY! I will have to post a few this weekend. We both laughed, laughed and laughed! So did his coworkers! Out of ten poses I liked two the best although he still insists he doesn't like either. That's men for ya! Hahaha!
I made sure to set my cell phone alarm last night for my doctor-therapist appointment today. Of course I was awake way before my alarm went off since Littleblue is still in her Mommy mode collecting stuffed animal hedgehog puppies all hours of the day and night. I expect this to only last maybe one more week. Its cute but at the same time I think I am just as exhausted as she is! Hahahaha! Oreo is doing a bit better although hes still very slow when moving around. I keep a close eye on him and Littleblue as well Jingles puppy. Oreo and Littleblue have another week of antibiotics then need to get rechecked. Jingles is finally finished with all his medication so he will be rechecked this week since he was the one who brought all the nasty germs and viruses home. He is a handful! It seems so long ago when Littleblue was 'little.' Jingles will give you a run for your money and then some! Hes hilarious when he goes into the run mode going round and round the couch, at least three to four laps then DONE! Oreo gets exhausted just from watching him! Hahahaha!
I am running out of hair!" I don't see any new hair regrowth either. My doctors have run every test under the sun but no luck! It just comes back to the same thing-Idiopathic Gastroparesis complications-poor absorption. The last few weeks I have come to the understanding that I just need to embrace wigs. Have fun with them! Not consider them as a horrible reminder of my condition. Its not like back in the day when wigs were rare and not many people wore them. Now you will find lots of celebrities wearing a variety of wigs. My first time out in public with one on was New Years eve. I sported a long blond two tone look. I took some of my Christmas money and bought another one today which is almost the same color of my natural hair now but with dark red high lights and side bangs. Next venture out I plan on wearing my latest wig. It might take a bit but no need to cry over something I can't change and hair I won't be getting back.
I see my amazing therapist tomorrow armed with a team of support also accompanied by support. No. This fire won't be put out anytime soon. I go to bed with one eye open and wake up the same way. I am VERY alert to my surroundings and rightfully so. Even with all this crap going on I still have to do my treatments-no pun intended and just finished one up last night. Life doesn't stop for no one and neither does the ole Drano aka Hell-In-A-Jug either. Maybe now that I have learned to respect myself again others will learn to respect me back and not use me as a pushover or rug to walk on. If you want to push just expect to be pushed back. I take my health very seriously and won't be allowing anyone to take precious time off my hands anymore. Amen.
OH HECK NO! I REFUSE to start this new year off on the wrong foot. I am lacing up my boxing gloves ready to fight off any evil that walks into my life or is already in it. This is the year for change. I am not asking. I am DEMANDING it! 
The fur kids are still on antibiotics and although not 100% better they are at least eating a bit of canned food. I have to fill a bowl up with milk or water and bring it to them hoping they will at least drink a bit. Oreo still isn't drinking that much which has me a bit worried. If it continues by tomorrow evening I will have to take him back to the vet Wednesday. If anything at least the can food has water in it to help keep them hydrated. Jingles puppy is slowly getting back to himself. He is full of tons of energy running back and forth room to room. He still likes to eat laying down which I assume might just be called 'lazy' instead of being sick. Hahaha! 
I have never played the 'SICK CARD' and I am tired of hearing my illness as an excuse for someone who has addiction problems. I am tired of hearing I, they, we, she, he can't help them when there are plenty of options out there to choose from. Its sad when everyone stands back and watches someone slowly decline and refuse to help the person. I did all I can at the same time being called every name in the book and put through more stress than one should ever have to go through in a lifetime. I have to use the 'SICK CARD' with this because guess what? I am sick. I have Gastroparesis but also dealing with inappropriate and unacceptable behavior.